Nesting Cookware for Induction: Compatibility and Storage

Short answer

• One set that nests and works on induction: the Magma Nesting 10-Piece (A10-360L-IND). Magma lists it for all cooktops including induction, and its five vessels nest to 13 x 10.25 x 7.25 in. It weighs 13 lb.
• One pot that packs flat and works on induction: the Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Collapsible Pot 3L. It collapses to 23.4 x 21.2 x 6.4 cm (about 9.2 x 8.3 x 2.5 in) and weighs 869 g.
• A frying pan to go with either: the Lodge L8SK3 10.25-inch skillet on a budget, or the All-Clad D3 10-inch fry pan (41106SC) if you want lighter, faster-responding stainless. Both are listed for induction. Neither nests.
• Not for induction: the GSI Glacier Stainless Camper (GSI doesn't list it), the GSI Pinnacle Ceramic Camper (aluminium) and the Snow Peak titanium set (titanium isn't magnetic). The MSR Alpine StowAway isn't listed for induction by MSR, so magnet-test it before you rely on it.

This guide is narrower than the cookware complete guide. That guide picks cookware for every heat source. This one answers a single question: if you cook on a portable induction hob, which pots and pans work on it, how do they pack together, and how do you keep them and the glass top in good shape on the road. It is based on manufacturer specs and manuals, not hands-on testing.

Why "stainless" and "nesting" don't guarantee induction

Induction hobs heat the pan, not the glass. A coil under the glass makes an alternating magnetic field, and only a ferromagnetic (magnet-attracting) base turns that field into heat. Duxtop's 9100MC manual lists suitable materials as cast iron, iron, magnetic steel, enamelled iron and "stainless steel manufactured with a magnetic bottom." It lists glass, ceramic, copper, aluminium and non-magnetic stainless (18/10, 18/8) as unsuitable.

That last point catches a lot of camp cookware buyers. 18/8 (304) and 18/10 stainless are the usual food-grade grades, and on their own they are typically non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic. A pot made of them works on induction only if the maker adds a magnetic layer to the base. Three examples from this site's catalog show why you have to check each product instead of assuming:

• Magma A10-360L-IND: Magma's page describes the vessels as 18-10 mirror-polished stainless, but with an "encapsulated triple-clad" base whose outer layer is "ferromagnetic stainless steel, specifically used to activate the magnetic field in all induction cooking surfaces." The walls aren't the part that matters; the base is. Magma also sells nesting sets that aren't the IND version, so check the model number.
• GSI Glacier Stainless Camper: GSI describes it as "clad 304 (18/8) stainless steel" and says it is durable enough for open flame or coals. It says nothing about induction. "Clad" here doesn't mean a magnetic outer layer, and the GSI Glacier review notes owner reports that the steel isn't magnetic enough.
• GSI Pinnacle Ceramic Camper: same brand, same nesting idea, but GSI lists the material as hard-anodised aluminium with a ceramic non-stick coating, and approves it for camp stove use only. Aluminium won't heat on induction at all.

So one brand can sell a stainless set and an aluminium set side by side, and one stainless set can work on induction while another doesn't. The van cookware materials guide explains the metallurgy; the rest of this page sticks to what each manufacturer actually states.

What your cooktop needs from the pan

The two induction hobs reviewed on this site publish different pan requirements.

Duxtop 9100MC. The manual says the cookware must be made of a ferrous magnetic material and have a flat bottom surface with a minimum bottom diameter of 5 inches. If the pan is too small for the coil to detect, the display shows E0. Duxtop's product page adds that the auto-pan detection shuts the unit off after 60 seconds if no cookware, or the wrong cookware, is detected. Duxtop doesn't publish a maximum size. Owners in the Duxtop review describe 9 to 10 inch pans as the practical size, because the coil is smaller than the glass.

NUWAVE PIC Gold. The owner's manual says the heating surface is inside the thicker silver ring, the minimum cookware diameter is 3 inches, and cookware should be centred on the heating circle. It says pans up to the 10-inch width of the unit will work but heat will spread more slowly to the outer edges, and it doesn't recommend pans larger than 10 inches. (A notice on the same manual page gives 12 inches instead; plan on 10, which matches the main instruction.) An E1 code means the PIC doesn't detect cookware: either the pan isn't sitting flat in consistent contact, or it isn't induction-ready.

Neither manufacturer in this catalog publishes base diameters for its pots, so measure the flat part of the base with a ruler if you're near the limit. The point to check is the flat contact area, not the rim: a 10.25-inch skillet like the Lodge is measured across the top, and its flat base is smaller.

