Does an Induction Cooking Pan Need to be Completely Ferrous?

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    Cooking Induction
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the requirements for a pan to be suitable for induction cooking, specifically whether a pan needs to be completely ferrous or if a ferrous bottom with non-ferrous sides would suffice. The scope includes theoretical considerations, practical applications, and material properties relevant to induction cooking.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a pan needs to be entirely ferrous or if a ferrous bottom with non-ferrous sides would be effective for induction cooking.
  • Another participant asserts that different materials can present challenges but heating will work with a ferrous bottom.
  • A participant inquires whether a ferrous plate at the bottom would be sufficient compared to a completely ferrous pan.
  • One response suggests that heating differences may not be significant, but engineering considerations remain uncertain.
  • Another participant believes that using a non-ferrous material should not pose a problem as long as it is a good conductor of heat.
  • A participant shares their experience with pans that have a stainless steel bottom bonded to copper, indicating a multi-material approach.
  • One participant references external sources discussing the induction properties of various metals and compounds, suggesting that some may have negligible induction effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a completely ferrous pan is necessary, with some suggesting that a ferrous bottom may suffice while others remain uncertain about the implications of using non-ferrous materials.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the engineering implications of using mixed materials, as well as the specific thermal properties required for effective induction cooking.

Loppyfoot
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I ask, "Does a ferrous pan for Induction Cooking need to be Completely Ferrous?"

In other words, could just the bottom of the pan be a ferrous material for good inductive heat induction?

Could I have a ferrous bottom, and ferrous sides that turn to a non-ferrous material after a couple inches?

I am trying to forge my own induction cookware, and I don't know if the entire pan should be ferrous, or if only a part of it needs to be.
 
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Yes. The combination of different materials can have other challenges (different thermal expansion coefficients, electrochemical considerations, ...) but heating will work.
 
Do you think that a ferrous plate at the bottom would suffice though? Or would a completely ferrous pan be significantly better?
 
In terms of heating, it should not make a large difference. In terms of engineering, I don't know.
 
I think it shouldn't be a problem. But even if you use a non-ferrous material, it should be a good conductor of heat. What material are you thinking of using?
 
The pans my wife and I have for our induction cooktop have stainless steel bottoms bonded to copper, which is bonded again to stainless steel.
 

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