Why is My Induction Hob Clicking?

Induction hobs, much like any other kitchen appliances, can become temperamental over time. For example, they can make random noises that can be quite worrying for those of us who are new to induction cooking! One of the most common questions induction hob owners have is ‘why is my induction hob clicking?’

Thankfully, there is usually a perfectly normal reason for this clicking, and in some cases, you can even prevent it from happening again. 

In this article, we will guide you through why your induction hob is making a clicking noise and what you can do to stop it. If all else fails, however, always make sure to reach out to your manufacturer’s customer service team for advice.

Why is my induction hob making a clicking noise? 

If your induction hob is making frequent clicking noises, don’t panic. It may be for any of the following reasons, each of which are easy enough to remedy:

There is something on the hob

One of the most common causes of clicking noises coming from induction hobs is when there is something between the bases of the pots and pans and the glass surface when it is switched on. It could be something that was on the hob itself or on the bottom of the pan – such as a burnt-on liquid or debris, for example. You may notice the same issues even when you cook on a ceramic hob.

Always check the surface of your hob’s cooking zones or rings, and the bases of your pots and pans before you start cooking. Otherwise, you might end up with all kinds of annoying clicks and pops as you heat things up.

You need new cookware

Yes – sadly, if you are noticing clicking noises happening more and more frequently during cooking, it may be that you are simply in need of a pot and pan upgrade!

Good quality induction pots and pans can be easy to come by, but many prefer to opt for cheaper products – given that you need to invest in specific induction-ready cookware in the first instance, buying cheaper products makes sense in one regard.

However, some of the more affordable pots and pans out there are cheaper for a reason. As opposed to making an entirely magnetic pan, some brands simply add magnetic bases to the bottoms to ensure that they work on induction hobs. However, when that is the case, there is often a bit of a separation between the actual base of the pan and the magnetic layer. That space can be wide enough to cause clicking sounds from the hob, especially when it is on a higher heat. 

The hob has just started cooking – it’ll stop clicking!

Finally, sometimes, you can still hear a clicking noise even on a clean hob with good quality pots and pans. This is usually due to the fact that the hob has just started cooking, and it is making the connection between the magnetic coil beneath the surface of the hob and the magnetic base of the pot or pan. This isn’t a problem, and the noise should stop relatively quickly. 

Therefore, all you need to do is have a bit of patience – even if the clicking occurs every time you power up your hob and start cooking, it’s unlikely to be that big an issue in the long run.

How do I stop my induction hob from making a clicking noise? 

The first thing that you can do to ensure that your induction hob does not make a clicking noise is to give it a good clean. It is best to clean your induction hob after every use, and should you have been preparing the food or working near the hob, then wipe it down before using it. This will help to ensure that there is no food or other debris that could interfere with the pans and the glass surface. 

As mentioned, it is all too easy for things to burn onto the stove, making it difficult for the hob to connect directly to the bases of the pans and pots. Sadly, the more you use them with these burns on the stove, the more likely you are to damage it. As you move, the pain and the weight of the pain stays on this debris – it will scratch the hob and could even cause it to chip. 

The next thing that you can do is look closely at your cookware. It is best to opt for pots and pans with directly magnetic bases instead of ones with added layers. Be sure to invest in induction pans that are specifically designed with magnetic cooking in mind, and you will likely expect click-free meals for the foreseeable future!

Of course, it can be a pain having to buy new pans, so do not worry about this being a necessity. You can still cook with your normal induction pans, and they will not damage the hob – however, they will continue to make the clicking noise. You’ll simply have to ensure you are happy to live with this!

Summary

Clicking noises on induction hobs are likely more common than you may think. In fact, other noises such as buzzing and pulsing can also be perfectly normal to hear coming from an induction appliance. You can, of course, check through the shortlist of things that we have discussed above if the clicking noise really bothers you, and in some cases, you can fix the issue or even live with it.

However, if you find that your induction hob makes a clicking noise constantly and in a very loud manner – or even increasingly loud – then it would be wise to contact your manufacturer to ask for advice, or even contact an engineer. It could be that there is something wrong with the appliance or with the circuit it’s installed on. However, this is rarely the cause of the issue. Nevertheless, should you be concerned, contact a professional for help before using the appliance again. 

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