They are fast becoming one of the most popular kitchen appliances, but there are a group of Australians that can't go near them.
Induction cooktops are providing households with an energy-efficient alternative to gas and electric convection stoves.
However, the use of magnetic fields can interfere with pacemakers.
Celia Wade has a pacemaker and must avoid the stovetops when she is at friends' places.
Ms Wade told ABC Radio Sydney she was warned about the stovetops by her doctor.
"I had a pacemaker put in about eight years ago and one of the things you are not allowed to do is go anywhere near an induction stove," Ms Wade said.
The 72-year-old said this also became an issue when she was building her home, because she wanted to put in an induction stove to avoid using gas.
Rather than heating up pots and pans to cook food, induction stoves create magnetic fields which create eddy currents within the cookware to make the heat.
Cardiologist Warwick Bishop told ABC Radio Sydney presenter Sarah Macdonald that the currents can prevent the medical devices from working.
"We actually use magnets to control these or turn these sensing devices off," Dr Bishop said.
"So, magnets can interfere."
A pacemaker delivers small charges to the heart to maintain a steady heart rhythm or deliver a large charge if a heartbeat is interrupted or out of rhythm.
An estimated 200,000 Australians have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in them.
Keep a safe distance
Dr Bishop says the recommendation is to keep the device 2 to 3 feet away from the stove.
"If the device was in your left shoulder under the clavicle there, you could stand with your right shoulder toward the stove and pretty well be fine," Dr Bishop said.
"As soon as you step away, that impact is removed. It shouldn't lead to anything untoward."
CHOICE household product expert Chris Barnes said you would have to be close to the cooktop for a while for there to be a risk.
"There is quite a powerful electromagnetic magnetic field being generated, but it's extremely local to the cooktop," Mr Barnes said.
"Basically, what our evidence that we've seen is that there's not likely to actually be a health risk."
'Magnets are all over the place'
Induction tops are not the only household device that has magnets in them that may interfere with a pacemaker.
Dr Bishop says to watch out for appliances including hair dryers, electronic body fat scales, large stereo speakers and welding equipment that may have magnets in them.
Dr Bishop says the recommendation is to keep 15 centimetres from these appliances.
"It's also important to be aware that other appliances have magnets in them," Dr Bishop said.
"Magnets are all over the place."
The cardiologist recommends people ask their specialist for advice if they are in doubt.
