Switching to induction means you can keep any saucepans and frying pans with a ferromagnetic base, as long as you also check the power supply and dimensions of your new hob. If keeping non-magnetic cookware is a priority, an electric ceramic hob is another option. Then choose the number of cooking zones to suit the dishes you prepare at the same time, and opt for a flexible zone only if it’s the right size for your larger cookware.
Before choosing induction, check the bases of the cookware you actually use. UFC-Que Choisir and Bosch point out that induction requires a ferromagnetic base; the material listed on the packaging isn’t always enough to tell you whether a pan is compatible.
UFC-Que Choisir features hobs with two, three or four cooking zones. For your kitchen, focus on how many pans you use at the same time, and check whether they’ll fit comfortably on the hob.
A Bridge or flexible zone can accommodate some long or bulky pans. However, Electrolux explains that its FlexiBridge modes require cookware of a suitable size and coverage of the relevant sections. Check the requirements for the model you’re considering.
Start with the cookware you want to keep and the space available, then check the electrical connection if you’re replacing a built-in hob. Next, compare the number of cooking zones and their shape to find a model that suits your cooking habits.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping your cookware | Test the base of your pans with a magnet and check for the induction symbol. Compare the cookware you’d need to replace before choosing between induction and ceramic. | If I want to keep my frying pans and saucepans, their compatibility will determine whether switching to induction is right for me. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cooking several things at once | Count the pans you use at the same time, then compare the diameter and layout of the cooking zones, as well as the space available for fitting the hob. | To prepare several parts of a meal at once, I need cooking zones where my pans fit without getting in each other’s way. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Using large cookware | Measure your largest pans and check the manual for the size, positioning and coverage required when using a flexible zone. | If I use a griddle or a large stockpot, I’m looking for a cooking surface that suits its shape, not just an extra cooking zone. Around 21% of consumers would put this first. |
| Checking the electrical connection | For a built-in hob, compare the model’s instructions and power requirements with your existing circuit. If you’re unsure, ask a qualified professional to check it. | Before ordering a built-in hob, I want to know whether its power supply is suitable for my home, so I can avoid delaying the replacement. Around 14% of consumers would put this first. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a pan without a ferromagnetic base won’t work on an induction zone. So not every pan described as stainless steel meets this requirement.
Test the base of each pan you want to keep with a magnet, then check its induction symbol and consult the manual if you’re unsure.
Switching to induction may mean replacing any incompatible saucepans or frying pans.
The number of cooking zones doesn’t tell you whether your pans will fit side by side or whether the hob has a flexible zone. Bosch, Electrolux and Siemens offer different layouts in these respects.
Compare the layout of the cooking zones and the dimensions of your pans with those of the exact model you’re considering.
Legrand says that a built-in induction hob cannot be plugged into a standard socket; Promotelec specifies a dedicated circuit for a hob. A portable hob with a plug is a different case.
Check the model’s connection instructions and ask a qualified professional to inspect your existing circuit if you’re unsure whether it’s suitable. Don’t alter an installation yourself if you have any concerns about it.
If the connection needs to be adapted, the work required could delay replacing your hob.
With the FlexiBridge modes described by Electrolux, your pan needs to cover the required sections to use the large zone. A small saucepan placed anywhere on the zone won’t necessarily make use of this feature.
Check the model’s manual for the minimum pan size and where to place it on the active zone.
Bosch’s range of hobs in France includes induction and electric models, with different cooking-zone layouts.
The French range includes three-zone induction hobs with a Bridge function, as well as FlexiBridge layouts on selected models.
Siemens offers induction hobs in France, including four-zone models with a flexible zone.
These two portable induction hobs are designed for cooking on a worktop, with one or two cooking zones depending on the model. They aren’t a like-for-like replacement for a built-in hob, so first check whether a portable model is suitable for your kitchen.
Image unavailable
This portable hob has two cooking zones, making it a good choice if you need to heat two pans at once without installing a built-in model. Before choosing it, check that it’ll fit in the space you have and that your pans work on induction.
Image unavailable
This single-zone model is suited to occasional cooking on a worktop rather than replacing a built-in hob like for like. Its product description lists a power rating of 2,000 W, eight heat settings, four programmes and a 1.5 m cable. Check the manual for the suitable cookware dimensions and the appliance’s footprint to make sure it’ll fit in your chosen spot.
Check that their bases are flat and ferromagnetic: a magnet sticking to the base is a useful first test. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an induction zone won’t work with cookware that doesn’t have a ferromagnetic base. If you’re unsure, also check for the induction symbol and consult the manual.
No. Legrand says that a built-in induction hob needs a specific connection and can’t be plugged into a standard socket. A portable hob with a plug is designed for a different use. If you’re replacing a built-in hob, compare the new model’s instructions with your existing circuit and ask a qualified professional to check it if you’re unsure.