If you’re the proud owner of a new induction stove, you’re probably excited about all the easy, safe, and efficient cooking experiences you’ll get to enjoy!
After all, induction cooking (which involves directly heating the cookware on the stove to cook food rather than heating the stove itself) cooks food faster and reduces your risk of burning yourself.
However, before you start cooking on your induction stove, you’ll need high-quality induction cookware.
If you try to use the wrong type of pan on your induction cooker, the stove rings simply won’t turn on. This is because non-induction cookware doesn’t have a thick enough base, and the pan could become warped from the direct heat.
Don’t worry, though – thanks to the growing popularity of induction cooking, there is plenty of affordable induction cookware on the market. We will be reviewing the top 5 induction cookware sets for you today!
OUR TOP PICK
Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware Pots And Pans Set
EDITORS CHOICE
Fissler Original-Profi Collection 2019 Stainless Steel Cookware Set
BEST VALUE
Circulon Premier Professional Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set
OUR TOP PICK
Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware Pots And Pans Set
In our opinion, the Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel cookware set is one of the best purchases you could make for an induction cooktop.
This is a 10-piece, induction-friendly cookware set that includes saucepans in 2 sizes (1.25 and 2.5-quart) with lids, a 6.5-quart stockpot (also with a lid), frying pans in 8 inches and 10.5 inches, and a 3-quart lidded saute pan.
All of the cookware in this set is made from tri-ply stainless steel, but some copper has also been added to the construction to ensure optimal heat control.
This produces incredible results when cooking and ensures that all your food is heated through evenly.
If you look at the handles on each item of cookware within the Anolon Nouvelle set, you’ll see that they are dual-riveted, so there’s no risk of the handle coming off.
This makes the Anolon set a safe choice when it comes to maneuvering the cookware around your kitchen.
You can put these pots and pans in the oven up to temperatures of 500 degrees, so they can safely be exposed to high temperatures without sustaining any damage. You can also put them in the dishwasher with no worries.
However, you should bear in mind that these pans are, unfortunately, not non-stick. This means that you’ll need to take extra care while cooking to ensure that food doesn’t stick to the pan.
Pros
- 10-piece set – Good value for money
- Stainless steel-copper construction – Durable and controls heat
- Dishwasher-safe – Easy to clean
- Oven-safe – Suitable for high temperatures
- Dual-riveted handles – Strong and safe
Cons
- Not non-stick – Requires care while cooking
Also Available At
EDITORS CHOICE
Fissler Original-Profi Collection 2019 Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Another stainless steel cookware set that we recommend for induction cooktops is the Fissler Original-Profi Collection 2019 Stainless Steel Cookware Set.
This 9-piece set consists of 3 lidded pots, a roasting pot with a lid, and an unlidded saucepan.
The Fissler Original-Profi Collection features cookware made entirely from stainless steel.
Stainless steel is an ideal choice for induction-friendly cookware because it’s magnetic, but it also has a range of benefits relating to cooking performance, such as good heat conductivity and ease of cleaning.
We also love the use of stay-cool handles in this cookware set because it means you don’t necessarily need to use oven mitts every time you handle a pan (although you will need to use them if you take advantage of the oven-safe construction to heat the pans up to 425 degrees).
One major benefit you’ll get to enjoy if you purchase this cookware set is the condensate plus feature.
The shape of the lids on these pots and pans allows for condensation to collect and drip down into the pan, ensuring that your food doesn’t dry out during cooking.
Before you buy this set, remember that it doesn’t include any frying pans or skillets, so it’s not as versatile or suited to different cooking methods as some of the other suggestions on our list.
However, it is totally induction-friendly and boasts amazing quality, so as long as you don’t need to rely on frying pans for cooking, it’s a great choice.
Pros
- 9-piece set – Includes 5 pots and pans
- Stainless steel construction – Durable and easy to clean
- Stay-cool handles – Safe to handle
- Condensate plus feature – Keeps food moist
- Oven-safe – Withstands temperatures up to 425 degrees
Cons
- No frying pans included – Not the most versatile set
Also Available At
BEST VALUE
Circulon Premier Professional Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set
Circulon’s Premier Professional Stainless Steel Cookware Set is highly rated when it comes to induction cooking.
