Cookware 101: Can You Use Induction Cookware On A Glass Top Stove

Modern cooking has been revolutionized by the release of induction stoves. Cost-efficient and safe to use, induction stoves are now widely replacing different types of cooking ranges. Induction stoves give you the best from both gas and electric stoves providing you with fast and efficient heating as well as easy cleaning. But not all cookware is compatible with induction stoves thus leading to the birth of induction cookware.

How does induction differ from other types of cooking ranges?

Unlike most of the cooktops, we are familiar with today, induction stoves do not use a heat source to heat the cookware. Instead, it turns the cookware into a heating device hence cooking our food.

How does an induction stove work?

The induction stove implements the process of induction where it produces an electric current to magnetized cookware in close proximity (whether it is in direct or indirect contact). The electric current passed onto the kitchenware causes the pot or pan to heat up on its own. For that reason, the induction stove remains cool to the touch even when your food is boiling in high heat in your cookware.

Are induction and glass cooktop the same?

Though both induction and glass top ranges have a smooth glass cooking surface, they are not the same. Glass Top stoves use electricity to heat the cookware in direct contact with it while induction ranges rely on passing on electromagnetic energy to the cookware for the pot or pan to heat up.

There notable differences between the two such as:

• Speed in heating cookware. Induction stoves are faster in heating up your cookware because it turns your pot or pan into a heating source while glass tops heat the metal coil then the glass surface, and then the cookware.
• Energy efficiency. You end up losing about 40-60% of the heat energy in a glass top range. The heat needs to heat a burner (usually a metal coil) then the glass, the cookware, and finally, the food.
• Cost. Glass tops are relatively cheaper than induction stoves.
• Maintenance. Cleaning for both glass top and induction is the same however, maintenance for induction stoves is more costly.

Can you use induction pans on gas?

You can definitely use induction pans on gas. The direct contact with fire makes all cookware compatible with gas ranges. This primitive manner of cooking heats all types of pots or pans without a problem.

Can you use induction cookware on a glass top stove?

You can use induction cookware on all types of cooking ranges including glass top stoves. Induction cookware is only called as such because of a magnetized base added to it to make a pot or pan compatible with an induction stove. Induction stoves are the only types of cookware that are particular with what kitchenware it can heat up.

Induction stoves don’t just heat any type of metal, it can only properly transfer energy to a cookware with a magnetized state, so even if all types of cookware will work with glass tops and gas ranges, it is not the same with an induction stove. However, there are cookware sets that are best for glass top stoves while others that work well with electric stoves are also induction ready.

Is induction better than an electric cooktop?

Depending on the cook, induction stoves may be better or worse. However, in a general view, induction stoves offer more benefits than an electric cooktop mainly due to its efficiency. Overall, induction stoves have a less expensive cost of ownership because it uses 30-40% less electricity than an electric cooktop. It also offers better heating thus cutting your cooking time shorter. However, you can maximize the use of your electric coil reducing your bill using the best cookware sets for electric coil stoves.

Is induction cooking bad for your health?

Induction cooking produces an electromagnetic field in your kitchen. It means that anything within this electromagnetic field that is conductive will receive electromagnetic radiation or EMF. Unfortunately for us, our bodies are conductors of EMF. 

Exposure to EMF causes health risks like any form of radiation which turns into serious illnesses in the future. Don’t be too alarmed though, if you already have an induction stove in your kitchen, you can easily avoid being part of the electromagnetic circuit and prevent or lessen the amount of EMF your body is absorbing.

• Choose induction cookware with silicone or rubberized handles, if not, use a silicone handle or potholder to handle your cookware.
• Make sure the bottom of the cookware covers the induction area on your stove. You can also use bigger or wider bottomed cookware to fully cover the area. Any exposed or uncovered induction area emits EMF and creates a larger electromagnetic field.
• Use only the best cookware for induction stoves and do not magnetize your own cookware because it may not be able to contain EMF.
• Opt for induction cookware with a flat bottom to improve better coverage of the induction stove.
• The farther you are from the induction area, the better, so prefer the use of rear cooking surfaces than the front ones.
• Use rubberized or insulated instead of cotton or cloth-type aprons.
• Do not use cookware with a warped or dented base when cooking on an induction stove.
• Use wooden or silicone utensils when cooking. If you are using metal utensils, make sure to have silicone or rubberized handles for it.