They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. So, with the growing trend of smart homes, it’s unsurprising that kitchens are becoming more integrated with technology.
Smart kitchen technology consists of standalone devices, like smart ovens, and integrated systems, such as automated lighting.
We explore how to use smart lighting in your kitchen, the types of smart cooking appliances available, and the benefits of a smart kitchen.
Smart lighting comes in different forms, including bulbs, switches, and LEDs.
You can control your lighting to come on according to a schedule. Boost energy efficiency by keeping lights off when they’re not needed, or keep burglars at bay by automating the lights to come on when your home is empty.
If you use your kitchen to entertain, smart lighting is also a great way of creating ambience. Colour-changing smart bulbs will enhance the mood and become a talking point.
But it’s not just about aesthetics. Smart kitchen lights have a practical purpose too. Greasy hands while cooking? No problem. Simply turn your lights on and off with voice activation.
Almost all kitchen appliances are available as smart versions, including ovens, fridges, dishwashers, and coffee machines.
Smart ovens help you cook with precision even if you’re not in the kitchen. Some will let you monitor your cooking remotely, thanks to a camera inside the oven that you can watch on your phone. Perfect for checking on your dishes without letting the heat out of the oven (or even having to move). Plus, if something doesn’t look as expected, it’s easy to adjust the cooking temperature and duration remotely.
When it comes to improving ingredient management, smart fridges are the way forward. Their technology tells you what’s inside and can even help you plan your meals.
Many smart appliances also offer maintenance alerts. So you don’t have to wait for something to break to find out there’s a problem.
There are many benefits to home automation. When it comes to smart kitchen technology specifically, its advantages include:
Maintenance alerts help you keep an eye on your appliances. Plus, by remotely monitoring your oven, you can watch it wherever you are and reduce your risk of burning anything.
Smart appliances usually have energy-saving settings. Intelligent alerts will also stop you from wasting energy. For example, smart fridges can detect if a door is left open and send you an alert. These little things will save you energy and money over time.
If you’re entertaining guests, you can adjust your cooking appliances without leaving your social space. You can also turn things on and off remotely. So, your morning coffee can be ready when you first enter your kitchen.
A smart kitchen has devices that connect via the internet or Bluetooth for automation, remote control, and more intelligent features. Examples of smart kitchen technology include smart fridges, smart lighting, and smart screens (i.e. a wall-mounted display that’s usually voice-activated – ideal for following recipes).
Smart kitchen appliances use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to your smartphone, app, or central system. These integrations allow you to control these appliances remotely, receive alerts, or set up automations.