Induction Hobs & Enamel Pans

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Induction Hobs & Enamel Pans

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Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 8:39 pm Post subject: Induction Hobs & Enamel Pans
My mother's about to buy an induction hob. Her frying pan is a vintage french heavy enamel one. There's a (myth?) that enamel pans will melt on an induction hob. Is this true? - my mother thinks not, but I don't want her to get hurt, nor to have either the hob or the frying pan (which is a family heirloom) damaged. So if anyone knows one way or the other, please let me know. Many thanks

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15472
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Induction Hobs & Enamel Pans

Midland Spinner wrote:

There's a (myth?) that enamel pans will melt on an induction hob.

I cannot imagine why they would.
They need to be ferrous (iron or steel) to work, but I think most enamel pans are.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4656
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 9:47 pm Post subject:
Mine didn't melt It rusted after I burned something to the bottom and accidentally scraped off the enamel as I attacked the charcoal...but it definitely didn't melt

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35139
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 10:19 pm Post subject:
A bit of googling suggests that if you leave an enamel pan on with no contents for a long time it could melt, but an induction pan isn;t mentioned - just any hob. Le creuset stuff is only guaranteed up to 230°c - but it's the knobs which cause problems (as is so often the case in life)

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 11:27 pm Post subject:
This pan is enameled on both sides I.e. Underneath as well.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35139
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 13 11:29 pm Post subject:

Midland Spinner wrote:

This pan is enameled on both sides I.e. Underneath as well.

Well don't leave it on for a long time with no stuff in.

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 13 10:17 am Post subject:

It's not me. 'Tis my mother. She's convinced that there can't be a problem because enamel melts at a very high temperature.

From what I've read, a pan that's enamelled on both sides can, when used on an induction hob, develop hot spots that will melt the enamel. But She's My Mother & therefore Knows Best - and says that that can't be true.

I'm trying to gather proof to convince her not to use the enamel frying pan on the new hob.

But see above about her being My Mother & Knowing Best.

I wouldn't have an induction hob. Tried one once, didn't like it.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4656
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 13 11:30 am Post subject:
Oooh I love(d) my induction! My non-melty one was also enamelled on all sides. I can't really see how hotspots can develop unless there's a fault with either the pan or the stove - any area hot enough to melt enamel would surely bugger up your dinner first and so be an obvious problem (and thus spotted early)?

Kariana

Joined: 21 Aug 2013
Posts: 122

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 13 11:08 am Post subject:
I've never heard of this happening and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it too. However, if the pan is cast iron there is a chance an induction hob will crack it.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4656
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 13 2:16 pm Post subject:

Kariana wrote:

I've never heard of this happening and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it too. However, if the pan is cast iron there is a chance an induction hob will crack it.

Do you know why that would be?

Woo

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 787
Location: Mayenne, Pays de Loire

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 13 9:07 am Post subject:
i have seen certain types of pans labeled not for induction hobs. i have never used one but Mum and Dad are having a new kitchen and induction hob so i am interested now as i could get some new old pans!!! could you try buying her a new pan and promising to take good care of the old one? or is she likely to take umbridge? will watch with (vested) interest

Woo

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 787
Location: Mayenne, Pays de Loire

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 13 9:18 am Post subject:
done a quick bit of reading. ferrous is fine, there goes my plan! the pans need have magnetic quality bases. a simple magnet test could help?

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4656
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 13 2:30 pm Post subject:
I think inductions work by magnets and witchcraft Some cheapo pans will work even if not specifically labelled - I just took a fridge magnet round the shops to test each pan

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