In recent years, the Crock-Pot seems to have made a comeback as families look forward to the aromas of a hot, home-cooked meal waiting for them when they come home from their busy days at work or school. But many of us may think of the Crock-Pot as just about the most “low-tech” appliance in our homes. You plug it in, push the on/off button, set a time, and leave it alone to do its job.
Not so fast… er… slow! Crock-Pot has partnered with tech company Belkin to launch the Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker featuring WeMo, a free app that gives users remote access to all of the slow cooker’s functions via a mobile device. The WeMo app allows users to alter the cooking time or adjust the temperature on the slow cooker using a smartphone or tablet. Users need not fret if they are stuck in traffic on the way home. The app also monitors cooking status, can turn the smart slow cooker on or off, and sends alerts to the connected mobile device when cooking is complete.
The slow cooker can also be controlled manually from the LED screen. And speaking of the Crock-Pot’s impressive LED screen, this smart appliance is also equipped with an LED Wi-Fi logo that indicates the connected status of the slow cooker. The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is compatible with existing home Wi-Fi routers and smartphones or tablets running Apple iOS 6 and higher or Android 4.0 and higher.
This Crock-Pot also incorporates a “tiered” timer function, in which it can be set to automatically run at, say, the appliance’s “high” temperature for 3 hours before automatically turning down to the “low” setting for another 2 hours. This kind of functionality makes it perfect for a busy chef’s harried Thanksgiving schedule, leaving the worry about timing to the smart appliance so he/she can turn their attention to more important things… like making sure that the rolls aren’t burnt in the oven!
Additionally, WeMo technology isn’t just for smart Crock-Pots. Users can program WeMo Motion to turn on lights or use the WeMo Insight Switch to learn about the cost savings of installing additional LED bulbs. Anyone interested in purchasing the Smart Slow Cooker can do so for approximately $130 on Belkin’s website.
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