Gadgets Blog » Appliances

A Coffeemaker for All Seasons: Krups Grind & Brew

Dan Evans — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:36:30 +0000

While I oftentimes feel cliche talking about how my life as a college student affects the content of the Smarter Gadget blog, today felt especially appropriate, given the nifty gadget we’re taking a look at. Students are notorious for sleeping far less than they should, and I, for one, can certainly vouch for the truthfulness of this supposition. While many drink coffee for the sake of the caffeine buzz, a well-brewed cup can be a great delicacy as well. Instant coffee is by far the most convenient, but in today’s gadget, the Krups Grind and Brew Coffee Maker, convenience meets function in an extraordinary way.

Much as the name of the gadget suggests, the Krups Grind and Brew fulfills all aspects of a satisfying cup of coffee. Whole coffee beans are placed into a compartment at the top of the unit, and with the simple press of the button, the coffee maker begins to grind the beans down. Following this, the brewing process begins, with hot water filtered through the freshly ground coffee. The whole process takes place over just a few minutes, and can be programmed to go off on a routine schedule. While this function is fairly straightforward in the realm of coffee makers, the aroma and taste of a Krups cup of coffee are head and shoulders above the quality of instant coffee.

Other custom features are built into the programming of the unit, giving you a good deal of flexibility over your brew. There are five grind levels and three coffee-strength settings to choose from, and the unit can be programmed to prepare enough coffee for anywhere between 2 and 10 cups, making it great for a family or even the office. An anti-drip valve enables you to pour coffee while it’s still brewing, activating the pause-and-serve feature on this gadget. In spite of all these features, the Krups Grind and Brew takes up relatively little space, measuring only 11-1/2 by 11-1/8 by 15-1/2 inches.

If these features haven’t sold you yet, the folks at Krups made extra sure the unit functioned well with minimal clean-up and even less noise. While other grind and brew models can create quite a stir in the process of grinding, the Krups efficiently and quietly unit operates , so it won’t disturb you as you sleep or (even worse!) wake you up mere minutes before your alarm. With a one-year warranty from the manufacturer, it’s a solid investment that will last for some time if properly taken care of.

Qooq: Great Gadget Idea for Home Cooking

colleen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:28:25 +0000

Welcome to the future of at home cooking, or should I say, at home qooqing! It may look hard to pronounce, but Qooq is pronounced just the same way as “cook”. Featured on Coolest-Gadgets.com, Qooq is a kitchen computer that comes pre-installed with recipes from 10 different chefs including videos of their preparation. It can also connect to the Internet through wireless or Ethernet cables and users can subscribe to monthly updates on recipes, or find their own online at various cooking sites. There is also a built-in meal planner, grocery shopping list, and internet radio station with speakers, and can be used as a digital photoframe as well. What’s not to love!

Mount this cool gadget in your kitchen for easy access to the world’s greatest recipes online.

The Qooq came out this September, but is only offered in France for around 350 Euro, or roughly $500. Programmed to only handle French audio and voice commands at the moment, it is a breakthrough object, though not ready for the mass market. Maybe you can be the genius to get a Qooq, open source it, and make it available to English-speaking cooks worldwide? Who smells a billionaire on the rise, because I sure do.

Informercial Junkie: Cool Gadgets Seen on TV

gadgets — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:11:31 +0000

Anyone who’s stayed up past prime time knows that late night TV is full of infomercials presenting sometimes awesome, sometimes kooky gadgets for just about anything. I find myself endlessly watching the looped broadcasts and fighting the temptation to pull out the old credit card and order right away.

What I can truly appreciate about these gadgets, though, is the engineering and inspiration that goes into them. That’s how all gadgets get started really. Someone has an idea, someone else thinks it’s good enough to produce and promote, and voila! The Snuggie is born.

I joke, but apparently that particular item is a great seller in certain regions. I see it and I think, “Hey, why not use a blanket?” but others see it and think, “That’s brilliant! Must have immediately!” Just goes to show… Actually, I’m not really sure what that goes to show except that we love gadgets equally for their practicality or kitsch.

