It should not. I thought we had a recent thread on this. Of course, different brands may have more noise than others. I would look to make sure they have FCC class B certification (not class A which is for business use).

As to curbing GW obsession, my wife doesn't have that but she is glued to her computer in the kitchen. So if induction by any chance does cause this problem, do let us know :).

On the other hand, we are getting both gas and induction so we are in the boat regardless. There simple are gaps in one that the other technology does not have. So to sleep easy, you get both, you spend a lot more money, you lose more counter space, well, you know the routine :).

I must confess to regularly using a computer in the kitchen. Even right next to the induction cooktop, no interference.

To clarify, Alice, you are able to load new pages off the internet while your induction unit is running? I ask the question because my computer works while my micro is running, but I am not able to load new pages.

This is what the FCC tests are all about-radio frequency interference (RFI). All electronic devices sold in the USA are supposed to be tested and approved by the FCC.

In short, any electronic device may cause interference with any other electronic device. In theory, the manufacturer of the offending product is supposed to rectify the problem-but getting it proven (is the affected device defective? Is it too sensitive? Is something in the environment contributing to the problem?) is all but impossible, unless there are a bunch of identical devices causing problems or the interference is huge.

Bluestar ranges are not required to receive FCC testing, because they contain no electronic devices. Yes, they contain electrical devices, but no active components. Induction cooktops obviously contain electronic devices and are thus subject to testing, as are computers.

Morton5 - Yes, I can load pages while my induction cooktop is running, even if I am holding the computer above the cooktop.

Don't make a habit of doing this. The induction field is, er, not healthy for the laptop.

I'm not holding it 2" above the cooktop, just at a comfortable working height. My computer is in no danger.

It is an interesting question though since strong magnetic fields are known to be hazardous to computer hard drives. I wonder if there is a measurable distance that computerized devices of any type (iPods, laptops, flash drives) need to stay away from the induction field? I often cook while listening to my iPod clipped at my waist.

Won't the magnetic field from the induction cooktop fry the hard disk in the laptop? They usually purge hard disks with magnets, I thought.

Hard drives are purged with a stronger magnetic field than an induction cooktop will generate. Further the effective field of an induction cooktop is about 2 inches, less than a centimeter before it will begin to recognize a pot or pan. Who in the world is going to use their computer sitting directly on an element and turn the element on? First, the cooktop would not recognize the computer as a pan so would shut down. Second, even if the element did turn on, it would not cause damage. Third, anyone who would actually place a computer on an active cooktop probably isn't very adept with either appliance and you can't protect people from themselves.