GadgetLiving

Everyone loves to swim in the pool, but no one likes skimming it. Nothing can ruin that beautiful blue water like a bunch of leaves floating on the surface. Or worse, when it gets to that point where you push a giant dead bug out of your way as you try and finish a lap (yuk).

Well now you don’t have to waste any more time skimming the pool, let the sun do it for you. This Solar Powered Robotic Pool Skimmer navigates your removing leaves, grass, and insects, as it floats on the surface. Two solar panels on the skimmer collect and store solar energy in the skimmer’s rechargeable NiMH batteries. Two turbine-like paddlewheels propel the little gizmo and send debris to the skimmers filter.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“Four wheels on the side panels allow the skimmer to turn when it encounters a pool wall and navigate along the perimeter where dirt often collects. An internal microprocessor monitors the skimmers power and prods it to seek sunny areas of the pool to recharge the batteries. When the unit enters the s unlight, the microprocessor slows the rear paddlewheel, allowing the solar panels to collect optimal energy and, once the batteries are fully charged, the skimmer resumes the cleaning process.”

You can’t tell the temperature of a wine by feeling the bottle. You have to measure the wine itself. With this wine thermometer, you will always be able to serve and drink your wine at it’s optimum temperature, and therefore taste.

The thermometer is the size of a pen and is as easy to use as a pen. Just click and the retractable infrared sensor out to take your reading. You can set the thermometer to either Fahrenheit or Celsius, and it even comes with a recommended wine serving temperature card.

Check price and availability at New York First.

“If you’re a serious wine drinker you know that proper thermal condition is critical. The expression “room temperature” is no longer relevant to wine. Modern central heating systems cause rooms to exceed 72-degrees. At that temperature, all wines lose their appeal. Any wine served at an incorrect temperature is a disservice.”

To achieve the driest martini you must mix anywhere from 8 to 15 parts gin or vodka to just 1 part vermouth. Many professional mixologists add their vermouth using an atomizer, and now you can too.

Mist your martini with the tiniest hint of vermouth from this stainless-steel refillable canister with an ultra-fine atomizer. Your friends will love it, but don’t let them spray it too many times into their drinks (like you know they’ll want to) because it will ruin the vodka/gin to vermouth ratio.

Check price and availability at New York First.

“You can keep one at your home bar, or carry in your pocket or purse. It makes a perfect travel companion and a great conversation piece. Dressed-up in a formal black pouch for elegant gifting.”

The Kalorik Metallic Red Line Combi Mixer is multifunction and can replace several of your other kitchen gadgets, and look really good doing it too.

The Mixer has a beaker with lid and chopper blade for processing food. It has a whisk, and also a milk frother that can be used to make sauces, or whipped milk for lattes and cappuccinos. There’s also a blending rod. You’ll be able to make dips, soups, and blended drinks all with this one tool.

Check price and availability at Giving Gallery.

“* Stick mixer with full set of accessories including a nice stand for storage
* Red metallic spray finish and ergonomic handle ensure the best grip, even with wet hands
* Includes a base for the mixer unit & all accessories, your blender is always ready for use in seconds
* Metal stick blender with food grade PTFE Coating
* DC motor ensures light handling and durability
* Modern red metallic finish”

> Frothy cappuccinos and lattes are such a delicious treat, but steam frothing can be time consuming, a little dangerous, and can take quite a knack. Frothers that just use air on the other hand take no skill whatsoever, do the job in no time, and have no risk of burns.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“The Aerolatte Deluxe Edition is a stainless steel version of the original Aerolatte steam free milk frother. It features a longer lasting motor, thicker and more durable shaft, a liquid resistant seal, and a contemporary stainless steel stand. It’s great for making cappuccino, hot chocolate, or milkshakes, and includes two AA batteries. 5 year guarantee.”

I use my counter top grill all the time. Once you get this GT Xpress 101 you’ll wonder why you didn’t get a grill earlier. You can cook almost anything in 7 minutes or less because you cook both sides of your food at the same time!

