These Are the Best Gadgets That Will Transform Your Ordinary Kitchen Into a Smart One.
If you’re interested in home automation and smart technology, you might be thinking about using smart appliances in your kitchen. But smart devices can be expensive, and you may be hesitant to replace perfectly good devices if there’s nothing wrong with them other than not being “smart.” Luckily, there are some upgrades you can make yourself for a fraction of the cost that will make your average kitchen look a lot better.
Put the tablet in the refrigerator
While you can spend over $15,000 on a smart refrigerator if you have all the bells and whistles, there are some DIY upgrades you can make to make your regular refrigerator a lot smarter. If you want to link your shopping list, check local store inventory, and use other home automation features on your refrigerator, you can install a simple tablet for about $60 on the front of the refrigerator. When choosing a mount for metal refrigerators, a magnetic one is suitable, but be sure to choose one that has a good warranty. Although manufacturers do not provide a warranty for your tablet if their product fails, knowing that a company stands behind its product will give you a good idea of the quality. You can get a decent quality tablet mount for $40-$60.
Add smart sensors to your refrigerator and freezer
While most refrigerators are designed to control the temperature and humidity inside quite well, if you want to know what’s going on inside, you can purchase sensors that will relay that information. Keeping vegetables fresh longer or making sure your cold brew is brewed at the right temperature is easier with sensors. For about $60 you can get a kit with two sensors and a hub. Sensors will tell you the temperature and humidity inside your refrigerator and freezer, allowing you to monitor your settings. These sensors will also alert you to temperature changes due to a door being ajar or other problems.
Make your oven smarter
A smart stove can cost more than $3,000, depending on the size and desired features. But you can use some upgrades to make your oven smarter without replacing the one you currently have. The smart meat thermometer will give you real-time updates on what’s cooking in the oven, sent straight to your smartphone, starting at $100. In addition to monitoring, you can set the cooking temperature to alert you when your food is ready depending on the recipe you’re using. To make your oven more convenient with voice control, a good option is to use a smart speaker that can read recipes out loud, help you make transformations, or answer kitchen-related questions.
Add some smart plugs
Instead of buying a new slow cooker, coffee pot, or electric kettle that can be programmed or activated from your phone, you can plug these appliances into a smart plug and control them from your device without having to replace them. You can also use smart plugs to control your kitchen lighting, either by programming it on a specific schedule or turning it on from your phone or tablet when you get up for a midnight snack. Along with a smart home hub, the smart plug can also be voice activated, allowing you to turn appliances on and off when your hands are full or covered in dough.