Because all the pots and pans included in this 13-piece set feature stainless steel handles and a food-release system on the inside that makes it easy to get food out of the pan even though they are not technically non-stick, you won’t have a problem cleaning this cookware.
Just make sure to clean them carefully because the exteriors of the pans scratch easily.
It’s also worth noting that the handles on these pots and pans are rubberized, so they feel comfortable in your hand and reduce the risk of getting burned even if you choose to put the cookware in the oven for up to 400 degrees.
The cookware is also dishwasher-safe as well as oven-safe, so you’ll never need to worry about damaging your pans accidentally or feel like you need to spend a lot of time cleaning by hand to avoid ruining your cookware.
Pros
- Stainless steel – Easy to clean
- Rubberized handles – Comfortable and safe
- Dishwasher-safe – Durable
- Food release system – Easy to clean
- Oven-safe – Suitable for temperatures up to 400 degrees
Cons
- Scratches easily – Care is needed when handling
Also Available At
RUNNER UP
Cuisinart French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set
Cuisinart is a big name in the cookware industry, and this brand’s cookware is known to be especially effective for induction cooking.
That’s why we recommend the Cuisinart French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set if you own an induction cooktop.
This cookware set includes a 2-quart saucepan (lid included), a 3-quart saute pan, a 4.5-quart dutch oven, an 8-quart stockpot, and 2 French skillets (8 inches and 10 inches).
All items in this set are made from tri-ply stainless steel, which is not only highly durable and also, thanks to the use of Heat Surround Technology, very efficient at heating food thoroughly and evenly.
You can put these pots and pans in the oven up to 500 degrees, and when you’re finished cooking, you can put them in the dishwasher.
Most of the time, we recommend handwashing your pans regardless, especially if they’re high-end, but in this case, because the pans are not non-stick, the dishwasher may be your best bet.
Pros
- 10-piece set – Versatile
- Tri-ply stainless steel – Durable and easy to clean
- Heat Surround Technology – Even heating
- Oven-safe – Safe up to 500 degrees
- Dishwasher-safe – Suited to all cleaning methods
Cons
- Not non-stick – Oil required when cooking
Also Available At
RUNNER UP
Scanpan CTX 10 Piece Cookware Set
Finally, we would also like to recommend the CTX 10-Piece Cookware Set from Scanpan.
In this 10-piece set, you will find 2 frying pans, 2 saucepans with lids, a covered saute pan, and a covered Dutch oven.
The stainless steel and cast aluminum materials used to make this cookware provide incredible durability as well as excellent conductivity, so you can enjoy amazingly-cooked food for years to come.
You can trust that the riveted handles won’t break or come away from the pans while you’re carrying them, which is an important factor of construction for any piece of cookware.
Since these pans are non-stick due to the textured interior surface (which is also free from harmful and contaminating chemicals) you can clean them very easily, especially because you can place all the cookware in the dishwasher when you have finished using it.
With all that being said, please bear in mind that this is not suitable cookware for cooking at extremely high temperatures because some buyers have reported discoloration and warping as a result.
Pros
- 10-piece set – For various cooking methods
- Stainless steel/cast aluminum construction – Highly durable and effective
- Riveted handles – Secure and safe
- Non-stick – Minimizes food remnants
- Dishwasher-safe – Easy to clean
Cons
- Not for high-temperature cooking – May become discolored or warped
Also Available At
How To Buy Induction Cookware
When buying cookware for your induction stove, you need to look at more factors than just whether or not the pots and pans are induction-safe. Here are some other things to think about before you purchase a set of induction cookware:
Cookware Types
‘Cookware’ is an umbrella term for the different types of pots and pans that you might use in the kitchen.
Before purchasing an induction cookware set, you should think about what kinds of foods you cook (or would like to cook) on a regular basis, and the types of cookware you’ll need for these meals.
All of the induction cookware sets we have reviewed today include skillets, griddles, grill pans, frying pans, dutch ovens, and saucepans of different dimensions.
However, the sets may also include skillet pans, saute pans, casseroles, stock pots, and steamers.
Pay attention to the stated dimensions or capacities of the items as well. Frying pans, for example, typically range from 8 to 12 inches, while frying pans may be able to hold anywhere between 1.5 to 5 quarts.
