Smart kitchens have all sorts of appliances, large and small, that integrate into a home network. These appliances link directly to the cloud via the internet and ensure that everything is running at peak efficiency. They may also have patterns that help them recognize when low energy consumption brings down the cost of that energy, and opt to run at that time. While there are differences between brands that offer a specific type of smart appliance, they often do very much the same thing. This means that it’s up to the purchaser as to which brand they really want to look into. With smart appliances, ensuring you have the same brand usually ensures their overall compatibility and ease of use with phone apps. It’s also important to understand that new manual features and digital settings contribute to the overall desirability of each appliance, respectively. While early adopters may opt for the newest, there’s still cooking, cleaning, and refrigeration to be done. This article focuses on large appliances.
1 - Smart Refrigerators
These refrigerators are hooked up to the cloud through the internet. Smart refrigerators are becoming less a fantasy and more an expensive reality, but because relatively few manufacturers make them, there are very few points of comparison to non-smart models. However, the features these models do have are interesting, from monitoring the temperature of the refrigerator and letting one know the door is left open to assessing what remains of an item and alerting one to pick it up on the way home. There are, as mentioned, only a few different manufacturers of these models. LG, GE, and Samsung are at the front edge of this wave.
2 - Smart Ranges
Smart ranges, like smart fridges, are hooked up to the cloud. Through the internet and a smartphone, they are capable of accessing recipe apps, assessing what’s in the refrigerator, and of determining what was put into the oven was frozen or pre-thawed. There are only a few makers of these ranges—LG, Whirlpool, and Samsung. Ranges of this type also have the features of standard models, with either four or six burners of varying intensity, and often at least one which acts as a warmer.
3 - Smart Dishwashers
This is, perhaps, the most effective of the smart appliances so far. Not only are smart features integrated, but improvements to the design and operation have been incorporated as well. Fold-down tines and sliding or adjustable racks help to accommodate unusual items along with the standard flatware and dinnerware. In many, a third, thin drawer allows for platters, baking sheets, and cooking utensils. Plus, a reservoir holds filtered water from the rinse cycle, using it during the next load and saving on water consumption by thirty percent or more.
Additionally, WiFi connectivity allows the integration of the dishwasher into a smart home routine. One can monitor the cycles from anywhere, download new cycles for unusual items, and lock or unlock the door from anywhere. Voice activation is possible through Google Home Assistant or Alexa, and in cases where the dish detergent is automatically dispensed, it can let one know to order more when it gets low or order it automatically.
4 - Smart Washer and Dryer Sets
While each of these can be purchased alone, they are often purchased as a set. They include all the updates and upgrades that digital washers offered to consumers, with greater sensitivity and adjustable washing cycles. However, with their ability to link seamlessly into a smart home network, they can also be monitored and augmented via a smartphone.
Smart washers are capable of remotely stopping, starting, and monitoring or scheduling the cycles for a time that works more efficiently. They can also control the settings and receive notifications when a cycle finishes or use voice commands via Google Assistant or Alexa. Diagnostic sensors allow for self-wash or to alert the user when something isn’t functioning properly. Plus, with the Amazon Dash Button, one can automatically order more detergent when it gets low.
Smart Dryers are similarly equipped with WiFi that allows the user to extend, stop, or start the cycles remotely and helps to seamlessly enmesh the drying in the smart home system. It can also run during periods of low energy consumption, which saves the user money. Users can also utilize voice commands through Google Assistant and Alexa, and download different drying cycles for specialty fabrics.
