FROM A TRUE INDOOR SMOKER TO AI-ENABLED KITCHEN SIDEKICKS, CLEVER WAYS TO MODERNIZE BOTH YOUR CRAFT AND YOUR COOKSPACE
BY TIA KIM
ZUMA LUMISONIC SOUND & LIGHTING SYSTEM
Playing tunes is a simple way to make cooking family meals feel less like a chore, but the kitchen isn’t the easiest place to hide a sound bar or multiple speakers. This smart down lights system blends room-filling audio with low energy LED illumination, and it slips right into your recessed lights to essentially disappear. The lights also come equipped with Zuma’s circadian rhythm feature, which instinctively matches the natural light of the day to improve energy levels and sleep patterns. $230+
AARKE CARBONATOR PRO
There’s hardly a shortage of at-home water carbonators on the market, but this one stands out in looks alone. The handsome drink maker is available in stainless steel and matte black expressions and offers stellar ease of use thanks to Aarke’s one-handed Push-to-Lock technology. The cordless system is compatible with all standard CO2 canisters and can carbonate up to 60 liters with a single push. $349
TOWNEW SELF-CHANGING TRASH CAN
What initially appears a humble trash vessel hides a secret superpower: the ability to seal up bags instantly with the simple touch of a button. Built-in thermoplastic sealing technology ensures you’ll never have to tie off a bag by hand again, and once the bag is removed, the refillable ring will automatically put the next liner in place. The smart system is powered via a rechargeable battery that lasts for 30 days. $68
ARDEN INDOOR PELLET SMOKER
With this year’s autumnal equinox in the rearview, this clever build will soften the blow of summer’s end by bringing one of the season’s favorite pastimes indoors. Through Arden’s “elimination technology,” this countertop smoker was designed for indoor use and requires no filters or maintenance. To fire up, simply fill the water tray, load the smoking pellets, and select your desired cooking temperature and flavor intensity, and in a matter of hours, you’ll have a freshly smoked rack of ribs or entire brisket without even changing out of your slippers. $649
COOKSY AI COOKING ASSISTANT
Like motor vehicles, kitchen work might be fully automated one day. Until then, this kitchen sidekick is the next best thing, providing AI-guided assistance for everything from pasta sauce to steaks. The small device mounts above your existing stovetop and, through video and thermal imaging, delivers real-time advice on when to flip, add, or stir your ingredients, sent straight to your phone. If you need to step away, the app will provide live video of your cooking surface, so you can keep watch from afar. $389+
CORAVIN SPARKLING WINE PRESERVATION SYSTEM
The Coravin system was revolutionary when it debuted in 2011, offering wine drinkers the ability to pour a single glass and save the remaining bottle for weeks, months, even years. But sparkling has remained notoriously tricky; even the most sophisticated stoppers are lucky to preserve your Dom for a single night. Enter Coravin’s latest marvel. The sparkling wine preservation system connects to the top of the bottle after pouring and uses CO2 to pressurize the remaining nectar, protecting your bubbles for up to four weeks, or until your next Sunday brunch. $399
More information about all items available at uncrate.com