Power coupling with induction is very good and very quick; a lower setting is needed than you might be used to. If you use a high setting for quick heating, set a timer from experience so you can lower the power before burning occurs.

For avoiding sliding, try a silicone pad underneath. Even paper towels can be useful.

kas

I agree. You're probably cooking the oatmeal at too high a setting. This can happen if you go from a weaker gas to a stronger gas too. On a programmable unit, once you know your oatmeal (setting x for 2 minutes, setting y for 4 minutes, or whatever) you can set that as a program and just let it run every morning. Can't do that with gas!

My larger, heavier pots don't wander around. When I was rendering chicken fat, one of the first things I did on my new built-in, the little pot (oatmeal size, maybe) was moving around on me, on the furthest back element. My father's eyes bugged out when I grabbed a paper towel and put it underneath. Worked.

An induction stove, like any stove, should be absolutely level. Nothing should slide.

Lennym, The pots slide when you stir one handed because the surface is so slick. It's the force of the spoon, not gravity.

Oh, so true.. If I am making a dish that I anticipate stirring a great deal, I will put out the silicone mat to avoid any slipping and sliding of the pot.

I thought about paper towels, but DH found some links that showed those catching on fire, so he happily bought the silicone mat instead.

You could also use your crockpot to make oatmeal in. Lots of recipes online...

earth pal, is there any reason why you wouldn't just leave the silicone mats out all the time, or is it just aesthetics? Waiting for our induction, but I still have a latent fear of scratching the surface and just envisioned leaving mats out all the time.

I'm about to get my iduction istalled so can I ask--what kind of silicone mats is everyone talking about, and can I put it right on the cooktop and then the pan over? Wouldn't that "break" the magnetic connection?

Any kind of silicone mat will do. Silpats or off brand. Anything thin and grippy that doesn't interfere with the magnets will do.

Re paper towels catching fire, anything is possible. I use Viva, which suffer no ill effects. I try to use few paper towels, though, so did buy a silicone mat. Paper burns great when it's lit (it's wood and perhaps rag), but it's very hard to ignite, especially whole, in the center. Perhaps if it gets really oily, the oil could catch fire if it then got between the magnets and the pot and got hot enough. You'd have to try really hard. But, of course, you shouldn't leave things cooking untended even on induction.

You can also use newspaper or parchment paper to contain a spattery mess. You'll see a scorch mark long before it ignites. It really is very hard to burn paper.

My guess? People may be reusing the same paper towel and it's the crud in the towel catching fire. I wouldn't reuse paper on the induction. Use the nearly clean paper towel for another job, and dispose of it. Use the newspaper and trash it if it's cruddy, recycle if it's clean.

Or get a silicone mat and sponge it after using.

Crud, expecially crystalline crud like salt or sugar, can scratch the glass surface of your unit, so do clean up thoroughly every time. Cleaning up is so easy, it shouldn't be any bother.

thanks everyone for the ideas. I am going to test it out with a paper towel under it (hard to get used to this coming from gas!). I'll also try a lower cook level on the oatmeal.

The only problem with silicon is that it can melt above 500f. And then it is a sticky blob to try to scrap off the top. I've scorched paper towels doing bacon and eggs, but it takes a while. Paper burns at 450F.

Yes, I failed to note the temperature limitations of silicone. Usually, one wouldn't want to run a pan at that temperature, but it is easy to fire up a hob on high power to get a pan and its contents to temperature and then to be distracted, leading to a very hot pan and boiled down contents. I try to always use a timer set to the predicted time it will take for the item I'm speed heating to reach the desired temperature.

For cooking at high temperatures, Teflon sheet would eke out some additional degrees, I think. After that, ceramic cloth might be needed, but now one is getting into the territory where the cooktop itself may shut down to protect its surface.

kas

I only mention it as a possible issue since someone reported having it happen to them some time ago.

We tried the silicone mat to prevent scratches, but DH found it offgassed at high heat. We've done without it and have no scratches yet (2 months), even from the cast iron frying pan.

I use the mat a lot on the butcher block counter top, when mixing sticky liquids like pancake mix b/c it is easier to clean than the wood!

I have had mine for about 6 mo. GE range. generally love it. Haven't had much sliding around really. On my last gas range , strangely enough, I had more sliding around. The burners on my duel fuel were so slippery that it scared me...pans slid easily. I have never used silicone pads or paper towels. It is sooooo easy to keep clean, I wouldn't do the paper just to prevent splatters etc because it just absolutely wipes up so easily no matter what it is pretty much. Def the best feature.