How to Use Non-Induction Cookware on Induction Cooktop

Wondering how to use non-induction cookware with your induction stove? induction cooktops are all the rage on the market today and are increasingly in demand due to their many advantages. From cooking efficiency to cost savings, induction cooktops have become the way to go for better tasting and more nutritious food. But even with all these great benefits, some users still need to learn how to successfully utilize this innovative cooking method and how to use the cookware at home.

How to Use Non-Induction Cookware on Induction Cooktop

What is an induction cooktop?

A cooking surface that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate heat. It contains a coil and electricity, which generates a magnetic field between it and a pot or pan placed on the surface.

This means that, like an electric oven, the cooking temperature can be controlled at will by controlling the amount of electricity passing from the induction coil to the magnetic box.

The strength of this magnetic field can be varied in three ways: frequency (number of cycles), amplitude (depth of penetration), and duration, allowing pots and pans at different distances from the coil to receive different levels of energy as needed.

How does an induction stove work?

An induction stove generates heat by splitting the electric current into fast waves. These electromagnetic waves generate an electric current in the metal of the pot by pushing back electrons.

The faster the current on the cooktop oscillates, the faster these high-energy waves reach the boiling point and heat is transferred throughout the pot. When a metal pot is placed on this stove top, it absorbs the energy without having to be heated first by gas or electricity.

Currently, induction cooktops have a significant advantage over other cooking methods. There is no need to touch delicate coatings or ceramics, which are easily scratched and cracked, and no harmful particles are introduced into the food when touched.

Also Read: How To Boil Milk WithOut Curdling

Normal cookware vs Induction Cooktop

The first question that arises when switching to an IH cooktop is, “Can I use regular cookware with an IH stove?” The short answer is that induction cooktops are known to be magnetic; they are designed to be attracted to the magnetic field of the induction cooktop. While conventional or regular cookware may appear “metallic,” not all cookware is ferromagnetic, i.e., can attract magnets; to use “regular” cookware on an induction cooktop, it must be magnetic, with a flat bottom. If your current cookware is made of cast iron or magnetic stainless steel, it can still be used on an induction cooktop. If you have aluminum, copper or glass, don’t worry. New items are now available.

Nonstick frying pan vs induction cooktop

Another concern concerns the use of nonstick frying pans: can nonstick frying pans be used with induction cooktops? Most households now use non-stick cookware in the hopes of getting rid of greasy meals. Like other “traditional” cookware, nonstick pans can be used on induction stoves, but only those with a magnetic base. Modern nonstick frying pans are compatible with induction cooktops because they have the IH seal as described above. However, care must be taken when handling ferromagnetic nonstick frying pans for use in induction cooktops. The cooking temperature should not exceed about 400 degrees F, the smoking point of fats and oils, to avoid the release of harmful gases that can cause polymer fume.

Also Read: How to Keep Green Bananas From Ripening

Can I use regular pans on an IH stove?

Before attempting to use ordinary non-magnetic cookware, it is necessary to know how an induction cooktop works. induction cooktops, unlike gas or electric cooktops, use electromagnetic radiation.

IH cooktops send electric current directly to the magnetized cookware, not to the cooktop itself.

This advanced technology heats the cookware instantly. One might imagine what would happen if an ordinary pot were used.

Even with heat conduction, if the cookware is not magnetic, you would have to wait all day for the cookware to heat up.

In fact, you can use non-IH cookware on an induction stove, but don’t expect much more than cast iron or stainless steel induction cookware.

There is always the possibility that the cookware can actually be used. A magnet can be used to test the compatibility of cookware. Place the magnet on the flat bottom of the cookware. If it is sticky, it is likely to be compatible with the induction cookware.

How do I make my cookware IH compatible?

Fortunately, you can make non-induction cookware a little easier to use by using an induction converter disc. This disc is made of magnetic material and can be placed on the surface of the cookware.

Its magnetism attracts heat, so when you place your non-induction cookware on the disc, it will heat up.

Also Read: How to keep apples from turning brown with Honey

Steps To Using An Induction Converter Disk

Using the IH diffuser or interface disc is quite simple. It just requires a little patience.

Step 1:

Place the disc over the eye of the stove of your choice. Make sure it covers all or most of the surface of the stove eye. You should then hear a “buzzing” sound. Even if you do not feel the heat emanating from the disk on the stove, it is still hot and should not be touched.

