Smart Appliances & Tech That Make Your Kitchen Smarter
The U.S. Department of Energy describes a kitchen as a host of energy-using appliances, and the first way to reduce their energy use is to buy the most efficient units possible. An older appliance greatly increases your energy costs, making it a wise investment to upgrade to smart appliances in your kitchen. From large, staple appliances to small gadgets, the kitchen is the perfect playground for smart home technology, according to the National Association of Realtors. As the world continues to embrace technology, it is no surprise that bright kitchens are becoming more popular. These high-tech kitchens are equipped with gadgets and appliances that make cooking and food preparation a breeze. Some of these appliances that can be controlled using your smartphone or through voice command are smart refrigerators, ovens, coffee makers, dishwashers, pressure cookers, and air fryers. Not only do they make life easier, but they also add value to homes. Tech-integrated kitchens enhance convenience and reduce energy costs. Innovative designs of appliances and fixtures allow homeowners to use energy and technology creatively. They use wi-fi, Bluetooth, and AI technology to enhance everyday kitchen tasks. Let us explore these appliances that make our kitchen smarter for everyday use.
1. Benefits of smart refrigerators and ovens
The National Association of Realtors tags a smart refrigerator as one of the most popular gadgets in a smart kitchen. Smart refrigerators are designed to do much more than keep food cold. They come equipped with touchscreens that allow you to access recipes, make grocery lists, and even order groceries online. A smart refrigerator connects to the internet and a smart home system to control its settings and manage food inventory, utilizing built-in cameras and expiration alerts. Some smart refrigerators offer recipes and meal planning tools directly on the fridge screen. Smart fridges offer temperature consistency, energy efficiency, and everyday functionality according to their door design, control panels, and interior storage. Choose the best smart refrigerator that matches your kitchen style and helps you keep your busy household organized without adding clutter.
Fig. 1. Smart refrigerator in a Tennessee kitchen remodeled by Modern Handymen & Remodel
Smart ovens are also one of the most popular advanced kitchen appliances. Some ovens utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and built-in sensors to provide a smart cooking experience. Users can link these smart ovens to apps that control and monitor cooking. Smart ovens often come with a variety of cooking and baking presets to help users determine the best way to prepare their meals or bake cookies, cakes, and pies. Home cooks can select the setting for the dish they are making, and the oven will automatically adjust to the appropriate cooking method and temperature. Smart ovens can offer enhanced connectivity, allowing you to control your oven from anywhere and notify you when it has completely preheated. Some smart ovens make food visible, allowing you to see inside them and monitor your food through a camera. These advanced features of a smart oven offer peace of mind when you need to step away from the kitchen.
Fig. 2. Smart oven in a Tennessee kitchen remodeled by Modern Handymen & Remodel
2. Energy-saving features in modern appliances
Energy-efficient appliances have a higher initial purchase cost but offer long-term cost savings due to reduced energy consumption and utility bills. The cost of new kitchen appliances depends on the quality and size. The average package price for a fridge, microwave, range, and dishwasher ranges from $2,100 to $5,400. The brand of the appliances you choose to purchase and install also plays a significant role in the total remodel cost of your kitchen. You can check different brands’ appliance brochures for the updated unit cost to compare each brand’s pros and cons before deciding what to purchase. Florida Education Institute recommends getting ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, which use up to 15% less energy than standard models. The upfront cost may be higher, but the savings on electricity bills can pay off within a few years. By using energy-efficient modern appliances, you can keep the energy bill low while reducing environmental impacts. Some of the energy-saving features of modern appliances are the following.
a. Energy monitoring
The energy monitoring feature of your smart kitchen appliance can provide information on its energy consumption, helping you understand where and when you use the most energy to develop strategies to reduce your energy use and costs.
b. Smart home integration
The smart home integration of smart kitchen appliances, such as in ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and coffee makers allows you to connect to your home’s wi-fi network to control cooking times and temperatures, track grocery contents, start a wash cycle when you’re away, or start brewing at a specific time by remotely controlling these functions from your smartphone.
