Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for heating ferromagnetic abrasive shot to a selected temperature substantially above the Curie Point temperature of the metal forming the shot. An elongated generally cylindrical retort, having a central axis and a central passage and being formed from a magnetically permeable material having a Curie Point temperature, is divided into first and second axially spaced heating zones. Each zone is surrounded by a generally cylindrical surface portion of the central passage. A first inductor means is used for inductively heating the generally cylindrical surface portion of the first zone to a temperature below the Curie Point temperature of the retort material so that a major portion of the magnetic flux from the first inductor means is concentrated in the metal forming the retort.