For power, inverter and battery sizing, see Can a power station run an induction cooktop? and the power calculator. For the two hobs side by side, see Duxtop 9100MC vs NUWAVE PIC Gold.

How to check a pan you already own

NUWAVE's manual gives three checks, and they're the right order to do them in:

1. Magnet test. Hold a fridge magnet flat against the centre of the base, not the side wall. If it grabs firmly, the pan is probably induction-ready. NUWAVE adds a caveat: sometimes a pan's magnetic properties aren't strong enough to work efficiently even if a magnet sticks. A magnet that slides off easily or barely holds is a warning sign. Test the base, because on pans like the Magma the walls are a different stainless from the outer base layer.
2. Water test on the hob. Put a small amount of water in the pan and run it on the cooktop. If it's compatible, the water heats and boils. If the hob shows an error (E0 on the Duxtop, E1 on the PIC Gold) or shuts off, it isn't.
3. Look for the induction symbol. Some makers print an induction-ready symbol on the base.

Then check flatness. Lay a straightedge across the base: a bowed or rocking base loses contact, and NUWAVE lists inconsistent contact as one cause of E1. Finally, measure the flat base against your hob's minimum and maximum.

Manufacturer-confirmed compatibility, catalog by catalog

Every row below names the source of the induction status. "Listed" means the manufacturer page we opened states induction compatibility.

Notes on the table:

• Lodge dimensions and weights are from Lodge's catalog and include handles. The All-Clad size includes the handle and lid.
• The Lodge L8SK3 induction status comes from Lodge's "Can I use cast iron on an induction cooktop?" page, which covers its seasoned cast iron in general; the skillet product page didn't load when we checked.
• GSI's pages didn't list a weight when we checked; the reviews give the figures they use. Snow Peak's product page returned an access error, so that row relies on the material, not a Snow Peak statement.
• MSR's 1 lb 3 oz is 0.55 kg per MSR.

The recommended options

Magma Nesting 10-Piece Induction Cookware Set (A10-360L-IND)

What it is: a boat-galley set of a 5 qt stock pot, a 10-inch sauté/fry pan, 3 qt, 2 qt and 1.5 qt sauce pans, two universal lids, two removable handles and a bungee storage cord. Magma lists it as compatible with all stove types including induction, oven-safe to 500°F and dishwasher-friendly (excluding the handles). One-year warranty.

Choose this if:

• You cook multi-pot meals on induction most days.
• All your pots have to fit one drawer or locker.
• You want one purchase that covers stock pot, sauce pans and a frying pan.

Skip this if:

• 13 lb of cookware is too much for your payload or your wrists.
• You mostly cook one-pan meals; a single pot and skillet would do.
• You want a long warranty.

Fit on the hob: the 10-inch sauté pan is at the NUWAVE's recommended maximum; Magma doesn't publish base diameters, so check the smallest sauce pan's flat base against the Duxtop's 5-inch minimum with a ruler if you use that hob. Strengths and limits: the only nesting set in this catalog that its maker lists for induction; no coating. The aluminium is in the base only, so the walls heat less than fully clad pans. Full review. For head-to-heads, see GSI Glacier vs Magma Nesting and Magma Nesting vs GSI Pinnacle Ceramic.

Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible Pot 3L

What it is: a 3 L pot with a stainless rim, base and lid, a silicone band in the wall that lets it collapse, and a three-layer stainless and aluminium base. Sea to Summit says it is compatible with induction, radiant electric and gas stoves, and "not intended for use on open fires."

Choose this if:

• Drawer height is your tightest dimension: it packs about 2.5 in tall.
• You cook for one to three on induction and sometimes on gas outdoors.
• You want a pot that stacks flat on top of other gear.

Skip this if:

• You cook over campfires.
• Weight matters more than height (869 g is heavy for a collapsible pot).
• Cabinet space isn't tight; a rigid pot is simpler.

Fit on the hob: the pot is 21.2 cm (about 8.3 in) across per Sea to Summit, inside the NUWAVE's 10-inch limit; Sea to Summit doesn't publish the base diameter. Strengths and limits: the only collapsible pot here listed for induction; not dishwasher safe because the handle attachment point is hard-anodised. Full review.

Lodge L8SK3 10.25-inch Cast Iron Skillet (budget pick)

What it is: a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet. Lodge's catalog lists it at 16.13 x 10.75 x 2.25 in with the handle and 5.34 lb, and Lodge says its cast iron works on induction because it contains ferrous metal.

Choose this if:

• You want the lowest-cost induction-capable frying pan here.
• You also cook over a campfire or on gas outdoors.
• You sear often and want heat retention.

Skip this if:

• You can't store a 16-inch, 5 lb pan low and secure.
• You won't dry and oil it after each wash.

