I, honestly love a good old outdoor adventure during the summer! Relaxing in the midst of nature, in a sweet bubble of my own, away from the hectic city life – sounds like heaven to me! Although, one thing that always worries me before any outdoor getaway is the meals! I’m a food lover through and through, and having warm and freshly prepared (and tasty) meals at all times is a must for me. A good meal isn’t always guaranteed though when you’re getting down and dirty in the outdoors, but we can always try our best! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of portable and functional kitchen appliances that will help you prepare delicious meals even when you’re surrounded by nothing but the wilderness. From a battery-operated ice-maker to an electric pizza oven for your backyard – we’ve collected a whole range of super cool and helpful outdoor cooking appliances that will deliver great food to you without fail.

1. Yuanye

The Yuanye is a portable outdoor barbecue grilling pan that you can bring to your outdoor adventures this summer. Though it looks like a portable projector, it is a super useful outdoor kitchen appliance that has been amped with a gas tank, fire source, and oil storage module.

Why is it noteworthy?

When you open it up, you’ll see two partitions where you can grill your meats on one side and your vegetable on the other. The design of this portable grill is inspired by the usual suitcases we bring when we travel, from the foldable design to the handle and all the accessories. But instead of being storage for clothes and other stuff we need, it’s actually for the food we need when going on a picnic or camping out in the middle of nature.

What we like

• You can cook steak and barbecue all kinds of meats as well as different types of vegetables with the Yuanye, allowing you to prepare a balanced and well-rounded meal
• Fashionable + good-looking appliance

What we dislike

• It’s a concept
• Looks a bit heavy to be carrying around, better suited for your backyard or close distances

2. The Calicamp Storage Drawer

The Calicamp storage drawer with outdoor kitchen fits into trunk space under the bed of the VW California and Multivan (other vehicles can be equipped on special request) and pulls outs for functionality, serving as an extremely useful and undeniable add on to your camper.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pull-out kit adds deep storage space for your gear or wings out on one side to provide a cooking platform with an installable grill, stove, and more; turning the camper van with no or small kitchen into a van with a gourmet-style fold-out kitchen.

What we like

• It comes preloaded with a charcoal grill, stove, trash bin, and cutting board to present an expandable kitchen

What we dislike

• It is designed for the VW California and Multivan. Other vehicles can be equipped on special request

3. The Viuu Bottle Opener

Bottle openers are probably the only EDCs to have undergone the least amount of innovation – a handle and a head are what you usually get. But YUUE Design Studio decided to revamp the age-old bottle opener. This one looks almost like a decorative piece, but without compromising on any of the functionality. You can now get your drinks ready in a really unique + effective manner with the Viuu Bottle Opener.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is inspired by window grill patterns, specifically those from classic Chinese architecture. There are three shapes featured: one hexagonal, one rectangular, and one with a semi-circular design. All of them have these patterns that may remind you of windows in old houses if you live in such a place influenced by this kind of architecture.

What we like

• Inspired by classic Chinese architecture
• Gives the traditional bottle opener an interesting makeover

What we dislike

• There are no handles to grip while opening the bottle, only the grill design
• Seems more decorative than functional

4. The FLEXTAIL EVO ICER Ice Maker

The FLEXTAIL EVO ICER ice maker is the ultimate ice maker with a built-in battery, and it also happens to be the world’s first. It tackles all the issues you face with the traditional portable ice makers, such that they do exist, but are burdened with slow speeds, and power cords.

Why is it noteworthy?

Right off the bat, you can immediately see that the EVO ICER is meant to be carried anywhere. Weighing only 20.9 lbs and smaller than most portable ice coolers, the ice maker can be easily lifted and positioned where you can easily make and grab as much ice as you need.