Please bear in mind that when a cookware set for induction stoves is advertised as a ‘10-piece set’ or ‘12-piece set’, the pieces within the set also include the lids or utensils that might be included.
Cooktop Compatibility
Of course, every cookware set reviewed in this guide is compatible with induction cooktops. However, it’s also worth taking note of any other cooktops the set might be compatible with.
Just because you’re using an induction stove now doesn’t mean this will always be the case. For instance, you might move and end up living in a home with a gas cooktop.
In this situation, you would be very glad of the fact that your existing cookware set is compatible with various cooktops.
Materials
Induction cookware can be made of a variety of materials. This is a factor to which you should pay close attention because the material your cookware is made from will have a big impact on its functionality as well as your own cleaning and cooking methods.
As you can see, all of the cookware we have recommended for induction cooktop use is made from stainless steel.
Stainless steel and iron are the best materials to use on induction cooktops because they have magnetic properties, which is what induction cooktops rely on to conduct heat.
If you want to have the easiest possible experience cleaning your pots and pans after cooking, we recommend stainless steel because it can be wiped clean fairly easily, especially if a non-stick surface is incorporated inside the pan.
Additionally, stainless steel is highly durable, so even though some of our suggested products retail for high prices, you can rest assured that you’re making an investment into your future cooking endeavors for a long time to come.
Sometimes, copper can be incorporated into the construction of induction cookware because copper is a conductive material that contributes additional even-heating properties to the base of your cookware.
This helps to ensure that your food won’t be partially cooked in some places and burned in others.
Be aware that you will probably find many aluminum and stainless steel cookware sets advertised as induction-friendly, but this is often not actually the case.
Aluminum is not magnetic, and therefore, tends not to work consistently on induction stoves.
While a good portion of stainless steel pans do work with induction cooktops, such as the ones featured in this article, the same can’t be said for all stainless steel cookware, so make sure to stick to our recommendations or read any customer testimonials available through your chosen retailer before purchasing.
You should also consider the materials used in the handles and lids. Not all induction cookware handles are heat-resistant, so be sure to verify this information before you start cooking so you know whether or not to wear oven mitts.
Ideally, lids should be made from tempered glass or metal because this will reduce the risk of breakage.
Non-Stick?
Think carefully about whether you want to use non-stick cookware. Non-stick surfaces can be really useful when cooking and cleaning, as long as they are free from toxic chemicals.
It means you don’t have to use lots of oil during the cooking process or scrub food remnants from inside your pan.
Often, non-stick coatings will start to peel, especially if you don’t stick to the cleaning methods recommended by the manufacturer.
To avoid peeling pans, prioritize cookware with triple-layer non-stick coatings or diamond-infused coatings for extra durability.
Pre-Seasoned?
When it comes to cast iron cookware (which represents most of the genuinely induction-safe cookware on the market), it’s recommended to season the cookware first. This is because it helps to prevent the pans from rusting.
If you’re going to buy cast iron cookware for your induction cooktop, make sure you know whether it comes pre-seasoned or not.
If you’re happy to season your cookware yourself, then this isn’t a big deal, but if you would rather not spend time and energy seasoning your cookware before you can use it, make sure you select a pre-seasoned set.
Oven-Safe?
If you want to be able to put your food straight in the oven to keep warm or finish cooking without transferring it out of the pan, you will need to specifically look for oven-safe cookware.
Bear in mind that pans are often only oven-safe up to certain temperatures (typically not more than 500 or 550 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cleaning
Always check whether your induction cookware is dishwasher-safe before you need to clean your pots and pans.
Remember that just because you can put pans in the dishwasher without doing significant damage right away doesn’t mean it’s the best idea.
If cookware comes with a warning that hand washing is recommended, we advise you to follow this recommendation.
Additional Features
It’s always worth checking whether an induction cookware set you’re considering comes with additional utensils such as scrapers.
Not all types of cookware can be used with metal utensils, so a couple of plastic utensils are a helpful inclusion.
Final Thoughts
Induction cookware might be more expensive than your average cookware set, but it’s definitely worth the investment when you consider how much safer and more efficient induction cooking is!
You can find cookware sets including different pieces of cookware and different features in our review section, so regardless of your cooking style or cleaning preferences, you’ll be able to find a set here that suits you.