Fit on the hob: 10.25 in across the top, so it suits both hobs; Lodge recommends a pan close to the burner size and a level bottom on induction. Strengths and limits: no coating; slow to respond; doesn't nest. Full review.

Lodge L8DOL3 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven

What it is: a 5 qt pre-seasoned cast iron pot with loop handles and a cast iron lid, 12.63 x 10.38 x 6.88 in and 11.64 lb per Lodge's catalog. Lodge lists it for any stovetop including induction, the oven, the grill and the campfire.

Choose this if:

• You braise, stew or bake bread and want one heavy pot for it.
• You can store about 11.6 lb at floor level.

Skip this if:

• Weight or space is tight; it's the heaviest single piece here.
• You want something that nests with the rest of your kit.

Fit on the hob: check the base against the NUWAVE's 10-inch recommendation before you buy; Lodge doesn't publish the base diameter on the pages we opened. Duxtop's manual says not to place objects over 25 lb on the cooktop surface, which a full pot stays well under, but lower it on gently. Strengths and limits: expands the menu more than any other single piece; slow to heat, heavy, doesn't nest. Full review.

All-Clad D3 Stainless 10-inch Fry Pan with Lid (41106SC)

What it is: a fully bonded tri-ply pan (aluminium core, stainless faces) with a lid. All-Clad lists it as induction compatible, oven and broiler safe to 600°F, hand wash only, 18.6 x 11.5 x 3.7 in and 3.73 lb, with a limited lifetime warranty.

Choose this if:

• You want a frying pan that responds quickly when you turn the heat down.
• You cook acidic sauces you wouldn't simmer in cast iron.
• You want an induction pan about 1.6 lb lighter than the Lodge skillet (with lid against Lodge's lidless figure).

Skip this if:

• Budget comes first; the Lodge costs considerably less.
• Your drawer can't take an 18.6-inch pan.

Fit on the hob: 10 in across the top, within both hobs' ranges. Strengths and limits: even heat up the walls; doesn't nest; premium price. Full review. For cast iron against clad stainless, see Lodge cast iron vs All-Clad stainless.

MSR Alpine StowAway 1.6 L (only after a magnet test)

What it is: a rigid stainless pot with a fitted lid and a hinged handle that flips over the lid to lock it. MSR lists 8.3 x 7.2 x 4.0 in and 0.55 kg. MSR's page doesn't mention induction.

Choose this if:

• You already own one and it passes the magnet and water tests on your hob.
• You cook for one and want a pot that doubles as a sealed container.

Skip this if:

• You're buying new for an induction-only kitchen; buy a listed pot such as the Detour instead.
• You cook for two or more.

Strengths and limits: budget price, simple, no coating; single-wall steel scorches thick food. Full review.

What goes inside what: nesting plans from manufacturer statements

Only the Magma set and the Detour pot are designed to nest and listed for induction. The rest is about combining a nesting item with pans that don't nest.

Magma A10-360L-IND. Magma says the ten pieces nest together into less than half a cubic foot (13 x 10.25 x 7.25 in) and includes a bungee storage cord to hold the stack. The handles come off, which is what lets the vessels drop into one another, and the two universal lids are part of the stack. Magma's page doesn't spell out a nesting order, so follow the order in the box when you first unpack it and photograph it; it's easier to repeat than to work out again. The Magma review describes the sauce pans and lids sitting inside the 5 qt stock pot.

Sea to Summit Detour 3L. Sea to Summit describes a "collapsible, nesting design" and says the dual Click Safe handles can be reversed to secure the lid "and any nesting tableware" during transport. It doesn't name specific items that fit inside. Collapsed, it's a 23.4 x 21.2 x 6.4 cm slab.

MSR Alpine StowAway 1.6 L. MSR's FAQ says its stoves with a flexible fuel line fit into MSR cooksets of 1.5 litres or larger (except the DragonFly, which needs 2 L). That matters less in an induction van, but it tells you the pot is sized to carry a small kit inside, held shut by the handle over the lid.

GSI Glacier and Pinnacle. GSI says each system "nests together" into its storage bag; the Glacier's strainer lid fits both pots and the fry pan. Neither is for induction, so they belong in this plan only if you also cook on gas outdoors.

Lodge skillet, Lodge Dutch oven, All-Clad D3. None of them nest. They're the pieces to plan storage around.

Practical combinations

These are combinations of products in this catalog, not kits any manufacturer sells. Measure your drawer before buying.

