9 Web-Connected Gadgets for Easier Cooking

Kate Puhala
Feb 23, 2014

We’d all be master chefs if we could take the guessing out of cooking—no more biting nails about overcooking that roast, or worrying if those eggs you bought a week ago at the farmer’s market were still fresh. Well, there’s an app for that. Several, actually, each accompanied by a smart gadget that are sure to save home cooks from dinner party failure in many different culinary scenarios. Check out these nine must-have smart gadgets you’re gonna need in your future kitchen.

1. Prep Pad ($150): Achieve a perfectly balanced meal with Prep Pad—literally! this sleek countertop smart scale assesses each ingredient up to 15 lbs that’s placed on it, and connects with an iOS app to give you precise nutritional information based on weight. The scale is easily wipeable—the surface is made from a non-porous, recycled material—and just nine inches wide and less than one inch tall, so it’s super easy to store.

2. HAPIfork ($100): Who needs a nutritionist when you’ve got a fork? HAPIfork, that is: the smart fork that monitors how quickly you eat. If HAPIfork senses you’re scarfing your grub rather than taking paced bites, it vibrates in your hand until you take it easy (way better than your mom yelling SLOW DOWN!, if you ask us!). With its companion iOS or Android app, you can check stats like how long it took you to eat, how many times you brought the fork up to your mouth, and how successful you’ve been at slowing your pace over time—according to HAPIfork, a slower eater is a skinnier eater.

3. Lapka Organic ($79): Feeling dubious about exactly how organic the food at your corner market is? If you don’t entirely trust the label, rest easy knowing you can definitely trust Lapka Organic. The pretty USB-shaped block contains a probe that measures the level of nitrates on your raw food, which determined whether or not it was produced using synthetic fertilizers or not. The corresponding app will let you know whether these levels are acceptable or not—that means you can shop and eat smarter!

4. TellSpec ($320): This unreal gadget made a hugh splash on indiegogo—raising almost four times its $100 K goal!—and it’s easy to understand why: just wave TellSpec over your food, yeah, just like Harry Potter would, and the computer mouse-like gadget detects allergens, chemicals, nutrients, calories, and ingredients in anything you eat or drink (take that Sherlock!). For people with serious food allergies, it seems like the sidekick you deserve.

5. Egg Minder ($70): Pro bakers, serious chefs, and anyone egg-obsessed, EggMinder is the kitchen gadget is for you. This smart egg tray is as inventive as the rest of Quirky’s culinary-focused creations, alerting you when your egg inventory is low or when they’re going bad, so that you’re never in a scramble for eggs again! (ah-cha-cha!)

6. Smart Knife: Okay, this concept is crazy—a smart knife that can give basic information on the quality of your food as you slice it! Though it’s in early stages of development, the Smart Knife’s blade would double as a tablet (mind=blown) to show nutritional information, as well as gauge freshness and contamination levels based on readings it takes from sensors on the blade’s tip. No word on what it’s made out of (can you break into a coconut with this bad boy?), or how easy it would be to clean, but regardless, we’ve got a place reserved for it in our knife block. (via Design Lab)

7. Range ($54+): No more staring into your oven window, no more guessing how pink is too pink in your chicken, no more Thanksgiving disasters! Range takes the guessing out of cooking. Just place the colorful smart thermometer in your meat, set your desired temp on its companion iOS app, and Range will alert you when your roast is cooked to juicy perfection.

8. Wemo Smart Crock Pot Slow Cooker: A smartphone connected crock pot? This has to be the laziest smart gadget we’ve ever seen…and we’re obsessed. Control the cooking time, temp your slow cooker (may we suggest the name Crock Bot?) while you’re out and about, and even turn the device on or off as you please, all from the convenience of your smartphone. (via Belkin)

9. Brewbot ($2,830): Nail your craft brew every time with Brewbot, the smart beer maker that helps to automate the brewing process so you can spend your time tinkering with your precious recipe. While the rustic-meets-industrial design has us swooning, its size and price tag means realistically it’ll end up in the workspace of serious brewers only (hey, they’re always our Home Brew Pinboard!).

What smart kitchen gadgets have caught your eye? Tell us in the comments below.

Upper Kitchen Cabinets Are Totally "Outdated" For 2025 — What You Want Instead

Kitchens are already one of the most used rooms in the house, accumulating clutter in all kinds of ways.

