A month or so ago, we wrote a post about technology and the way it will impact your kitchen and home. Just think about how many “smart” devices you own. You probably own a smartphone, maybe even a smart TV, but what about a smart kitchen? Much like the rest of our day to day lives, our homes are becoming increasingly automated with technology and the room you use for cooking, storing and preparing food is no different.
Smart Layout
Before we even get started on technology, no smart kitchen can be complete without the right layout. You can have all the gadgets and cutting-edge appliances you want but the layout has to match your unique approach to storing, preparing, and cooking food.
Efficiency and a sensible workflow are hugely important in a kitchen, as you should look to keep the space you need to cover to a minimum. For example, having a cooker at one end of the kitchen and the sink at the other is unnecessary. Make use of the work triangle as a smart way to lay out the room, ensuring that you split the kitchen into groups of spaces where everything you need is accessible. This means food storage and cooking in one area, washing and cleaning up in another and your appliances grouped together too.
The Smart Slow Cooker
There are a lot of smart appliances available, however a smartphone-controlled slow cooker isn’t one that appears on many lists. So, how does this work? Well, it connects to your home Wi-Fi network, as well as being controlled by an app, so if you are cooking a roast, curry, or a stew, you can control the temperature and time via your smartphone, regardless of where you are. This means you do not need to worry about leaving an appliance on all day. By adjusting it has setting from work or wherever you are out, you are able to have dinner ready the minute you walk through the door. No more snacking on junk food while you wait on your roast cooking!
The Smart Fridge
How many times have you found something in the back of your fridge and realised that it has been out of date for a week or possibly even longer? Probably more times than you care to admit, we understand. Well those problems can be eradicated with a smart refrigerator as it can actually tell you when food is about to go off. They have an ability to scan your food, or you can even set reminders for when certain items are about to expire so you can use everything up on plenty of time. This massively reduces waste and some smart fridges even come with a built-in tablet so you can get recipes and cooking instructions instantly. While they aren’t cheap (most will cost well into £1000’s) they are a good investment and a cornerstone of creating a smart kitchen.
Have a great weekend.
Clinton and Fiona