In recent years, there has been a huge leap forward in technology in the home, not only in the area of ​​communication or entertainment, but also in the heart of the home the kitchen. Smart kitchens open up new possibilities and change the way we cook, store food or simply take care of our home. They are equipped with innovative technology and offer many advantages that we could only dream of a few decades ago. What are they and what should you pay attention to when setting up a smart kitchen?

What is a smart kitchen?

It is an innovative concept that integrates modern technology and advanced appliances into the heart of the home the kitchen. This approach changes the traditional ways of cooking, storing food and cleaning, increasing efficiency, comfort and quality of life. Smart kitchens use a range of connected devices that can be controlled using smartphones, tablets or voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant.

Why is modern technology important in the kitchen?

While it may seem like a luxury or a fad at first glance, it’s not. Smart technology can help us better manage our household finances, minimize food waste, improve the quality of our meals, and save time that would otherwise be spent on cooking and cleaning up.

Benefits of a Smart Kitchen

Smart kitchens bring several benefits that you will definitely feel in your home. What are their three main benefits?

Efficiency and time saving

• Automate tasks: Smart appliances can be programmed to perform various tasks automatically. For example, smart ovens can automatically adjust the temperature and cooking time based on the recipe, meaning you can spend less time at the stove.
• Faster Cooking: Smart kitchen appliances like microwave ovens with advanced features can make cooking much easier, faster and more efficient.
• Remote control: With mobile apps, you can control your home appliances remotely. For example, preheat the oven on the way home or turn on the dishwasher.

Healthier cooking

• Accurate measurement and control: The ability to accurately measure ingredients and control cooking processes, such as steaming, results in better quality meals and healthier eating.
• Recipes and recommendations: Smart refrigerators and other appliances can provide the cook with a suitable recipe that he will create from the ingredients stored there. Thus, it naturally promotes food saving and healthy eating.
• Nutritional tracking: If you like to plan your meals, a smart kitchen is for you. Some appliances allow you to track the nutritional value of your food and plan meals according to your specific dietary needs.

Reducing food waste

Inventory tracking: Smart refrigerators keep track of what food is in stock and warn you when it is about to expire. This minimizes the risk of food spoiling and ending up in the trash.

Key technologies of a smart kitchen

For this concept to work, you need to have several technologies in your home that will help your smart kitchen run smoothly.

Smart technology

The foundation of any kitchen is smart appliances with advanced features that make cooking, storing food, and cleaning easier. What are some of the most popular appliances?

• Smart ovens: These are equipped with sensors that monitor the temperature and humidity inside the oven to ensure optimal conditions for baking and cooking. If you really want the best of the best, choose those that have automatic temperature and time settings depending on the recipe, remote control via a mobile app, and a database for preparing different dishes.

• Smart refrigerators are designed to keep food fresh and reduce waste. They also track food availability and warn you of expiration dates. The fridge can recommend recipes based on its contents, and with remote access, you can check what you have at home and what you need to pick up on the way home from work.
• Smart dishwashers , in particular, save water and energy. They can automatically set the ideal wash cycle depending on the amount and type of dishes and, of course, can be controlled remotely. Today, smart dishwashers already monitor their own needs and warn you about the need for maintenance or inform you about the condition of the equipment.

Internet of Things in the Kitchen

A relatively old technology that is now increasingly used in the kitchen. It is the principle of connecting all the appliances and devices in the house to a network that have software or sensors that allow this. The devices then communicate with each other and exchange data. The refrigerator can communicate with the oven and recommend a recipe based on the ingredients available, smart appliances can turn on the dishwasher when cooking is finished, etc.

Voice assistants and voice control

Currently, we have three fully functional voice assistants; Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant. Siri and Google Assistant both support Russian. However, Alexa, although it has the most extensive functionality, does not yet fully support Russian. Therefore, if you really want to communicate with your smart home with it, we recommend that you speak English or another language that Alexa supports.

For fully automatic control of the smart kitchen, you can use voice commands in English to turn on the oven or set a timer. Voice assistants also give cooking tips and answer curious questions without having to type them into Google. In addition, they can set reminders and alerts according to your wishes, such as making a shopping list or reminding you to roast meat in the oven.

How to start using a smart kitchen

Once you experience the benefits of a smart kitchen, you won’t want to have another one in your home. To make the transition to a smart kitchen as smooth as possible, it’s important to pay attention not only to the choice of equipment, but also to the project itself.

Planning and designing a smart kitchen

Consider what features you want in your home. Do you need a smart oven to help you bake, or a smart refrigerator to keep track of your food supplies? Setting priorities will help you determine the placement of appliances and their functions. Of course, the budget for such a kitchen will be slightly higher than for a regular one. However, in the long run, you will save money on utilities, as well as on food. The kitchen should be ergonomic to meet your needs and to be efficient.

Choosing Appliances for a Smart Kitchen

When choosing, you need to consider one important point – compatibility of devices. If they do not work together, then the whole idea of ​​a smart kitchen will be completely buried. Of course, smart devices should also work with a mobile application, which is available for both IOS and Android. Choose energy-efficient devices that will help you save on electricity bills. We also recommend relying on reputable manufacturers such as Samsung, Bosch or Miele, which have a wide network of authorized service centers and can provide customer support, device connection and regular checks.

Installation and configuration of a smart kitchen

Once you’ve made your selections, it’s time to take your appliance to a dealer who can connect and set up more complex systems like smart ovens or fridges, and show you how to customise the interface to suit your needs. Of course, you’ll also need to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network so that all the appliances can communicate with each other. Most smart appliances have an intuitive mobile app that will walk you through the setup process step by step, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Don’t forget to activate the voice assistant too, so you can try controlling your smart kitchen with your voice.

How can you start transforming your smart kitchen today?

Creating a new, more modern kitchen doesn’t have to be a radical change. If you’re afraid to take a step into the unknown, start slowly. Familiarize yourself with the appliances available, read reviews from customers and experts. Gradually add one appliance at a time, as you can. For example, a smart refrigerator is a great place to start it’s not a radical change, but it can save you a lot of money on groceries, energy, and the hassle of coming up with new recipes.

The smart kitchen is revolutionizing the way we cook, store, and clean, bringing convenience and efficiency into our homes. There’s no reason to stand in the way of progress, but it’s time to start enjoying all the benefits, including the free time that smart kitchens offer. So go ahead!