These induction cookware compatibility tips can save a lot of frustration the first week with a new Electrolux induction cooktop, since the single most common complaint — a zone that will not heat at all — usually comes down to cookware rather than the cooktop itself.
Induction zones only heat cookware with a magnetic (ferrous) base, which is a fundamentally different requirement from gas or standard electric cooking, where almost any pan works.
The magnet test
The simplest way to check whether a pan will work is to hold a refrigerator magnet against the base. If it sticks firmly, the pan has enough ferrous material to work on an induction zone. If the magnet does not stick at all, or only weakly, the pan will not heat, or will heat unreliably, regardless of size or how it is positioned on the zone.
Materials that work and that do not
- Works well: cast iron, enameled cast iron, and most stainless steel cookware, particularly pieces marketed as induction-compatible.
- Does not work: pure aluminum, copper, and most glass or ceramic cookware, none of which are magnetic.
- Sometimes works: some multi-ply stainless cookware has an aluminum or copper core with only a thin magnetic layer on the base, which can work but may heat less evenly than solid ferrous cookware.
Pan size and base condition matter too
Center the pan fully within the marked cooking zone rather than at the edge, and use a pan close to the zone’s actual size rather than significantly smaller, since undersized cookware may not register with the sensor at all. A warped or uneven pan base also reduces contact with the surface and can cause inconsistent heating even with fully compatible material. If a specific pan works on one zone but not another of a different size, check that the base fully covers the smaller zone’s sensor area.
Buying new cookware for induction
Look for cookware explicitly labeled induction-compatible rather than relying on the magnet test alone when shopping, since manufacturers test for exactly this. A well-matched, flat-bottomed set makes the fast, precise response that induction is known for far more noticeable in daily cooking. See our how induction cooking works guide for more on why this compatibility requirement exists.
Book Electrolux cooktop service
If a zone will not heat even with confirmed compatible cookware, our experienced, independent technicians repair Electrolux cooktops with genuine OEM parts and a 30-day labor warranty. Schedule a visit, see what our cooktop repair service covers, or confirm your model details at electrolux.com.
