Cookware Compatibility
Know your pans.
Not all pans are created equal, and the quality of cookware meaningfully influences heating speed, temperature stability, searing performance, and noise levels during induction. This library brings clarity to what works — and what doesn't — on the Impulse Range.
Unsure about a pan you own? Email us at support@impulselabs.com— we're happy to advise.
The Magnet Test
A quick way to check any pan.
Before cooking, run this simple test to know if your pan is induction-ready.
Grab any refrigerator magnet from your kitchen.
Hold it against the flat bottom of your pan.
If the magnet sticks firmly, the pan works with Impulse. If it falls off, it won't.
How it works
Induction needs a magnetic connection.
Impulse generates an alternating magnetic field beneath the surface. When a pan with a ferromagnetic base is placed on top, the field induces an electrical current in the pan itself — that current is what generates the heat. No magnetic base, no heat.
Our favorites.
Impulse PicksPans tested on the Impulse Range that maximize its high-power, battery-assisted performance. Whether you're upgrading a single skillet or evaluating a full set, these are our starting point.
Works with Impulse
Compatible cookware.
These pan types have a magnetic bottom that allows Impulse to transfer heat directly into the cookware. They heat fast, retain temperature well, and work across all power levels.
Compatible
Stainless Steel (Magnetic)
Most quality stainless cookware uses an 18/0 or tri-ply construction with a magnetic base. Use the magnet test to confirm yours works.
Compatible
Cast Iron
Highly magnetic and one of the best performers on induction. Exceptional heat retention and naturally non-stick when seasoned.
Compatible
Enameled Cast Iron
Cast iron coated in porcelain enamel. Works perfectly on Impulse and requires no seasoning. Ideal for braises and slow cooks.
Compatible
Carbon Steel
Lighter than cast iron with similar magnetic properties. Fast to heat and ideal for searing, sautéing, and wok-style cooking.
Compatible
Induction-Ready Non-Stick
Non-stick pans with a magnetic steel or cast iron base work with Impulse. Look for "induction compatible" on the packaging.
Won't work with Impulse
Not compatible.
These materials are not ferromagnetic — they won't respond to the induction field. These pans won't work on any induction cooktop surface.
Not Compatible
Aluminum
Pure aluminum is not magnetic. Very common in cookware but completely incompatible with induction unless it has a bonded magnetic base.
Not Compatible
Copper
Beautiful and beloved for its heat distribution, but copper is not magnetic. Traditional copper cookware won't heat on an induction cooktop.
Not Compatible
Pure Ceramic
Standalone ceramic cookware — not ceramic-coated metal — contains no ferromagnetic material and won't work on an induction surface.
Not Compatible
Non-Magnetic Stainless
Some stainless steel (particularly 18/10 austenitic grades) is not magnetic. If a magnet doesn't stick to the bottom, it won't work with Impulse.
Not Compatible
Non-Stick Aluminum
The most common non-stick pan has an aluminum body. Despite the non-stick coating, the base material determines induction compatibility — aluminum doesn't.
Accessories
Do not use slip mats or parchment paper.
Placing a silicone slip mat or parchment paper between your pan and the Impulse burner blocks a number of sensors built into the surface. This prevents the cooktop from accurately detecting and responding to your cookware, and can lead to reduced performance or unexpected behavior. Place pans directly on the glass.