FEATURE: KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
HOW TO TURN AN OLD KITCHEN INTO A SMART KITCHEN
Smart technology is revolutionising our lives. It’s transforming our work and our homes, and one of the most common areas where smart technology is having a major impact is in the kitchen. In fact, a study by Juniper Research for kitchen & bathroom specialist KNB estimates that the number of smart kitchen appliances in UK households will reach 14.9 million by 2025, representing a penetration of 39%. This means that 39 out of every 100 households in the UK will have at least one smart kitchen appliance by 2025.
T
urning an old kitchen into a smart kitchen doesn’t have to be complex. There’s an abundance of gadgets, devices,
and appliances designed for convenience and efficiency that can elevate any kitchen to the next level. From streamlining daily tasks to creating functional and futuristic spaces, smart kitchens are changing the way we shop, cook, and live. Whether you’re building a smart kitchen of your own or hiring premier kitchen specialists to do the work for you, your new-look culinary haven is likely to include a plethora of technology, appliances, and augmented apps. From devices that track your calorie intake to those controlled by a smartphone, a smart kitchen will deliver masses of convenience for the whole family. There’s a multitude of ways to turn an old kitchen into a smart kitchen. Whether you start with a simple device or install the most advanced technology, here are some of the most popular methods to equip a kitchen in the digital age.
Small bites: Savouring simple upgrades
Smart kitchen devices don’t have to cost the earth. In fact, many smart kitchen solutions are relatively cheap yet still make a big difference to how a kitchen operates. What once sounded like fantasy is now a common reality – virtual assistants can control everything in a smart kitchen from the lights to the thermostat. Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant are two cloud-based options that power Nest Home and Echo devices respectively. Both operate via a smart speaker or smart screen, the latter allowing users to read recipe instructions and view helpful videos while they are cooking. Amazon has even gone one step further by releasing its own voice-activated smart microwave that synchs to Alexa. Once set up,
12 DIY WEEK OCTOBER 2023
preheat the oven before you get home from work. How much time could you also save by remotely turning the oven on so the meal you put in before you left is cooked and ready just in time for when you get back? All this is possible with a smart electric range. A smart electric range may sound like an expensive extravagance, but they are becoming a key appliance in a modern, smart kitchen. Many models come with a vast number of features including an air frying mode and self-cleaning setting, all of which can be controlled by an accompanying app.
you can operate the microwave purely with your voice. You can, for example, say: “Alexa, microwave for five minutes,” or you can also say: “Alexa, microwave a three- ounce potato,” and it will work out everything from temperature to timings.
Another relatively inexpensive
feature of smart kitchens is smart lighting. It’s easy to install and helps to create the perfect ambience you desire by adjusting the brightness and colour, all controlled by a smartphone or voice commands.
Starter ideas: Satisfying your smart kitchen cravings If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the fridge is often the focal point of the kitchen. Smart fridges do so much more than simply keep your food cold. They include large touchscreens for writing messages and relaying information. Perhaps the most ingenious feature is the camera on the inside that links to your smartphone so you can see what’s in your fridge when you’re doing the food shop. This prevents users from overbuying and cuts down on food waste. If you’re looking for recipe inspiration,
smart fridges even come with a meal planner feature that suggests ideas for meals based on the ingredients left in your fridge. Coffee lovers are also benefitting
from smart kitchen technology thanks to smart coffee machines. They come with an accompanying app so you can tell it to grind your coffee beans and start the brewing process from anywhere, and it will also allow you to monitor water levels and coffee strength. You’ll never have to wait for your coffee to brew again, it will be ready as and when you want it, and it will also be made just how you like it. If you aren’t a fan of kitchen clutter, smart storage solutions are becoming commonplace in smart kitchens. Smart cabinets and drawer systems that automatically adjust shelves and compartments are available so that every inch of storage space is used. Smart food management systems that monitor what food is in your cupboard and what’s missing can also take the stress out of kitchen organisation.
The main course: A feast of futuristic flavour
Imagine using your smartphone to
Staying with smart ovens, what about an oven powered by AI that can cook just about anything? Smaller table top smart ovens really are an ultra-convenient digital all rounder in a smart kitchen. Some models are a dozen different appliances in one and can do the job of an air fryer, slow cooker, toaster, pizza oven, dough proofer, and more. What’s more, the clever in-built camera means you can keep watch of your meal as it cooks from anywhere, and the AI element will check what food has been placed aside before recommending cooking methods and times, giving you fewer things to worry about. When your smart oven has cooked you a meal in your smart kitchen, you may want to place your dirty dishes in a smart dishwasher. Top models come with a supporting app so you can start the wash cycleand check its progress from your phone. Not only that, but the clever technology will also assess how many items are for washing before automatically adjusting how much water and detergent is needed so you use the precise amount and cut down on waste. More and more of these smart kitchen appliances and devices are becoming standard in modern homes, and all of them can help transform an old kitchen into a smart kitchen. See
www.knbltd.co.uk for more.
www.diyweek.net
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