Tech-savvy kitchens
We do a lot in our kitchens, and we rely on them to be highly efficient and multi-functional. From the hectic weekday grind where there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day, to busy weekends with entertaining, today’s families need a kitchen that can help make a myriad of tasks easier. And that’s where technology comes in. Technology has helped streamline all different facets of our lives, and it’s been seeping into our homes, particularly our kitchens. The two biggest advancements in smart home technology are automation and being able to adjust systems remotely, and these are revolutionizing our futuristic kitchens.
THE TOOLS
Contemporary kitchens have a lot of tech-savvy features that help make cooking less of a chore. There are, of course, endless arrays of countertop appliances that consumers can use to do several jobs in one, including choppers, slow-cookers and small ovens. But there are other elements in a kitchen that have integrated technology, thereby simplifying food prep, and a popular one is the touchless faucet. When you’re in the midst of a messy job and don’t want to create more of a cleanup afterward, a faucet that is motion-activated not only lends a much-needed helping hand but also eliminates the spread of germs and bacteria. “We’re always researching consumers to find out what would appeal to them in terms of things they’re looking for in the home, and we keep hearing that homeowners want to make things easier, particularly in the kitchen,” said Garry Scott, vice-president of marketing and e-commerce at Moen Canada. “Consumers suggested having a faucet that would turn on and off without having to touch it, so we created a faucet that does the work for you when your hands are covered in food or a mess.” With a simple wave near the base, the faucet comes on, and another quick motion turns it off. It also has a handle for manual control of water flow, and it comes in a wide range of styles and finishes to suit any decor. “It’s the ultimate in convenience, and consumers have really responded well to it because it’s a scenario everybody can relate to,” Scott said. Many faucet companies have touchless options. There are also additional motion-activated dispensers, such as those for soap and ice.
THE APPLIANCES
One area where technology has completely taken over in the kitchen is with the appliances. Almost every major gadget can now be automated and controlled from a remote device. Turn on your stove or adjust the temperature with the touch of a button on your phone while you’re at your child’s sports event. Pre-set your state-of-theart Crock-Pot to start cooking at just the right time and have a piping hot meal waiting for you when you get home. Preprogram your favourite coffee choices and set the timer to start brewing the moment you wake up. Automation is making in-themoment food prep easier, too. Mike Charette is a senior designer at Nouvelle Cuisine, and he said that appliance technology is evolving like gangbusters. “There are dishwashers and refrigerators where you just tap the front of them and they open by themselves,” Charette said. Not only is this useful in a busy family kitchen, but it can help increase accessibility for those who might have limited strength, such as seniors. He has also been seeing motorized drawers that don’t have handles, which is sometimes a minimalist design choice, but it can also be another helpful solution for those who might be in a wheelchair. “It’s all about the family’s lifestyle and their needs,” he said.
THE BUILDING MATERIALS
Nanotechnology is a form of technology that is slowly making its way into residential kitchens, but has long been commonplace on the industrial side. In laymen’s terms, nanotechnology uses extremely small particles to build things (for example, dimensions between 0.1 and 100 nanometres — to understand just how small that is, a human hair is between 80,000 and 100,000 nanometres in thickness). Nanotechnology is being used in various home-building materials, like countertops and floors, where a thin layer of nanoparticles is applied to resist scratches and stains. It can also make them water- and heat-resistant. Radiant heat uses new-age technology to warm floors, and this is especially popular in kitchens as well as bathrooms. Radiant heat is comprised of invisible electromagnetic infrared waves that warm elements installed under the floors. (They can also be used in the walls or ceilings of your home.) “Now, with engineered wood, you can put radiant heat under a wood surface, as wood flooring is coming back for kitchens,” Charette said. “More than 50 per cent of the time, clients are now requesting these types of heated floors.” It may sound like we’re making our way toward having the Jetsons’ kitchen — from faucets that turn on and appliance doors that open automatically, to gizmos that know your personal preferences when it comes to food and drinks. There are superhero materials that technology has made stronger than ever, and efficient heating options that are seamlessly integrated. The only thing that’s missing from these modern marvels is the Jetsons’ robot maid, Rosie!