Best Frying Pans for an Induction Cooktop in 2022

Induction cooktops heat cookware by electrical induction, as opposed to thermal conduction from an electrical heating element or a flame.

Which frying pans will work with your induction cooktop? How to cook with stainless steel for the best results? How to clean stainless steel pans? What is the best frying pan for an induction cooktop? We answer these and other questions in this article.

Let’s begin with our list of the best frying pans for induction cooktops and tips for shopping for one.

What are the Best Frying Pans for Induction Cooktops?

All-Clad D3 Stainless Fry Pan with Lid  

All-Clad is a well-known name in the cookware industry that offers a wide range of products in the medium to high-end ranges for residential and commercial use.

The All-Clad D3 line is made in the USA with high-quality American-made materials. Although expensive, the D3 costs less than their D5 and Copper Core lines which offer similar cooking performance. The All-Clad D3 Stainless Cookware 12-inch Fry Pan with Lid can last a lifetime, making the yearly cost very small.

As the brand is synonymous with performance and durability, it is understandable why this All-Clad frying pan is popular.

This fully-clad, all-purpose frying pan would be a great addition to your culinary collection whether you are a professional chef or a home cook.

What We Like  

• The excellent heat conduction and durability make it stand out from other stainless steel pans.
• A lid is included with the pan.
• If this pan is preheated correctly, you can successfully cook eggs that don't stick to the pan using only a small amount of butter. The cleanup was easy after preparing the eggs (warm water and a small amount of soap).
• Acidic sauces can be made in this pan.
• This induction compatible pan can also be used on all conventional stovetops and in the oven and broiler.

What Is Not Ideal

• When comparing All-Clad to the competition, it's hard not to notice the price difference. The price may not deter someone who wants high-end full-clad stainless steel induction cookware.
• Some reviewers find the handle too thin and is uncomfortable to hold and maneuver.

Features of the All-Clad D3 Stainless Fry Pan

The All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Fry Pan may not be cheap. Still, it has an outstanding build quality and is an excellent multipurpose frying pan.

It features a three-ply construction throughout the pan. The exterior is a magnetic, highly polished stainless steel layer, the middle layer is pure aluminum, and the cooking surface is 18/10 stainless steel.  

The aluminum is sealed between the two stainless steel layers preventing it from coming into contact with the food.

The high-quality materials and tri-ply construction used to build this pan are two reasons it distributes heat fast and evenly.

This pan's flat bottom and flared sides make it easy to turn foods with a spatula. This All-Clad D3 fry pan has a 12.5" outer diameter and a 9" flat interior surface. The rim is bent, making it easy to pour liquids.

The All-Clad 41126 stainless steel fry pan can be used to sear, brown, and fry all kinds of food and is oven and broiler safe to 600°F. The more experience you have cooking with stainless steel, the more you'll control the cooking process. It won't be long before you can cook any piece of meat without worrying about stuck and burnt pieces.

The solid stainless steel handle is securely attached to the pan with two stainless steel rivets. It is concave, narrow, and long. Some cooks find the handle to be uncomfortable to hold and maneuver. However, this can be remedied to a large extent by wrapping a kitchen towel around the handle.

The handle stays cool except at the end closest to the pan (about an inch from the pan).

All-Clad provides a limited lifetime warranty on their cookware products.

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Skillet

The Cuisinart MCP22-30HN MultiClad Pro Stainless 12-Inch Skillet with Helper is a high-quality, well-designed cookware that would be an asset to your culinary collection.

As with all Cuisinart MCP Stainless Steel products, this skillet can be used on gas, electric, glass-ceramic, halogen, and induction stovetops and in the oven. Given the growing popularity of induction cooktops, it is nice to have cookware used on various cooktops.

Cuisinart also offers a 10-Inch Open Skillet (it DOES NOT have a handle helper).

What We Like

• The sides of the skillet are sloped, which provides a bit more surface area. 
• My limited experience with this skillet has been that food is evenly heated.
• The handle is well-designed and remains cool to the touch.
• This Cuisinart Multi-Clad Pro skillet can be used to start cooking food on the stovetop and then transfer it to the oven.

