induction cook-tops and effects on Mechanical Watches

[Runnin' Rebel]

I'd like to know how the cooking is duffernt then gas. I have a 6 burner stovetop
With one that puts out 25,000btu and is my main one to get things fired up fast than into the 15,000btu it finish. I like my water to boil up in like 3 mins

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by Shichinin

This is the first time I hear about an induction cooktop and I found the tech interesting. It is always refreshing to learn new things especially when it is about home appliances from a watch forum. Cheers

Same here. I had no idea these things existed. I think to do over I'd still go with gas but induction is cool technology.

[Pharaoh_83]

from what i know, it can boil a large pot of water in under 1.5 minutes.

you do need to make sure that the cookware is induction ready (a magnet has to stick to the base)

[porschejeff]

Is it safe to cook with your Rolex on thread???

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Pharaoh_83

We’re in the process of choosing new appliances for a house and we like the option of having an induction cooktop. Reading up on them, they use magnets to generate energy.

Would that have any effect on mechanical watches?!

An interesting question.

We have been doing some renovations around these parts lately and have fitted induction cooktops into a couple of properties recently.

Seeing as I do a lot of cooking I have wondered the same thing especially after reading the manuals for the cook tops and seeing warnings to people who wear a heart pacemaker due to magnetic fields generated in close proximity to the cook tops.

I wear my DSSD all the time and often use it to loosely time the cooking process.
No ill effects what so ever to date.
Then again the model has a Parachrome Blue hairspring which is highly resistant to magnetic influences.

In a somewhat related matter and of greater concern.
My fiancé works in the medical field in a leading major hospital in our area and I asked her if she had ever heard of any ill effects on people with pacemakers in close proximity to induction cook tops with reference to the operating manuals.
Her response was negative, but she took the liberty of asking around the cardiac specialists if there were ever any concerns from their side of things.
Their response was also negative.

In summary, I would say that the manufacturer of our preferred brand of induction cook top is covering their a** in relation to the warning in the manuals for people who wear pacemakers.
They are after all a major European company and likely prone to over emphasizing the risks. The wording would suggest this to be the case.

Anecdotally I would say that my watch to date is absolutely fine.

Without wishing to go off topic I would like to take the opportunity to offer the following advise.
Whilst being imperfect(like all things) we love the induction cook tops and it's our way forward for many sound reasons
It's a slightly different way of approaching the cooking process and a little hard to get used to initially.
From our experience and in terms of user friendliness, with regard to choosing a make/model.
Try to get a unit that has half steps in the power control as sometimes the settings can be slightly less or more than desirable taking into account the many variables when cooking

Enjoy

[tomchicago]

same here...induction cooktop, no problems. induction is better than gas!

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by SeaAndSky

Same here. I had no idea these things existed. I think to do over I'd still go with gas but induction is cool technology.

Gas is great but we currently only have access to bottled LPG on our properties which is hellishly expensive
Natural gas is so much cheaper but does not run past our properties and when looking for new properties to buy, I am always on the lookout for a gas meter typically associated with Natural gas connections.

Induction cooktop technology has been around since the early 80's IIRC.
I believe it was developed by a French company.
I recall first seeing it on a locally produced TV show dedicated to new inventions.
Like everything, it has its +'s and -'s.
It suits our way of doing things and lifestyle with the kitchen layout
in fact it has actually determined the kitchen layout taking into consideration the unique advantages of the induction technology

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Is it safe to cook with your Rolex on thread???

Only if the crown is screwed down securely.
The steam generated may get inside the watch and ruin the works

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

I'd like to know how the cooking is duffernt then gas. I have a 6 burner stovetop
With one that puts out 25,000btu and is my main one to get things fired up fast than into the 15,000btu it finish. I like my water to boil up in like 3 mins

It's more economical than anything else due to efficiency and has more precise heat control which is virtually instantaneous in its response.
From a safety standpoint it is unique in that residual heat on the surfaces of the cooktop is minimal. This is due to the heat being generated "directly within" the base of the cookware itself.