• Full-time induction, one drawer: the Magma set alone. Add a Lodge skillet only if you want cast iron for searing, and store it separately.
• Small van, induction, shallow drawer: the Detour 3L plus either frying pan. The Detour's 2.5-inch packed height lets it lie flat beside or on top of the pan with a protector between them.
• Induction plus outdoor cooking: the Lodge skillet covers induction, gas and campfire. Pair it with the Detour for induction and gas only, since Sea to Summit rules out open fire.
• Braising cooks: the Lodge Dutch oven on the floor, and a pot or pan stored inside it with a cloth between the iron and the other metal. Check the fit with your own pieces; neither maker lists this combination.

Handles and lids

Removable handles (Magma, Detour). Magma's handles are cast thermoplastic with a stainless heat shield and a thumb-release trigger; there are two for five vessels, and they come off before the oven. Sea to Summit's Click Safe handles are removable stainless and reverse over the lid for transport. With either, seat the handle fully before lifting a full pot, and keep the handles in a fixed spot (inside the stack or a dedicated pocket) so you aren't hunting for them with a pot boiling.

Fixed handles (Lodge, All-Clad). These set the drawer length: 16.13 in for the Lodge skillet and 18.6 in for the All-Clad, per their makers. If your drawer is shorter, store the pan upright in a slot instead.

Hinged handles (MSR). The handle locks the lid on, which also stops it rattling.

Lids. The Magma's two universal lids cover the sauce pans, sauté pan and stock pot between them, so you won't have a lid for every vessel at once. The All-Clad and Lodge Dutch oven have their own lids, which don't nest. Store loose lids on edge in a slot or inside the largest pot, with a cloth or protector against the rim. For general rattle-proofing and drawer layout, see the storage complete guide.

Protecting the glass top

Portable induction hobs have a glass ceramic surface, and in a van they get moved and packed far more often than a built-in hob.

• Lift, don't slide. Lodge's own guidance for glass tops is to "gently pick it up and set it back down, rather than slide it from burner to burner." Lodge says the base of its cookware is cast smooth and shouldn't scratch, but sliding any heavy pan drags whatever grit is underneath across the glass.
• Wipe the base first. Sand, salt and food bits on the bottom of a pan do the scratching. NUWAVE's manual says to make sure the bottom of any cookware doesn't scrape the glass, though it notes a scratched surface won't impair the cooktop.
• Heat cast iron gradually. Lodge recommends preheating for 3 to 5 minutes on medium-low to avoid thermal shock, and using lower settings on induction than on other cooktops.
• Don't heat empty pans or park metal on the glass. Duxtop's manual says not to heat empty containers, not to place metal objects other than cookware on the surface, and not to put more than 25 lb on it.
• Stop using a cracked hob. NUWAVE says to disconnect it from power if you see damage, even a small crack.
• Pack it padded. Don't store cookware on top of the hob while driving; a 13 lb set or an 11.6 lb Dutch oven bouncing on glass is the scenario to avoid. Pad the glass and store the hob flat or on edge where it can't shift.
• Pan protectors (felt or silicone discs) between stacked pans stop metal-on-metal scratching and rattling inside a nest. Neither hob manual we read mentions putting a mat between the pan and the glass while cooking, so we don't recommend it.

Cleaning with limited water

The hob. Duxtop says to use a moist cloth with a mild liquid detergent, then let it dry. NUWAVE says to unplug and cool the unit first, wipe the glass with a damp cloth or a mild, non-abrasive soap solution, and avoid caustic cleaners; water shouldn't get inside, and the unit must never be immersed.

The cookware, by manufacturer instruction:

• Magma: dishwasher-friendly with the handles removed; by hand, deglaze with a splash of water while the pan is warm.
• Detour: hand wash only; dry the silicone fold before collapsing so moisture isn't trapped.
• All-Clad D3: hand wash only.
• Lodge: "hand wash, dry, oil."
• MSR: hand washing recommended.
• GSI Glacier and Pinnacle: hand wash with warm, soapy water, dry thoroughly, avoid abrasive cleaners.

Dry everything before it goes back into a nest. A wet stack in a closed drawer is how stainless spots and cast iron rusts. The van kitchen dishwashing guide covers a low-water routine.

Ventilation still applies

Induction produces no combustion gases, so it doesn't need combustion ventilation, and NUWAVE labels the PIC Gold for household use and "not intended for outdoor use." Cooking still makes steam, grease and odour, so run a roof fan or open a window. Leave the hob's own airflow clearance: Duxtop asks for about 4 inches, NUWAVE for at least 3 inches at the back, sides and top. See the van kitchen ventilation guide.

FAQ

Will any stainless steel pot work on my induction hob? No. Duxtop's manual lists non-magnetic 18/8 and 18/10 stainless as unsuitable. Stainless works only if the base is magnetic, usually through a magnetic outer layer. Check the manufacturer listing and do a magnet test on the base.