What Is Not Ideal

• Although this pan weighs approximately 3.65 pounds, it seems heavy to me. However, with the helper handle, it is manageable.
• A few consumers reported the skillet warped.

Features of the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless 12 inch Skillet

The Cuisinart MCP22-30HN MultiClad Pro Stainless 12-Inch Skillet with Helper has a core of aluminum sandwiched between a smooth stainless steel interior and a brushed stainless exterior.

These three layers run throughout the sides and bottom of the skillet, providing even heat distribution.

The aluminum layer does not contact the food as it is completely sealed between the two stainless steel layers.

Cuisinart touts this skillet, and the other cookware in their Multi-Clad Pro is constructed using Heat Surround (TM) Technology. In short, the food is evenly heated because it is surrounded by heat from the bottom and all around the sides of the cooking vessel. 

The skillet's interior is polished stainless steel, while the outside is a brushed finish, and the rim has a mirror finish. The cooking diameter of the pan is about 9.5 inches, and the pan is approximately 2 inches deep.

The rim of the skillet is tapered, making it easy to pour and not have the liquid drip down the side of the skillet.

Some consumers have commented that the rim has sharp edges on various Cuisinart MCP-Pro products. However, I did not find that to be true of this skillet.

This induction ready skillet features a long, cast stainless steel Cool Grip™ handle. It is designed to stay cool to the touch, and it does.

The pan also has a helper handle. Both handles are very sturdy and have a thumb rest, making holding the skillet more comfortable and easier to balance.

The helper handle makes it much easier to lift the vessel to transfer the food to a plate or oven.

According to the Use and Care Guide, the MultiClad Pro Tri-ply cookware can be used in the oven at any baking temperature up to 500°F. [Cuisinart states the maximum oven temperature is 550°F.]

Note: I purchased this skillet and examined it thoroughly upon receipt. The box was well-packed, with no scratches or dents, and the pan's bottom was flat.

Along with the skillet, Cuisinart provides a Use and Care Guide and instructions explaining how to register your product. They offer a lifetime limited warranty on this skillet.

It is worth noting if the customer decides to utilize this warranty, they are responsible for the cost of shipping the skillet to Cuisinart for repair or replacement. In addition, they require a check or money order to defray the return shipping costs (different warranty conditions apply to California residents).

All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set

This beautiful fry pan twin pack from All-Clad includes a 10-inch and a 12-inch skillet compatible with induction elements. Still, it can also be used on gas, electric, ceramic, and even halogen heat sources.

They are oven safe to 500 degrees for the perfect preparation of all your dishes. These pans are manufactured in China.

The All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick 10 Inch and 12 Inch Fry Pans are designed for home chefs who want pans that are beautiful, functional, and have a rugged nonstick coating.

They have a substantial weight with a flat bottom and high, curved sides for easy flipping. These pans go from the cooktop to the oven to the dishwasher, perfect for your recipes.

What We Like

• We use this pan along with the Made In Cookware pan. The pan has not warped, and the coating is durable (we use wood or nylon utensils).
• The flat bottom and flared sides for even heating and turning are convenient.  
• This cookware holds and distributes heat well so that you may cook at lower temperatures than other pans.

What Is Not Ideal

• This pan is heavy, especially if it contains a full meal.
• The handle is uncomfortable and hard to grip.

Features of the All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set

The All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick 10 Inch and 12 Inch Fry Pans are made from hard-anodized aluminum for fast, even heating.

The stainless steel base is anti-warp and optimized for induction heating, and the stainless steel handles are contoured for comfort and permanently secured with stainless steel rivets.

These fry pans have three layers of PFO-free, scratch-resistant, nonstick coating for reduced-fat cooking with fast cleanup and excellent durability.

They have a low-profile shape with a wide, flat base and flared sides, so you can easily toss foods or use a spatula.

According to my digital scale, the 10" pan weighs 2 lb 6 oz, and the 12" pan weighs about 3 pounds. 

They are oven-safe and dishwasher-safe (although hand washing is recommended).

A limited lifetime warranty backs All-Clad pans.

Made In Cookware Nonstick Frying Pan  

This Made In frying pan feels solid and well-weighted. The brushed steel exterior also gives it a nice premium look. It appears durable, and the twin bolts fastening the curved handle to the body give a definite feeling of sturdiness.

