In my years of cooking and writing about food, cookware, and kitchen appliances, I’ve noticed that two things catch first-time owners of induction cooktops by surprise.

First, induction cooktops are incredibly powerful. They’re powerful enough to burn your food if you crank up the heat too high. Second, they make various noises from humming and hissing to buzzing that their gas and electric counterparts don’t make.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering about those sounds. Where do they come from? And should you be concerned?

Here’s the short answer: That humming, hissing, or buzzing usually comes from your cookware, not the cooktop itself. I’ll explain why in a moment. For now, the thing to remember is that you don’t have to worry — this is completely normal for all induction cooktops.

I’ll go as far as to say that nine times out of ten, when your induction cooktop is making noise, there’s nothing wrong with it. You won’t need to use the warranty or deal with repairs or replacements.

The noise happens because induction cooktops work differently from traditional stoves, which use conduction heating. (And yes, the store clerk probably didn’t mention this — most know about it but only discuss it if you ask.)

I know because I’ve been cooking on induction cooktops for half a decade now, and I’ve experienced the same thing on every single one.

How Induction Cooking Works

For those new to the term, conduction heating happens when you light a gas flame or heat an electric coil to transfer heat to your cookware. It’s an indirect heating method in that the stove burns a flame or lights a heating panel, which in turn heats your cookware.

Induction cooking, on the other hand, is direct.

Induction cooktops are so efficient they don’t actually produce heat. Instead, they create an electric charge that heats your cookware directly.

Here’s how it works: The cooktop runs alternating current through copper coils under each cooking zone, creating an oscillating magnetic field. This field interacts with ferromagnetic cookware (anything containing iron) and creates an electric charge called eddy current.

This current is strong enough to make the cookware’s particles vibrate, creating friction and heat from within. That’s how an induction cooktop heats your pan or pot directly.

The Source of the Noise

“That’s great,” you might be thinking, “but what about that noise?”

The buzzing and humming comes from your cookware, not the cooktop. The higher the heat setting, the louder the noise gets.

This makes more sense when you consider the power involved: A 7-inch cooking zone uses 1,500 watts, a 9-inch zone uses 2,500 watts, and an 11-inch zone uses up to 3,500 watts at maximum power.

With that much power creating such a strong magnetic field, it’s no wonder your cookware makes noise. Think of it as your pans singing — though not exactly in a pleasant way.

Reducing the Noise

Heavy, single-piece cast iron cookware tends to be quieter than multi-ply stainless steel pans or non-stick pans with attached handles.

According to GE, you can reduce noise by:

• Using lower power settings
• Making sure your pot or pan completely covers the cooking zone

If the noise bothers you, try different cookware until you find pieces that run more quietly on your cooktop.

Other Sources of Noise

Your cooktop might also make noise from its cooling fan. AEG, a major appliance manufacturer, identifies several common sounds:

While induction cooktops don’t have heating elements, the cookware can transfer significant heat to the glass-ceramic surface. To protect the internal electronics, manufacturers install cooling fans similar to those in laptops. These fans work harder at higher heat settings.

If you’re concerned about any unusual noises, contact the manufacturer’s service center. These appliances are expensive, and there’s nothing wrong with having an expert check things out.