We no longer need to imagine a dishwasher that tells us if there’s a leak, a cooktop that disappears into the countertop, and lights that turn on and off by the sound of our voice because they already exist in smart kitchens. As the heart of a smart home, a smart kitchen encompasses a variety of high-tech functions like AI that can be controlled by a touch screen, mobile app, and/or voice assistant like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant and connect to your smartphone or iPad.
These features are not only fun, but they can make our lives easier and more efficient by transforming the way we cook, store food, clean, and take care of our homes. You can control appliances from afar, tap into technology to coordinate shopping lists based on what you already have in your refrigerator, and save on energy costs.
Smart technology is quickly transforming kitchens and can simplify daily routines and even save money over time, says Phyllis Harbinger, certified interior designer, author, and principal at DCI Studio in Greenwich, Connecticut. “A smart kitchen isn’t just about flashy gadgets—it’s about creating a system where appliances and features communicate; automate tasks; and offer energy efficiency, safety, and convenience,” she says.
With smart kitchen features still being pretty new, there are some concerns to keep in mind including some bugs to work out. Experts recommend choosing smart appliances and devices that are known to interact effectively with each other. Also, keep an eye out for innovations that use generative AI, as they are new and may not work as expected. Cost can also be a concern for some. However, Harbinger believes tech innovations offer long-term value and homeowners should consider adding them to their kitchen design when it makes sense.
If you’re ready to include smart technology in your kitchen, check out these three ways.
Smart Ovens and Cooktops
Forget the retro ovens of the past; ovens have gotten smarter. Harbinger raves about smart ovens that adjust cooking time based on recipe data. These high-tech ovens contain sensors that can monitor the temperature and humidity inside the oven to detect food type and volume, making real-time adjustments to prevent undercooking or burning. Some have remote control capability via a mobile app and automatic temperature and time settings based on a specific recipe. AI is even being used now to allow three different foods to be cooked at different temperatures—all at once. Those ovens may have a built-in interior camera so you can check on cooking progress from anywhere using your smartphone.
Harbinger also loves sleek stone countertops where the cooktop disappears when not in use, such as Infinity’s invisible induction cooktop where you are able to cook directly on your kitchen counter. “This design-forward innovation complements smart tech beautifully, keeping the space both high-performing and visually clean.” Smart cooktops can also be controlled via smartphone apps, allowing you to adjust settings based on what you’re cooking. Some models even provide feedback on your cooking techniques, suggesting temperature adjustments and timing for optimal results. In addition, safety features such as overheat sensors and automatic shut-off capabilities keep the space safe.
Our Recommendation: GE Profile 30 in. 5 Burner Smart Free-Standing Double Oven Electric Range at The Home Depot for $1,748
Designed to make daily life simpler by incorporating smart home technology and cutting-edge features, the GE Profile’s sleek design and quality engineering has built-in Wi-Fi to control oven functions using the SmartHQ app on a smart device.
“A smart kitchen isn’t just about flashy gadgets—it’s about creating a system where appliances and features communicate; automate tasks; and offer energy efficiency, safety, and convenience”
Phyllis Harbinger, DCI Studio
Smart Dishwashers
Recent high-tech upgrades have transformed dishwashers. “Smart dishwashers can detect load size and soil level to optimize water and energy usage, while leak detectors can alert homeowners to plumbing issues before they turn into costly disasters,” notes Harbinger. Some dishwashers also have an automatic door opening feature that improves drying. When the washing cycle ends, the dishwasher door opens and releases steam so dishes can air-dry.
Some of the other smart tech features in dishwashers include Wi-Fi-enabled controls, remote-start capabilities, and touchscreens replacing physical buttons. You can now control your dishwasher remotely through a smartphone app to monitor and adjust the wash and dry cycles so you can see how much time is left in the cycle and schedule it to run at peak hours to save energy. Overall, smart dishwashers allow for a more convenient, energy-efficient, and quiet experience to keep your dishes and other kitchen tools clean.
Our Recommendation: Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher at The Home Depot for $1,294
This WiFi-enabled Home Connect dishwasher enhances the cleaning experience with personalized connected features like smart cycle, hands-free voice control when paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and more.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting fixtures allow you to control how and when lights are used, which improves energy efficiency. Instead of accidentally leaving lights on all day, you can set them to automatically turn off when you leave the room or adjust brightness based on natural light. Smart lights can also be adjusted for different tasks, like brighter settings for cooking and softer lighting for grabbing a late-night snack in the kitchen with a friend.
It’s tough to cook, clean, and entertain in your kitchen without the right lighting. By installing smart lighting in this important area of your home, you’ll also boost your productivity by saving time, while also saving energy and money.
Harbinger recommends voice-controlled lighting systems or motion-activated pantry lights that add both convenience and accessibility. “While a kitchen does not need to be fully automated, integrating a few of these smart features can meaningfully enhance the way we cook, clean, and interact with the heart of the home,” she says.
Our Recommendation: Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit at Amazon for $179.99
Personalize your lighting with this starter kit that includes one hue bridge, one smart button, and three white and color ambiance smart 75W-equivalent A19 color-changing LED light bulbs that can be controlled using the convenient voice control.
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