Their nonstick frying pans are made in Italy. The coating contains an American-made PTFE (without the PFOA). 

What We Like

• This 5-ply pan is Made in Italy with metal sourced in the USA. The coating is made in the USA. 
• We have used this pan for more than a year and are pleased with it. The heat is evenly distributed, and the coating is still nonstick. 
• If you’re looking for a high-quality, durable product not made in Southeast Asia, this Made In cookware nonstick frying pan should be on your radar. The nonstick surface's even heating, durability, and quality of the nonstick surface are impressive.
• We contacted Made In Cookware's customer service a few times with questions regarding the place of manufacture and material-related queries. They have always responded promptly and with complete replies.

What Is Not Ideal

This product is moderately expensive.

Features of the Made In Nonstick Frying Pan

One reason for the premium feel, and weight is the five-ply metal construction. The Made In nonstick frying pan is made in Italy with the same 5-ply design as the rest of their stainless clad collection, with the addition of the coating.

The coating on the cooking surface is PTFE made without PFOA. The coating is applied twice with a complete cure between applications.

The metal on the cooking side is 18/10 stainless steel.

The middle three layers are alternating layers of pure aluminum and aluminum alloy, a combination of metals known for their heat conductivity and responsiveness.

The external layer of the frying pan is made from a high-grade ferritic 430 stainless steel, so it is both durable and magnetic (to work with induction cooktops). 

According to email correspondence from Made In, their PTFE nonstick coating complies with regulations set by the USDA, FDA, JIS, and others.

Anyone who knows about cooking will tell you that uneven heat is the enemy of a good meal. The five metal layers in this pan produce even heat throughout the pan.

Furthermore, this pan is heat-resistant up to 500°F so you can move from stovetop to oven baking in an instant without having to worry about durability.

The real test of a nonstick frying pan is whether food sticks to it.

Happily, Made In has covered this base with great aplomb. It can handle anything you might throw at it, including sauces, meat, veggies, etc. There’s no residue leftover and no sticking.

This means that you don’t even need to use oils or butter to ensure that your food doesn’t stick.

You can fry an egg or make an omelet without sticking and leaving a mark. It makes cooking painless, and that’s a good measure of any nonstick frying pan.

One other unrecognized benefit of a nonstick surface is that it’s a breeze to keep clean. You can wipe this pan down after cooking, and it will be clean enough to use next time. For lots of folks, this easy maintenance will be a big plus.

If you have concerns about PTFE, the American Cancer Society’s page about PFOA and PTFE is available. 

Made In accepts cookware returns or exchanges within 45 days from delivery. They will even cover the shipping costs from all states within the US except Alaska and Hawaii.

This product is covered under their limited lifetime warranty.

Made In Cookware Stainless Steel Frying Pan  

Made In Cookware offers three stainless steel frying pan sizes -  8, 10, or 12-inch pans.

A couple of eggs or one chicken breast can be prepared in an 8-inch pan. A 10-inch pan is suitable for two chicken breasts, while a 12-inch pan can hold 3-4 chicken breasts. 

What We Like

• We use this pan and have found it to be outstanding. The handle is comfortable and the food is evenly cooked. The 5-ply construction was one reason we bought this pan.
• One thing to bear in mind is that the Made In stainless steel frying pan heats up quickly. If you’re not used to this, it can take you by surprise. As mentioned previously, the flared edges should be considered.
• MadeIn Cookware provides chat, email, and phone support. We use the chat function and have had our questions answered quickly. They send a transcript of the conversation to your email, which is helpful.

What Is Not Ideal

• The pan might be too heavy for some folks.
• The flared edges are shallow, meaning there is some potential for spillage over the sides if you’re not careful. We suggest this is not a significant mark against the product since there are other desirable features.

Features of Made In Stainless Steel Frying Pan

The Made In cookware stainless steel frying pan features a five-layered metal construction made and manufactured right here on American soil. The raw materials are American Made metals.

The five-ply steel offers even home chefs and amateurs the possibility of transitioning from low to high cooking temperatures without worry. From stovetop to oven baking, the five-ply steel construction has you covered.

