Induction stoves are the best update to cooktop technology. They offer benefits like energy saving, quicker meal prep, and cleaning ease.
But induction cookware or magnetic iron or steel base pots are necessary for induction stovetops since the cookware needs to become a heat source itself for the cooking process to start.
But with the widespread use of induction stoves and induction cookware, people who have not yet upgraded to this relatively new mechanism are confused. So, induction cookware is necessary to cook on an induction stove. But can you use induction cookware on gas or electric stoves?
Almost all induction cookware can be used on a gas or electric stove, except for induction cookware that has a thin base and cookware that has a magnetic layer sprayed on the outer edge.
Can You Use Induction Cookware On An Electric Stove?
Many might confuse electric stovetops with induction stovetops. While both might look similar at the surface because of the absence of flames, the way they heat up is quite different.
Electric stoves use a centralized heating system. The cooktop surface is often made of ceramic or glass. The metal coils underneath this surface are heated with electricity.
Induction works by utilizing magnetic current to heat the cookware. The cookware then acts as a heat source for the food inside.
Since the mechanism is different, there might be confusions regarding the use of induction-compliant cookware of electric stoves.
The answer is that most utensils that can be used on gas cooktops can be used on electric cooktops too. However, when it comes to induction cookware, there might be some compatibility issues with some materials.
Here are the types of cookware that work and do not work on electric stoves:
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel that is made of induction cooktops can be used on electric stoves too. But if you wish to use the cookware on induction interchangeably, it will be a problem.
The heat from the electric stove causes the thin-based stainless steel cookware to get wrapped. This way, it cannot be used on an induction stove again.
2. Copper and Aluminum Clad Stainless Steel
Stainless steel that has sandwiched copper or aluminum works well on electric stovetops.
The reason is the heat conduction properties of this kind of cookware.
3. Cast Iron
Cast iron can be used on an electric stove but it is not recommended. For starters, cast iron has a rough surface. Any blips or rough spots can scratch the surface of the electric stovetop.
Another reason is that cast iron absorbs a great deal of heat, even if it takes long to heat up.
Because it gets heated up to high temperatures, the electric stove might shut down, indicating that the cookware surface is too high for the stove to withstand.
4. Graniteware
Graniteware is made up of porcelain and has a rough surface, it may scratch the electric cooktop surface. Also, since graniteware does not heat up to high levels, cooking on an electric stovetop which already has limited heating capability would increase the cooking time to two or three times.
5. Carbon Steel
Carbon steel, like cast iron, has a rough surface. Therefore, it might leave scratches on the electric stovetop.
Carbon steel woks are quite common to cook Chinese food. However, using a non-flat cookware on an electric stove is not recommended since the surface that is in contact with the heating surface is small.
It may cause the temperature of the coils to rise, while the food in the wok or non-flat utensil would not have absorbed sufficient heat to cook.
Can You Use Induction Cookware On A Gas Stove?
Almost all induction cookware can be used on a gas stove. There are just two exceptions to this.
1) Induction cookware that has a thin base
2) Cookware that has a magnetic layer sprayed on the outer surface.
This means that cheap quality induction cookware that is not made up of magnetic iron or steel and has a thin base is not compatible with the gas stove.
When the gas comes in contact with the sprayed-on magnetic layer, the flame would burn this layer since the cooktop is directly exposed to flames.
There is almost always a clear instruction written on the box of the cookware if it is not compatible with gas stoves.
Here are all the types and materials of induction cookware that are compatible with a gas stove:
1. Stainless Steel
An alloy that has paved its way into every aspect of life is stainless steel. Stainless steel induction cooktops conduct heat evenly, so with a magnetic base, it serves as a great induction cookware.
However, because of its heat-holding capacity, it can be used on gas cooktops as well.
2. Copper and Aluminum Clad Stainless Steel
Stainless steel cookware also comes clad with aluminum or copper. The copper-clad stainless-steel cookware has copper on the inside and steel on the outside.
While this makes the cookware quite heavy, cooking in copper utensils has a great benefit to health.
Since it can be used safely on gas cooktops, it is a great choice if you want to switch to an induction stovetop soon.
Aluminum clad stainless steel cookware has aluminum in between the inner and outer layer of stainless steel. It restricts aluminum from reacting with the food while taking advantage of the thermal properties of aluminum.
Because stainless steel takes a while to get heated, this type of induction cookware is great to use on induction and gas stovetops.
3. Cast Iron
Like stainless steel, cast iron also takes some time to get heated, but once it is heated up, it remains hot longer than other materials of utensils.
Cast iron induction cookware can be easily used on gas stove tops too since the material has the property to absorb and spread the heat evenly.
4. Graniteware
Graniteware is also made up of sturdy material. Porcelain is fused into steel at 1500oC+ to manufacture graniteware.
As long as the enamel on the surface does not chip, it is safe to use on induction as well as gas stoves.
5. Carbon Steel
Carbon steel, unlike its name, only has 1% carbon. The rest of the 99% in carbon steel is iron. It is lighter than cast iron and you can use it on both induction and gas cooktops.
However, one drawback is that it does not retain heat and the heat does not spread evenly. This might work on gas cooktops, but not so efficiently in induction stovetops, although it is safe to use on both.
Summing Up Using Induction Cookware on a Gas Stove
Induction cookware has now proliferated the market to a great degree. This cookware has amazing designs too, so you might be tempted to purchase it even if you don’t have an induction stovetop.
While most induction compatible cookware can be used on the gas range, there are some things to consider when using this cookware on electric stovetops.
Considering the surface of the cookware tops the list. Secondly, you should make sure that the cookware has a flat surface.
Also, you should use cookware made of materials that conduct heat well and do not retain a lot of heat.
So, now that you know all there is about cooktop interchangeability, you can purchase the induction-compatible cookware if it is compatible with your stovetop.
