Fridges have been a mainstay for decades now, especially following World War 2. After the war, the US became the world’s largest exporter of fridges and freezers, but today Asian conglomerates are not shying away from competing on the market. The fridge has remained relatively similar over the decades, but in recent years there has been a huge hype around smart fridges. They are supposed to know when you’re running low on groceries and order you some more, or learn when you open the fridge most frequently and adjust the temperature based on that. But is it worth your time?
The most useful features
Smart fridges come equipped with a variety of innovative features designed to enhance your kitchen experience. The central display acts as a calendar for family use and can showcase recipes, often accompanied by a dedicated recipe book. Many models boast spacious interiors that simplify cleaning with HG compared to smaller models, while some include an internal camera for checking stock levels. Additionally, these fridges can synchronize with recipes to help identify available ingredients, and when connected to your phone, they provide smart notifications about stock levels and recipe needs. Furthermore, energy efficiency is a highlight, with learning algorithms that adjust the temperature and a vacation mode to minimize power consumption. Some of the most useful features:
- Central display
- Recipe display
- Spacious interiors
- Internal camera
- Recipe synchronization
- Smart notifications
- Energy efficiency
What to know before buying
Smart fridges are not a cheap investment, and thus come in quite a bit more costly compared to traditional fridges. When considering getting one, it is wise to look at energy efficiency labels and make a list of smart features which are a must for you. This is because different fridges offer different features, for example do you want to be able to watch a TV show on the screen or are you intrigued by an automatic restocking feature? It is paramount to have an idea of these things before you make the investment, though all of them come with a built-in screen and can help with reducing energy consumption.
How smart fridges fit into smart kitchens
Smart fridges are no longer the only standalone smart appliance in today’s kitchens. A larger trend is at play where a variety of appliances become increasingly connected to the web.
The smart oven
A good example of this is the smart oven. This appliance allows you to control temperatures and heating functions remotely. You can place an oven-ready dish inside and have it ready by the time you arrive home. By setting a timer, the oven will shut down automatically when the timer expires. This feature is particularly useful if you accidentally forget to turn off the oven when leaving in a rush.
The smart coffee Maker
For coffee lovers, investing in a smart coffee maker is also worthwhile. These machines seamlessly integrate into contemporary coffee culture. By connecting to your phone, you can gain insights into how many beans are left and even brew coffee remotely. For instance, if you’re upstairs, you can instruct the coffee maker to start brewing, ensuring a fresh cup is waiting for you when you come down.
A seamless smart kitchen experience
A smart fridge can function very well as the centerpiece of the kitchen. To illustrate: the fridge offers you a vast list of recipes, and you can select whichever. Then, the fridge will tell you which ingredients you need, and if locally possible, order them to your house. Though the fridge does still need to be packed manually, smart fridges can offer tips and insights on how to pack ingredients for maximum freshness, directly combating food waste. Then, when you are ready to cook the recipe, which the smart fridge will lay out for you, it can also start preheating the oven to the right temperature, according to what is stated in the recipe.
Smart appliances and the Internet of things
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the entire network of devices, and in this case also appliances, which can go online and not only gather but exchange data. If they have this exchange capability they are deemed smart. Smart fridges are loaded with sensors which collect data on temperature, humidity and the energy efficiency. Furthermore, they have cameras which can look inside the fridge allowing it to know the current stock within the fridge. The exchange of data can happen between your phone and the fridge, such as being able to check and adjust the temperature from outside the house. This is done through the increasing number of Application Programming Interfaces (API’s) which allow various appliances to talk with each other. It also becomes possible in this way to use a smart voice assistant to communicate changes to the fridge.
Future trends in smart fridges
Smart fridges have now been around for a while, and many people have heard of them, but the producers are not done innovating yet. For smart fridges they are also trying to make AI integration a reality.
AI integration
This technology aims to provide personalized food recommendations based on your dietary preferences and nutritional goals. Additionally, AI can help track your dietary habits, making it easier to stay on top of your health.
Fitness app integration
Another promising feature is the potential integration with fitness apps that track calorie intake and monitor workouts. This synergy could help users align their nutritional intake with their fitness goals, creating a more comprehensive health management system.
Personalization
Personalization is likely to become a key focus for future smart fridges. Let’s say you have difficulty reaching certain shelves, the fridge could learn this behavior and adapt its packing instructions accordingly, making it super user-friendly.
Voice control
We can also expect enhancements in voice control capabilities. Future smart fridges may be able to process more commands and respond more quickly. Additionally, there will be possibilities to play with the lighting, such as a dimmed light at night or coloured lighting.
Do you think it’s worth it?
Smart fridges offer a mix of convenience and innovation, it really is an exciting addition to modern kitchens. Their ability to keep track of groceries, suggest recipes and enhance energy efficiency appeals to tech-savvy homeowners who value efficiency and sustainability. Do you think it’s worth it?