Unlike other pans at this pricing level, this construction provides a much more even heat transition throughout the pan, resulting in even cooking and more predictability.  

The exact composition is 430 stainless steel (making it induction compatible), aluminum, aluminum alloy, aluminum, and 18/10 stainless steel (interior).

The stainless steel frying pan is smooth inside and out. And the outside has a nice brushed steel finish. It feels suitably weighty and solid in the hands.

The handle curves up and has a bump underneath to help stop the hand from sliding too close to the flared edges of the pan.  

Made In accepts cookware returns or exchanges within 45 days from delivery. They will even cover the shipping costs from all states within the US except Alaska and Hawaii.

This product is covered under their limited lifetime warranty.

Induction Frying Pan Comparison Chart

Things to Consider When Buying an Induction Frying Pan

Stainless Steel vs. Nonstick Frying Pan

Since stainless steel and nonstick pan have different properties, most cooks select one or the other depending on what they are cooking.

Stainless steel cookware is becoming more popular with home cooks because of the possible adverse health effects of nonstick coatings. Another explanation is stainless steel can be used when high heat is needed to prepare food.

Stainless steel pans are versatile. They can be used on the stovetop and in the oven.

The best stainless steel frying pans can be used to fry (pan and stir), sear, brown, crisp, and roast. The number of cooking methods used with a stainless steel pan makes it far more versatile than its nonstick counterpart.

It takes an adequately preheated pan, the right amount of oil, and practice to prepare a perfect dish using stainless steel cookware. However, many find it preferable to use nonstick pans.

Thanks to its durability and proper care, a stainless steel fry pan will last longer than the most expensive nonstick pan.

Nonstick pans are convenient to use to prepare an omelet, eggs, pancakes, or delicate fish. It is crucial to maintain low or medium heat when using nonstick cookware. Some nonstick pans are designed for oven use.

Size and Weight

Frying pans range from 8 to 15 inches in diameter. The most popular sizes are 8, 10, and 12-inch frying pans.

The larger pans sometimes have a helper handle opposite the main handle.

Pan weight can be classified as heavy, moderately heavy, and easy to lift. Cast iron and carbon steel are the heaviest, whereas a nonstick frying pan is the lightest. Some 12” stainless steel pans can be heavy depending on the pan’s thickness.

Handle and Lid

Some handles have a silicone cover on all or part of the handle, while others are entirely stainless steel. If you want to hang your frying pan, make sure the hole at the end of the handle is open from front to back.

The angle of a handle is an important consideration. If there is too much of an angle, the pan feels heavier than it is.

Pans with a handle parallel to the pan rim are easier to lift and maneuver. If you purchase a larger frying pan, you’ll probably want one with a handle helper.

The handle of the pan is attached by rivets or is welded.

Some pans, such as Anolon Novelle, have rivets that are flush with the cooking surface. Smooth rivets are advantageous because it eliminates areas where bacteria and food collect.

If you have trouble cleaning the rivets, try using a stiff toothbrush to remove the particles.

Many frying pans do not come with a lid. Universal lids are available, or perhaps you have a cover that will fit the frying pan.

Deciding the type of cover is straightforward. Do you want a glass or stainless steel lid? Does it need to have a steam vent?

Budget

There is a wide price range among frying pans.

Cheap pans tend to dent and warp faster than the more expensive ones.

It’s best to buy a nonstick pan with at least three layers of coatings. Some cooks buy an affordable pan, and once the coating is scratched or food begins to stick on the cooking surface, they dispose of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Induction Frying Pans

What is the difference between an induction frying pan and a regular frying pan?

An induction frying pan has a high ferrous metal content on the bottom.

It also needs to have a flat base since the magnetic field of the induction hob is generated above the cooktop surface. Heating occurs above the cooking zone. The bottom of the cooking vessel needs to contact the glass surface.  

Can I use a small pan on a large cooking zone on an induction cooktop?

Each cooktop has a recommended minimum pan size. The induction burner may not turn on if the pan is too small. To get the best results, match the pan size to the burner size. 

How should I clean a stainless steel pot or pan?

