Induction Cooktop - How to & Education

You set up your new induction cooktop. Plugged it in. Placed your vessel. And nothing happened.

That moment of confusion is how most induction cooking journeys begin. The good news is that once you understand what's happening and what the machine needs — induction cooking is genuinely faster, cleaner, and easier than gas.

This beginner's guide covers exactly how to use an induction stove for Indian cooking — from first setup to making roti on induction stove — step by step.

How Induction Cooking Works — What You Need to Know

An induction cooktop doesn't have a heating element that glows red. It uses electromagnetic energy to create heat directly inside your vessel — which is why the surface stays cool even while your food is cooking.

When you place an induction-compatible vessel on the cooktop, the magnetic field creates an electric current in the base of the vessel. That current generates heat. The vessel heats up. The food cooks. The glass surface around it stays relatively cool.

This is why induction is faster — there's no intermediate step of heating a surface and transferring heat to the vessel. The vessel is the heater.

Step-by-Step: How to Use an Induction Cooktop for the First Time

Step 1: Test Your Cookware

Before you cook anything, check which of your vessels work on induction. Hold a standard fridge magnet to the bottom of each vessel. If the magnet holds firmly — it works on induction. Stainless steel and cast iron almost always pass. Plain aluminium almost never does. Make a note of which vessels are induction-compatible — these are now your go-to cooking vessels.

Step 2: Place the Vessel First, Then Switch On

Always place your vessel on the cooktop before switching it on. The cooktop needs to detect a compatible vessel before it activates. If you switch on first and then place the vessel, there may be a brief delay or the cooktop may not register the vessel immediately.

Step 3: Select Your Mode

Modern induction cooktops like Wonderchef's Power 1400W and Torino 2000W come with 11 preset functions — milk, water boil, tea/chai, curry, dosa, rice, and more. Each preset automatically sets the right temperature and sometimes timing for that task. Start with presets — they take the guesswork out of induction cooking for common Indian tasks.

Step 4: Adjust Temperature Manually When Needed

For recipes that need a specific heat level not covered by presets, use manual mode. Wonderchef induction cooktops offer temperature ranges from 60°C (gentle warming) to 220°C (high heat frying). As a guide: low (60-100°C) for milk and simmering, medium (100-160°C) for dals and curries, high (160-220°C) for frying and searing.

Step 5: Switch Off and Remove Vessel

Always switch off the cooktop before removing the vessel. The glass surface retains some residual heat briefly after use. Allow 2-3 minutes before touching the surface. Wipe with a damp cloth once cooled — the flat glass surface makes cleanup a 30-second job.

How to Cook Common Indian Dishes on Induction

How to Make Roti on an Induction Stove — Step by Step

Making roti on induction stove is one of the most common questions beginners have. The good news: it works well once you have the right tawa.

What You Need

A cast iron tawa or a flat non-stick tawa with an induction-compatible base. Cast iron is preferred for roti — it retains and distributes heat evenly, giving you that slight charring on the edges that's characteristic of a good roti.

Temperature Setting

Set the induction cooktop to 200°C or use the manual high heat setting. Preheat the tawa for 3-4 minutes before placing the first roti. A well-heated tawa is what gives roti its characteristic spots and puff.

The Process

• Roll your roti to standard thickness — same as gas cooking.

• Place on the preheated tawa. Cook 45-60 seconds until bubbles appear and the bottom has light brown spots.

• Flip. Cook the second side for 30-45 seconds.

• For the final puff: use tongs to hold the roti directly on the induction surface for 5-8 seconds per side. The electromagnetic field will heat the roti directly, causing it to puff.

• Alternatively, finish on a direct gas flame if available — induction handles the main cooking, gas handles the final puff.

Pro Tip

Cast iron tawas take 5-6 minutes to fully preheat on induction. Once hot, they retain heat extremely well — your 5th roti cooks as evenly as your 1st. The Stella Triply or cast iron options from Wonderchef's induction-compatible cookware range work perfectly for this.

Induction Cooktop Settings Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my induction cooktop not turning on?

The most common reason: the vessel on the cooktop is not induction-compatible, or the vessel isn't placed centrally on the cooking zone. Do the magnet test on the vessel base. Also check that the cooktop is plugged into a working socket and that the power button is held for 2-3 seconds — some models require a long press to activate.

Can I use a pressure cooker on an induction stove?

Yes — as long as the pressure cooker has an induction-compatible flat base. Most modern stainless steel pressure cookers pass the magnet test and work on induction. Aluminium pressure cookers do not work unless they have a magnetic base layer. Check the base of your pressure cooker before use.

How to make roti on induction stove without it getting hard?

The key is adequate tawa temperature and quick cooking time. Preheat the tawa for 3-4 minutes at 200°C. Cook each side for less than 60 seconds. Remove from heat the moment you see the second side browning. Roti hardens when it's left on heat for too long — induction's precise temperature control actually helps prevent this compared to gas.

Does induction cooking use more electricity than gas?

Induction uses more electricity than gas per session, but it's significantly more energy-efficient — 85-90% of the electricity consumed converts to heat in the vessel, versus 35-40% for gas. The net cooking cost depends on local electricity and gas tariffs. In most Indian cities in 2026, the difference per meal is negligible.

Which Wonderchef induction cooktop is best for beginners?

The Power 1400W at ₹2,499 is the best starting induction cooktop for first-time users — 11 presets cover all common Indian cooking tasks, IGBT technology ensures efficient heating, and the compact build makes it easy to store when not in use. The Torino 2000W is the step up for families who cook larger volumes and want more power.

Conclusion

Using an induction stove for Indian cooking takes one afternoon to learn and a lifetime to appreciate.

The first thing to do: test your cookware with a magnet. The second: try your morning chai on the Tea preset. Once you see how fast the milk heats up and how the auto shut-off prevents it from boiling over — you'll understand immediately why induction works.

Everything else — dal, sabzi, roti, biryani — follows the same logic. Select the preset or set the temperature, place your vessel, let the cooktop work. It's genuinely that simple.

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