The talk series led by Finovista, is an important tool of the MECS programme in India which establishes a global virtual platform for promoting modern energy and clean cooking services by bringing together stakeholders from modern energy cooking and allied sectors and discussing the most pertinent issues critical to transitioning to the clean cooking sector.
The upcoming talk series 4.6 of Phase IV scheduled on November 7th 2025, titled “Navigating Cookware Compatibility for eCooking” will unpack these issues exploring questions of compatibility, efficiency, standardisation, and consumer education. By bringing together manufacturers of cookware as well as eCooking technologies, the series aims to demystify the cookware landscape of eCooking, promote design innovation rooted in Indian kitchens, and create a pathway towards a standardised, accessible, and user-friendly eCooking ecosystem.
As India accelerates its shift towards electric cooking (eCooking) for cleaner, modern kitchens, one fundamental but often overlooked challenge is cookware compatibility. The success of eCooking depends not just on the appliance, but equally on the utensil that sits atop it. Mismatched cookware can lead to energy inefficiency, uneven heating, and poor cooking experience. Each eCooking technology has its own science. Induction cooktops heat food through electromagnetic fields and therefore require ferromagnetic, flat-bottomed utensils typically cast iron or specific grades of stainless steel. With innovations in this area, we now see introduction of pan adapters or induction heat diffusers that are stainless steel plates placed between the cooktop and non-compatible cookware. These diffusers transfer heat effectively, allowing users to continue using the non-induction utensils on Induction cookstoves. Infrared cooktops, in contrast, use radiant heat and can support a broader range of materials including stainless steel, aluminium, copper, glass, ceramic, and even traditional clay pots, making them more versatile and culturally adaptable. However, consumer awareness remains low. Most users are unaware of which utensil works best with which appliance, leading to inefficient use. This confusion is compounded by the lack of clear labelling, manufacturer guidance, or standardised markings on utensils and devices.
On the supply side, there is a broader challenge: With multiple manufacturers, diverse technologies, and varying utensil materials (stainless steel, aluminium, ceramic, copper, cast iron, etc.), a clear articulation of compatibility and use for efficient cooking is missing. This gap confuses consumers and leaves them mostly to rely on the knowledge of person on point of sales. Equally important is innovation in cookware design. The future of eCooking lies not only in efficient stoves but also in affordable, durable, and multi-compatible utensils that work seamlessly across devices. Indian manufacturers, supported by R&D and policy interventions, can play a key role in developing cost-effective hybrid cookware suitable for induction, infrared. This will expand access for consumers, reduce confusion, and accelerate the mainstreaming of eCooking in both urban and rural India.
Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) is a 13-year research programme funded by UK Aid (FCDO). We are a geographically diverse, multicultural and transdisciplinary team working in close partnership with NGOs, governments, private sector, academia and research institutes, policy representatives and communities in 16 countries of interest to accelerate a transition from biomass to genuinely ‘clean’ cooking.