5 Technology Upgrades for Your Kitchen

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What was the most technologically advanced room of the house you grew up in? Probably your living room, right? When my wife and I were buying a house a few years ago, one thing became very apparent: the importance of the kitchen as a family area is a relatively new concept in home design. In the older homes we toured, the kitchens were tiny and cut off from the rest of the house. It was clear that the only thing that happened in those kitchens was cooking, not eating, not visiting and certainly not entertaining.

But things are different now. In the last 20 years, kitchens, not living rooms, have become the heart of our homes. And as a result, manufacturers have focused on “kitchen tech” and improving the overall kitchen experience for both chefs and guests.

Here are 5 technology upgrades for your kitchen that’s sure to impress your friends, add convenience to your home and make your kitchen a warmer area for entertaining.

01) Microwave Drawer Oven ($600+)

Hide your microwave and still have it accessible with a microwaves open that opens like a drawer. Just install this drawer below your countertop for an efficient use of space and a design-friendly layout. Oven opens automatically with pull/push of towel-bar handle or press of a button. Warm up your coffee and watch the chef in action.

02) GE Brillion App (free)

Just last month, I turned the car around so that I could run back inside and check that the oven was turned off. Even though I was positive I had done it, visions of a house fire were vivid enough to make me doubt myself. With the GE Brillion app, you can turn your newer GE appliances off and on from your smartphone. So long, U-turns!

Features include timers for multi-temperature cooking, reports on time left, mode and temperature, and an oven lock-out feature so you know the oven won’t be accidentally turned on by the kids when you aren’t around. This app offers not only convenience, but also peace of mind.

03) Self-Closing Drawers

We may be raising a generation of kids who’ve never had a bruised finger from closing it in a drawer, and I’m OK with that. These soft-close drawers slide shut so gently and quietly, and you can make the upgrade to existing drawers. No need to buy all new cabinetry!

Another benefit? No waking up napping kids (or parents) by accidentally slamming the drawers.

04) Sensor Trash Cans ($40+)

We’ve all been there. You just finished dicing up raw chicken, beef or fish and need to throw away the scraps and packaging, but your hands are covered in bacteria, so you can’t lift the lid on the trash can. Maybe you’ve already upgraded to one with step-operated-lid, but even then you can get tripped up. With this motion sensor trash can, the lid opens with just a wave of the hand.

05) Motion Sensor Faucet ($45+)

Once you’ve thrown out your raw chicken scraps (see above), you head to the faucet to wash your hands, right? And try to get your forearm or elbow to turn the handle so that you don’t have to touch it with your dirty digits. A variety of manufacturers make motion sensor faucets that only require that you to wave your hand to turn the water on and off.  Bye-bye garbage and bacteria.

 

With so much time spent in the kitchen, it’s time you made a few improvements and upgrades. These kitchen gadgets will help you be your best chef yet! Did we miss any of your favorite kitchen tech? Please share your insights in the comment box below.