What we like

• The 200Wh battery inside means you don’t have to worry about power sockets, and the EVO ICER can run for as long as three hours on a full charge

What we dislike

• Doesn’t have an option to chill drinks inside if needed

5.  Makit’s Portable Microwave

Makit’s portable microwave utilizes a cordless XTGT system to assist you in heating your meals and snacks when you’re on the go on your outdoor adventures. It features 40-volt rechargeable batteries, which can use up to 500 watts for eight minutes and then 350 watts after that to save energy.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the batteries are fully charged, it will be able to warm up 11 meals or 20 drinks. It also has a USB port so you can also juice up your smartphone or a gadget, but of course, you’ll probably have to choose between your meal or your device. The microwave also comes with a handle and a strap so you can carry it around with you.

What we like

• If you’re worried about safety, the design has safety measures in place for the user’s convenience
• It also deactivates when it’s tilted or when the door is opened

What we dislike

• If you’re warming up frozen meals, it might take up more energy so you’ll be able to reheat fewer meals

6. The Volt 12

The Volt 12 is a compact, kitchen-and-outdoor-friendly oven that reaches ripping temperatures of up to 850°F (450°C), allowing you to bake the perfect pizza in under 90 seconds, just like your favorite pizzeria.

Why is it noteworthy?

Unlike Ooni’s other pizza ovens, the Volt doesn’t need firewood or gas to heat up. This upgrade to electrical heating significantly reduces the pizza oven’s overall footprint, allowing it to be as compact as the Volt 12 is. About as wide and deep as your regular oven (but half as tall, given how pizzas are usually flat), the Volt 12 sits anywhere inside or outside your house.

What we like

• The Volt 12 comes with an incredibly sleek powder-coated outer surface and a triple-paned borosilicate glass door that retains heat within the oven
• Clean-energy pizza oven

What we dislike

• Only for cooking pizza – does not support cooking other food

7. The Lava Box

The Lava Box is a concept for a portable stove that looks minimalist, classy, and not at all like the usual that you see being carried around in campsites and beaches. In fact, you might think it’s a vinyl player or a projector, or a luxury box. They’re actually some of the design inspirations for this stove or rather the mood board used in coming up with the final look. What you get is a box with a cover and when you open it, that’s where the stove shows itself.

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s a single burner with a refillable butane gas container fitting right under it. There’s a wooden know on the right that lets you adjust the flame level for things like when you’re heating water, frying something, or grilling pieces of meat. There are also wooden handles on the side for when you need to move the stove when it’s in use or has recently been used and you don’t want to burn your fingers.

What we like

• Small enough to carry with you on your outdoor trip
• Inspired by a vinyl player

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept!

8. Choi’s Portable Electric Pot

Designed by Yunsoon Choi, this portable electric pot is conceptualized for cooking soups and stews while camping. It would make a great add on to your camping gear this summer!

Why is it noteworthy?

When cooking soup, campers can use the appliance’s main basin to combine all of their ingredients. Just around the basin’s front panel, a timer and temperature control interface allows users to adjust the cooking conditions of each stew and soup according to its recipe. An additional light attachment is also integrated into the build of Choi’s electric pot, allowing for late-night cooking to soothe those munchies.

What we like

• Through a telescopic layering system, the different modules of Choi’s electric pot can fit into one another and be carried by a raised, removable handlebar

What we dislike

• It’s a concept!

9. The +Base Modular Griller

The +Base modular griller, supports almost any kind of cooking you’d want, from frying (teppanyaki), smoking, stewing, grilling, or even keeping wine warm in the form of a unique and innovative griller!

Why is it noteworthy?

Made by a small family-owned Japanese factory that specializes in sheet metal fabrication, the All-in-One Grill is carefully designed to maximize the limited amount of space available, like small grooves on the grill’s frame that keep the skewers in place. The wooden base that protects tables from the grill’s hot bottom also acts as a lid when the griller has to be stowed away.

What we like

• Let’s you cook in seven different ways
• Simplifies outdoor cooking

What we dislike

• Hardcore grillers may not prefer this design

10. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round. It’s a unique bowl food container that would be perfect for your picnics this summer!

