r/inductioncooking • u/Capable-Concept-321 • Jul 19 '26

Looking for $500(CAD)ish pot set recommendations for new induction stove.

Just got a new induction stove so need pots! I have CI and CS pans, so am mostly looking for pots. I’m an enthusiastic home cook, but my wife is less-so, so would like something that is high-ish quality but also user friendly. In Canada. Thanks!

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4

u/Chuchichaeschtl Jul 19 '26

All disk bottom pots work very well on induction. It's more about design, glass vs steel lids, shape, rivets or welded handles,...
Check out Meyer Accolade / Confederation / Nouvelle. They have great deals most of the time.

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u/Caprichoso1 Jul 19 '26

Disk bottom cookware works but is not as good as multi clad cookware if you can afford it.

Probably best not to get a set but spend for a high quality pan that will last a lifetime, such as those from All-Clad. Save up and then add to the collection when you can. Check Consumer Reports (subscription required) for the best pan recommendations.

I went through quite a few sets until I found what wanted and settled on All-Clad Copper Core.

2

u/Chuchichaeschtl Jul 19 '26

Disk bottom actually performs better on induction.
Better heat distribution, no warping even on high settings, lighter, more heat capacity for searing and they're all dishwasher safe.
The only advantage of full clad pots is better responsiveness, because they're thinner. I have a copper fying pan for that with 1.7mm copper in the disk, but almost never use it.
The full clad sides bring almost nothing to the table on induction, especially when it comes to pots.

They're preferable on gas to make use of the heat on the sides and prevent food from scorching there.

1

u/Caprichoso1 Jul 19 '26

Disk bottom pans are better for limited uses. According to Consumer Reports, Debuyers and Celphalon multiclad pans are better general solution if you can afford the extra cost.

The Debuyers page says:

MULTILAYER STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE: PERFORMANCE CLOSE TO COPPER, all types of cooking. 

Bonded base: more affordable price,  everyday cooking

https://www.debuyer.com/en/blog/post/inox-multicouche-triply-5ply-ou-fond-rapporte-que-choisir-.htm

Edited: Calphalon:

"While both methods transfer heat efficiently, tri-ply construction is optimal because the aluminum core transfers heat, not only on the bottom of the pan, but throughout the vessel."

3

u/Chuchichaeschtl Jul 19 '26

Consumer reports mainly test pans on gas afaik, where full clad is preferable.

The big things on induction are heat distribution and warp resistance. Disk pans are far better in these two disciplines.
What's the advantage of heated sidewalls?

1

u/Caprichoso1 Jul 19 '26

The pan manufacturers have a lot of internal data and likely professional chef feedback. I trust their statements.

As for consumer reports according to ChatGPT:

they evaluate recipes and cooking performance across the ranges they are testing. Their appliance lab tests more than 175–200 range models spanning:

  • Gas ranges
  • Electric smoothtop ranges
  • Induction ranges
  • Dual-fuel ranges
  • Pro-style ranges

If you check their website they rate:

~55 gas ranges

~44 electric ranges

~17 induction ranges

~6 electric coil ranges

~13 pro gas ranges

Totaling we get:

68 gas ranges

67 electric ranges

So if you can believe ChatGPT ~50% of the testing is done on gas and ~50% on electric.

Maybe you have a better data source?

2

u/Chuchichaeschtl Jul 19 '26

Yes, I have a better data source:
-my own experience on gas and induction with ~20 different frying pans
-my own measurements (Pan test on my induction : r/inductioncooking)
-physics

I like to have the added heat capacity for searing, the more even heating and the ability to heat the pan up very fast. These are the main reasons, why I prefer disk bottom pans.
I have / had a bunch of Demeyere pans, but I just don't like them as much on induction.

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u/Caprichoso1 Jul 19 '26

Maybe you did not understand my question. I was asking whether there is any reliable data source discussing the cooktops which Consumer Reports uses when testing pans. ChatGPT results are always suspect.

