Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid contained in an electrically conductive material container. The apparatus includes a stepdown transformer having a primary winding coupled to source of electric energy and a secondary winding that includes the container itself. In a first embodiment the secondary winding also comprises a substantially rigid electrically conductive member on which the transformer is mounted and electrical contacts at each end of the conductive member for connecting it with the container. In a second embodiment, two semicircular clamps, having articulated jaws, carry the current from the transformer. Such clamps are made to close around the upper and lower portion of the walls of a cylindrical can, completing a secondary winding in which a very high current flows in the walls of the container. In all cases the turns ratio of the transformer is sufficient to reduce the voltage in the secondary winding to a safe level. Illustratively, the turns ratio is at least 100 to 1.