Can You Cook A Full Festive Meal On An Induction Cooktop? We Tried It So You Dont Have To

The festive season brings a unique kind of joy: twinkling fairy lights, spirited music, last-minute gift wrapping, and the comforting aroma of food that fills the entire house. It's a time for traditions, but what happens when tradition meets technology in the kitchen? Imagine ditching the old gas stove with a sleek, glass-topped induction cooktop to prepare and elaborate holiday feast. Compact, energy-efficient and precise, it promises convenience and safety. But can it truly handle the demands of festive cooking? Although relying entirely on a sleek, glass-topped induction cooktop to whip up an elaborate holiday spread. It's compact, energy-efficient, and precise, but is it festive-ready?

Cooking an entire celebratory meal on an induction cooktop sounds a bit like trying to host a dance party in a lift. There's heat, there's movement, but does everything fit and flow? That's exactly what this culinary adventure set out to discover.

From sizzling starters to the final flourish of dessert, the induction cooktop was pushed to its limits, and, truth be told, it held its own surprisingly well. Here's how the modern marvel managed to pull off a traditional feast, one dish (and drama) at a time.

We Tried Cooking a Full Festive Meal on an Induction Cooktop; Photo Credit: Pexels

1. Starters That Sizzle: Testing the Induction's Flare For Flair

Let's be honest, no festive gathering truly begins until those first plates hit the table. Think paneer tikka, crispy spring rolls, or a golden samosa fresh from the pan. It's that initial bite that sets the tone.

On an induction cooktop, heat-up time is dramatically shorter. The pan's hot before the playlist even kicks in. Marinated paneer went from fridge to perfectly charred cubes in under ten minutes. No smoke clouds, no burnt bottoms, just an even sear and glorious aromas. The precision temperature control was a dream. No guess and pray like with gas. That sear? Surgical.

But there's a learning curve. Induction cooking is less forgiving if you get distracted scrolling through festive memes. One missed second, and you're caramelising onions into coal. Still, for starters, the induction cooktop earned its place at the table.

2. Can It Handle The Big Pot Drama? Enter The Curries And Gravies

Now to the heart of any festive meal: the curry. Rich, aromatic, slow-cooked goodness that demands patience and power. Think butter chicken, shahi paneer, or a spicy kadhi. These aren't just dishes, they're statements.

Here, the induction cooktop needed to prove it wasn't just a pretty face.

The key? A good heavy-bottomed pot and a little mindfulness. The induction's timer setting helped avoid disaster when a wandering mind nearly let the korma boil over. What's also surprising? How quickly onions browned and tomatoes reduced. Gas flames often do a lazy dance here, induction brought its A-game.

The only catch? Stirring becomes sacred. Since there's no ‘flame cushion', ingredients catch quickly if ignored. So yes, the curry turned out lush and restaurant-grade, but only because it got the attention it deserved.

3. The Rice Is Right (But Only If You Are)

Rice: deceptively simple, secretly chaotic. It's the quiet guest that makes or breaks the meal.

One touch too much water and it becomes a mushy mess. One moment of inattention and the bottom scorches like the Sahara. But with an induction cooktop, it's all about control, and control is where it shines.

Using the boil setting was like playing a rice-based video game with cheat codes. It clicked off at just the right moment. Fluffy grains emerged like a miracle. No crust, no crustacean-like crisping. Just clean, dignified basmati.

Even pulao with caramelised onions and veggies behaved beautifully. Everything cooked uniformly, and nothing stuck. A small pat of ghee at the end? Pure drama. Turns out, this quiet machine knows how to make rice sing.

We Tried Cooking a Full Festive Meal on an Induction Cooktop; Photo Credit: Pexels

4. Pressure Points: Can You Use A Pressure Cooker On Induction?

One question loomed large: would the old-school pressure cooker cooperate?

Answer: yes, but with a twist.

Not every pressure cooker is induction-compatible. Flat-bottomed steel cookers are the ticket. Once secured, they whistled and hissed like they were back on a gas flame. Cooking chana masala or mutton curry this way was a revelation, faster, quieter, and oddly hypnotic.

The countdown timer became a game-changer. Instead of watching the clock, attention could shift to chopping, garnishing, or even dancing to festive tunes. The induction didn't just cook; it managed time like a culinary project manager.

Just one hiccup: no room for clunky, oversized cookers. Choose wisely. This isn't a place for grandma's massive decade-old aluminium pot. Streamlined is the name of the game.

5. Frying On Induction: The Real Test Of Courage

Festivals are nothing without something deep-fried and golden. Pakoras, gulab jamuns, puris, basically everything cardiologists hate and guests love.

