The Need for Speed

Innovation in the kitchen is the end product of a seemingly endless search for the faster, smaller and more efficient. There’s always a way to build a better mousetrap, after all, and that is a substantial reason why our country has been an economic powerhouse for so many years. 

The idea that the gadgets listed here save time is certainly a compelling sales pitch. Just consider that, according to data published by the United States Department of Agriculture, the average American spends around 37 minutes on food preparation and cleanup in a typical day.

Also, a survey published by ReportLinker recently found that 98 percent of Americans prefer cooking at home to eating out. The survey was published before the start of the pandemic, which added to the appeal of eating at home and also created a trend toward smaller meals and recipes.

All these factors have contributed to the rise of multifunctional kitchen appliances. Here is a brief look at some of the latest and greatest. Recipes and step-by-step instructions for all of these gadgets abound online.

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

These make it simple to have fresh, cold-brewed coffee, as the only steps involved are to add coffee and let it steep overnight. Most work for tea or infusions as well.

Instant Pot Ace Plus

This 10-in-one hot and cold blender is from the makers of Instant Pot. In addition to smoothies, hot soups and rice, it can also make baby food, dips, salsa and nut butters. The Instant Pot Ace Plus has a microprocessor and eight built-in smart programs.

Power Air Fryer 360

Designed to replace a convection oven, this nine-in-one cooking device includes five all-over heating elements. It can toast up to six slices of bread, roast a turkey, bake desserts, air fry chicken, slow cook up to 10 hours, roast vegetables, dehydrate jerky and fruit, bake pizza, and bacon has never tasted this good. The manufacturer of Power Air Fryer 360 claims it cooks 40 percent faster than a traditional oven. True or not, baked potatoes turn out restaurant quality. 

Sous Vide

This small device attaches to almost any pot and circulates water at the exact temperature required to cook a meal. It can cook chicken, fish, vegetables, eggs, beef, lamb and pork, and has been used in professional kitchens for years. It’s how one coffee chain does delectable egg bites. (Copycat recipes can be found online.) Most sous vides — which literally translates to under vacuum, since the food must first be vacuum sealed in a culinary bag — can be controlled via a phone app and fit inside any kitchen drawer.

Electric Griddles

For those who do not want to grill outside, an electric griddle is a great option every meal of the day from pancakes, to quesadillas, to steak. Some come with a sear function, removable and reversible dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates, a contact grill, a panini press, a full grill, a full griddle, and a half grill/half griddle.

Immersion Blenders

This small but powerful device was envisioned as a versatile means of blending up smoothies, shakes, sauces and purees, including fresh tomatoes into crowd-pleasing salsa. Immersion blenders are designed to be cleaned easily and used with one hand.

Spending almost 40-60 minutes on cooking and cleaning may not always sound appealing. Also, the adage that cooking something lower and slower equates to a better end product does not easily mesh with the demands of modern life.

With the notion that speedier cooking times do not necessarily mean lower quality, or less taste, it’s likely the use of countertop appliances will only continue to grow.