Another Useless iPhone Accessory

Range is a cooking thermometer designed to plug into your iPhone, iPod or iPad offered currently only on Kickstarter by Supermechanical.

Range was designed in two variations: The Aqua has a six-inch, rounded thermometer tip and three-foot cord for general use, while the Ember has a two-inch, pointed probe and four-foot cord designed specifically for meat. Supermechanical claims Range can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

The networked thermometer concept isn’t new. Competitors such as the iGrill and iCelsius BBQ also plug into your smartphone or tablet. But Supermechanical says neither have the range of Range’s functionality — such as the ability to graph out your temperatures over time.

What set’s Range apart is its ability to graph temperature changes over time so you can compare the batches of food you are preparing. I know more cooks than candy makers and none have ever expressed a need for graphing temperature. What chefs do need is consistent temperature – or at least the knowledge that they have reached the desired temperature.

Supermechanical makes one mention that this as a convenient tool for Beer makers. If any home brewers are reading I’d like to know if you’d find the emperical data helpful.

So, despite the great graphic readout on your phone or tablet and the fancy alarms, this thermometer is no better than most (IMHO) because you can’t leave the room or your will not hear the alarm. Seriously? Why is this not Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled to talk to your phone when you have to step away or are cooking a dish with a long roasting time?

Supermechanical claims they don’t use Bluetooth because it’s not reliable. After doing a little further reading I found that they say you can push your notification to another iOS device as long as you have an internet connection.

If you are a candy maker, do you really want to risk getting your phone or tablet all sticky? I wouldn’t. I also wonder about having your iOS device close to heat. While the probe and heat-resistant cable may be able to withstand 450 degree temperatures how will your tablet fare?

August 4, 2013

High Tech Kitchen

The Prisma Kitchen from Italian Manufacturer Toncelli Cucine Spa is clean and minimalistic with tablet technology built into the countertop. The island concept is a collaboration between Toncelli Designs and consulting firm Experientia to create a new kitchen experience.

The black glass countertop seamlessly incorporates the large Samsung tablet and is trimmed with anodized aluminum. The sliding cutting board is a great feature if you are not vertically challenged. I would think it would be okay for dicing small things but I wouldn’t try to cut a pineapple or a watermelon on it. I do like the contrasting red color. The center of the cutting board turns via lazy Susan hardware. I’m not sure it is necessary but Toncelli states it is for viewing upright items like a tablet – do you need another one?

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”

The overall concept is successfully minimalistic while also being complex in its ingenuity. The lack of visible hardware and almost floating appearance of the island keeps the cabinetry streamlined but not boring.

The large screen would make recipe viewing easier than using a smart phone or a tablet. Unlike a tablet, it can’t be knocked off its perch. I think as long as the screen resolution is nice then viewing your screen at an angle would be acceptable.

I am curious if the type of person who would be most likely to want this technology might also be the person who grows tired of it the fastest. What do you think? Is this the type of item someone buys for themselves or do they buy it to impress others?

Toncelli has been creating beautiful kitchen designs for over 50 years. Their philosophy is to produce and distribute all over the world fitted kitchens enriched by the handicraft tradition. The secret to success is their “passion for beauty and the will to satisfy always the client.”

July 21, 2013

1945 Beverage Cooler

The Northstar collection from Elmira Stove Works has a new member – the 1945 Beverage Refrigerator.

The appliance combines iconic 1945 styling with the amenities of a modern appliance. In addition to chilling up to 120 cans, the 3.3-cu.-ft. beverage fridge can accommodate wine and other bottled drinks.

With four adjustable wire shelves, the 34-in. x 18-in. x 20-in. unit comes with a variable temperature control, interior lighting and a retro porthole window.

The Northstar beverage refrigerator retails at $1,195 and is available in nine standard colors, with custom options available.

If you combine this with the Northstar Keg Refrigerator in textured black, you could create a Man Cave with a throw back feel. If you prefer the candy red, a hot rod themed party room could become the center attraction of a home.

Some History:

Elmira’s connection to antique appliances dates back three generations. Founder Tom Hendrick’s father supplied wood burning cookstove parts to local Mennonites from his hardware store in Elmira, Ontario. In 1975, Tom saw an opportunity to supply not just parts, but complete cookstoves, to the local market and, potentially, all of North America. He acquired the rights for the Findlay Oval cookstove, and began manufacturing in what had been a chicken barn on the outskirts of the small town of Elmira.

In 2001 Elmira added 1950′s-styled fridges to its 1890′s-styled appliances. The fresh colors – Candy Red, Robin’s Egg Blue, Buttercup Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Mint Green; along with more subtle Black, Bisque , White and Quicksilver– smooth curved lines and bright chrome accents, were an immediate hit.

Drawn by the trend to reminiscent styling, a younger group of consumers quickly adopted Elmira’s Northstar line as its own answer to throwback “antique” styling. Over the next twelve years, the Northstar line expanded to include refrigerators, keg fridges, ranges, range hoods, splashbacks, microwaves and dishwasher panels.

July 9, 2013

Traditional Pulldown faucet

One of the difficulties in designing a theme kitchen or bath is finding plumbing fixtures that meet both the theme and the modern functionality homeowners want.

I was pretty pleased to discover this new traditional pull-down faucet from Waterstone Faucets. It’s designed and made in the USA from solid brass.

The PLP Pulldown is extremely gorgeous and would you believe it, available in 31 finishes. It also comes with 3 decorative handle caps and is reverse osmosis compatible.

The PLP spray head has a unique “PLP” positive lock that keeps the head in place. The counter balanced spray head extends 18″ from the spout and features two spay types.

Other convenient features are a control handle that adjusts up to 45 degrees (right or left) for clearance from backsplashes and the 360 degree swivel spout.

Coordinating accessories such as an air switch and soap\lotion dispenser are also available.

Category: Kitchen

Another Useless iPhone Accessory

High Tech Kitchen

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”

1945 Beverage Cooler

Traditional Pulldown faucet

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights that illuminate the pieces from below.”

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”