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

• The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
• Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover
• Perfect for outdoor summer picnics

What we dislike

• Not the most shape-efficient design/shape

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances for your yard + outdoor picnics this summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

I love coffee, I need it to start my day, or else I simply refuse to start my day! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. There is a different satisfaction and pleasure in sipping caffeine that you know is the result of your own hard work, something precariously prepared with your own personal touch to it. And if you’re someone who’s chasing that feeling, then a unique, innovative, and interactive coffee machine is all you need, and ninety-five percent of the battle is won (the other five percent is you setting aside your laziness and actually operating the machine)! From a warm and gentle capsule coffee machine to a speaker-like portable coffee machine for coffee on the go – this collection of super cool and easy-to-use coffee machines will start you off on your coffee brewing journey. Cheers!

1. The Woolly Capsule Coffee Machine

The Woolly capsule coffee machine concept radiates a sense of softness and approachability and has a rather adorable appeal to it. It consists of very few straight lines and a muted color palette that heavily avoids black and reds.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee machine consists of wooden panels and metallic accents that contrast interestingly against the textured plastic surface of the body, creating a unique composition that is appealing to the eyes.

What we like

• Soft and friendly aesthetic, unlike the typical daunting coffee machines we come across
• Features embedded touch-sensitive buttons on the panel that take interaction to the next level

What we dislike

• A wooden body and coffee-stained fingers may disrupt the aesthetics of the machine

2. The Breeze Coffee Machine

Designed for the South Korean coffee brand Dongsuh, the Breeze coffee machine is a capsule coffee machine with a twist. It has a refreshing soft color palette with white, charcoal, and pink variants to represent a gentler personality.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee machine features a ridged surface wrapped around the base, which contrasts with the smoother texture of the head. The tall water tank at the back complements the subdued hues of the machine, sending across a message of calm.

What we like

• The design includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head

What we dislike

• It’s a capsule-based coffee machine but there is no knowledge shared on how to make the process reduce wastage or make it more sustainable

3. POCO

POCO: Portable capsule coffee machine is a compact and lightweight device that you can slide with ease into your back or backpack along with the required coffee pods. It’s the perfect coffee maker on the go for coffee lovers!

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s rechargeable using a USB-C: You can charge it on the go using your laptop or a portable charger. This makes it an ideal device for people who are always on the move.

What we like

• Features a built-in thermal insulation function
• Allows you to enjoy coffee anytime and anywhere

What we dislike

• Since it’s a concept we don’t know how functional and credible it will be as an actual product

4. The CJ

Espresso machine manufacturer Moak commissioned the Italian industrial designer Odo Fioravanti to design an eye-catching machine that is minimal, modernist, and brutalist

Why is it noteworthy?

Called the CJ (Coffee Jockey), the coffee machine includes various geometric shapes that have been bundled up together to create a design that is simple and beautiful. It has a soft pastel color which imparts the espresso machine with a classy and refined look.

What we like

• You can actually put two coffee cups in front and get two sizable espresso shots out of one process

What we dislike

• The design is for Moak and promises a new coffee blend and capsule system that is not shown yet, so we cannot speak on its functionality

5. Muuto

Designed by PDF Haus, Muuto is a minimalist matte coffee maker built from ceramic steel, that can be operated and used with the click of a single button.

Why is it noteworthy?

This minimalist coffee maker has a simple, no-frills design. It is intuitive by design and features a single button to kickstart the entire operation. The button is an easy-click power key placed on Muuto’s main rounded chamber. A tiny LED light can be found just above the main power switch and indicates three different signals to users: on, off, and fill.

What we like

• A no-frills coffee machine that is perfect for modern kitchens
• Intuitive and easy-to-use

What we dislike

• Overall a bulky piece that needs a sizeable real estate on your kitchen coutertop

The post Top 5 sleek coffee machines for diehard coffee lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designer: Kenji Abe for ifuki

As we usher into 2023, it’s time to carry forward the tradition of making customary New Year’s resolutions. Some common resolutions include weight loss goals, financial goals, eating clean, self-improvement, working out, following our passion, and so on. This year, let’s focus on home improvement and make some achievable resolutions for our abodes as we are spending a lot of time indoors. We must ensure that our homes are clean, well-organized, and comfortable to use. Maintaining the house requires hard work and effort, and these tips can help us organize better. So let’s celebrate 2023 with hope and positivity, as these resolutions can easily fit a busy lifestyle.

