A pan made entirely of titanium will not heat properly on an induction hob, because titanium is not ferromagnetic. A titanium frying pan only works on induction if its base includes a magnetic layer, usually ferritic stainless steel. You can check yours in seconds with a fridge magnet.
Key points
- Titanium is not ferromagnetic, so a pan made only of titanium will not heat properly on an induction hob.
- A titanium pan works on induction when its base includes a magnetic layer, usually ferritic stainless steel.
- A fridge magnet on the base shows whether it will work and how far the magnetic area extends.
- On induction, preheat a titanium surface on a medium setting rather than on boost.
This guide explains why, how to tell whether a pan is induction-compatible, and what changes when you cook on induction with a titanium surface. For the bigger picture on construction, safety and what to look for when buying, see our honest guide to titanium frying pans.
How does an induction hob work?
Which? describes it simply: an alternating current passes through coils beneath the glass, creating a rapidly changing magnetic field. When a magnetic pan sits on top, a current is induced in its base and converted into heat in the pan. The glass itself only gets warm because the hot pan sits on it.
That is why the base matters so much. Bosch UK states that only ferromagnetic cookware is suitable, and advises against glass, clay, copper, aluminium and thin-walled ordinary steel.
Is titanium affected by induction?
Only very slightly. Titanium is paramagnetic: it responds extremely weakly to a magnetic field and does not stay magnetised. The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, the standard reference for physical data, lists titanium with a small positive magnetic susceptibility, the signature of a paramagnetic material, while iron, nickel and cobalt are listed as ferromagnetic. In everyday terms, a fridge magnet will not stick to pure titanium.
In that respect titanium behaves much like aluminium, which the same table also lists as paramagnetic. And just as a plain aluminium pan does poorly on induction, a solid titanium pan will not heat properly. Often the hob will not even detect it.
Do titanium pans work on induction hobs? It depends on the base
To work on induction, a titanium-surfaced pan needs a ferromagnetic metal underneath. That is almost always stainless steel, but not any stainless steel. According to thyssenkrupp Materials, ferritic grades such as 430 are magnetic, while austenitic grades such as 304 (often sold as 18/10) are essentially non-magnetic.
| Construction | What it is made of | On an induction hob |
|---|---|---|
| Solid titanium | a single sheet of titanium, typical of camping pans | will not heat, or heats very poorly |
| Titanium with a bonded base | titanium body with a magnetic stainless steel disc or capsule underneath | works; mainly the magnetic area heats |
| Multi-layer | titanium inside, often an aluminium core, magnetic stainless steel outside | works; the core helps spread heat |
The size of the magnetic area matters. Which? notes that the base of a pan must be about the same size as the cooking zone to activate it, and Bosch UK advises matching the ferromagnetic base to the zone. If a small steel disc sits under a large pan, the outer ring will run cooler, and titanium, which conducts heat about as poorly as stainless steel, will not make up for it. For a fuller comparison of the two metals, read titanium vs stainless steel frying pans.
What pans cannot be used on induction?
Any pan without a ferromagnetic base. In practice that means:
- solid titanium pans, including most camping cookware;
- aluminium and copper pans without a magnetic base (Which? says these sometimes work, but not very well, and sometimes not at all);
- glass and clay cookware;
- austenitic stainless steel with no magnetic base layer.
Which? mentions induction diffuser plates as a workaround for non-magnetic pans. Bosch UK lists flow plates among the things to avoid, so check your hob manual before using one.
How to check if a frying pan works on an induction hob
The magnet test
Which? recommends it: if a fridge magnet sticks firmly to the base, that is a good sign. With a titanium pan, take it a step further.
- Slide the magnet from the centre to the edge. This shows how far the magnetic layer actually extends.
- Notice how firmly it holds. A magnet that slips or barely clings may point to a thin or small magnetic layer, and slower heating.
If the magnet will not stick anywhere, the pan was not designed for induction.
Markings and a flat base
Check the base or the product details for the word ‘induction’ or an induction symbol, but trust the magnet if in doubt. NEFF adds that the base should be perfectly flat and smooth for the hob to detect it and heat it properly, and Which? makes the same point about flat, reasonably thick bases.
Cooking on an induction hob: what to expect
It heats up fast
In Which? tests, the average induction hob boiled a large pan of water in just over four and a half minutes, against almost 12 and a half minutes on gas. A frying pan with little in it gets hot even faster, so if you are switching from gas or ceramic, start a setting or two lower than usual.
Do not heat an empty pan on full power
Bosch UK is clear: do not heat empty cookware, as it can heat so quickly that the hob’s safety systems cannot respond in time, risking damage to the glass. With non-stick pans there is a second concern: Germany’s BfR warns against overheating the coating, particularly on fast induction and gas hobs. An uncoated titanium surface does not have that coating issue, but the hob manufacturer’s advice still stands.
Buzzing and clicking are usually normal
According to Which?, a low buzzing or clicking noise can come from the different layers of metal in a pan vibrating at different rates, which is exactly how a pan with a bonded magnetic base is built. Humming is common on high settings, and a whirring sound is usually the fan cooling the electronics.
Using a titanium surface on induction: preheat gradually
On induction, heat is generated directly in the magnetic base. Titanium spreads heat about as slowly as stainless steel, so the centre of the pan can get hotter than the edges, especially if the magnetic area is smaller than the base. Two habits help:
- Preheat on a medium setting. Give the pan a few minutes rather than using boost, so heat has time to spread before food goes in.
- Add fat early. A thin film of oil during preheating means you are never heating an empty pan. To check the temperature, try the water droplet test.
A titanium surface that works on induction
If you want a titanium frying pan for an induction hob, the Untitan pan: titanium cooking surface, uncoated, PFAS-free is one option to consider. A stainless steel base makes it suitable for every type of hob, induction included. Its surface is hammered; well preheated with a little fat, it helps food release. It comes in 26, 28 and 30 cm, and you have 30 days to try it. Untitan is a French brand based in Nantes.
Frequently asked questions
Is titanium magnetic?
Not in any practical sense. Titanium is paramagnetic, so a magnet will not stick to it. If a magnet sticks to the base of your titanium pan, it has a magnetic stainless steel layer.
Can you use a titanium pan on an induction hob?
Yes, if it has a ferromagnetic base. A pan made only of titanium will not heat properly.
Why does my pan buzz on the induction hob?
Buzzing is typical at high power and with pans made of several layers of metal. Which? says it is nothing to worry about.
What should I look for in a frying pan for an induction hob?
A flat base, a magnet that sticks firmly across most of the base, and a base diameter that matches your hob zone.
Sources
- Which?: Best induction hobs, buying guide
- Which?: Gas vs induction, which hob type is right for you?
- Which?: How to buy the best induction hob pans
- Bosch UK: What pots and pans are suitable for an induction hob?
- NEFF UK: Which pans are suitable for my NEFF induction hob?
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics: Magnetic Susceptibility of the Elements and Inorganic Compounds
- thyssenkrupp Materials: Is stainless steel magnetic?
- BfR: Questions and answers on PTFE non-stick cookware (in German)
- Engineering ToolBox: Thermal conductivity of metals