In the past, interior designers and homeowners alike tried to compensate for never-ending storage needs by installing upper kitchen cabinets that extended to the ceiling. Now, however, it appears this trend is dying out.

Not only is all that extra cabinetry expensive, but it can also cause kitchens to appear clunky, overfilled, or top-heavy. Plus, they cast shadows and may make the space appear darker and smaller.

This doesn't bode well with the latest home design trends, which emphasize open spaces with a lighter vibe. So, more and more people are opting to install other, more modern storage solutions.

Here's what we know about upper kitchen cabinets — & what's replacing them.

​What's Replacing Upper Kitchen Cabinets?

Wayfair

First, you might be wondering what you'd do with all that empty space on your kitchen walls. Don't worry: it's not just going to remain bare.

Instead, open shelving — like these shelves from Wayfair — has become the go-to decor choice. It still affords you storage space but with a playful twist. This parallels the direction that numerous homeowners have been heading– moving away from their kitchen looking, well, just like a kitchen and infusing more personality into their unique space.

West Elm

Think about it: your living room may have a typical couch and TV, like most homes, but it probably isn't a cookie-cutter replica of anyone else's house. You have knick-knacks, artwork, lighting fixtures, and other furniture that you've hand-picked and curated into your very own collection.

Of course, kitchens will always be used for cooking, and they should remain functional. At the same time, though, many homeowners recognize that if they spend so much of their lives in this room, it should almost be an extension of the rest of their decor, like with these shelves from West Elm!

Amazon

That's precisely why open shelving is taking over. It affords you the ability to customize your kitchen to the max, adding anything from antique dishware, cool cooking tools, and vintage mugs to funky cutting boards or cookbooks as decor.

And by giving yourself the opportunity to decorate on a vertical plane, you're opening up a ton of counter space that might've otherwise felt cluttered and, again, dark due to upper kitchen cabinet shadows.

While this might sound great, you may still be concerned about all those pots and pans that are currently stacked in your cabinets. Luckily, there are other more practical storage solutions you can integrate alongside open shelving.

Wayfair

Pantries are a great option. You can transform a broom closet to store your extra dry goods and cookware. Or, infuse your kitchen with even more character by picking up a vintage armoire and using it as an unexpected pantry.

Your lower cabinets can get an upgrade as well. Many homeowners are opting for deeper kitchen drawers, meaning they can hold more pots and pans, as well as shelves that are tiered and roll out.

Amazon

It's important to remember that everyone's space (and amount of kitchenware) is different, so being thoughtful is key. Consider how much storage you really need, say goodbye to anything that's no longer serving a purpose, and get creative.

One thing is certain: you won't miss having to drag out the stepstool or stand on your tip-toes to access those hard-to-reach upper kitchen cabinets anymore.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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This New $5 Trader Joe’s Frozen Dessert Has Countless Shoppers Saying “Yummm!”

Sometimes a sweet treat just hits differently in warmer weather, and Trader Joe’s (in true Trader Joe’s fashion) just dropped thedessert of the spring and summer. I hear you, I hear you… it’s a tad bit early to start thinking about scorching, sunny days, but trust me: this new $5 dessert will have you yearning for summer the second you see it.

Scroll on to discover the newly-dropped Trader Joe’s find shoppers are calling delicious, yummy, and amazing!

@trader_joes_treasure_hunt

The summery dessert in question is the all-new Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream, and it’s so dreamy. Featuring dollops of blood orange-flavored ice cream cased in sweet mochi dough, it’s the kind of sweet treat you can easily eat with your hands… and keep eating over and over and over again.

Any Lane / PEXELS

The mochi ice cream is also crafted without any artificial colors or flavors, so you really get the full effect of the rich citrus. Blood oranges are also typically sweeter than regular oranges, making them perfect for putting into desserts.

@traderjoesobsessed

TJ’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed shared the new Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream with their followers, saying the treat is “tart and creamy” and also “not too sweet.” One commenter that got a taste noted that each ice cream piece is like “a creamsicle's more worldly cousin.” Another person compared the flavor to a Flintstone's Push-Up popsicle.

Well-rounded and nostalgic? Now I have to try this!

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

The Trader Joe’s Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream can be found on shelves for $4.99. Each box comes with 6 mochi ice cream bites, and what’s even more exciting is the nutrition label says a single serving size is 6 pieces – AKA the entire box. Woah!

Additionally, this sweet snack is kosher and gluten-free.

