There are lots of benefits to induction cooking but one of the downsides is that you can only use cookware that’s compatible with induction cooktops. So if you don’t have a full set of pots and pans, or you’re thinking of making the switch to induction cooking, we’ve researched brands and found some of the best induction cookware options available in Australia to help you buy what you need.
What is induction cookware?
Induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field to transfer heat directly to the cookware. This process only works with induction-friendly cookware that has a magnetic base, such as cast iron or steel. It also has to have a flat bottom, so warped pots and pans may not work.
The good news is that plenty of brands make cookware that’s compatible with induction and other cooktops. So you may even find that some of your existing cookware is already compatible. You can test it with a fridge magnet: if the magnet sticks strongly to the bottom of the pan, it is induction-friendly. If not, our curated list of the best induction cookware brands can help you find a new set for your kitchen.
2024’s top induction cookware brands
- Solidteknics, from $129.95 per pot or pan (here’s why)
- Scanpan, from $116.10 per pot or pan (here’s why)
- Anolon, from $109.95 per pot or pan (here’s why)
The best induction cookware brands to shop in Australia in 2024
A great thing about this brand is that it is 100% Australian-owned and made, with cookware manufactured in Sydney. Solidteknics have two core ranges to choose from, AUS-ION and nöni, both of which are induction-friendly.
The AUS-ION range is made from pure Australian iron and is ideal for everyday cooking needs, including shallow frying, grilling, baking and roasting. These pans come pre-seasoned (helping make them non-stick) and ready to use. They are extremely tough and suitable for any heat source, including campfire. They cook like all cast iron cookware but they are half the weight of traditional cast iron.
The nöni range is made from magnetic, non-nickel stainless steel, which is nearly twice as conductive as commonly-used 18-10 stainless steel (which contains 10% nickel). This range is ideal for cooking with liquids and acidic foods. Think slow cooking, pasta, rice, sauces, curries, casseroles and soups. And because it is stainless steel, the nöni range is dishwasher-safe.
The Solidteknics 3 Piece Workhorse Starter Kit featured here includes two AUS-ION pans and one nöni pan, making it a solid all-round collection.
It’s worth noting Solidteknics has a higher price point than some other cookware brands. But they encourage customers to think of their cookware as heirloom pieces and offer a “multi-century warranty”. This means that there is no time limit on their warranty, all genuine claims will be honoured, no matter which century they are returned.
Key features:
- Australian-made and owned
- Multi-century warranty
- Wide range for various uses
- Tough but attractive design
- Lighter than traditional cast iron
Available at:
- From $129.95 for individual pans and $389.95 for cookware sets from Solidteknics
- From $159.95 per pan from Biome
- From $129 per pan from Minimax
- From $129.95 per pan from Kitchen Warehouse
02
Scanpan
from $116.10 at Amazon
Danish brand Scanpan is well-known for its craftsmanship, attention-to-detail and wide range of cookware. The brand also has a technologically advanced manufacturing processes: every pan produced passes through human hands during its creation, ensuring the highest quality cookware.
The Scanpan Classic Induction range is made from recycled aluminium, with a steel disc base and Stratanium non-stick coating. This includes frypans, saucepans, woks, grill pans, saute pans, Dutch ovens and more. The Classic Induction range can also handle temperatures up to 500°F/257°C, which is great for cooktop to oven recipes. All Scanpan products are also protected by a 10 year warranty.
There are also plenty of other Scanpan products suitable for induction cooktops, including the TechnIQ, CTX and Pro IQ ranges, as well as a selection of stainless steel pots and pans in the Impact series. Myer has quite a few Black Friday deals on the Impact range, including a six-piece set for $364.50 (usually $729).
So you have your pick of products and finishes with this brand.
Key features:
- Sustainably made
- 10-year warranty
- Danish craftsmanship, checked and approved by humans
- Oven safe to high temperatures
Available at:
03
Anolon
from $39.95 (usually $139.95) at Anolon
BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Save 50%-70% on selected styles on the Anolon website
Anolon pioneered the hard-anodised, non-stick pan in 1986 and has been making durable cookware to professional standards ever since. Their range includes Anolon plenty of induction cookware, including the Endurance+ and Advanced+ ranges.
