Induction cookware is designed to work efficiently with induction cooktops, which use magnetic fields to directly heat the cooking vessel. Induction cookware needs to have a magnetic material in its construction to interact with the magnetic field generated by the cooktop. Non-stick pans, on the other hand, typically have a non-magnetic base made of materials such as aluminum or stainless steel, which are not magnetic.
Since non-stick pans lack the magnetic properties required for induction cooking, they are not directly compatible with induction cooktops. The magnetic field generated by the cooktop cannot effectively transfer heat to the non-magnetic non-stick pan, resulting in little to no heating.
To use non-stick pans on an induction cooktop, you can look for specialized induction-compatible non-stick cookware. These pans are designed with a layer of magnetic material in their base, which allows them to interact with the induction cooktop's magnetic field and heat up properly. Induction-compatible non-stick pans often have a layer of stainless steel or another magnetic material added to their base to enable induction heating while maintaining the non-stick properties.
When purchasing cookware, it's always helpful to check the product specifications or labels to ensure compatibility with induction cooktops if that is your intended use.