Home automation is no longer the stuff of science fiction, or The Jetsons. Smart homes are still ungainly and expensive right now, but it will not be for long. Remember how mobile GSM phones started out as big as a small suitcase, and cost the earth? That was back in 1991, and today, you could get a smart phone you could hide in the palm of your hand for less than $20.
The smart home is all about connectivity, Security, lights, and thermostats are obvious candidates for automation, but perhaps such smart technology is best applied to where it is more effective: the kitchen.
Many companies are already developing smart appliances, big and small, and it is slowly changing the way we use the kitchen. A smart kitchen appliance is anything that can connect to the Web or a mobile device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some companies such as GE are retrofitting old models with Wi-Fi modules, while others are pushing new models to replace the old ones. The idea is having the ability to access or control the appliance from wherever at any time. It was a slow start, perhaps because the potential was not immediately apparent.
However, using the Internet for the kitchen is not such a strange concept for many people. Most people look up recipes, better ways to prepare food, or easier ways to do kitchen work. The next step is to use these mobile devices and Internet to control the kitchen. In you next kitchen remodel, consider investing in more than just granite countertops. You can upgrade your kitchen to be smart as well as beautiful. Here are some very good reasons why you should consider investing in smart appliances for the kitchen.
Waste reduction
A lot of food gets wasted in the typical household. Most of the time it is because it had been forgotten, or there had been too much of it. Most people don’t bother with grocery lists, so you every time you go to the grocery, you pick up stuff you already have. If you had a smart refrigerator, you would be able to see what you still have even when you’re already out of the house. You can also find out which ones are about to expire, so you can plan your meals to use those first.
Better meals
Busy lives make bad cooks, and that is a fact. Good cooking takes time, so smart appliances can help you maximize the time you do have by letting you control your ovens and slow cookers via Wi-Fi. You can even brew your own beer! You have access to cooking guide datasets and apps that can automate everything.
Healthier cooking
Even heard of sous vide? It is when you cook using steam or water, and the food is in airtight plastic bags. That is as healthy as you can make it, and you can do this using your smart appliances. There are also appliances that will monitor calories and food ingredients, which is important for people with special dietary requirements. You can make sure that whatever you cook will not make a problem for anyone with diabetes, nut allergies, or Celiac disease. You can also use technology to help you with your fitness and health by monitoring and synchronizing food consumption.
Safer kitchens
Have you ever driven off, and was halfway to work when you suddenly started to wonder if you turned off the stove? With smart appliances, you can connect with your stove and turn it off remotely. You can also monitor your other appliances while you’re at it. You can also make calls from your refrigerator in case you have an emergency.
How to choose the right smart appliances
The question is, which smart appliances should you invest in? The costs are still rather high for some of the top brands, so you need to be circumspect when making your choices. Here are some things you need to consider when shopping for smart appliances.
Lifestyle
You can probably splurge on a nifty little smart kitchen gadget without having to consider the cost so much, but when it comes to major appliances such as a refrigerator or a range, you need to think about your lifestyle and how investing in one can bring value to you. For example, if you dabble with exotic new dishes or you just like to try new online recipes, you may justify choosing a Wi-Fi enabled refrigerator with a built-in tablet for browsing the Internet can take the place of most of your cookbooks. If you are constantly burning the food or overcooking the vegetables because you get so caught up in your work while cooking dinner, a stove that will monitor the temperature of your food and warn it needs your attention.
Operating system
It’s funny if you think about it., but it is important that choose a smart appliance that is compatible with the operating system of your smart phone or tablet. The reason is you want to choose an appliance on the same platform with which you are familia, since you have to download apps to access and control them. If you are an Android user, and your appliance uses iOS, you’ll have to get used to a whole new platform.
Cost
Of course, you need to consider costs. Many appliances companies are coming out with gadgets with similar features, so you can compare apples to apples when shopping for smart appliances. You may have to compromise on some features a bit to save money, but in many instances, you won’t even use half of the nifty features of your smart kitchen gadget, so consider what you really need when you canvass.
There are a lot of options today when it comes to smart kitchen appliances, and you don’t even have to try very hard to find something that can work for you on all levels. Think about the value it can add to your kitchen, and your life, and then make your decision.