I upgraded to induction cooking and this cookware made my transition seamless

Best for: Versatility

A cast iron frypan is essential for anyone who loves cooking, no matter which type of cooktop they’re using. Cast iron pans are durable, have excellent heat retention and can be used for both frying and baking. Australian made SolidTeknics cookware is designed to last for generations, so while the initial outlay may seem steep, it’s well worth the investment. 

Sizes: 26cm, 30cm, 31cm

Material: Cast iron

Key features:

• Perfect for all cooktops, including induction, oven, barbecue and even the campfire!
• Solidteknics is an Australian-owned company and the pans are made in Australia
• Free from chemicals including PFAS and synthetic coatings
• Comes with a multi-century warranty that covers defects related to materials or manufacturing which occur during normal cooking. Visit Solidteknics’ website for details.

Best for: One pan roasts

Love a weekend roast? Invest in an induction compatible roasting tray that’ll allow you to brown, roast and make the most delicious gravy – all in the one pan. The entire Impact range by ScanPan features high quality materials at an affordable price point. Food blogger Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats says she uses many pieces of cookware from the Impact range, citing their indestructibility, price point and ability to sear meat as major draw cards. 

Material: 18/10 stainless steel

Key features:

• Perfect for all cooktops, including induction, oven, barbecue and even the campfire!
• Solidteknics is an Australian-owned company and the pans are made in Australia
• Free from chemicals including PFAS and synthetic coatings
• Comes with a multi-century warranty that covers defects related to materials or manufacturing which occur during normal cooking. Visit Solidteknics’ website for details.

Best for: Non-stick convenience

If aesthetic cookware is more your vibe, it’s difficult to look past the viral ‘Always’ pan by Our Place. But this pan isn’t just about good looks, it’s packed with features that make induction cooking a breeze, and that’s why celebrities including Selena Gomez and Oprah reportedly love it. Unlike cast iron or stainless steel, this pan features an aluminium construction, meaning it’s light-weight and produces a fast, even, heat. The base, however, is induction compatible. The aluminium body is encased in Thermakind, Our Place’s own ceramic non-stick coating that is made without PFAS, PTFEs and PFOAs. It’s also oven safe up to 230 degrees celsius and can go from stovetop to oven with ease. One downside to this pan is that it’s hand wash only, which may not be ideal if you’re an ‘everything goes in the dishwasher’ kind of cook.

Sizes: Mini (8.5”), Standard (10.5”) and Large (12.5”)

Colours: Steam, blue salt, sage, spice, char and lavender

Material: Aluminium body with induction compatible base

Key features:

• Lightweight to handle
• Convenient non-stick coating
• The large pan is great for family meals or bulk meal-prepping
• Looks incredible and comes in a wide range of colours

Best for: The complete set

Yes, ScanPan’s Impact range is getting another mention here. That’s because this set just ticks all of the boxes. It’s made from stainless steel, is induction compatible, oven safe, relatively affordable and will literally last forever. I’ve had my set for about five years, but I know other, more prolific cooks who’ve had their sets for close to two decades. If you’re shopping for induction cookware with the ‘buy once, buy well’ philosophy, this is the set you need in your life. This set comes with two saucepans, a frypan, a casserole pot and a steamer basket. You can also put these pans straight into the dishwasher for fast, fuss-free clean up. 

Material: 18/10 Stainless steel

Key features:

• Myer offers free standard delivery to metro areas
• 10 year warranty against manufacturing defects
• Contemporary satin finish
• 6.4mm thick bonded sandwich base gives even heat distribution

Best for: Affordable non-stick induction cookware

If you have limited kitchen storage and want a set of cookware that is versatile but won’t take up a lot of space, then you need to check out Tefal’s ingenious Opti Space range. It’s an absolute steal at $139 for a 6-piece set. The pans themselves are stainless steel and feature a PFOA, lead and cadmium free non-stick coating and the handles are designed to stay cool while you’re cooking. All of the pans and stackable lids fit neatly together for easy, slimline storage. 

Material: Stainless steel with non-stick coating

Key features:

• Affordable price point under $200 for the entire set
• Stackable design allows pots and pans to be stored in a narrow space

Best for: Chef-approved cookware

HexClad is another viral and celeb-endorsed cookware brand suitable for induction cooktops. Chefs including the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Paul Ainsworth both swear by HexClad pans, which are designed to combine the strengths of the best cookware materials – stainless steel, cast iron and a non-stick surface – into one high-performance pan.

Our food editor Sarah Murphy recently took a HexClad pan for a spin and was pleasantly surprised that it totally lived up to the hype! Unlike other non-stick pans, HexClad pans are durable enough to withstand normal cooking abrasions from metal spatulas, whisks, spoons and other metal utensils. The ceramic non-stick coating is PTFE-free and PFAS-free. The Hybrid pot set is versatile and can be used on both an induction cooktop and in the oven.

Materials: Stainless steel surface, aluminium core, magnetic steel base, ceramic non-stick

Key features:

• Unique ceramic non-stick and stainless steel cooking surface that is durable and designed to sear food to perfection
• Durable design that is dishwasher safe
• Lifetime warranty

Best for: Stir fries

Think you can’t whip up a killer stir fry on an induction stove? Think again! All you need is the right wok. This cast iron pan by Australian-owned Solidteknics is a great option. The flat base maintains constant contact with the induction element, creating a red hot surface to get your protein and vegies fried to perfection. One five-star reviewer wrote, “I now have my ‘forever’ wok and feel grateful for such a good cookware item … I am singing the praises of this wok.”

Materials: Cast iron

Key features:

• Australian made
• Multi-century warranty
• Comes pre-seasoned
• Vented handles designed to stay cool on the cooktop
• Comes with a calico storage bag

Best for: Stovetop to oven convenience

One of the first pieces of cookware I had my heart set on after I upgraded to induction was a cast-iron enamel casserole pot. I researched for hours online and had my heart set on another brand. But when I walked into the store and saw this merlot red pot up on a pedestal at Myer it was love at first sight. The colour was divine, the construction was impeccable and the price was also relatively reasonable (some casserole pots can set you back $400-500). This is the kind of pot that makes you excited to cook, because it just makes food taste so good!

Colours: Merlot, midnight blue and racing green

Materials: Australian iron rock and food safe enamel

Key features:

• Made from Australian rock iron
• Comes in a gift box and with recipes for stovetop-to-oven-to-table meals
• Lid features condensation nodules to trap moisture inside the pot

Best for: Affordable cast iron enamel

Our food editor, Sarah Murphy, says a deep frying pan or saute pan is essential for those who have limited kitchen storage space. You can use them for stir fries, schnitzels or simply making a big batch of spaghetti bolognese. Baccarat’s Le Connoisseur cast iron saute pan is a heavy duty pot that’s up for the job! Not only will it look pretty sitting atop your stove, it’ll also be a total workhorse that you can rely on for speedy weeknight dinners to impressive weekend cookups.

Colours: Red, moss, black and teal

Materials: Metal moulded cast iron with enamel coating

Key features:

• Affordable price point for a cast iron enamel pan
• Four colours to choose from
• Comes with a lifetime guarantee
• Lid features self-basting spikes to lock in moisture
• Comes with two different lid knobs
• Matching kitchen accessories available separately