The GT’s non-stick surface means that not only will your food cook quickly, but you won’t need to add any extra oil to your food, making it healthier and lower in calories. The GT has a built-in cord wrap and a compact design that makes it perfect for a small kitchen.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“GT Xpress 101 cooks delicious meals fast and without the added fat! With GT Xpress 101, all you do is place food in the preheated cooking wells and close the lid. The dual cooking wells and controlled temperature cook from both top and bottom at once so theres no turning or burning. GT Xpresss thermostat controls the temperature so you get perfect results every time - even if you leave it in too long! The hinged lid prevents spillovers and clean ups a cinch too, just wipe with a damp cloth. Enjoy healthy, flavor-packed, satisfying food in no time! 101 Recipe book includes meal, snack, dessert and low carb recipes. Features include: 101 Recipe Booklet Spatula Dual cooking wells Thermostatically controlled Floating Hinge Non-stick interior Ready Light Built in cord wrap.”

Pressure cooking involves cooking in a sealed container that doesn’t let any air or liquids escape below a preset pressure. Here’s how it works: water’s boiling point increases as the pressure increases, the pressure built up inside the cooker allows the liquid to rise to a higher temperature before boiling. Got it?

This All American Pressure Cooker and Canner has a metal-to-metal seal, and an automatic overpressure release. The wieght regulator lets you apply 5, 10, or even 15 pounds of pressure.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“All American has been making pressure canner cookers since 1930 and only All American Pressure Canners have an exclusive, precision machined “metal-to-metal” sealing system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal and permits easy opening and closing. Because there are no gaskets, you don’t have to worry about a gasket cracking, burning or needing replacement in the middle of a canning project. The Pressure Canner/Cooker can also be used to cook meals or desserts in a fraction of the time required by other cooking methods. Budget-cut meat is quickly cooked to juicy goodness with lots of flavor. Each canner comes with canning rack(s) and instruction/recipe book. The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe way to can vegetables, meat and fish.”

If you’ve only ever used a hand mixer, then you are missing out. You’ve got to switch to a stand mixer, the time you’ll save mixing ingedients more than makes up for the space the mixer takes up.

This 5-Quart mixer by Kitchenaid has a 450-watt motor and 10 speeds. It measures 16-1/2″ by 12″ by 14″. The great thing about this mixer is that the beater spins clockwise as the shaft spins counter clockwise, meaning that what your recipe will be be combined twice as thoroughly and twice and fast. The mixer comes with a flat beater, a spiral dough hook, and a wire whip.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“Equipped with a high-performance, professional-level motor, the Professional 5 Plus Series mixer can effectively mix up to 12 cups of all-purpose flour per recipe. Powerfully churns through double batches of cookie dough and yeast bread dough with ease. 450-watts Bowl-lift design 5-quart polished stainless steel wide-mouth bowl with handle Direct drive transmission, all-steel gears, and all-metal construction Commercial-style motor protection Includes Powerknead Spiral Dough Hook, flat beater, and stainless steel wire whip Multipurpose attachment hub with hinged hub cover.”

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No need to be chained to the babecue to make sure your food isn’t over cooked. This wireless thermometer verbally alerts you when the meat has reached the perfect temperature. You can program your choice of eight entrées and the “doneness” you want.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

The entrées include beef, lamb, veal, hamburger, pork, turkey, chicken, and fish. The four verbal and audio alert options let you know how cooked the meat is: almost ready, ready, overcooked, and an out-of-range audio alarm that can be heard from up to 330′ away when the selected temperature is reached.

“* Sensor has temperature range from 32°F to 572°F and the audio alarm sounds when selected temperature is reached
* Four doneness selections include rare, medium rare, medium, and well done
* Main unit will receive the probe signal from up to 330 feet away
* Stainless steel probe detaches from sensor for easy cleaning
* Low battery indicator”

No more struggling to squeeze all the juice out of citrus fruit. this Citrus Press has a patented mechanical arm that lowers with minimal force and a powered, four-fin reamer that extracts all the juice from any piece of citrus fruit, regardless of size.

Just place half your fruit on the reamer and lower the arm. The arm’s domed press centers the fruit on the reamer and automatically begins to spin. You get the juice with no pulp or pith.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“The unit comes with two interchangeable stainless steel filters (one with fine perforations and another with wide slots) that remo ve seeds yet allow you to determine the amount of pulp in your juice. The stainless steel reamer, juice collector, and spout resist citrus acidity and the housing is made from chrome plated diecast aluminum, ensuring years of durable use. With a soft-grip handle and a spout that raises to prevent dripping between uses. The reamer, filters, spout, and domed press remove and are dishwasher safe. Stainless steel housing wipes clean. Plugs into AC.”

