We recommend enameled cast iron cookware no matter what kind of cooktop you have—and yes, that includes induction. Here, we explain why enameled cookware works just as well on induction as its non-enameled counterpart, and how induction cooktops can actually make your decades-old Dutch oven perform even better.
Is Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Induction Compatible?
If the phrase “induction-compatible” evokes something a bit more technical than your cottagecore-coded enameled cast iron, don’t fret: a Dutch oven admittedly looks almost nothing like the pots and pans typically marketed for induction cooktops, but it's still 100% induction compatible.
A Dutch oven (or any piece made of enameled cast iron, including a saucepan and frying pan) is still cast iron through and through, meaning that it’s just as ferromagnetic (i.e., able to produce a magnetic field) as non-enameled (or “unfinished”) cast iron.
How to Test for Induction Compatibility
If you’re still worried that your cookware isn’t induction-compatible, there’s a quick—and fun—way to test it out. Grab a magnet and hold it up to the bottom of whatever pot or pan you’re testing. If it sticks (or is repelled—any sort of strong reaction), this means your cookware produces an electromagnetic field, and will work on induction stovetops.
Advantages of Using Enameled Cast Iron on Induction
There are plenty of advantages of using enameled cast iron—or any type of induction-compatible cookware, for that matter.
Temperature Control
Since induction cooktops offer excellent temperature control compared with electric or even gas stoves, they make it easier to adjust the temperature of your pan and to minimize carryover cooking, which happens when your food continues to cook after it’s been removed from the heat.
Versatility
This responsiveness also makes it easy to enjoy the full range of cast iron’s cooking abilities. Want to sear a steak, make a slow-simmered tomato sauce, or fry an egg? You can do all of these easily using induction.
Ready to Cook?
Switching over to an induction cooktop shouldn’t mean putting your favorite pots and pans in storage, and especially not your enameled cast iron cookware. Not only will you get to enjoy a faster, more energy-efficient cooking experience, but you’ll get to keep using your favorite pieces—like our Enameled Cast Iron Skillet and Dutch Oven.
