Who is this option for?

You want to keep your existing pans

Before replacing your hob, you want to find out which of your saucepans and frying pans will work on induction, then replace only what you need to. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the base with a magnet.

You use large cookware

For a large stockpot, oval casserole or griddle, check the shape and size of the cooking zones, as well as the conditions for using any flexible zone.

You’re comparing cooking methods

You’re weighing up induction, ceramic and dual-fuel hobs. Cookware compatibility matters just as much as electricity consumption and whether the hob can be installed in your home.

Which criteria should you check first?

Make a list of the cookware you actually use, then check its bases against the cooking zones you’re considering. Next, check the model’s specifications and whether it can be fitted in your kitchen.

Criteria What to check Who it’s for
Cookware compatibility Test the bases of the items you use most with a magnet, or look for the induction symbol. Also compare the base diameter with the cooking zone you plan to use. If I want to keep my usual pans, I need to know which ones will work before choosing a hob. Around 36% of consumers would put compatibility at the top of their list.
Cooking zones and flexible zones Compare the number and size of the zones with your cookware. For a flexible zone, check the coverage requirements. With an oval casserole or griddle, I need to know whether its shape will work on a suitable zone. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise compatibility with large cookware.
Energy use Compare consumption figures based on the same usage assumptions, without converting them directly into your personal costs. If I cook often, I want to factor energy use into my choice of technology without assuming I’ll make the same savings at home. This would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Two cooking methods Check how the zones are arranged on a dual-fuel hob, along with the model’s requirements and your home’s installation constraints. If some of my cooking still relies on gas, I’d like to keep using it while using induction for compatible cookware. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise having both cooking methods.

Ceramic hobs don’t require the ferromagnetic base needed for induction. To compare the energy use of the two technologies, ADEME reports annual consumption of 200 kWh for ceramic and 115 kWh for induction, based on 409 cooking cycles a year. These figures rely on specific usage assumptions and don’t predict how much energy your household will use.

If only a few items fail the magnet test, replacing that cookware could let you choose induction without replacing your entire collection. A dual-fuel induction and gas hob meets a different need: keeping both cooking methods. You’ll still need compatible cookware for its induction zones, and you’ll need to check that the hob is suitable for your home.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on the stated material of the pan alone

    The base needs to be ferromagnetic for the pan to work on induction; the material name doesn’t always tell you whether it is.

    Hold a magnet against the base of each saucepan or frying pan you rely on, then identify what needs replacing before choosing a hob.

  • Assuming all 60 cm hobs are the same

    A similar advertised width doesn’t guarantee the same cut-out or electrical specifications. For example, Electrolux lists a maximum power of 6 000 W for the DAI6301C and 7 350 W for the EIV64453.

    Compare the installation diagram and instructions for your chosen model with your kitchen and home’s specifications.

  • Choosing a flexible zone without measuring your cookware

    Joining cooking zones doesn’t mean that every shape of cookware will work. Whirlpool states that the large zone on the WBB3760BF switches off if it isn’t fully covered.

    Measure the bases of your larger items and check their shape against the requirements for the zone on the model you’re considering.

  • Assuming average energy use guarantees savings

    Annual figures published by ADEME are based on usage assumptions; your results at home will depend on factors including your cooking habits.

    Use the comparison to help choose between technologies, but don’t take it as a guarantee of your personal savings.

Brands to know when comparing configurations

Electrolux

The range includes the three-zone DAI6301C and the four-zone EIV64453: two 60 cm induction hobs with different configurations.

  • According to Electrolux France product specifications, the DAI6301C has a maximum power of 6 000 W and a 560 × 490 mm cut-out; the EIV64453 has a flexible zone.
  • These specifications apply to the models listed. Check the instructions for the one you’re considering, especially for installation and connection requirements.

Bosch

Bosch Electroménager France lists the PIJ631HB1E as a 60 cm, three-zone induction hob.

  • Its specifications include a 28 cm cooking zone, which you can compare with the bases of your larger round pans.
  • A large round zone won’t necessarily replace a flexible zone for a griddle or oblong dish.

Whirlpool

The WSB2360BF and WBB3760BF show two different ways to accommodate larger cookware.

  • Whirlpool France lists a 28 cm double zone on the WSB2360BF and a ConneXion Zone on the WBB3760BF.
  • On the WBB3760BF, the large zone switches off if the cookware doesn’t cover it completely. Check the shape of your dishes before choosing this configuration.

Hob and cookware to consider on Joybuy

These two products suit two possible steps in switching to induction: choosing a hob or replacing a single incompatible saucepan. Whether they’re right for you depends on your cookware and, for the hob, your kitchen.

Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6 60 cm induction hob

Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6, 60 cm induction hob

A replacement hob if you’re switching to induction. If you plan to use its Bridge zone with larger cookware, check the shape and base against the operating requirements in the instructions. Before choosing it for your kitchen, also check the cut-out and connection specifications.

View on Joybuy
TEFAL Ingenio Natural Force 16 cm induction saucepan with removable handle

TEFAL Ingenio Natural Force, 16 cm induction saucepan with removable handle

Worth considering if you need to replace one incompatible saucepan rather than all your cookware. The title specifies a 16 cm size and a removable handle; check exactly what’s included in the variant and the diameter of its base to make sure it suits your chosen cooking zone.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a saucepan works on induction?

Hold a magnet against its base: if it sticks, the base contains iron, according to the test described by UFC-Que Choisir. Also look for the induction symbol, then compare the base diameter with the cooking zones on the hob you’re considering.

Do I need to replace all my frying pans and saucepans?

No, not if the ones you want to keep have an induction-compatible base and suit the cooking zones you’ve chosen. Test the items you use most first to find out which ones genuinely need replacing.

Do two 60 cm induction hobs have the same cut-out?

Not necessarily. Electrolux France gives the DAI6301C a 560 × 490 mm cut-out; the advertised width of another hob doesn’t mean it will fit the same opening. Check its own installation diagram and electrical specifications.

Will a flexible zone work with all large dishes?

No. Its shape and coverage requirements vary by model. For example, Whirlpool states that the large zone on the WBB3760BF switches off if it isn’t fully covered. Compare the dimensions of your dishes’ bases with the instructions.

Will induction definitely use less energy than a ceramic hob?

Not necessarily by the same amount as a published average. ADEME reports 115 kWh a year for induction compared with 200 kWh a year for ceramic, based on 409 cooking cycles a year. Your consumption will depend on how you use your hob.