But can an induction cooktop handle deep frying? Isn't that a job for big blue flames and cast iron?

Turns out, yes, but it's a dance of timing and temperature. The induction's fry mode isn't kidding around. It heats oil fast and holds that temperature like a pro. No scary flickering, no unpredictable flare-ups. Just steady sizzle.

The only real enemy? Overconfidence. Once oil reaches temperature, there's no room for dithering. Drop those samosas in or step aside. It demands your full attention, but rewards it with a perfect crunch.

Bonus: cleanup is way easier. No stubborn soot under the pan. No smoky walls. Just one proud, gleaming appliance waiting for applause.

6. Dessert Dilemma: Sweet Surprises On A Glass Top

What's a festive meal without something sugary to end on a high?

Desserts are where the cooktop's precision pays off most. Traditional halwas, kheers, or caramel custards need slow, sustained heat. Gas often loses steam or burns spots. Induction? Like a dessert whisperer.

The kheer simmered gently for an hour, reducing to a dreamy, creamy finale. The halwa didn't stick or burn once, provided a patient hand stirred with love.

Even melting jaggery for chikki or sugar syrup for jalebi went off without a hitch. One hand on the ladle, one eye on the heat level, it's a smooth duet, not a wrestling match.

And the best part? No scorched bottoms or ruined pans. Just pure, sweet success.

7. Space: The Final Frontier Of Festive Cooking

Cooking a full meal means juggling multiple dishes, and this is where induction cooktops get tested not just for power, but for space.

Most single-unit cooktops limit action to one pan at a time. That's like trying to host a feast in a studio apartment. It can work, but only if the choreography is tight.

The trick? Mise en place, everything prepped, measured, and ready. As one dish cooks, another waits in the wings. Cook and clear, cook and clear. It's a performance more than a process.

Double-burner induction hobs offer better flow, but even then, planning is everything. Multitasking here feels more like plate spinning than traditional stove-top chaos. Still, there's a certain meditative joy to it.

And let's be real: less mess, less stress. That smooth glass surface is a blessing when cleanup time rolls around.

We Tried Cooking a Full Festive Meal on an Induction Cooktop; Photo Credit: Pexels

8. The Final Verdict: Festive-Ready Or Fool's Errand?

So, can an induction cooktop pull off an entire festive meal?

Absolutely. With the right tools and a pinch of patience, it doesn't just manage, it thrives.

Of course, it's not all roses. There are moments of doubt, slight learning curves, and the occasional panic when the timer beeps mid-sauté. But these are quirks, not dealbreakers. It's sleek, safe, and surprisingly capable of capturing the soul of celebratory cooking.

This isn't about replacing tradition, it's about adapting it. Whether you live in a compact flat, a student dorm, or just fancy a cleaner, safer kitchen setup, the induction cooktop deserves a standing ovation.

Just don't forget the most important ingredient: heart. Because no machine, no matter how modern, can cook a feast without a bit of old-fashioned festive spirit.

Product Recommendations For Article
 

1. Prestige PRWO 2.8-2 Electric Rice Cooker with Steaming Feature

2. Pigeon 14930 Electric Pressure Cooker

3. Kenstar MY COOK 2.0 Electric Rice Cooker with Steaming Feature

4. Panasonic SR-WA22H(E) Electric Rice Cooker

5. AGARO Royal Electric Rice Cooker

6. USHA RC18GS2 Electric Rice Cooker with Steaming Feature

7. CUCKOO Electric Rice Cooker 1.8 Litre 10 Cups Uncooked Rice Capacity Serves 2-10 People Electric Rice Cooker with Steaming Feature

8. HAVELLS RISO Plus 1.8 L 1 Bowl Electric Rice Cooker

9. MasterChef Kitchen King Pro Electric Rice Cooker

10. KUBER INDUSTRIES 1.8 Liters 450W Non-stick Electric Multi Cooker Electric Kettle

Cooking a festive meal is never just about the food. It's about laughter in the kitchen, the occasional mess, the oops moments that turn into stories, and the satisfying silence that falls once everyone's too full to speak.

The induction cooktop, with all its minimalist charm and modern efficiency, might not evoke the same nostalgia as a crackling gas burner. But it brings something new to the table: control, convenience and a surprisingly soulful cooking experience.

So the next time a festive gathering looms and all you've got is a single induction burner, don't panic. Roll up those sleeves, prep like a pro, and trust the process. Because yes, you can cook a full festive meal on an induction cooktop. And now, you don't have to try it to believe it.