When you mix technology with cooking appliances, you get some tasty ideas for the home chef in your life.
THERMOMIX
This futuristic device looks a bit like a “Star Wars” droid, and the resemblance is apt. Thermomix is much more than an all-in-one cooker. It weighs ingredients, chops, stirs, blends, and even pre-cleans itself.
The appliance also connects to the Cookidoo recipe platform, which tells you what to add and when to add it. Then the program self-times the cooking process at the required heat. The basket on top is for steaming and other functions—you don’t need it for every recipe.
Thermomix takes up some real estate on the counter, but it also does the duty of at least five other appliances. $1,499 at shop.thermomix.com.
GOURMATE
Another all-in-one smart cooker, Gourmate, has a free downloadable app that lets you preheat the machine, monitor the meal, and access recipes. There are 10 functions, including cooking, mixing, grating, and kneading.
Gourmate, a Paragon Group USA brand, also breaks down into dishwasher-safe parts, which makes cleanup a breeze. $449.99 at amazon.com.
THE SMOKING GUN
Breville offers more than toaster ovens and coffee makers. Consider the brand’s Smoking Gun, which infuses food and cocktails with applewood or hickory flavors sans heat. $99.95 at Williams-Sonoma and williams-sonoma.com.
COSORI DUAL BLAZE SMART AIR FRYER
There are air fryers, and then there is this 6.8-quart, 12-function model by Cosori. Thanks to the dual-heating elements, you don’t need to flip the food to cook it evenly.
For the high-tech home chef, the sweet spot is the smart control that lets you remotely manage the process. You can also ask Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to do the work. $179.99 at cosori.com.
REVOLUTION TOASTER
The Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 Toaster boasts a digital touch screen that lets you program your preferred settings and watch the bread brown and crisp. The machine counts down the process and plays a musical chime when your bagel or bread is ready.
To make sandwiches that impress, purchase the optional panini press, which neatly slides into one side of the toaster. $349.95 at revcook.com.
R-BOX COMBI STEAM OVEN
Cook like the pros with the ROBAM R-Box CT763, a countertop appliance. There are three professional steam modes and two baking functions, plus controls for grilling, convection, and air frying. It's available in three contemporary colors. $649 at robamliving.com.
SAKI BREAD MAKER
Bread makers are nothing new, but Saki’s version goes above and beyond. Add the ingredients and choose your preferred crust color, from light to dark. Then walk away. Want delayed gratification? Set the 15-hour time delay and wake up to the aroma of fresh bread.
With a 3-pound capacity, this machine ensures you’ll always have enough bread. $169 at saki.us.
THE ART
SodaStream keeps refining its soda-making machine. Take, for instance, the new Art, which has a carbonating lever to customize the bubbles. It helps that Art is so stylish you’ll want to put it on display in your kitchen. $129.99 at sodastream.com, Walmart, and Target.
BARSYS
Make cocktails like a seasoned mixologist using the Barsys Smart Coaster, which links to an app with 2,000 curated recipes.
Select the drink, assemble the ingredients, and follow the instructions. The coaster changes colors to indicate when you should stop pouring. $149 at thebarsys.com.
PANASONIC TOASTER OVEN FLASHXPRESS
The Panasonic FlashXpress is compact, making it perfect for budding chefs in their first apartment or cooks with small spaces.
Anyone will appreciate the speed with which it toasts the bread. The machine uses double infrared heating and offers six preset cooking modes.
ROCCBOX
Roccbox is a portable restaurant-grade pizza oven from Gozney that makes Neapolitan pies in 60 seconds. Because the oven requires gas, it is an outdoor cooking tool. $499 at us.gozney.com
Prices in article are as of publish date and are subject to change.