The Clapper:
Classic! I’ve never actually used one or seen one in use but this is probably the first helpful home gadget commercial I can remember.

Clapper Plus Remote Control: $8.95

Portabook:
The uber-adjustable laptop accessory, it’s a stand and an organizer too. My lap does get hot after a few hours of use so that increased airflow would be helpful.

PortaBook Multifunctional Laptop Stand: $20.25

MP3 Waterproof Sound Case:
For iPods and other MP3 players, it keeps the device dry and plays sound through waterproof speakers. The floating case would make a great summer accessory for partying in the pool or relaxing in the Jacuzzi.

Waterproof MP3/iPod Sound Case: $29.99

Chamease / Zorbeez / Shamwow:
I haven’t tried these, but from watching the commercials, this could be an excellent way to go green by minimizing paper towel use. Yeah, you could use regular kitchen towels, but I’ve never seen one pick up a spill like these suckers – haha, get it?

ShamWow: $19.95

Power Trainer Pro:
The compact design looks easy to store and allows for chin-ups in the doorway — you know, for the home workouts I always intend to do.

Power Trainer Pro Pull-Up Bar: $59.88

Quick Chop / Slap Chop:
A popular design, choppers like these are really useful in the kitchen. Having used similar gadgets, I can definitely say they make the nasty business of chopping things like onions a lot easier. I don’t have to run to the freezer and let my eyes chill for a few seconds to get rid of the sting.

Slap Chop: $19.98

Riddex Plus / Pest Free Ultrasonic:
These appeal to me on a whole different level. They produce digital pulses or ultrasonic sirens that we can’t hear but bugs and rodents can’t stand. Even if I don’t currently have pests, it might make sense to install them to keep it that way, right? And also, does it work on certain pestery people? Kidding. Kind of.

Riddex Power Plus Electronic Pest & Rodent Repeller: $19.98

‘Ove’ Glove:
This was a great gadget idea because sometimes bulkier potholders don’t let a person get a good grip on a dish and I worry that it might slip, not only making a mess but risking another burn mark from trying to catch it too. Plus, men won’t feel as awkward using it as they might about a frilly, gingham patterned oven mitt.

Ove Glove: $9.99

Space Bags:
Anything that helps me keep organized is attractive. Not that I have so many clothes I need to compress them, but I like maximizing valuable storage space and minimizing clutter.

Space Bags: $6.95-$9.95

Fish Pen:
Not like the writing kind, like the fishing kind. Looks like a regular pen but the telescopic rod extends, reel attaches, and there you go. Having hiked with fly-fishing gear in tow, I can appreciate the convenience this compact rod-and-reel style gadget offers.

Coleman Fish Pen: $8.99

Margarator:
Haha, ’nuff said.

Margarator Margarita Slushee Maker: $54.95

Forget Takeouts, How About Web-Con in a Box?

gadgets — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:55:28 +0000

Are you a business owner who is looking for ways to cut costs especially mounting employee travel budgets on pretext of a meeting or a seminar? Is your company going green and exploring cheap, efficient telecommuting options to reduce it’s carbon footprint? California based, Rhub Communications’ Turbomeeting can be your cost effective, one-stop solution that amazingly packs quite a punch in a small, light weight box.

This one time purchase tool consisting of both hardware and software all stuffed in an efficient compact little container is all you need to meet your complete web conferencing necessities. It differs from other current companies providing a similar service because of the fact that it requires absolutely no cumbersome downloads, no annoyingly ongoing monthly fees and no pay per minute kind of hosted deals that could make you a nervous wreck trying to hurry along to the finish line. You just have to buy the box once and you are done! It provides four ways of confidential, secure collaboration:

1. Web based interactive meetings. Attendees can see host’s computer screen that they wanted seen. The host can easily turn over control of presentation to another person keeping things dynamic.

2. Remote support to both PC and MAC platforms. Can transfer files with just one click and even reboot remote computers. Host can securely take control of attendees’ computer on joining. Great solution for tech support type service models and help desk applications.

