Best Cookware for an Induction Cooktop

Not into gas stovetops and have an induction cooktop? Then you need the right equipment for it and not all cookware is created equal. Consumer Report offers a generalized guide on buying cookware for various cooking surfaces, including induction. Choice.au gives a guide for induction cookware, specifically. I review the best rated ones and break them down into their respective pros and cons. This guide will help you decide which one gives the best value for your money.

Best Cookware for Induction Cooktop

This table gives you a quick rundown on the best cookware for induction cooking. I give them my personal rating based on their features, durability, and my personal experiences as a beginning and experienced home cook.

Induction Cookware #1: Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

Pros:

• This cookware set is heavy, but is able to cook food evenly and is easy to clean after in the dishwasher.
• It can tolerate oven temperatures up to 550 degrees, giving you versatility in going from making stovetop meals straight to starting or finishing them in the oven.
• As someone who’s been cooking for a few years, I use stainless steel cookware for everything, especially on my induction cooktop. This cookware set will heat quickly and food will be made faster than if you were to use this set than a gas stove.

Cons:

• It’s not a non-stick cookware set, so it won’t be good for making food like eggs or pancakes. If you do, you’ll need a considerable amount of oil to season the pan.
• If you do use a lot of oil and it burns, it can discolor, stick and be extremely tough to scrub off.

View Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set on Amazon

Induction Cookware #2: Duxtop SSIB-17 Professional 17-piece Stainless Steel Induction Cookware Set

Pros:

• It’s freezer safe which means it’s good for food storage.
• It’s can also stand oven temperatures up to 550 degrees and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
• Good for amateur and experienced cooks.
• Its finish is built to last a lifetime.

Cons:

• More expensive than the previous stainless steel set I mentioned.
• It’s not scratch-resistant. Though it’s stainless steel, the use of metal utensils can render your cookware set to look less attractive.
• Risk for discoloration if certain ingredients such as oils and butters are burned on the pan.

View Duxtop SSIB-17 Professional 17-piece Stainless Steel Induction Cookware Set on Amazon

Induction Cookware #3: T-fal C515SC Professional Total Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Induction Base 12-piece Cookware Set

Pros:

• It’s non-stick and it’s scratch-resistant, meaning you can use metal utensils.
• It has an indicator to notify you when the pans and pots are preheated and ready to use.

Cons:

• The pans don’t have matching lids, this can present an issue if you need to make any dish that requires to be covered for any period of time. You’d have to purchase lids somewhere else.
• It’s not oven or freezer safe like the previous sets.

View T-fal C515SC Professional Total Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Induction Base 12-piece Cookware Set on Amazon

Induction Cookware #4: Circulon Circulon Premier Professional 13-piece Hard-anodized Cookware Set

Pros:

• This product is advertised to last a lifetime due to its non-stick and hard-anodized surface allows for even heating.
• It’s an attractive cookware set and has soft-grip handles that are cool to the touch, even while its cooking on the induction top.
• It has shatter-resistant tempered lids that allow you to keep an eye on your food while it cooks without the loss of moisture.

Cons:

• It’s the most expensive set on this list and though I think it’s a great product for home cooks, especially the experienced ones, I don’t think it’s the most valuable one on this list.
• It only tolerates up to 400 degrees in the oven, that’s pretty low considering the price compared to the other sets that tolerate higher temperatures. However, this is a non-stick set, so I understand if that’s a primary reason why it can’t tolerate higher temperatures.
• It’s limited lifetime warranty makes me question the durability of a product that claims to be generational.

View Circulon Circulon Premier Professional 13-piece Hard-anodized Cookware Set on Amazon

Induction Cookware #5: Chef’s Star Professional Grade Stainless Steel 17 Piece Pots & Pans Set

Pros:

• This has all of the same features as the Duxtop cookware set I discussed earlier. But, the great thing about this set is that its less expensive than the Duxtop, which places it at a greater value. It’s built to last, able to stand up to 550 degrees in the oven, freezer safe and dishwasher safe. It’s also great for the amateur or professional cook.

Cons:

• I have the same concerns as with the other stainless steel products I’ve mentioned. It can be hard to clean or get discolored if certain foods are burned on it, otherwise it’s easy to clean.

View Chef’s Star Professional Grade Stainless Steel 17 Piece Pots & Pans Set on Amazon

With that said…

My pick for the best cookware for induction cooktop surfaces is the Chef’s Star Professional Grade Stainless Steel 17 Piece Pots & Pans Set. I own stainless steel cookware that I use daily in my kitchen. If I were to upgrade, I’d buy this set. Like I stated before, this set is comparable with the Duxtop 17-piece Stainless Steel set, but Chef’s Star is less expensive and I’m all about saving as much money as possible while buying quality products.

I’ve also listed non-stick cookware sets too. However, I would still recommend buying stainless steel cookware over non-stick because of their versatility, heat retention, ability to heat quickly, and cook food evenly on an induction surface. Even if you decide to not purchase my pick for this article, any of the other stainless steel options are great too. But if you’re someone who wants a cookware set to last and make you feel like the Iron Chefs on Food Network without breaking the bank, then this set is for you.