1. Decluttering

Decluttering is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to bring a sense of clarity and positivity into your home.

• Adopt the minimalist lifestyle. It is not about getting rid of everything but just keeping what you need. We tend to accumulate and hoard many things that we do not require. It takes a little effort to eliminate and donate the extra things. Check whatever you have before you buy more.
• Take some inspiration from the Marie Kondo style of organizing so that whatever product you possess sparks joy. This is a great way to make space for what matters and a Zen vibe.

Designer: Radha Sotomayor

2. Deep clean

It is time to pack all your Christmas decorations as the holiday season is over. Deep clean the rooms and create a maintenance routine to make the home a better and brighter place.

• Device a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routine which is easy to adhere to. Various checklists are available online. Choose the one that is best suited for your working style.
• Always keep a basic cleaning kit in each bathroom and kitchen for easier accessibility, quicker cleaning, and keeping the home more organized.

3. Organize your storage

Small habits that we practice every day will help us to stay organized and create a tidy home.

• It is highly recommended to store items of one category together. Demarcate different sections for keeping the toys, electronic chargers, books, clothes, craft supplies, papers, stationary, wrapping paper, and so on. It will become easier to search for things.
• Store your items in boxes, trays, and baskets. Labeling the baskets and containers makes it easier to find them amidst the chaos. Try to store vertically so that all the objects are visible in one go.
• Stop the paper clutter, as envelopes, catalogs, and documents tend to create a lot of chaos.
• Don’t forget to periodically organize the digital clutter of your phone, laptop, and tablet, keep deleting extra emails, photographs and unsubscribing to emails, to name a few.

Designer: Leydi Rofman

4. Clean and Organize the Kitchen

Your kitchen has worked hard during the holidays, so it is time for some deep cleaning and organizing.

• The first step is to empty all the kitchen ingredients and check what you need to keep, discard or donate. Check the expiry date of the non-perishable items and canned tins before buying and adding new grocery items to the kitchen.
• Empty the contents of the kitchen cabinets and divide the storage into items that we use frequently and rarely used items.
• Give a spring clean to all the drawers and cabinets and organize them in a grouping technique that suits your lifestyle. Place the items closest to where their function is performed.
• Neatly organized containers and tins make cooking easier and more efficient.
• Purchase additional storage and organization tools like roll-out shelves, baskets, storage containers, cabinet risers, and drop-downs to improve the kitchen’s efficiency.

Designer: Nancy Eaton

5. Organize your Home Office

Many of us are into hybrid models and work-from-home models, so we must ensure that the home office helps to improve focus and productivity. Also, we must prevent frequent clutter from building up.

• Don’t let the pile of papers and documents create chaos. Create a mail station for incoming and outgoing mail. Categorize the papers into different files, place them alphabetically, or the best way is to go paperless.
• Designate an area for keeping the printer and all the printing supplies. Use the vertical wall space to keep filing systems, hangers, shelving, and whiteboards.
• Organize all the office supplies in containers, drawers, and baskets and keep them out of view so that it imparts a decluttered look.
• Organize the books according to size and color, and genre.

Designer: norse.keeb

6. Invest in Smart and Energy-efficient Appliances

Here is how you can conserve energy and recurring electricity costs.

• Invest in programmable thermostats, smart appliances, and smart lighting to save electricity costs. One can control the heating or cooling of the house via the smartphone application.
• In case you need to replace white goods like refrigerators, air conditioners, and dishwashers, they should be replaced with Energy Star or energy-efficient appliances.
• Replace all incandescent bulbs and CFL lights with LED lights because these lights are highly durable, they are long-lasting, and come with superior energy—efficiency.

