we use lincoln centurion pots and pans in the restaurant i work at. they have an incredibly heavy, completely flat bottom. perfect for induction, built like tanks.

very expensive, but worth it for a couple select pieces, i'd say. look for them at restaurant supply websites or just google the brand name.

I use Demeyere Atlantis pans. They are dead flat on the bottom. (The brochure says that they are actually just a little bit concave, and flatten out when heated. I've never noticed this--they sit flat on a smoothtop cooktop.)

My all-clad skillet works fine, as do my less expensive Tramontina 5 qt saute ($29.00 at Costco) and assorted WMF Transtherm pots bought at Marshall's.

I have a couple of pieces from Vollrath. They are supposedly commercial cookware and made in Wisconsin. Very nice. All my cast iron works beautifully as does a $12 steel crepe pan from France.

I just saw the Vollrath cookware and boy, they do look nice. The commercial appliance dealer said they were the best company to work with and exceellent with quality of their stuff and customer service. They had more induction cookwares than I have seen anywhere. They also have a nice free catalog. This put my wife at ease relative to availability of anything she needs in induction cookware.

vollrath is mid-grade commercial stuff. they have multiple lines, so some will be nice while others will be very low-grade light-as-a-feather aluminum.

it's nothing special, although it's not all that expensive either. go online and look through some restaurant supply websites.

But the very low-grade light-as-a-feather aluminum won't work on induction anyway ;)

Do pans not heat as evenly if they are slightly concave on the bottom?

Since I made the comment about concavity, I feel like I should respond to your question.

However, while I have been accumulating induction-capable cookware for use with a future induction installation, I have so far used this cookware only with gas, and with a smoothtop electric.

On the smoothtop, I have never even observed any concavity with my Demeyere cookware. If it's there (and Demeyere says it is), it's extremely slight. The cooking is extremely even--simmering occurs uniformly across the the entire pan.

I note that Demeyere states that this concavity is present only when cold, and that it flattens as the pan is heated.

Most of Demeyere's Atlantis pans have a 2mm copper disk in the bottom that goes from edge-to-edge of the pan. They are extremely effective in evenly spreading the heat. There are no hot spots or cold spots.

As an engineer, I would expect that concavity, even substantial concavity, would not have any effect on heating on an induction cooktop. The heating comes from a magnetic field that extends a certain distance above the burner; no actual contact with the burner surface is required for it to work. (For example, some folks here have shared how they put paper towels or Silpat pads under their pans to eliminate cleanup; these don't effect the ability of the burner to heat the pan.)

BTW, I contacted Vollrath for a catalog and they say they don't deal with consumers, only restaurants. How would you be able to buy professional cookware being just a lay person?

Solarpowered, thanks for your comments. Now that I know how the magnetic field works, it doesn't look like it will be a problem. Glad to hear that!

How would you be able to buy professional cookware being just a lay person?

there are tons of restaurant supply websites that will sell to anyone. just google restaurant supply. i'm a chef, but i've ordered as a consumer from instawares.com with good results.

Here is a link that might be useful: instawares website

Slight concave bottom: All-Clad, Henckels, Chantal.
Totally flat except for logo in the middle: LeCreuset dutch oven, Lodge cast iron skillets.

All work well with our induction cooktop & portable unit.

Thanks, Ed!

We have a restaurant supply store that is open to the public. That is where I saw the cookware.

We're considering Circulon's new line of induction capable cookware called Infinite Circulon.

A 10pc set is $300 at Bed,Bath and Beyond before using a coupon. They've also been running some deals for a free skillet or $50 coupon.

there is a list of pans by manufacturer here. all of these are recommended as induction compatible by the respective manufacturers - http://www.induction-cooktop.com/iccookwarepans.html

Here is a link that might be useful: cookware for induction cooktops

All Demeyre cookware is induction compatible. Take a magnetic with you. The stronger the pull the better it is. The flatter is also important