Making the switch to induction cooking is an exciting upgrade for any Australian kitchen, but it often comes with an important consideration: will your existing cookware work? Induction technology requires magnetic cookware to function, meaning some of your favourite pots and pans may no longer be suitable. The good news is that induction-compatible cookware has become increasingly affordable and widely available, and investing in quality pieces will enhance your cooking experience for years to come.
Understanding Induction Cookware Compatibility
Before shopping for new cookware, it's worth testing what you already have. Induction cooktops work by generating a magnetic field that induces electrical currents in ferromagnetic materials. The simple magnet test tells you everything you need to know: hold a magnet to the base of your cookware, and if it sticks firmly, that piece will work with induction. If the magnet slides off or barely holds, the cookware won't heat efficiently on an induction surface.
Materials that work with induction include cast iron, carbon steel, magnetic stainless steel (most common in cookware bases), and enamelled cast iron. Materials that don't work include pure aluminium, copper, glass, and non-magnetic stainless steel. Some cookware marketed as "induction ready" uses these non-magnetic materials but includes a magnetic disc bonded to the base, creating a hybrid design that offers the benefits of materials like aluminium while remaining induction compatible.
Cast Iron: The Traditional Favourite
Cast iron remains one of the best materials for induction cooking, offering exceptional heat retention and even distribution. These heavy-duty pans develop a natural non-stick patina over time when properly seasoned, and they transition beautifully from stovetop to oven. Australian brands like Solidteknics produce high-quality cast iron cookware locally, while international brands like Lodge and Le Creuset offer extensive ranges.
The primary considerations with cast iron are weight and care requirements. A large cast iron skillet can weigh 3-4 kilograms, which some cooks find challenging to manoeuvre. Cast iron also requires hand washing and periodic seasoning to maintain its non-stick properties. However, for those willing to invest the care, cast iron cookware can literally last generations.
Enamelled cast iron, such as that made by Le Creuset and Staub, combines cast iron's heat properties with an easy-clean enamel coating. These premium pieces command higher prices—a Le Creuset Dutch oven typically costs $400-$700—but they eliminate the seasoning requirements of bare cast iron while adding vibrant colour options to your kitchen.
Find the Right Induction Cooktop for Your Cookware
Different cooktops offer varying zone sizes and power levels. Use our quiz to match your cooking style with the perfect induction cooktop.
Take the QuizStainless Steel: The Versatile Choice
High-quality stainless steel cookware offers excellent durability, attractive appearance, and dishwasher-safe convenience. Look for cookware with magnetic stainless steel bases—the product specifications should confirm induction compatibility. Multi-ply construction, which sandwiches an aluminium or copper core between stainless steel layers, provides superior heat distribution while maintaining induction compatibility.
Popular stainless steel brands available in Australia include Scanpan, Essteele, Fissler, and All-Clad. A quality stainless steel set with induction-compatible bases typically costs between $300 and $800, depending on the number of pieces and brand prestige. Individual skillets and saucepans are available for those who prefer to build their collection piece by piece.
When using stainless steel on induction, preheating the pan properly before adding oil or food prevents sticking. Unlike non-stick surfaces, stainless steel requires proper technique—heat the pan first, add fat, wait for it to shimmer, then add ingredients. Mastering this technique unlocks the full potential of stainless steel's excellent searing and deglazing capabilities.
Carbon Steel: The Chef's Secret
Professional chefs have long favoured carbon steel for its combination of cast iron's heat retention with significantly lighter weight. Carbon steel pans heat up faster than cast iron and are easier to manoeuvre, making them excellent choices for techniques requiring pan movement, such as sautéing and stir-frying. Like cast iron, carbon steel requires seasoning and develops improved non-stick properties with use.
De Buyer and Matfer Bourgeat produce the carbon steel pans most commonly found in professional kitchens, and both brands are available through Australian retailers. A quality 28cm carbon steel skillet typically costs $80-$150, representing excellent value compared to premium alternatives. These pans work exceptionally well on induction cooktops, heating rapidly and responding precisely to temperature changes.
Non-Stick Options for Induction
Many modern non-stick pans are designed with induction-compatible bases, combining convenience with the benefits of induction cooking. Look for the induction symbol (a coil icon) on packaging or product descriptions. Quality non-stick induction pans typically feature a magnetic stainless steel base disc sandwiched beneath an aluminium body, which provides excellent heat distribution while ensuring induction compatibility.
Scanpan, Tefal, and Circulon all offer induction-compatible non-stick ranges in Australia. While non-stick coatings have improved significantly in recent years, they still have limited lifespans—expect to replace non-stick pans every 3-5 years with regular use. For this reason, many cooks invest in quality stainless steel or cast iron for their primary cookware while keeping one or two non-stick pans for eggs and delicate fish.
Building Your Induction Cookware Collection
For most Australian households, a practical induction cookware collection includes a large skillet (28-30cm), a smaller skillet (20-24cm), a saucepan set (1.5L, 2.5L, and 4L), and a large stockpot or Dutch oven. This combination covers the vast majority of everyday cooking tasks. Starting with these essentials allows you to assess what additional pieces, if any, would benefit your cooking style.
When purchasing cookware sets, consider whether you'll actually use all included pieces. A 10-piece set might seem economical, but if half the pieces sit unused in cabinets, the value diminishes. Many experienced cooks prefer purchasing individual high-quality pieces that match their specific cooking habits rather than comprehensive sets with pieces they'll rarely use.
Finally, remember that good cookware is an investment that pays dividends in cooking enjoyment and results. Quality pans heat evenly, respond predictably to temperature adjustments, and can transform your relationship with cooking. Paired with the precise temperature control of a quality induction cooktop, the right cookware collection makes every meal a pleasure to prepare.