Five Kitchen Gadgets That Are as Cool as They Are Useful
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There’s a meditative power in the act of cooking: chopping, dicing, shredding and even wiping down the counters after a great meal. That said, we’re all for making life a little easier when we can. These five high-tech gadgets—from a smart fridge to a cult-favorite stove to a beverage carbonator that’ll make you feel like a pro bartender—do just that.
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Mill Food Recycler
$999, mill.com
Feeling guilty about tossing leftover food but not ready to commit to composting? This food recycler—which is about the height and width of a regular trash can—transforms food scraps into dry, nutrient-rich grounds that can be used to enrich garden soil. The 41-decibel internal processor takes two-and-a-half hours to transform 1.4 lb. of food scraps.
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Breville InFizz Fusion Sparkling Beverage Carbonator
$249.95, Williams Sonoma, 140 University Town Center Drive, #253, Sarasota, williams-sonoma.com
Feeling bubbly? This sleek countertop carbonator, with its tilt head and magnetic drip tray, adds carbonation to water, juice, cocktails, tea and wine, while customizing the amount of fizz you want. (It can even revive flat Champagne or soda.) No more lugging heavy boxes of seltzer in from the car or worrying that the cans will explode in your trunk. Staying hydrated just got easier.
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Samsung Bespoke French Door Refrigerator
From $3,199, Lowes, 5750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, lowes.com
Gone are the days of boxy, bulky refrigerators. Today’s are streamlined, customizable, energy-efficient and—in the case of this option from Samsung—powered by AI. With a 32-inch touchscreen entertainment hub built right into the fridge, you can look up recipes, watch videos, sync your Spotify account and more. Customizable panels allow you to integrate the fridge into your existing kitchen design; and a touch sensor under the doors ensures you never have to smudge the door face when your hands are covered in flour. The newest versions even provide extra cooling when needed and can ID foods that are about to expire and suggest recipes for using them. Welcome to the future.
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Aga Elise Induction Range
Prices varies by design, Campbell Cabinetry Designs, Inc., 1531 Main St., Sarasota
When you hear the word “Aga,” you might think of a chubby enamel stove in a British country house that’s perfectly picturesque and stays on all the time, even in summer. (The ranges are so beloved that they’ve even inspired fan fiction called “Aga sagas.”) Today, you can get a bespoke Aga right here in the U.S.—and even choose from induction models. Aga’s Elise range features a large glass cooktop with five induction burners; two large ovens with five baking racks each, plus a smaller third oven; options for conventional, convection and fan-assisted baking, plus a 2,300-watt broiler; a spacious storage drawer; and more. It comes in 36-inch or 48-inch options in a range of colors, including green, matte black and cranberry, and will make you feel like you're on The Great British Baking Show.
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AeroGarden
From $49.95, aerogarden.com
Even with our bounty of wonderful local farmers markets, Florida’s high heat and humidity can make it difficult to source super-fresh greens and herbs year-round. Enter: the AeroGarden. Simply choose the unit size that’s right for you, plug it in, insert AeroGarden's pre-seeded produce pods (herbs, lettuce, even cherry tomatoes and petunias), water and feed your seedlings as they grow, and enjoy fresh veggies anytime of year. An LED grow light provides exactly the right amount of light, and a silent water pump ensures the pods are getting exactly the right amount of moisture. Cheers to leveling up your food and drinks.
