Match the zones, cookware and electrical supply

Induction Cooktops

Induction cooking heats compatible cookware through a magnetic field. Choose a portable unit for a flexible cooking position or a built-in hob for a planned kitchen installation. The right choice depends on pan bases, zone layout and the available electrical supply, not just the number of heat settings.

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Induction Cooktop 90cm Ceramic 5-Zone Stove Hot Plate Cooker

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Start with the pan bases

A magnetic base is a useful compatibility check, and cookware marked induction-compatible is a better starting point than its material name alone. The Victorian Government’s guide explains that some aluminium or copper cookware uses a magnetic base. Also compare the pan-base diameter with the cooktop’s permitted sizes.

Count usable zones, not printed circles

Sketch your largest pans over the proposed layout. A wide pot can crowd the next zone or obscure controls. The Devanti range includes a 30cm format and a 90cm five-zone model, illustrating very different footprints. Bridge or flexible-zone features should be confirmed for the exact model rather than assumed across a brand.

Choose the installation format early

Some appliances plug in; others require a dedicated installation. The Devanti 90cm model explicitly calls for hard-wiring. Have an electrician check the supply and installation requirements before purchase. Protective mats, converter discs and cleaners appearing in this selection are accessories and need their own compatibility checks.

Further reading: Victorian Government: induction cooktop buying guide

Useful answers

Induction Cooktops FAQs

How can I tell whether my pans suit an induction cooktop?

Start with the cookware maker’s induction marking and check whether a magnet sticks to the base. The base must also suit the hob’s permitted diameter and shape. Stainless steel alone is not a guarantee: some alloys are magnetic and others are not, while some aluminium pans include a suitable magnetic base.

Can an induction cooktop plug into an ordinary socket?

Some portable or lower-power models can, while others require hard-wiring and an assessed electrical supply. The 90cm Devanti example specifically calls for hard-wiring. Have an electrician confirm the chosen appliance’s requirements and the existing circuit before purchase; the number of zones or plug pictured elsewhere is not enough.

How do I compare induction cooking zones for large cookware?

Lay out the base sizes of the pans you normally use at the same time. Leave access to the controls and room for handles as well as the pan bodies. A bridge or flexible area can help with certain cookware only when that function and the permitted pan arrangement are documented for the model.