Can you use induction pans on gas? Yes, but experts have a few important caveats on the subject

If you've made the huge decision to move house, it's understandable that pan compatibility might be a little further down the list of 'must-haves'.

But that might also mean that you've swapped your old induction cooktop for a good old-fasioned gas hob. This means that a very pressing question for you will be 'will my set of the best induction pans still work on a gas hob?'

Before you begin to panic buy whole new saucepan sets, the good news is that your induction pans will be fine to use on a gas hob, given that you do it correctly. There are just a few caveats you need to be clued up on before you start.

Can you use induction pans on gas?

'Yes, you can. Induction pans are simply heat-proof pans that contain magnetic material, and so can be used on any heat source,' begins Nicola Lando, founder of Sous Chef. Unlike induction hobs which require specific materials to be compatible with an induction hob, gas hobs are a little more forgiving with the type of pans you can use on it.

However, that being said, Hannah Richards, brand manager at Stellar notes that there are two exceptions to be aware of: if the base of the pan is very thin or if the base of the pan has been sprayed with a magnetic or non-stick layer. This is because an open flame can potentially melt and deform the pan. So, it's best to check the manufacturer's guide to determine whether you can use your specific induction pan on a gas hob.

'As induction pans need to be made of a magnetic material, they're typically only made of iron or steel. These high-quality materials ensure sufficient heat generation and distribution through food,' continues Hannah.

This is why you'll tend to see pieces of the best cast iron cookware, such as Le Creuset and Staub as the favoured option for cooking on induction hobs. But of course, these high-quality materials are what makes them great for use on gas hobs, too.

Once you've checked that your induction pan is safe to use on a gas hob, Hannah recommends always heating the pan gradually and only using it over low-medium heat. 'Match the size of the pan base to the size of the heating area and adjust the flame so it does not extend up the sides of the pan.'

In the case that you require using a higher temperature, she recommends preheating the pan on low-medium heat before turning up the heat to avoid any discolouration or damage to the non-stick surfaces. 'Never allow the pan to boil dry and never heat an empty pan,' she cautions.

If you're really missing the efficiency of your old induction cooktop, but don't want to rip out any kitchen units just yet, a great stopover is to invest in a portable induction cooktop. Our expert product tester tried a particularly good (and stylish) one in our Smeg Induction Cooktop review. If you did choose to invest in this kind of portable cooktop, you could still use your old pans in a more efficient way.

So there you have it. Now you know that induction pans can be used on gas hobs without any fuss – given they don't fall into the caveats cautioned by the experts – you can enjoy using your pans on gas as usual without having to start fresh with a new saucepan collection. Or invest in a portable induction hob if that takes your fancy!