All induction pans are not the same?

Glastoun

We've tried half a dozen different pans on our induction hob, all test positive with a magnet, and all boil water fine on full power.

But on low power, the hob clicks every few seconds and the magnetic noise/heat starts and stops. This is barely audible on one pan, but on the others (especially the lightweight ones) it's distracting to the point we thought something was going electrically wrong with the hob.

One of the pans - billed induction compatible from Sainsburys - is iodised non-stick, medium weight, and has what feels like a rubbery base layer on the bottom with circular pits in it. On full power this works fine, but at medium power the clicking is continuous and the pan doesn't even heat up.

I'm guessing the hob manufacturer would say it's the pan, and the pan manufacturer would say it's the hob, so what to do?

suisidevw

I'd say it's the pans fault! Haven't had an issue with any of ours (John Lewis SS sauce pans and Le Creuset for everything else) on high power, low power and the like..... what hob is it?

rustyboy21

The induction hob will most likely be continually monitoring that there is a pan on the hob. It clicks as it sends the heat pulse out evry now and again, so if the pan is not totally flat and all of the surface touching then it will keep checking.


The cheaper the pan, I have found, the noisier ours is. I have Tefal pans which are great, but have a Tesco pan £10 griddle pan and it is quite noisy in use.


I don't think it is a fault with the hob myself.

Glastoun

Whirlpool:

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.whirlpool.co.uk/-%5BACM-847_BA%5D-101056/855784701000/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=-js1VJunOfKS7AaljYGIDg&ved=0CC4QFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFX-9-OAWI9J3w1zEPqIhaHOT4uaA

The sainsburys pan was £25, but I think some pans seem to have a magnetic layer added to them, rather than be fully made from a magnetic material. So it could be it's just not strong enough to react to the hob's magnet.

Will take it back and find some other,

Thanks,

Glastoun

Tried Ikea's 365+ pans, induction friendly and lots of positive feedback on the internet, but these click and buzz worse than the Sainsburys pan!

Going to call Whirlpool tech support on Monday to see what they say, but what range (i.e. make and specific model) of pans do people recommend? Our Le Creuset casserole is brilliant, but their frying pans come close to £100 and probably weight about 100lbs too so they're not an option unfortunately.

firefox1956

Is it possible to try your pans on another induction hob ???
That would tell you if it was the pans or the hob.....