Both ranges are made from anodised aluminium, with induction-compatible bases and PFOA-free, non-stick coating for easy cleaning. In fact, they are dishwasher safe, as well as oven safe to 200°C and metal utensil safe. The hard anodisation process also makes these pans durable and long lasting.
A key difference between the collections is the range of items. The Endurance+ range is designed for everyday cooking and has everything from skillets and woks to grill pans, steamers and saucepans. In comparison, Anolon states that the Advanced+ range is “designed and engineered to achieve perfect cooking results” and has a smaller range including skillets, a wok, a milkpan and a sauteuse.
Beyond these collections, you’ll also find some pots, pans and other Anolon products that are suitable for induction cooktops, so you can mix and match to get what you need.
Key features:
- Hard anodisation for extreme durability
- Lifetime warranty
- Metal utensil safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe to 200°C
Available at:
- From $69.95 for an individual pan and $349 (usually $899.95) for a 6-piece set from Minimax
- From $54.98 from Myer
- From $39.95 for an individual pan (usually $139.95) from Anolon
04
Essteele
from $49.95 (usually $179.95) at Essteele
BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Save 40%-60% on selected cookware until December 2
Essteele is an Italian cookware brand that is manufactured in Milan, combining the latest innovations with stylish design. All Essteele cookware is induction-suitable, including their best-selling ranges, Per Domani and Per Amore.
Per Domani (‘for tomorrow‘) is built to last longer than ordinary non-stick pans. This range uses unique double induction technology to provide a super flat base and a diamond-hard, metal utensil safe non-stick top layer. These pans are oven safe to 180°C and dishwasher safe.
The Per Amore (‘for love’) range is an elegant stainless steel collection that is designed to provide a lifetime of perfect cooking results. It has an aluminium core seamlessly fused between two layers of stainless steel and a perfectly flat base for even heat distribution in induction cooking. This range is oven safe to 260°C. Both ranges are covered by a lifetime warranty.
Key features:
- Elegant Italian design
- Designed to last a lifetime
- Metal utensil safe
- Lifetime warranty
- All cookware induction-suitable
Available at:
05
Green Pan
from $47.97 (usually $79.95) at GreenPan
EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Save up to 50% off on a selection of ceramic non-stick cookware
GreenPan is a cookware company focused on producing healthier and more sustainable products. This includes developing their own ceramic non-stick coating, called Thermolon, which is free from lead, cadmium, PFAS and PFOA. Their pans also feature a thicker and stronger forged base for additional stability, ensuring consistent results. Most GreenPan products also have a smart design with straight sides, resulting in a 25% larger cooking surface, perfect for family-sized dinners, without increasing the size of the pan.
Much of the GreenPan collection is induction compatible – all their stainless steel products, as well as any collection with the Magneto induction base, which is specially designed for optimised performance on all stovetops.
Available in gorgeous colours like pine green, julep, quartz pink and smokey sky blue (pictured in 10-piece set above), you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a set to match your kitchen colour scheme.
Key features:
- Leader healthy non-stick cookware
- Thicker and stronger forged base for durability and stability
- Straight sides for larger cooking space
- Available in a range of colours
Available at:
What material is best for induction cookware?
The most important thing is that the material used for the base of the induction cookware is ferrous. This means that it contains iron, which is why pure cast iron cookware will always be induction-friendly. Essentially, the base needs to be magnetic so it will react to the electromagnetic field in the cooktop to generate heat.
So, cast iron, steel, some enamelled steel and stainless steel pans with an iron base or core are suitable materials for induction cookware. But glass aluminium and copper generally won’t be suitable unless they are fused with another material. If in doubt, look for the induction-compatible symbol (below) or try the magnet test mentioned above.
Does induction cookware work on an electric or gas stovetop?
Yes! There may be a few outliers, but for the most part, almost all induction cookware can be used on any heat source (though it’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instructions first). The main difference between induction cookware and ‘regular’ cookware is the ferrous, or magnetic base, as explained above. So even if you don’t have an induction cooktop at this point, you can buy induction cookware and use it safely on whatever cooktop you have at home.
Related article:
- 7 top-selling kitchen tools you didn’t know you needed
- 5 surprising weeknight meals you can easily make in a frypan
- 7 quality non-stick cookware pieces for the home chef
