Whether preheating your oven while shopping or making coffee while relaxing in bed, smart home technology can make your kitchen more functional and enjoyable. Upgrade without breaking the bank; affordable smart options exist for every budget.
An essential factor for creating a smart kitchen is reliable internet. If your Wi-Fi struggles to provide a strong signal, consider investing in an extender for optimal results.
Smart speakers
No matter your kitchen renovation plans or your desire to update an existing one, we have everything you need. Smart ovens that can be controlled remotely and coffee makers that make delicious brews when they suit you are just two of many smart devices you can add to simplify the kitchen.
Voice-controlled speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home can be invaluable assets in any room, but especially useful in the kitchen. You can use them to set timers, convert measurements, play music or even blast out some fun cooking tunes (we recommend The Great American Songbook!). And if you have other connected appliances–like smart refrigerators or sous vide cookers–they can also be controlled easily through voice recognition technology.
Smart speakers can be the centre of all your smart home devices, such as doorbells and locks, lighting, plugs, thermostats, and cameras. Just be sure to select one compatible with the protocols of your smart home, such as IFTTT (“If This Then That”) or Stringify apps, which offer programmable routines you can create with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa.
Alec Scherma, our Good Housekeeping Institute test engineer, has extensively tested different smart speakers in our Media & Tech Lab over the past year. His tests cover everything from sound quality and setup ease to connectivity capabilities and compatibility with other smart home gadgets. You can view all his findings here on Good Housekeeping’s website. This post originally appeared there.
Smart appliances
If you’re renovating your kitchen, now may be an opportune time to upgrade your kitchen with smart technology appliances. Smart gadgets can make cooking more efficient and convenient while becoming increasingly affordable.
Smart appliances contain sensors that detect your actions and connect to the internet so you can control them via mobile device. Their goal is to save you both time and effort while increasing energy efficiency in your home, with features like remote monitoring that reduce fire or carbon monoxide risks.
Smart Ovens are perhaps the most widely known smart appliances, as they can be controlled using an app and programmed to pre-heat or begin cooking when you are away from the house. Other popular choices include Smart Refrigerators, Dishwashers, and Washing Machines, which have touchscreen displays so users can easily view and make settings changes.
Additionally to kitchen appliances, smart lighting – which uses sensors to adjust its ambience in real-time – can add another element of convenience to any room. Motion sensor lights are perfect for brightening dark corners such as pantries, while programmable lights create the perfect atmosphere for various activities or events. Voice assistants enable hands-free timer setting and device control.
Trying to integrate smart technology into your kitchen? Start by visiting electronics retailers for hands-on experience and expert advice or checking online marketplaces and manufacturer websites for smart kitchen gadgets that fit within your budget. Smart plugs and modules also make upgrading existing appliances possible without breaking the bank.
Smart lighting
Kitchens are hubs of activity, and smart technology can add significant value to the space. From appliances to integrated connectivity solutions, there are plenty of smart gadgets you should keep in mind when creating your ideal kitchen design.
Before diving headfirst into the smart kitchen trend, it’s important to remember that not all devices are created equal. Some are meant for convenience – like preheating ovens and kettles – while others offer practical functions that simplify cooking and cleaning, like smart refrigerators and thermostats with remote monitoring/control capabilities.
Start small with affordable smart LED bulbs that allow you to set the atmosphere and change colours easily at the touch of a button. Next, consider investing in a smart thermostat to regulate energy use and help save on utility bills. This will be followed by smart smoke/carbon monoxide detectors connected directly to smartphones for real-time notifications.
If you need guidance in setting up home automation systems, contact an in-home home automation specialist like Vivint. They’ll offer professional advice about which products best suit your home while providing installation services. Careful planning allows you to design a smart kitchen that is within budget and satisfies your needs and lifestyle! Smart tech is slowly but surely infiltrating every room of the house – including your kitchen – yet choosing which technologies to incorporate can be confusing. Here are the essential gadgets for an enjoyable cooking experience in a smart kitchen environment.
Smart thermostats
Many homeowners may feel daunted by the thought of creating a connected kitchen, but technology has quickly made this transition simpler and more exciting than ever. From smart fridges that preheat the oven when out shopping to smart coffee machines that allow users to brew a cup while they sleep – smart appliances make daily tasks more efficient and convenient than ever.
Smart kitchen tech can not only increase comfort and convenience, but it can also save money on electricity bills by automatically managing household energy usage. For instance, smart thermostats can monitor household activity and adjust heating based on daily routine – helping lower overall energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions for a more sustainable future.
As you research smart kitchen technology options, you must prioritize which features are most important. For instance, do you prefer controlling appliances and devices using voice commands or your smartphone? Do you prefer particular brands/designs of smart gadgets, etc? It is also vital to consider what form of connectivity (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, etc) works with existing devices in the room and which options will integrate well.
Remember that your smart kitchen requires reliable internet to operate effectively. If your current internet provider’s connection is unreliable or frequently drops, looking into switching providers may be worthwhile before investing in one. Alternatively, you could add a Wi-Fi extender in your kitchen to improve the wireless signal and eliminate dead spots.
Smart locks and alarms
The smart home revolution has introduced an array of smart devices that can upgrade any room in the house – the kitchen being no exception! Smart kitchen gadgets can make cooking and entertaining experiences more efficient, precise, and safe – something traditional cooking methods simply cannot achieve.
Smart refrigerators can monitor their contents and alert you when certain items run low, suggesting recipes and creating shopping lists. Smart ovens allow remote preheating and real-time cooking updates; smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors alert users of potential dangers while away.
Smart locks provide extra peace of mind by offering remote access via a smartphone app, granting temporary access codes to friends or service providers while tracking who is coming and going from your property. Plus, with its camera feature, you can visually verify who’s at the door before opening it!
Combine a smart lock with other devices to create scenes which combine several commands into one command. For instance, when someone rings your smart doorbell, you could set a scene to lock the door while also turning on lights and thermostats – perfect for automating everyday life! Smart hubs such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit all support this feature and allow users to say things like, “Hey Alexa, unlock my door and turn on kitchen lights!”
Successful integration of smart home technology into your kitchen hinges on choosing the appropriate products and working with an experienced contractor in this field. Ask them to explore the market for devices that meet your needs and budget; they will assist in selecting suitable devices for remodelling projects while addressing any technical concerns.