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Everything you need to upgrade to a smart kitchen
Smart home technology has made its way into the kitchen industry, and it's evident in smart ovens you can preheat using your voice, fridges you can view recipes on, and even dishwashers that can scan and check the progress of dishes getting clean throughout a cycle.
But if you don't have the time or money to redo your entire kitchen to make it smart, you can still buy devices and gadgets to make the time spent in your kitchen more efficient.
Also: Everything you need to start building a smart home
As someone who recently bought their first home and is outfitting their kitchen, I researched and rounded up everything you need to equip your kitchen with smart home technology. From appliances to gadgets, these products will upgrade your regular kitchen into a smart kitchen.
Smart appliances
You can add smart appliances to your home kitchen without replacing the bigger ones like the stove or fridge. Countertop appliances with built-in technology make cooking more accessible and more customizable. Here are some of our top picks.
This smart air fryer is voice-control-enabled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also use the VeSync app to control the device remotely and get cooking status notifications. It comes with 10 cooking presets like vegetables, French fries, frozen foods, chicken, and more.
Also: The best air fryers
Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Smart gadgets
Sometimes, big things come in tiny packages, and that's the case with smart kitchen gadgets. Small enough to fit in your cabinets or drawers, these are the best smart kitchen gadgets to aid in prepping, cooking, and cleaning without adding clutter to your space.
Tea lovers will appreciate this smart kettle to brew the perfect cup of tea. The smart kettle can handle temperatures from 104 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and can heat up to 0.8 liters of water in less than five minutes. You'll never have to worry about a cold cup of tea either since it has a Keep Warm control that maintains a warm temperature for up to two hours.
You can schedule a specific time for it to start brewing, or if you'd rather sleep in, reschedule it in the app. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
A smart display
Sure, you could use a regular recipe book while cooking, but smart displays allow you to access cooking videos, make video calls, set reminders and timers, and so much more. The best smart displays are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and can even control some of the appliances/gadgets mentioned above.
New to this generation of the Echo Show is Visual ID, which makes it possible for the Echo Show 8 to detect when a person approaches the device. When one of the enrolled members approaches the Echo Show 8, it will display personalized content, like sticky notes someone else left for that person, calendars, and their favorite recipes.
Review: I tested the Amazon Echo Show 8 for a week. These are its best features (and misses)
The camera is also now set centered, meaning you'll be front and center when you video call your mom about her secret chocolate chip cookie recipe.
You might also need...
There are a few other smart gadgets and tools that could be useful to add to your kitchen to make it smarter. Here are some recommendations.
What smart kitchen tools can I skip buying?
When it comes to certain kitchen appliances and gadgets, smart isn't always the best. While it depends on your preferences, tried and true is always best for tools like stand mixers and food processors. It's important not to get too distracted by high-tech features and to pay attention to the tool's main purpose, and if it serves that purpose well.
What does every cook need in their kitchen?
There are so many different kitchen tools on the market, but not everyone needs them. First and foremost, you should always invest in a good set of knives and a knife sharpener. A cast iron pan also goes a long way in cooking, and a food scale will make things like baking much easier with precise food measurements.
From personal experience, I'd also recommend investing in a quality wood cutting board since it won't dull your knives as quickly. Plus, it doubles as a charcuterie board.