Can You Use Stainless Steel Pans on an Induction Hob?

Many people assume all stainless steel pans will work on an induction hob, but that’s not always true. Whether your pan is suitable depends on its magnetic base.

How to Check if Your Stainless Steel Pan Works

• Hold a magnet to the base of the pan — if it sticks, it’s induction-compatible.
• If the magnet slides off easily, your pan won’t heat up properly on an induction hob.
• Many modern stainless steel pans have a special ferromagnetic layer added for this reason.

Why Induction Compatibility Matters

Induction hobs work by creating a magnetic field that heats your cookware directly — not the hob surface. If your pan isn’t magnetic, no heat will be generated, making it unusable on induction.

Quick Tip

If you’re buying new pans, look for the induction symbol (a coil-shaped icon) on the base or packaging to ensure compatibility.

In summary, only magnetic stainless steel pans work on induction hobs. A quick magnet test will tell you instantly whether yours are suitable.