Meld Kickstarter smart stove knob (Photo : Facebook)
Do you love "smart" cooking appliances but hate the high costs? Meld has developed a new low-cost smart stove knob device, Kickstarter. It uses Bluetooth and an app to precision-cook foods by using automatic temperature controls.
The knob was developed by the Seattle-based startup company Meld. Users can retrofit the device onto their existing cooktops.
Kickstarter has three different parts. They include a motorized knob equipped with Bluetooth short-distance wireless technology.
The smart knob also contains a wireless temperature sensor called the Meld Clip. The clip attaches to users' cooking devices.
Kickstarter is also sold with a mobile app, which connects all of the components of the smart knob.
To use the Meld knob, users simply replace the analog knobs on their stoves. Then they connect it to the Meld Clip, and use Bluetooth to link it to Kickstarter's mobile app.
After installing Kickstarter, the knob will automatically increase or decrease the stove's burner. That will maintain a perfect temperature.
The user just has to inform the app what type of food he or she is cooking. It will transmit the data to the Meld Clip, which will itself inform the knob which temperature to maintain.
This device is a "game changer" according to Digital Trends. Users could cook sous vide, which typically requires temperature-controlled steaming for at least 96 hours. They could also avoid overheating oil while deep frying dishes.
Jon Jenkins, CEO of Meld, explains that the Kickstarter can be used for "tempering chocolate" or brewing beer. Other applications include "making soap," according to Engadget.
Jenkins also describes the response time of the knob as "very fast." The smart knob can make temperature adjustments in less than three seconds.
Meld is still solving engineering issues such as how Kickstarter would work across various types of cooktops. However, the device is still critical in transporting cooking "into the 21st century."
Interested consumers will have to wait until Meld's creators have raised enough funds for Kickstarter's production. However, if you donate $129 you could likely have your own unit shipped by October.
