Are your old pans suitable for induction?

In an induction cooktop, electric coils create a magnetic field under the pan. Friction occurs between the induction cooktop and the bottom of the pan when the bottom is magnetic. Using an unsuitable pan? That means there's no magnetic field and your cooktop turns off for safety. You might think your induction cooktop is broken when this happens, but the fault actually lies with the pan.

To check whether your old pans are suitable for induction, use a fridge magnet, for example. Stick this to the bottom of the pan. Does the magnet stay in place? Your pan is suitable for induction. In most cases, pans made of aluminum, Teflon, and copper aren't suitable for an induction cooktop.

There's another way to check whether you can use your old pans on an induction cooktop. Check if the pan has a flat bottom. To do this, hold it horizontally at eye level. If you see a bulge, the pan isn't suitable for induction.