What will the kitchen of the future look like? If we're anything like the generation that saw the birth of science fiction, our guesses probably aren't even close. Although we may never see the talking robot chef as imagined by speculators in the 1960s, there are a few exciting inventions on the horizon for the busiest room in the house. Much like elsewhere along the cutting edge of technology, the lines between the gadgets of the future are blurring as more and more appliances take on multiple functions.
It may have started with microwave ovens and food processors that double as blenders, but many more advances are on the way. For example, many companies are testing ovens that will keep your food cold until a preset time, and then will actually roast, toast, defrost, or microwave your dinner for you.
Inter-connectivity will play a large role in the kitchen of the future. Imagine a kitchen where the appliances functioned together, on a wireless network. An oven that can alert the microwave that it's food will be ready in 5 minutes- time enough to heat up the gravy, or alert the rice cooker for perfectly cooked meals that finish all at the same time, and with a fraction of the work. “Smart” appliances that can download recipes and pre-programmed cooking instructions from online databases will also become a reality, meaning that literally anybody will be able to cook a perfect meal.
Another mainstay of the future kitchen will be voice-activated technology. You will be able to set the oven's temperature and timer while chopping ingredients. You can add ingredients to the grocery list on your refrigerator's LCD screen simply by speaking, as you find you need them. Eventually, refrigerators will be able to scan their own contents and provide a list of missing or expired items that need to be replaced.
But cooking isn't the only thing that will be different in tomorrow's kitchen. An intelligent dishwasher will sense the type and amount of dirty dishes and program itself with the correct water, cycle, and soap settings for perfectly washed dishes that won't need to be rewashed.
Perhaps the closest change will be green appliances: doing more while using less energy. As energy prices rise and interest in sustainable energy consumption grows, these technologies will continue to find their way into the marketplace. The refrigerator will probably benefit the most from these energy savings since it is always on, which in turn will help your wallet.
It may have started with microwave ovens and food processors that double as blenders, but many more advances are on the way. For example, many companies are testing ovens that will keep your food cold until a preset time, and then will actually roast, toast, defrost, or microwave your dinner for you.
Inter-connectivity will play a large role in the kitchen of the future. Imagine a kitchen where the appliances functioned together, on a wireless network. An oven that can alert the microwave that it's food will be ready in 5 minutes- time enough to heat up the gravy, or alert the rice cooker for perfectly cooked meals that finish all at the same time, and with a fraction of the work. “Smart” appliances that can download recipes and pre-programmed cooking instructions from online databases will also become a reality, meaning that literally anybody will be able to cook a perfect meal.
Another mainstay of the future kitchen will be voice-activated technology. You will be able to set the oven's temperature and timer while chopping ingredients. You can add ingredients to the grocery list on your refrigerator's LCD screen simply by speaking, as you find you need them. Eventually, refrigerators will be able to scan their own contents and provide a list of missing or expired items that need to be replaced.
But cooking isn't the only thing that will be different in tomorrow's kitchen. An intelligent dishwasher will sense the type and amount of dirty dishes and program itself with the correct water, cycle, and soap settings for perfectly washed dishes that won't need to be rewashed.
Perhaps the closest change will be green appliances: doing more while using less energy. As energy prices rise and interest in sustainable energy consumption grows, these technologies will continue to find their way into the marketplace. The refrigerator will probably benefit the most from these energy savings since it is always on, which in turn will help your wallet.
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