I’m definitely going to be grabbing several boxes to try – and hopefully manifest an early start to springtime!

What are your favorite Trader Joe's desserts? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter to discover even more new Trader Joe's items!

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8 Popular Foods Costco Stopped Selling (& We Really Want Back!)

Costco isn't just known for offering a shockingly wide array of products at unbeatable prices. The membership-only warehouse club is also a favorite shopping destination for all kinds of foods.

The infatuation among shoppers arguably began back in 1984. That year, the iconic hot dog and soda combo, which costs just $1.50, was first added to its food court menu, and it's been history ever since.

Today, people don't just frequent Costco; they're loyal fans of the store. So, when certain products disappear from shelves or the food court, outrage can ensue.

These are eight of the most popular foods that Costco has stopped selling, sparking a lot of upset.

Scroll to find out which popular Costco foods you can't find on shelves anymore!

1. Barbecue Beef Brisket Sandwich

Valeria Boltneva

The barbecue beef brisket sandwich is one past food court favorite that was sadly discontinued. It featured shredded brisket smothered in tangy barbecue sauce and topped with sweet coleslaw on a soft bun — similar to the sandwich pictured — for only $4.99.

While it was a hit with a decent amount of Costco members, there wasn't enough consistent demand to keep this sandwich on the menu. It also reportedly required more time and effort for employees to construct than other simpler options.

2. Kirkland American Cheese

Kirkland

You can no longer find Kirkland American cheese in Costco's deli section. This favorite for burgers and sandwiches was removed from stores in 2019, and it's unclear why.

However, some people speculate that the growing demand for other types of cheese, such as sharp cheddar and mozzarella, might've led Kirkland American cheese to become less of a priority. It seems like the above pictured American cheese slices are only available in Australia now.

3. Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Auntie Anne's

Costco's cinnamon sugar pretzel was warm, chewy, and popular among shoppers looking for a sweet pick-me-up. But you can't find it at the food court anymore.

The exact reasons for this treat's removal haven't been confirmed, either. Nonetheless, it's thought that cinnamon sugar pretzels got the boot due to a combination of low sales and Costco's shift toward offering healthier menu options.

If you're missing that Costco sweet treat, you can't go wrong with a cinnamon sugar pretzel from Auntie Anne's (pictured above)!

4. Kirkland Signature Turkey Burgers

Costco

Kirkland Signature turkey burgers were a convenient frozen food option packed with protein. In fact, each patty only had 200 calories yet carried 25 grams of protein.

Despite that, the turkey burgers were discontinued in 2018, and the reason remains a mystery. Some fans were so disappointed that they actually started a petition to get the product back in Costco freezers, but the store reportedly hasn't responded.

Instead, you can get a 32-pack of Rastelli’s Antibiotic-Free Turkey Craft Burgers (pictured above), if you're looking for a similar fix!

5. All American Chocolate Cake

Reddit/r/Costco

With multiple layers of rich chocolate cake that could easily feed a group of 20, this product was a go-to for countless shoppers. However, it was surprisingly pulled from shelves in 2020, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costco's exact reasoning is still unclear. Thankfully, though, chocolate lovers can now find mini versions of this dessert being sold as cupcakes.

6. Kirkland Signature Light Beer

Reddit/r/Costco

This product was Costco's attempt to enter the beer market. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark.

Kirkland Signature Light Beer received harsh criticism, with people online saying it "stinks" and has a "rubber smell." So, regardless of the fact that it was sold at a low price of around $0.50 per can, the beer was ultimately discontinued in 2018.

7. Polish Hot Dog

Costco

Despite Costco's Polish hot dog having a dedicated fanbase, it wasn't large enough to sustain this food court item. Low sales pushed it to be taken off the menu back in 2018.

In the wake of its removal, Costco shared a statement detailing how the Polish hot dog was discontinued to make room for healthier options, like the all-beef hot dog.

8. Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Bar

Costco

One final ghost of Costco's food court past is the chocolate-dipped ice cream bar. This dessert disappeared from the menu in 2013, but even a decade later, fans are still upset about it.

Sold for just $1.50, it featured vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and rolled in toasted almonds. It's believed that the rising costs of dairy and almonds pushed Costco to take it off the menu, and it's unclear if this product will ever make a comeback.

If you're looking for something similar, I'd grab these Kirkland Signature Ice Cream Bars — and they come in a pack of 18!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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