Induction stovetops have become extremely popular in recent years as an alternative to gas and electric. These can do everything their counterparts can do, except be compatible with all types of cookware—due to the ferromagnetic nature of these stovetops, cookware (including your Dutch oven) needs to be made from magnetic materials in order to work on induction stovetops.
Luckily, many Dutch ovens—including ours—is induction compatible. Before you break it out, here are some things you need to know about cooking on induction.
How Dutch Ovens Work on Induction Stoves
An induction stove transfers heat generated by ferromagnetic energy. The heat is instant, uses half the power of a regular stove, and the food cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for home chefs.
The cast iron core of high-quality Dutch ovens is magnetic, even when covered with an enameled coating. This is what allows it to be compatible with induction stovetops—even though it may be a bit weighty.
Advantages of Using a Dutch Oven on an Induction Stove
There are multiple reasons we love using Dutch ovens on an induction stovetop. The food cooks much faster than a traditional stovetop and provides more precise heat control, so you can be sure your food is cooking thoroughly.
The heat source is also eliminated once the Dutch oven—or any pan—is removed from the cooktop, so you don’t have to worry about burning your hand or leaving a lit burner unattended.
How to Test for Induction Compatibility
If you are not sure if your Dutch oven (or other piece of cookware) is compatible with your induction stovetop, you can perform an easy test to see if it is. Simply place a magnet on the bottom of the cookware. If the magnet sticks or is repelled—any interaction—this means the cookware is compatible with your induction stovetop.
Another way to determine whether your cookware, Dutch ovens or otherwise, are a good choice for induction cooking is looking at the material it is made from. For example, a stainless steel Dutch oven is compatible if the steel has magnetic properties, while a cast iron Dutch Oven will always work due to the ferromagnetic properties of the iron it is made from.
Ready to Cook?
If you’re ready to get cooking with your induction stovetop, our Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven can handle any task you throw at it. And if you have a gas, electric, or glass, stovetop, it's perfectly optimized for that, too.
