Making your kitchen smart
The smart home uses the internet of things, data analysis and interconnected devices to make life in the kitchen safer and easier. This article lists the latest smart appliances that any smart home should have in its kitchen to christen it a smart kitchen.
- Duxtop 1800 portable induction cooktop countertop burner
- COSORI 12-in-1 air fryer toaster
- Hosome stainless 2-slice toaster
- Instant pot smart wi-fi multi-cooker
- Umbre automatic soap dispenser
- Hamilton beach smart coffee maker
1. Duxtop 1800 portable induction cooktop countertop burner
Functions
- For cooking and heating foods through an induction process
Features
- Has a digital control panel and an LED display
- The heater has a built in countdown timer
- Contains 15 power levels from 200 – 1800 Watts
- Has 15 temperature settings from 140 – 460 degrees fahrenheit
Pros
- Easy viewing and control through the LED display and digital control panel
- Digital control timer shuts down automatically allowing food to be properly cooked
- The induction heating process is 50% more powerful than electric and gas burners
- Produces heat only within the cookware with no open flames hence concentrated heating leads to cooking faster
- Has an 83% energy efficiency
- Has its own diagnostic error message system that it sends to you
- Has a low and high voltage warning system
- Can be connected to solar power
- Very portable with a long cord
Cons
- Needs steel cookware for magnetic sticking to it
- Has a 25lb weight limit
2. COSORI 12-in-1 air fryer toaster
Functions
- Performs air frying
- Preheating functions in baking, toasting
- Keeping warm functions in dehydrating, slow cooking, defrosting, fermenting
Features
- Voice assistant enabled through Amazon Alexa
- Comes with additional accessories such as wire rack, food tray, fry basket
- Wide temperature range from 80 – 450oF
- Smart control via VeSync app
- Large capacity (25litre and fits 12 inch sized pizza)
Pros
- Hands free control and operation through voice assistants – compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant
- Monitors cooking and sends alerts and notifications to the app so no overcooking or undercooking
- The app provides a wide range of original recipes and a support community
- Wide temperature range allows for versatile cooking options
- Large size and square shape allows you to fit more foodstuff
- Easy to use, light and portable, easy to wash
Cons
- Needs to be washed thoroughly after use to remove all odors
3. Hosome Stainless 2-slice toaster
Functions
- Hands free control and operation through voice assistants – compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant
- Monitors cooking and sends alerts and notifications to the app so no overcooking or undercooking
- The app provides a wide range of original recipes and a support community
- Wide temperature range allows for versatile cooking options
- Large size and square shape allows you to fit more foodstuff
Features
- LED display for easy viewing and shows a countdown
- Has a high temperature reminder
- Extra wide slot for toasting (5.6’’ long and 1.8’’ wide)
- Rack that is raised for warming
- Detachable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Lift lever for irregular sized breads
Pros
- Countdown timer tells you how long it will take – no guesswork involved
- Smart sensors determine the timer to avoid over-cooking and burning
- Made of stainless steel which is a high temperature resistant and non-toxic
- You can also adjust the time you need to heat up your food
- Long cord for ease of portability and buttons illuminate when selected
Cons
- Much heavier and built in than other conventional toasters – one has to push the slide hard
4. Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi Multi-cooker
Functions
- Sautés, fries, roasts, bakes, dehydrates, slow cooks, rice cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker
Features
- Touch screen control method
- Operates automatically
- Voice assistant enabled – Amazon Alexa
- Free recipes available in the app
Pros
- Innovative even crisp technology that ensures a perfect crunch
- Once connected to the Wi-Fi, the app lets you know the status of your food, preheating, cooking time information
- Saves on space in the kitchen with versatility of functions – no need of different appliances for microwave functions, rice cooking, dehydrating and slow cooking
- Safety lock to ensure safety pressure cooking
- Reduces preheating time – cooks up to 70% faster than the conventional cooker
- Automatic pressure and temperature control for protection to avoid overheating
- Is dishwasher safe and easy to clean
Cons
- Takes some time to connect to the Wi-Fi
5. Umbre Automatic Soap Dispenser
Functions
- Is a touch free kitchen automatic dispenser – dish soap, liquid soap, sanitizer
Features
- Has a seal that ensured no drip spout
- Patented and innovative sensor technology that has fast dispensing (in 0.2s)
- Wide funnel and touch less
- Battery warning function – LED lights that light up color blue when on and color red when battery is low
Pros
- The sensor technology ensures that the right fixed amount of soap is dispensed, not too much and not too little, ensuring no wastage and saving on costs
- Has a 5 year warranty
- Its design is aesthetic and skillfully fits with most sinks
- No issues with accident deployment of soap when one passes near it
- Hygienic – no drip spout thereby eliminating mess
- Wide funnel and large capacity allows for easy refilling in less frequent times thereby saving on costs and time
6. Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker
Functions
- Brews great tasting coffee with the option of choosing between regular or bold strengths of coffee
Features
- Is compatible with voice assistants – Amazon Alexa
- It can brew automatically without human intervention
- Sets up routines according to your preferences in the Alexa app
- Has a design that offers mess free serving
Pros
- You can ask Alexa to brew your coffee while still in bed or anywhere remotely (through the app) and get the coffee once it is ready!
- No need to download any additional apps because it is compatible and works well with the Alexa app
- The sleek design allows for easily adding of water at the front of the brewer without spilling over
- It auto shuts itself if you forget to shut it off after a while
- Is very narrow and hence doesn’t take up much space