c. Off-peak operation
Smart appliances can use home energy management systems to help you shift your electricity use to off-peak hours. They subtly adjust the electricity use depending on demand, which can help you save on your utility bill.
d. Improved insulation
Improved insulation using advanced thermal materials in smart appliances reduces heat transfer, resulting in reduced energy usage from kitchen components like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers, which leads to lower operational costs.
e. LED lighting
The U.S. Department of Energy names the light-emitting diode (LED) as today's most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technology. It is also used in a wide variety of smart kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and ovens, as it lasts longer and offers a more durable and higher-quality light. LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy. It lasts up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, resulting in increased product availability, improved manufacturing efficiency, and lower prices for smart kitchen appliances.
f. Advanced motors and compression system
Smart kitchen appliances have customized motors that power every function and innovation, ensuring smooth, automated performance. Advanced motors and compression systems can be found in smart refrigerators, ovens, coffee makers, dishwashers, and other appliances.
g. Energy-saving modes
Smart kitchen appliances can feature sensors that track and adjust cooling or heating cycles in real-time, switching to energy-saving modes when necessary, such as in modern smart ovens and refrigerators.
h. Energy Star Label
ENERGY STAR label identifies top-performing, cost-effective products, homes, and buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends using smart appliances with the ENERGY STAR logo, which indicates that this model meets strict criteria for energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR logo is on all qualified products that meet specific standards for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR-qualified products exceed the federal minimum standards for efficiency and quality. Look for the label on appliances, electronics, water heaters, windows, and other products that consume energy in your kitchen.
3. Voice-controlled devices and automation in the kitchen
Voice control and automated devices have revolutionized our kitchens significantly, offering ease and unbeatable convenience. Voice assistants in a smart home can control your smart devices in the kitchen, such as the microwave, refrigerator, air conditioner, and other small automated devices. An automatic soap dispenser is a simple and affordable way to modernize your kitchen by utilizing innovative auto-sensing technology. It is a quicker, cleaner, easier-to-use solution to minimize contact and promote hygiene. A voice-smart trash can is also becoming popular in the kitchen as it can open its lid when your hands are full or sticky—a simple way to keep your kitchen clutter-free with the help of technology.
4. Touchless faucets and bright lighting
A touchless faucet utilizes touch-control or motion-control technology for hands-free operation, making it easier to rinse off your hands when they're messy. You can activate water flow effortlessly due to its built-in sensors. This touchless technology helps in keeping our kitchen faucets germ-free and tidy.
Voice-activated lighting systems bring ease to every homeowner's busy life. A simple voice command, such as “Turn the lights on!” can make your life more comfortable, secure, and efficient. They also help reduce energy bills and keep our homes safe and secure.
5. Pros and cons of high-tech kitchen upgrades
As innovative technology takes over our homes, we embrace it to our own advantage. However, like any other change, there are also disadvantages to look out for. Here are some of the Pros and Cons of high-tech kitchen upgrades:
Pros:
a. They make your home safer and healthier.
b. They make your kitchen comfy and adapt to your preferences easily.
c. They are convenient, saving energy and sending personalized alerts.
d. They can be personalized based on your habits.
e. They boost not just your kitchen, but your overall home value.
Cons:
a. Some smart devices may experience challenges when connecting to wi-fi, which can lead to unexpected problems.
b. Power outages can limit the use of smart appliances.
c. Smart technology can risk your home’s security and privacy due to intrusive alerts and the chance of hackers compromising indoor cameras.
d. The upfront costs of smart home technology can be expensive.
e. Smart appliances can be outdated sooner than you think when newer versions or models with improved functions hit the market.
Our kitchen can get smarter with the right choices of appliances and advanced technology. Modern Handymen and Remodel is a team of reliable professionals in Tennessee that can help you find and make informed choices for your modernized kitchen remodels. Pair your kitchen remodel with smart technology. Call us at 615-200-8071 and let us make your kitchen future-ready with the latest smart appliances just right for you.
