Smart kitchen appliances: from wine fridges to invisible induction hobs
These cutting edge gadgets bring the latest technology to your kitchen
As we level up our kitchens and they become the tech hub of the home – think instant hot water taps, ice making fridges, voice activated appliances and more – it’s important to consider the smart kitchen appliances you might need in your home.
This is especially the case if you’re renovating in the near future, as any smart kitchen appliances could ramp up your costs, but also save you time and money in the long-term.
What are smart kitchen appliances?
Smart kitchen appliances are things that will make your life easier when it comes to cooking. They can be as simple or straightforward as a wireless temperature probe for checking your meat, or they can be more complex like a vacuum drawer for keeping your food fresh.
In 2025 we’re moving towards more smart kitchen appliances, even if you’re not a budding Masterchef – simply to make life easier. So whether you’re renovating your kitchen in the next year or two, planning a self-build project with a sleek kitchen – a big renovation project could be the perfect chance to create the smart kitchen of dreams.
However, even if you’re not renovating, and just want some inspiration for upgrades, we’re sure you’ll find plenty here.
What smart kitchen appliances are best?
From smart kitchen appliances for fool proof meal prepping, to restaurant-style gadgets for the aspiring master chef, we’ve rounded up the gadgets that will elevate your kitchen project to the next level.
Whether you’re big into your cooking, or just a fan of the latest, greatest home technology, why not try these smart kitchen appliances in your new space?
Photo: This kitchen created by the Day True design studio not only looks beautifully modern, it’s packed with high-spec appliances for cooking to a professional-level
1. Masterchef must-have: vacuum drawer
What is a vacuum drawer?
By removing all of the air from the container bag, the vacuum protects food from dust and bacteria, while also blocking oxidation. This means that the flavours, aromas and nutritional value of any food, solid or liquid, cooked or raw, are all intact. It’s a practical way of preparing healthy dishes that tastes as good as if made from fresh ingredients.
A staple in the Masterchef kitchen, sous vide cooking allow for cooking at accurate temperatures. This vacuum drawer design from Smeg has been specially created with domestic homes in mind. Therefore, it’s great way to experiment with a new form of cooking to elevate meat, fish and vegetable dishes to the next level.
- Smeg Sous-vide drawer CPV315X stainless steel – buy here
Photo: Advanced vacuum drawers are available from Smeg
2. Healthy cooking: steam oven
Steam ovens are on the rise, but far from common in the everyday home. If you’re not acquainted with the idea, this oven uses the natural benefits of steam for better results than a standard oven.
Steam is healthier as it retains more nutrients and minerals, and it helps food stay moist, therefore tasting and looking better.
- Miele DG 7140 Stainless Steel steam oven, £1,649 – buy here
Photo: Miele has a wide range of steam ovens for most budgets
3. Perfectly cooked: wireless temperature probe
In development with state-of-the-art technology, the MEATER is an innovative cooking tool that comes with up to four numbered probes. Completely wireless and app controlled, this temperature probe is used while cooking and tells you when to stop with accurate readings transmitted to your phone.
Multiple different steak types can be cooked easily with an advanced estimator algorithm which lets you know how long to cook and rest your food to help plan your meal and manage your time.
The MEATER comes in an upright display case that is aesthetically pleasing on show in the kitchen.
- MEATER wireless temperature probe, £129 – buy here
Photo: The MEATER Block temperature probe
4. Ventilation: downdraft extractor hob
Ventilation in a kitchen needs to be adhered to as part of building regulations. However, if you’re keen to have your hob on an island, but don’t want an unsightly cooker hood spoiling the view of your kitchen, downdraft extractors are good alternative.
Largely, downdraft extractors offer recirculation, rather than actual extraction. This means that air is filtered and released back into the space. In this case, you’ll also need to maintain extraction ventilation elsewhere in the kitchen, though not necessarily through a cooker hood.
- Browse the downdraft extractor hobs at Elica here
Photo: The NikolaTesla Alpha by Elica
5. Stylish storage: wine fridge
What’s a restaurant-style meal without a good bottle of wine to accompany it?
A wine fridge may sound like a frivolous luxury, but if you’re serious about your collection, don’t disregard their special features and functions.
As vibration from standard fridges can affect the flavour of wine, look for styles with low-vibration cooling. Likewise UV glass prevents light from damaging your supply. Fridges with adjustable zones also mean that you can chill your wine to the perfect temperature, no matter the variety or colour.
- 60cm series 9 integrated wine cabinet, £3,700 – buy here
Photo: 144 bottle wine fridge from Fisher & Paykel
6. Sleek design: invisible induction hob
A range of induction hobs that are stronger, more efficient and more practical than previous models are now on the market. However, invisible induction hobs take the innovation a step further.
They are created with a robust, multi-layered material rendering it scratch-resistant, heat-resistant and non-porous. This also makes it durable and easy to clean even after continuous use.
In addition, the induction system and customisable designs allow creation of a specific cooktop suitable to the individual. These seamless countertops make cleaning easier leading to a more hygienic kitchen.
- Find out more about invisible induction hob from TBPtech and purchase here
Photo: An invisible induction cooktop case study by TPBtech
7. Convenience classic: boiling water tap
A staple for the modern kitchen: a boiling water tap will save you time, money and make your life easier.
This piece of kitchen technology over the last ten years has continued to grow in popularity, and is now a must-have for any kitchen renovation. If you’re still debating adding this valuable piece of tech to your kitchen, we share more about them in our instant hot water tap feature, but on the whole they are definitely deemed a worthy investment.
Our top recommendation is the BLANCO CHOICE, a 6-in-1 kitchen mixer tap which not only provides boiling water at the push of a button, but also sparkling, filtered and chilled water.
It comes in four different colourways, so you can select which suits your kitchen aesthetic between brushed stainless steel, black matte, satin dark steel, and satin gold.
Choosing a colour isn’t the only personalisation either. You can also personalise your water with pre-saved settings using the BLANCO app. These include controlling the amount of bubbles in your sparkling water, and the exact amount of water you’d need in your favourite mug or bottle.
- BLANCO CHOICE 6-in-1 kitchen tap, £3,198 from John Lewis – buy here
Photo: BLANCO
READ MORE