Is there a nesting cookware set on this site that works on induction? One: the Magma A10-360L-IND, which Magma lists for all cooktops including induction. The Sea to Summit Detour 3L is a single collapsible pot that is also listed for induction.

Does the GSI Glacier Stainless Camper work on induction? GSI doesn't list induction compatibility. It describes the cookware as clad 304 (18/8) stainless that is durable enough for open flame or coals. Assume it won't work, and test with a magnet and a little water if you already own it.

What's the smallest pan my cooktop will heat? The Duxtop 9100MC needs a flat magnetic base at least 5 inches across and shows E0 if the pan is too small. The NUWAVE PIC Gold manual gives a 3-inch minimum.

Can I use a 12-inch skillet on a portable induction hob? NUWAVE doesn't recommend pans larger than 10 inches on the PIC Gold. Duxtop doesn't publish a maximum, but owners describe 9 to 10 inch pans as the practical size because the coil is smaller than the glass.

Why does my hob show E1 with a pan on it? On the NUWAVE PIC Gold, E1 means it doesn't detect cookware: either the pan isn't sitting flat in consistent contact, or it isn't induction-ready.

Will cast iron scratch the glass? Lodge says its cookware bases are cast smooth and shouldn't scratch, but recommends lifting pans rather than sliding them. Grit under any pan can scratch, so wipe the base and lift.

Can I take the Detour pot or the Magma set to the campfire? Sea to Summit says the Detour isn't intended for open fires. Magma doesn't list open-fire use, and its handles are thermoplastic. For induction and campfire in one pan, the Lodge cast iron is the option here.

Sources and verification

Pages we opened for this guide:

• Magma Products, 10 pc Nesting Induction Cookware Set (A10-360L-IND): magmaproducts.com/products/nesting-cookware-set-10-piece (checked 2026-10-09)
• Sea to Summit, Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible Pot: seatosummit.com/en-ca/products/detour-collapsible-pot (checked 2026-10-09)
• GSI Outdoors, Glacier Stainless Camper: gsioutdoors.com/products/glacier-stainless-camper (checked 2026-10-09)
• GSI Outdoors, Pinnacle Ceramic Camper: gsioutdoors.com/products/pinnacle-ceramic-camper (checked 2026-10-09)
• MSR (Cascade Designs), Alpine StowAway Pots: cascadedesigns.com/products/alpine-stowaway-pots (checked 2026-10-09)
• All-Clad, D3 Stainless 3-Ply Bonded Fry Pan with Lid, 10 inch: all-clad.com/d3-stainless-3-ply-bonded-cookware-fry-pan-with-lid-10-inch.html (checked 2026-10-09)
• Lodge, Dutch oven product page: lodgecastiron.com/products/dutch-oven (checked 2026-10-09)
• Lodge, "Can I Use Cast Iron on an Induction Cooktop?": lodgecastiron.com/blogs/story/can-i-use-cast-iron-induction-cooktop (checked 2026-10-09)
• Lodge, "How to Use Cast Iron Over Any Heat Source": lodgecastiron.com/pages/how-use-cast-iron-over-any-heat-source (checked 2026-10-09)
• Lodge catalog with L8SK3 and L8DOL3 dimensions and weights (PDF hosted at images.orgill.com/weblarge/10031/Lodge_GL12_GC12_Catalog.pdf) (checked 2026-10-09)
• Duxtop 9100MC user manual (ManualsLib), pages 6 and 9: cookware requirements, unsuitable materials, E0 code, surface cautions: manualslib.com/manual/1595103/Duxtop-9100mc.html (checked 2026-10-09)
• Secura (Duxtop), 9100MC/BT-M20B product page: 5-inch minimum, 60-second auto-pan shutoff: thesecura.com/product/duxtop-1800w-portable-induction-cooktop-countertop-burner-black-9100mc-bt-m20b/ (checked 2026-10-09)
• NUWAVE PIC Gold model 30211 owner's manual (ManualsLib), page 7: induction-ready cookware and compatibility checks: manualslib.com/manual/2970903/Nuwave-Pic-Gold-30211.html (checked 2026-10-09)
• NUWAVE PIC Gold model 30211 owner's manual, Rev. 1 (PDF hosted at qvc.com/footers/cd/pdf/K89097_OwnersManual.pdf): safeguards, pan diameter, cleaning, E1 code (checked 2026-10-09)

Snow Peak's product page returned an access error when we tried it, so the Snow Peak row relies on titanium being non-magnetic rather than on a Snow Peak statement.