Although a natural response is to soak the pan in water after taking it off the stove, don’t place a hot stainless steel pan in cold water. The temperature shock can cause the pan to warp.

Let the pan cool before cleaning it. When the pan is entirely cooled, rinse the pan with warm water. The pan can be soaked in warm water with dish soap and washed with a sponge, soft cloth, or nylon scouring pad or dishcloth. Then rinse the pan with warm water. To prevent spots, dry the pan immediately.

Here are two methods to remove burnt food or spots from a stainless steel pan.

• Soak the pan in hot water for a few minutes. Then put baking soda on the area with the spot or cooked food. Wash the pan with a sponge, soft cloth, or nylon dishcloth. 

• When the burnt food is removed, wash the pan with warm soapy water and dry it.
• Soak the pan in hot water for a few minutes. Make a paste of 3 parts of baking soda and one part of water. Apply the paste to the cooked food and wash with a sponge, nylon dishcloth, or soft cloth.

Do not use a stainless steel pad, steel wool, bleach, or oven cleaner to clean your stainless steel cookware.

Can you use olive oil on a stainless steel pan?

Yes, you can use olive oil on a stainless pan. Grapeseed or vegetable oil is great for searing proteins.

Does salt cause pitting on stainless steel?

Yes, salt can cause pitting on stainless steel if you add the salt before the water is boiling. If you add salt to the water before it is boiling, the salt drops to the bottom of the pan and causes white dots.

Can I put stainless steel frying pan in a microwave oven?

Metal containers should not be used in a microwave oven. The microwaves will not go through the metal. However, they can induce an electric current in the pot or pan. An electric current is not a problem unless there is a jagged edge or point on the cooking vessel.  If there is, then “arcing” can happen, and sparks will emerge. The situation where a fire could occur is if there is something combustible in the microwave oven. It is best to use glass or plastics labeled “microwave safe”.

Is there a difference between a skillet and a frying pan?

The terms "skillet" and "frying pan" are used interchangeably because both cooking vessels have sloped sides and similar depths. The use seems to vary between manufacturers and individuals.

The French skillet has a little more surface area than the frying pan, and the sides are less slanted.

How are a skillet and a saute pan different?

The shape of the pan distinguishes a skillet from a saute pan. A skillet has short, sloped sides, while a saute pan has tall, vertical sides.

Some saute pans are elevated with a narrow base, and others have a low, wide base.

How do I choose a frying pan/skillet?

The initial step is to consider what dishes you will prepare in your new frying pan.

Then you can decide whether you want stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, hard-anodized aluminum, or a nonstick pan. The type of cooktop you will use, the size and weight of the pan, and budget are other considerations.

We created a detailed guide for choosing the right frying pan and a printable checklist to simplify the process. 

How to Preserve Nonstick Coating

One way to preserve the nonstick coating is to use oil/butter and not cooking sprays since the ingredients buildup on the pan's surface. This causes the release system of the coating to stop performing as it should, and in time, food will begin to stick to the pan.

Another suggestion to extend the longevity of the coating is to use low to medium heat, as the high heat may damage the nonstick coating. The warranty is usually voided if the pan is damaged due to cooking sprays and overheating.

How do I fry an egg in a stainless steel skillet without it sticking to the pan?

This is the process I use to fry an egg in a stainless steel pan.

1. Gather necessary utensils and ingredients before preheating as the pan can overheat quickly.
2. Crack an egg into a small bowl, saucer, or small plate.
3. Preheat pan using water drop test. I put in about 1/8 tsp at a time. When the water stays in a big ball and rolls around the pan along with a few smaller beads of water, the pan is ready to add butter or oil. Use low to medium heat for a smaller pan. NOTE: I used a setting of 4 on an electric stove.
4. Take the pan off the burner (don't wait for the bubble to evaporate) and wipe off any remaining water in the pan. Add enough butter to coat the entire surface of the pan lightly. Tilt the pan to spread the butter.
5. Once the butter has melted, let the foam subside a little, place the pan on the burner, and then slide the egg into the pan.
6. Cook until the white part is set and the yolk thickens. Then run the spatula (I used a stainless steel slotted spatula while some prefer a silicone spatula) around the edge of the egg.
7. Toss the egg and cook to your satisfaction.