My clothes washer just informed that it needed cleaning… did I really need to know this? As a matter of fact, yes! I did!
It turns out that my normal thought process of running a tub clean cycle every 6-months or so was a bit off. My connected laundry has kept track of the number of loads processed and provided me with useful information that can potentially add years of life to my washer & dryer.
I’ll be the 1st to admit that I was initially skeptical about the integration of technology into my home appliances, after all, who really needs their refrigerator keeping tabs on which brand of Greek yogurt they like?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-technology – I just didn’t see how any of this would change the way I did things, until it did. In explaining the issues that are often the cause of laundry units experiencing a premature demise, the manufacturer of my laundry pair helped me to change my existing habits that would have, most certainly, contributed to future problems.
As more and more items become driven by technology one can easily take the stance of “Just say NO!” when it comes to appliances, but in doing so we may end up missing the bigger picture of how these items can improve our lives.
The goal here is to show some simple things that can have a definite positive impact on how we do things.
Consumers are going to the internet for information all day long – our phones are never more than a few feet away from us at any given time. Think of all the access at your fingertips that didn’t exist just a few years ago. The connected home allows you the ability to use that information to streamline processes, save time, monitor progress and even learn to cook like a pro – if it helps, think of it more like an assistant that helps get things done and then goes away.
The goal here is to show some simple things that can have a definite positive impact on how we do things. In my case, it started with a simple
reminder message that got me thinking about how I do or don’t use the helpful information at my disposal.
Laundry
I covered some of that earlier. Yes, very helpful. It can also communicate error code information for troubleshooting & service. You can monitor the remaining cycle time, your brand specific app will let you know when the cycle is complete as well as schedule cycles. You will know when your laundry is done whether you are on the other side of your house or the other side of the city.
My choice for best connected laundry:
LG Signature 5.8 cu. ft. Large Smart wi-fi Enables Front Load Washer
Cooking
My range is connected, so I dug a little deeper into the capabilities. Aside from monitoring the temperature, I can now use the (DROP) app installed on my phone to find a recipe, send the list of ingredients in a message (in this case to myself as a reminder to pick them up on the way home,) and then follow the simple, step-by-step instructions to completion. This app will also send the required settings to the oven and all you need to is start cooking! Now, while I have tons of cookbooks, this proved to be an extremely simple, and exciting, way to try something new.
My choice for best connected range:
GE Café Slide-In Front Control Induction and Convection Range with Warming Drawer
(While we are not quite where the Jetsons were with their connected technology, maybe someday, we will get our Food-A-Rac-A-Cycle.)
Refrigerator
My refrigerator is WiFi enabled and not only monitors temperature but can communicate diagnostic information to the manufacturer’s service department if, or when, something happens. This helps prevent the multi-visit scenario as the tech has the appropriate parts on the truck for the 1st visit, but after installing, diagnoses a different problem which he does not have the parts for. This is definitely helpful in saving time taken off from work for a follow-up service appt.
My choice for best connected refrigerator:
LG 36-inch, 22 cu ft. Freestanding French 3-Door Refrigerator with InstaView™ Door-in-Door®
Dishwasher
WiFi-enabled which is helpful from a leak-detection monitoring standpoint, as well as the standard control and setting notifications. We have covered Bosch Dishwashers before in depth, and you can read that blog here.
My choice for best connected dishwasher:
Bosch 800 Series 24” Recessed Handle Dishwasher with Home Connect
Other
What else could there possibly be? We have covered all the big appliances, but there is one more thing that stands out in my mind and it is very connected.
The Hestan Cue. What it is, is a stand alone induction cooktop base, that can be used with any induction compatible pan in the traditional way. You can turn it on and turn it up to the heat that you want. Hestan takes this a few steps further.
The induction base, as well as the included frying pan, are both Bluetooh connected! The frying pan is a high quality tri-ply stainless steel with a Bluetooth connected fob in the handle. This connects to the Bluetooth in the base which connects to your phone. Once this is set up, your phone will send exact temperatures and times to the unit and instructions to you via your phone. This allows you to cook professional quality dishes, well, like a professional.
Hestan Cue – Available in-store only
In just a few minutes, I was able to find several simple things my connected appliances have that will collectively save me time & stress down the road. Added to that, these can also be incorporated into the Alexa (Amazon) or Google Assistant products that many of us are already using, adding another layer of simplicity to our increasingly chaotic lives.
Time will determine which technologies will be adopted by the masses, but it appears that overall it is getting easier for manufacturers to provide mult-platform products that are actually performing as advertised. Stop into Metropolitan Appliance and we will be happy to start up an oven with a smartphone and show you what living in the future is like! As for pressing a button and having food served on the table, a la The Jetsons, I hear there’s an app for that.