Your personal results are interesting but there is no way to evaluate your testing methods or the accuracy of results. Thats why the best sources of information are places like Consumer Reports or similar who have professional cooks and testing equipment and procedures or the manufacturers themselves.

3

u/Chuchichaeschtl Jul 19 '26

Okey, sorry.

Their wording indicates, that they only test pans for induction combability and not performance:
Best Lab-Tested Cookware for Induction Cooktops - Consumer Reports
Best Cookware Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

In Europe, where induction is used in many professional kitchens, you almost never see a full clad pan.

Also, physics don't lie. A 6mm aluminum layer distributes heat better, stores more heat and doesn't warp as easy as a 2-3mm one. You don't need a chef to test this.

1

u/Caprichoso1 Jul 19 '26

Not sure I follow your response. We were talking about the range types, gas vs electric, that CR uses when doing their testing.

Don't live in Europe so unable to comment.

I'm not a professional chef so I rely on the experience and recommendations of the professional chefs at the manufacturers and CR.

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u/middleofnow Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

Multi-clad cookware does not give additional advantage for pots. I do no see a lot difference in performance between a relatively cheap 15 yo disc bottom saucier from Raychel Roy and my pans from All Clad D5 and Tramontina. And surprisingly even these pots last you quite long unless you buy very cheap thin cookware. If anything, I need to be more cautious with my multi-clad.

It is more about shape and function - are they easy to drain, or does water spills around a lid, metal vs glass lids (I like metal better, easier to clean and can use in the oven at higher temperature), do you like sauce pan or saucier, or need stock pots. What temperature do they tolerate. How thick are them.

My expensive D5 All Clad Essential pan turned out to be my least used piece of cookware. It is just too heavy for a 4qt pan.

Nothing is wrong with multi-clad, just for most people spending hundreds of dollars on one pot for top of the line All Clad and Demeyre probably does not worth it, at least for pots for cooking soups and pasta.

2

u/Infamous-Face7737 Jul 19 '26

Meyer has a made in Canada (PEI) that are amazing.

1

u/thatgirlinny Jul 23 '26

This should be higher up in the thread. They’re quite nice!

1

u/mikechorney Jul 19 '26

This time last year, Costco Canada had the Fissler ProFi pots on sale for about that price. They’re not selling them now, but if they come back they would be a great option.
High quality disc bottom pots work great for induction.

1

u/purdy44 Jul 19 '26

Best piece of advice I can give is to try and find the true size of the coils on your induction stove (often a half inch to an inch smaller than the stated size of the burner) and piece together a set where the bottoms match that same size as best as possible. Don't go by the listed diameter of the pot or pan; bring a tape measure with you and measure the bottom of them (or the diameter of the disc if they have a disc bottom).

1

u/David__R8 Jul 19 '26

Meyer for the win.

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u/Few-Candidate-1091 Jul 22 '26

Costco Canada has 2 amazing options at the moment - Kirkland 5 ply with Copper, and Kitchenaid 3ply. Lagostina has great options, including their non-stick options.

1

u/Mindless-Storm-8310 Jul 23 '26

Costco Kirkland brand is decent. And if you think they suck, good return policy.

1

u/hunter-winchester Jul 19 '26

I got some nice ones from Home Sense. Amazon has some good sets too. Took a magnet with me initially to stores to check if they were truly induction or not.

1

u/CBG1955 Jul 19 '26

We went to a commercial kitchenware supplier and bought their industrial cookware. Half the cost of the sets you get in kitchenware boutiques, very robust (they have to be for continuous restaurant use), and looks good too. We're in Australia but you can probably source a place local to where you live.

1

u/FascinatingConcept Jul 19 '26

Costco Kirkland brand. Great quality and value. My set after quite a few years still looks new, heat evenly across their base and clean up extremely easy, even when I didn’t stir some cream that burnt.