This double-walled glass mug works with a specially designed electronic coaster to create the look of plasma sliding along the surface of the mug.

When you touch the glass with your fingers, the plasma will follow your fingertips as you slide them along the mug.

Check price and availability at ThinkGeek.

“* Touch and interact with the plasma light
* Suitable for use with any beverage - hot or cold
* Holds eight ounces of beverage!
* Completely portable (battery operated, uses 8 AA batteries not included)
* Independent ON/OFF control on electronic coaster
* Built-in AC Adapter Jack (Power supply sold seperately)”

I’ve wanted a deli slicer for so long, but I just don’t have room for any more gadgets in my kitchen. But this slicer folds-up…maybe there’s a bit more room in the cupboard over the fridge.

The Food Slicer has a 6-1/2-inch stainless-steel blade and a thickness control dial so you can slice from wafer thin to extra thick. The Slicer also has a switch that locks the food carriage limiting access to the blade when it’s not in use. All the slicing parts are removable for washing.

Check price and availability at DealYard.

“* 75-watt electric food slicer for deli-style slicing at home
* Housed in durable plastic; 6-1/2-inch stainless-steel blade; safety switch
* Thickness control dial easily adjusts from wafer-thin to extra-thick slices
* Easy-to-clean removable slicing parts and tray
* Tray folds up for convenient storage
* Dimensions: 4 x 12 x 10 inches”

iTouchless is a 13 gallon trash can that opens and closes without you having to touch it. This brushed stainless steel beauty has a built-in Smart-Chip that works like automatic faucets or soap dispensers. When your hands are about 6 inches away from the sensor the can opens, and 3 seconds after you moves away, it closes.

And hey, if automated trash cans aren’t your thing, there’s even buttons on the front to open and close the lid manually, and an on/off switch on the back.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“This trashcan creates a germ free, odor free, automated environment. It keeps your hands clean while you are cooking or playing with your children. It also helps prevent contamination, which reduces the threat of certain illnesses and infections. Because the trashcan turns an ordinary chore into something fun, your kids will have fun throwing the trash away for you. In addition, the Touchless Trashcan outlasts most of the step-on and hand-touch cans. If you can’t touch it, you can’t break it! These cans have been opened 100,000 times in laboratory tests, and they’re still going strong. In fact, if you open your can 20 times a day, it can last over 10 years. This could actually be the last trashcan you ever buy, which will save you money, mess, and time.”

I’ve seen some attempts to make kettles more attractive, but they still just end up looking like utilitarian items that you want to hide away after use. But the Capresso cordless H2O Plus glass water kettle really is attractive enough to leave on the counter all the time.

The kettle has is made of heat-resistant German SCHOTT Glass, has a 1½ quart capacity, and a fast, quiet boil. The kettle shuts off automatically once water has boiled, and the heating element is hidden under the easy clean stainless steel dome.

Check price and availability at My Secret Pantry.

“* Illuminated power switch, automatically turns off upon boiling. Ounce and cup markings for easy filling.
* Cordless design with 360° swivel base for right and left-hand use. Kettle lifts easily for pouring and serving.
* Cool-touch handle and drip-free pouring design.
* When pouring all of the steaming hot water at once, open the lid first, to divert any steam away from your hand.”

This electronic guide has over 1,000 recipes from renowned NY Times food columnist Craig Claiborne. There are appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, and desserts, but that’s just the beginning of what you can do with this kitchen gadget.

Now you can throw away all those cookbooks taking up too much room. The Recipe Master is a mere 3 7/8″ w x 5/8″ d x 5 1/8″ h, and it has a built-in, fold-out stand so it can stand upright on your counter. You can find, add, edit recipes, and even create a shopping list based on the recipes you want to make.

Check price and availability at Brookstone.

“Find a recipe for ingredients you have on hand or create a portable electronic shopping list—you can add a recipe’s ingredients with the simple push of a button. You can also enter and store memos on recipes you’ve tried, such as quality, ease of preparation and any adjustments you would like to make next time. The “Favorites” folder allows you to save 25 of the tastiest recipes.”

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