3. Remote access and monitoring of computers without interruptions. A perfect idea for telecommuters.

4. Web seminars delivered in just seconds. The universal access provides for any participant to simply log on just with a modern browser without any fuss of a download.

Turbo meeting caters both to small businesses and huge enterprises. It’s most basic version, TM-200, which has a maximum capacity of four meeting rooms and twenty concurrent users, retails for around $995 ($825 at Compuplus.com). For larger solutions with more capacity, check out their website at rhubcom.com. All purchases come with a one year hardware and software warranty.

Shouting Vase to Drown Out Your Temper Tantrums

nick — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:57:21 +0000

It’s amazing to me what people will pay for these days.

Behold! The Shouting Vase! For only $80, this magnificent invention will allow you to scream at the top of your lungs without the neighbors hearing a peep! Something you’ve been waiting to do your whole lives!

I’m in the wrong business. This thing is just a vase with a hole in the bottom. Put some plastic flowers in it and you’ll never know the difference and call it abstract art.

I can do this, if not better. I wonder if I can fool the public to fork out $80 on a $5 pillow. I can hear the sales floor now:

Customer: “Umm, what is this?”

Salesman: “A Noise Stuffer.”

Customer: “No it’s not. It’s a pillow.”

Salesman: “To the naked eye it’s a pillow, but let me demonstrate.”

The salesman screams into the pillow. Only a muffle!

Customer: “Wow, I’m sorry. I’ll take two. Junior has a temper.”

I’ll call you guys from my soon-to-be beach house in the Hamptons.

Source.

Coffee Mug Thieves Beware! The Lock Cup is Here

nick — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:11:33 +0000

There is a new sheriff in town.

Well, not really. I just always wanted to say that.

But if there was such a thing as the coffee mug patrol, they would love this little gadget.

An office worker’s coffee mug can sometimes serve as a personal shrine. It’s a reflection of themselves and they don’t want to share it with anyone. We’ve all seen the working class mom strolling around the office with the cup the reads, “The World’s No. 1 Dad.” Sorry Louise, it doesn’t fit you. And guess what? The “No. 1 Dad” is left without his morning cup of Joe.

In comes the Lock Cup. This little baby not only keeps your beverage warm, but with the flip of the wrist, it can create a nice little hole to prevent others with walking off with a full cup. Yep, it comes with a key that plugs up the hole for only you to use.

Now all you have to do is lock up the key so that no one steals it. Or hope no one holds your mug hostage. Either way, at least your workday just got more interesting.

Source: OhGizmo!

Earth Day Celebration: Eco-Friendly Appliances

nick — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:20 +0000

For those of you who didn’t know, today is Earth Day! And what better way to celebrate and honor Mother Earth’s special day than to help show and find you better ways to conserve energy and water to help her looking good for generations to come.

If you’re a home owner, then you’ll love these eco-friendly appliances that I’ve included below. They’re great for the environment, allowing you to save on both energy and water, helping to keep the earth green for years to come. If everyone was able to use eco-friendly appliances like these, it could make a huge difference in reducing the world’s amount of water and energy consumed.

Dishwasher:

Fisher & Paskel DD605:

This sleek, stainless steal diswasher from Fisher & Paskel has a 57% better energy efficiency rating than standard dishwashers, according to Energy Star, and exceeds energy saving requirements by 72%.

Refrigerators

Sun Frost RF-16 Refrigerator

This efficienct refrigerator uses 36% less energy than conservative models that don’t meet the Energy Saver criteria. A huge money and energy saver in the long run when you cut back on the biggest energy consumer of the home.

Washing Machines

Beko Express Washing Machine

Beko takes only 14-minutes for a small wash cycle which means it helps you conserve on energy. It can also calculate the exact amount of water to use depending upon the type and amount of laundry, helping you to cut back on water usage.

The check out more Energy Saver appliances and to understand how they rate products, click here.
Source: Energy Saver, Fisher & Paskel, Sun Frost, Beko