Written by Sara Ibrahim. Sara researches home and kitchen products for Cupindy.
Published October 2026 · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 · Cupindy is not affiliated with any brand on this page.
The short answer
Cookware works on induction when its base is magnetic. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel and most stainless steel work. Pure aluminum, pure copper, glass and ceramic dishes don't, unless a magnetic steel plate is bonded to the bottom. Hold a fridge magnet to the base: if it grips firmly, the pan will heat.
An induction cooktop heats the pan itself through a magnetic field, so the pan has to be the right metal. That's why the same skillet can cook perfectly on gas and do nothing on induction. Below is each common material, what the cooktop makers say about it, and a quick test for the pans you already own. Shopping instead? Our best induction cookware picks list five pans and sets that state induction in writing.
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If a pan you love fails the test, the simplest uncoated fix is one magnetic skillet, such as the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10-inch.
Induction Compatibility by Material
Based on KitchenAid's and Whirlpool's induction guides. Where the answer depends on the pan, check that pan with a magnet rather than going by the material.
| Material | Works on induction? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cast iron | Yes | Iron is magnetic all the way through |
| Enameled cast iron | Yes | Iron under the enamel |
| Carbon steel | Yes | Magnetic steel; choose a flat base |
| Stainless steel | Only with a magnetic base | Some stainless isn't magnetic |
| Nonstick (ceramic or PTFE) | Only with a steel plate | The body is usually aluminum |
| Aluminum | No, on its own | Not magnetic |
| Copper | No, on its own | Not magnetic |
| Glass and ceramic dishes | No | Not metal |
Does Cast Iron Work on Induction?
Yes. Lodge says being magnetic “makes cast iron a great option for induction cooking,” and KitchenAid lists cast iron and enameled cast iron as compatible. The care is all about the glass top. KitchenAid notes that “Cast iron cookware can potentially scratch any glass cooktop's surface if not used carefully,” so Lodge's advice is to “gently pick it up and set it back down, rather than slide it from one burner to another,” and to preheat slowly with oil. On induction, that means starting on a low setting.
Our cast iron guide covers seasoning, and the enameled cast iron guide covers the glaze.
Does Stainless Steel Work on Induction?
Usually, but not always. Whirlpool says “non-magnetic stainless steel cookware won’t work.” Stainless comes in different grades, and a pan can be 18/10 on the inside and magnetic on the outside, often from a layer of 430 stainless in the base. Our guide to stainless steel grades explains the numbers.
The practical test is the magnet. Many stainless listings also say induction-ready outright. If neither the listing nor the magnet confirms it, assume it won't work.
Does Aluminum Work on Induction?
Not on its own. KitchenAid says “Pure aluminum, glass, ceramic, and pure copper cookware will not work on induction cooktops.” Most nonstick pans are aluminum, so the ones sold for induction have a steel plate pressed into the base. GreenPan, for example, lists “MAGNETO INDUCTION BASES” on its Valencia Pro pan. If a magnet grabs the steel disc on the bottom of your aluminum pan, the pan will work.
That steel disc is what lets an aluminum pan work on induction.
Coated aluminum is also where most cookware safety questions come up. Our aluminum cookware guide covers what is known about aluminum, and when to replace a worn pan.
Does copper work on induction?
Not pure copper. KitchenAid says “Pure copper cookware cannot be used on an induction cooktop because copper is not magnetic.” If a copper pan has a steel layer on the bottom, the magnet test will tell you.
Does carbon steel work on induction?
Yes, KitchenAid lists carbon steel as compatible. With woks, shape matters more than metal: a round bottom barely touches flat glass, so pick a flat-bottomed wok. See our wok picks and carbon steel pan guide.
Do glass and ceramic dishes work?
No. Glass and ceramic baking dishes aren't magnetic, so they won't heat on an induction zone. That's about stoneware and glass dishes, not ceramic nonstick pans, which are coated aluminum and depend on their base like any other nonstick pan.
If Your Pan Fails the Test
You don't have to replace everything at once. Start with the pan you use most. For an uncoated first pan, this is the one we'd look at:
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One uncoated pan to start
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10-Inch Stainless Skillet
Cuisinart's 10-inch skillet has an aluminum disc sealed into a stainless base, and the listing calls it “Induction-ready” for gas, electric and glass cooktops too. The surface is bare stainless steel.
Good for: Everyday frying
The drawback: Food sticks to bare steel until you get the preheat right.
See the Cuisinart skillet on AmazonFor a full set, cast iron or a ceramic nonstick pan whose listing names PTFE and PFAS, see our five induction cookware picks.
The Magnet Test, Step by Step
- Take any fridge magnet.
- Turn the pan over and hold the magnet to the center of the base. KitchenAid: “Simply hold a magnet to the bottom of your pot or pan.”
- Pull gently. A firm grip means the pan is induction compatible. If the magnet slides off, the pan won't heat.
- On pans with a visible steel disc, test on the disc itself.
The two-second test: if a fridge magnet grips the base, the pan works on induction.
The Induction Symbol and What Induction-Ready Means
Many pans are stamped underneath. KitchenAid says to “Look for a coiled spring or spiral symbol, which indicates that the cookware works with induction cooking.” Whirlpool describes the same “stamped coiled spring symbol.” Listings say induction-ready, induction-compatible or induction safe for the same thing.
Those words describe the base only. They say nothing about the coating or how hot the pan can go in the oven; our oven-safe guide explains why.
Flat Base and the Right Size
Induction needs contact. Whirlpool says “If the pan is too small for the element, the burner may not be able to sense the pan,” and “If the pan is too large, it may result in uneven heating.” A warped base loses contact too. When a pan isn't detected, “Some induction cooktops will flash an error code or indicator light.”
Questions People Ask
Can I use my normal pots and pans on induction?
Only the ones with a magnetic base. Cast iron and most stainless steel already work. Aluminum, copper and glass pans won't, unless they have a steel plate on the bottom.
Do induction converter discs work?
Yes. KitchenAid says you can use an induction converter disc, also called an interface disc, under a pan that isn't magnetic. We'd use one as a stopgap for a favorite pan, not as a reason to keep a whole set that fails the test.
Does induction cookware work on gas and electric stoves?
Yes. KitchenAid says induction-compatible cookware works on gas and electric stovetops too, so buying for induction doesn't lock you in.
Will cast iron scratch an induction cooktop?
It can if you slide it. Lift it on and off the glass, and keep the base clean.
Why does my pan buzz on induction?
Some noise is normal. Wolf says it's “due to the magnetic fields in use,” and JennAir says the hum quiets when the power is turned down. Wolf also says logos or ridges on a pan's base can add noise, so a smooth, flat base is quieter.
Does induction-ready mean oven safe?
No. It describes the base. The oven limit depends on the handle, lid and coating.
Is an induction cooktop the same as a glass top stove?
They look alike, but a radiant glass top heats any flat pan, while induction needs a magnetic one. See how an induction cooktop works and our glass top stove guide.
Sources (opened October 25, 2026). Product facts come from each Amazon listing on the same date.
- KitchenAid: 5 Types of Induction Compatible Cookware
- Whirlpool: What Cookware Works With Induction Cooktops?
- Lodge: Can I use cast iron on an induction cooktop?
- Wolf: Induction cooktop noise
- JennAir: Humming, induction cooktop
Cuisinart, Lodge, GreenPan, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Wolf and JennAir are trademarks of their owners and are named here only to identify their products. Listings change; check the listing before you buy.