Step 2:

Place a non-induction cookware directly on the disc. It takes time for the current to flow from the disc to the cookware, so be prepared to wait a few more minutes for the desired temperature to be reached.

Step 3:

Cook as usual. Covering the pot or pan will consume even less power and extend the heating time.

Step 4:

If your warmer has a heat-resistant handle, carefully remove it when finished cooking. Some diffusers do not have handles, so wait until they have cooled before removing them. An infrared thermometer is useful to determine the stove temperature.

Also Read: How to Clean BBQ Grill Grates with Ammonia

Problems when using induction converter discs

Although you can cook without induction with the disc, it is not without its drawbacks. Some of the problems include the following

The heating time of the IH cooking heater
Weight on the IH cooktop
The risk of damage to the induction cooktop

Hopefully someone will improve the induction disc in the near future.

Damage to the IH stove

Some diffusers have support buttons on the bottom that do not lie flat. Unfortunately, heavy cookware used on induction does not work well with this type of diffuser as the pressure of the cookware on the diffuser can scratch the cooktop.

In addition, some discs are of low quality and can cause blistering, discoloration, and damage to the stove. Some discs can get hot enough to damage your cooktop. For the best cooking experience, try to find perfectly flat conversion discs made of high quality materials.

Induction cooktop heating times

While induction-compatible cookware can be used to cook quickly, using induction discs is only a stopgap measure. This is because the disc is not actually attached to the cookware, leaving many air pockets and increasing the heating time.

In one study, it took twice as long for water to boil in a regular pot with a diffuser than in an induction pot. IH disks get very hot, but much of that heat is not transferred to the cookware. Instead, it diffuses into the air inside the house. This is, of course, a good thing in the winter.

Also Read: How to Use a Wok On a Gas Stove

Weight on an induction stove

Because diffusers are made of heavy metal, they can be quite heavy. This weight makes cooking less enjoyable and more painful. To make matters worse, this weight puts a strain on the induction stove. Over time, this can lead to scratches, scuffs, and other visible damage.

Some users have also reported error messages on their induction cooktops.

When using the converter disc for induction with non-induction cookware?

The converter disc allows non-induction cookware to be used on the stove. It is flat and made of iron or stainless steel. It is safe and heat-resistant control for easy transportation. It distributes heat evenly over cast iron cookware. To use the converter disc, it must be placed on the stove and your preferred non-IH cookware.

This is an iron or steel plate that is placed between the cooktop and the bottom of the washer. It is very thin and there is absolutely no risk of tripping or falling. A word of advice. Not all discs on the market are of great quality. Choose a sturdy disk with a strong magnet and easy-to-use handle rather than one that is heat resistant.

What should I do if the converter disc does not work with induction?

The diffuser may not work at all, or it may have so many drawbacks that it cannot be used. In the unlikely event that it fails, you may want to consider purchasing an induction cooktop. The negative aspects mentioned above do not usually accompany compatible cookware.

Disadvantages of using a converter disc

Theoretically, if one appears, the vibrations are consumed by the disc and transferred to the cookware, even if it is not induction. So it is not much different from turning on the cookware directly in harmony. In practice, however, this is not the case.

First, the metal of induction-compatible cookware is not easily polished. You can find jagged peaks and valleys. So when you place inducted cookware on a converter disc, hundreds of microscopic air pockets are trapped between these imperfect metal surfaces.

Air, as we know, is a terrible conductor. As magnetic field waves penetrate and begin to make their presence felt, the converter disc attempts to transfer heat to the corresponding cookware, but the pockets of air slow that movement.

As a result, the converter disc becomes heavier than the bottom of the induction cookware due to the accumulation of heat. Some of the accumulated heat flows into the ceramic and some is transferred to the kitchen atmosphere.

A stainless steel converter disc was used in the study: water was heated on an induction stove and the converter disc was used to keep the pan from burning.

The results showed that it took 8 minutes and 40 seconds to boil 8 cups of water with the induction cooker and 19 minutes with the converter disc on the non-induction cooker.

After another 10 minutes and 30 seconds, the cooker with the converter plate held began to reduce the power from 1500W to 1200W. This may be possible because the converter plate was heated for a longer period of time. This affected the insulation and the ceramic layer below it, which in turn affected the heating of the coil.

Also Read: How to Slice Cheese Thinly