News X : December 10, 2013

For most of us, the kitchen is the focal entertaining spot in the home. But it is also the place where multi-tasking is essential, and that’s not always easy.

From preparing, cooking and serving food, pouring drinks, keeping up the friendly chat, all the while making guests feel at home, it can be quite challenging. Anything that provides a bit more efficiency in the kitchen is a huge relief to the host.

So what happens when you mix a home-wide automation system with the world-class kitchen appliances? You get a perfect blend of technology and art that delights gadget geeks and foodies alike. Home-automation is the next big thing that is setting the host free of major responsibilities and adding that elite value to the homes.

Kitchen is considered to be the source of happiness in every home. Also, it is the central element for growth of hospitality industry. Having a fully organized functioning, kitchen is the key idea to bring health and happiness in your routine lifestyle. This concept has promoted usage of automated devices in heart of your house. Gone are the days, when electric appliances were the methods to improve performance of kitchen in your life. Latest devices with automated programs are now installed in kitchens to make the cooking process interesting, quick and safer.

There are some conveniences you are probably familiar with that can do in the kitchen. Let’s look at the way we can spruce up what is often the busiest room in the house.

Biometric Drawers and Cupboards

There is no need to pull cupboards and drawers open and shut. Brush the drawer or wave your hand and the door or drawer will open. Want to control access to a cupboard that has sharp knives, poisonous household products or alcohol? Add a biometric scanner to restrict access to only the people who can be trusted. Other features include an ‘intelligent memory’ that senses the need to close multiple drawers and reverses the opening order, and the ability to program cabinets to close as you exit the kitchen. Like all the devices we have talked about, touch screen control is also possible.

Appliances

Some parts of automating appliances can be very basic. For example, you can put power controls on devices like coffee makers that might be left on by mistake. Not sure if you left it on? Kill the power from anywhere in the world using your smart phone. On the other hand, you can start your coffee maker from the touch screen in the upstairs bedroom and have it ready by the time you get downstairs.

Internet refrigerators, also called Net Fridges, are basically refrigerators with a connection to the Internet. Some have a full built-in computer complete with hard drive, and others have Internet access through a limited number of applications. They include a touch screen, speakers, and Wi-Fi connections to the Internet or your home network. Popular applications include: Memo writing, calendar scheduling (great for meal planning), accessing online and personal recipes, weather reports, listening to music and notification of low or expiring foods. Because of their connection to the internet, they can be integrated into you whole home system. The LG model will actually analyze what’s inside the refrigerator and suggest recipes based on what’s on hand. Once you have the recipe, the refrigerator can automatically pass the instructions on to your Smart Oven. The oven can also be monitored and controlled from off site by any smart device.

Gas Leak Sensors

Installing Safety products for the kitchen is one of the most important things. Safety devices like gas leak sensors are installed in the kitchen which senses any leakage in gas. In case it detects a leakage an immediate sound alarm is triggered to notify you about the leakage.

Smoke Detector

Smoke detectors can be installed inside your kitchen. These detectors sense the smoke density in their vicinity and immediately trigger a sound alarm to notify you. In case of fire where there will be heavy smoke, these detectors will immediately notify you using the inbuilt sound alarm.

Audio

You want a good speaker system in your kitchen. Why? Think of all the time you spend there and how music can make it better. It could be lively music to make clean-up go faster. It could be romantic music to set the mood as you prepare a candlelight dinner. Or it could be the news and traffic reports as you eat breakfast before your business day. An audio system controlled by a convenient touch pad should be part of your basic equipment.

Video

In the kitchen? Absolutely! From your favourite afternoon TV shows to calling up a recipe on the internet to pleasing the people who want their morning news on the television, not the radio, you will find that a screen in the kitchen will be in constant use.

Lighting

Good work light in the kitchen is important, but after the work is done you may not want it that bright. A zoned dimmer system is the answer. Energy efficient LED lights can brighten up the counters, while diffused ceiling lights give you good general illumination. Dim them any way you choose from your touch panel.

You may be thinking that you have been getting along fine with your kitchen the way it is, and you don’t need any of these ‘luxury’ features. But when you think about it, not long ago dishwashers and microwave ovens were only found in the homes of the wealthiest people. Your kitchen has already had many updates since your parents’ day, and the technology will continue to change. If you are doing a major home renovation, you may be replacing appliances anyway. Let this be your opportunity to get in front of the technology and give yourself a kitchen that will be a conversation starter and the envy of your neighbours.