Tech is making everyday tasks like cooking easier. Check out the incredible gadgets that will revolutionise the way we cook next year.
It’s inconceivable for many that in years gone by, if you wanted to change the channel on your television, you had to get up and do it manually. Likewise, if you wanted a cuppa, you had to stand next to the kettle and switch it off yourself once it had boiled.
We’ve come a long way from there and judging by some of the gadgets that are set to burst on to the market in the near future, cooking is going to become a breeze - regardless of your expertise (or lack thereof) in the kitchen.
The Internet keeps us abreast of things which look set to revolutionise even the simplest of tasks, saving us time and probably money in the long run.
Here’s a list of what’s currently available and what is reportedly in the pipeline:
The Cinder Grill
This countertop appliance cooks meat (and most other things including fresh and frozen veggies) like a pro. Using the same heating algorithms that ensure satellites aren’t set adrift by minor atmospheric changes, the device never gets too hot and won’t overcook your food. In fact, overcooking is impossible, although apparently food will stay hot inside for hours. Best of all, you can pair the grill with a mobile app which automatically reads the thickness of the food and tells you exactly how long it needs to cook. Cleaning the appliance is also a walk in the park – it just needs a quick wipe down with a piece of kitchen towel. With a price tag of around R6 700, maybe it’s just as well this handy gadget will only be available in the US from March next year.
The Cinder Grill uses tech to cook perfectly
Pantelligent
It may look like your average frying pan, but this little beauty will help you cook perfectly every time. The sensors in the centre of the pan measure the thickness of the food being cooked and keeps track of the cooking temperature. It also syncs with the app to provide step-by-step instructions on how best to cook the dish. Technology doesn’t come cheap however and this must-have gadget will set you back around R2 600.
Pantelligent uses sensors to track cooking temperature
Very, very smart fridges
Can you imagine owning a fridge that automatically reorders supplies which are running low, or takes a photo of the contents and sends it to your phone, allowing you to see what you need to buy? The LG Smart Instaview can do all that and more. This fridge also has a smart screen on the door that allows you to keep track of what foodstuffs you have available; allows you to find recipes; stream music or movies while you cook and transforms into a window, allowing you to see what’s inside the fridge without opening the door. Unfortunately, sci-fi fridges come at a sci-fi cost and according to LG’s website this little beauty (and believe us, this is a beautiful appliance) is currently being marketed for $2808 – which translates to roughly R40 000 at the current exchange rate.
Instant coffee
The latest coffee offering from Siemens is perfect for those who hate having to drag themselves out of bed to put the kettle on every morning. Simply press a button on your phone and this coffee machine will make the perfect espresso. Price: around the R36 000 mark.
HAPIfork
Ideal for those watching their weight (and who don’t have the necessary cash for a Smart fridge) this handy little electronic gadget measures how long it takes you to eat, the number of fork servings and the time between servings. It then uploads the info to an app to help you keep track of your eating habits. It retails for around R130.
HAPIfork keeps track of your eating habits
For those who want to know what the future could hold, take a look at the YouTube video of Ikea’s idea of a future ‘smart kitchen’. Work surfaces that not only gauge the quantity of ingredients required for a recipe and calculate the number of calories in a dish, but which also cook the dishes on the same surface in specially designed pots is enough to stretch anybody’s mind! Deliberating what to make for lunch? No problem. Simply place the ingredients on the work surface and ideas (with recipes) will be provided. This may only be a pipe dream at present, but given the pace at which technology evolving, it’s not entirely impossible that this space-age kitchen could replace traditional appliances in the not too distant future.