Designer: Samsung

7. Healthy Habits and Sustainable Lifestyle

We should be mindful of protecting our climate, and sustainable habits should be the core of our home décor. Some of the best ways to go green and reduce the carbon footprint are as follows:

• Create a clean and restful environment by tidying up your clothes every day instead of throwing them on the chair.
• Make it a point to switch off the lights when you leave any room — turning off the lights when not in use reduces the electricity bills and extends the bulb’s life.
• Reduce disposables, avoid single-use packaging, shop with reusable bags, and avoid prepackaged food by buying from the local farmer’s market.
• Air-drying clothes is more eco-friendly than using a dryer. It not only saves electricity costs but also reduces wrinkles and increases the lifespan of the clothes.
• Improve the thermal insulation of the house by caulking around the doors and windows and weather-stripping. This is one of the best ways to reduce air leakage and a cost-effective way to reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Seal and insulate the heat ducts to improve the heating and cooling efficiency of the home.
• Improve the water efficiency of your home with low-flow showerheads, as they can reduce water consumption by nearly 40% and result in significant savings on annual heating costs.
• Invest in low-maintenance and highly durable materials, as they can reduce the wear and tear of your home and enable long-term cost savings.
• Try composting at home, as it is a process in which organic kitchen and garden waste, like food scrap and leaves, break down into the soil. This is a perfect way to recycle waste from the kitchen and garden and convert it into nutrient-rich fertilizer for the garden.
• Segregate your wet waste from dry waste and place it in bins and bags in places that are easy to access. This segregation makes it easy to further segregate dry waste into different categories.

Designer: Katie Maris

8. Decorate with Plants

Plants are a great way to add beauty and color, it allows us to distress and lower anxiety levels.

• They come with air-purifying qualities that eliminate toxins and maintain good humidity levels indoors.
• Some of the common pollutants include mold spores, bacteria, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like benzene, xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene that are usually emitted from chemical cleaners and household products.

Designer: TerraLiving

The post 8 Peaceful New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

At Yanko Design, we believe in constantly innovating, creating, and evolving. It’s a philosophy that serves as a lifeline for us, and one of the results of this lifeline is the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub! The Inspiration Hub is our ‘ever-expanding encyclopedia’ of design work for you to participate in, to inspire designers, and to get inspired by. Created in collaboration with KeyShot, the Inspiration Hub is your one-stop space for inspiration where designers like you can submit your impressive designs and be awarded to stand out in the crowd and to inspire other like-minded designers.

To kickstart your journey and send some motivation your way, we’ve curated some of our favorite tableware designs from the Inspiration Hub. These unique tableware designs will motivate you to create something spectacular and submit the design, as a gateway to sharing it with the best of the design world. Additionally, we will also be picking our favorite Design of the Week, Design of the Month, and Design of the Year – every week, month, and year from the submissions on the Inspiration Hub. Keep an eye on our Instagram page and the Inspiration Hub to see if your design gets picked. Fingers crossed!

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

1. The Oku Knife

Designed by Kathleen Reilly, the Oku Knife was inspired by Japanese table settings and features a unique handle that folds at 90 degrees from its blade. The innovative folded shape of the knife allows the handle to be placed on a surface, with the blade sitting perpendicularly away from that particular surface. You can even rest the knife’s blade along the edge of a cutting board or plate.

2. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl & Servers Set

Element Studio and Joseph Joseph teamed up to create this minimal salad bowl and servers set. This smart space-saving design allows both products to be integrated into one convenient product, while harmoniously unifying form and functionality. It is quite pleasing to look at and also occupies minimum space on your dinner table and kitchen drawers.

3. Brunetti’s Ceramic Mugs

Designed by Frank Brunetti, these ceramic mugs are truly a beauty to look at! He opted for a full matte monochrome appearance, complemented by a touch of glossiness on the edge. He envisioned the mug in a wide array of vibrant color options, so they look like a wholesome and colorful pack of mugs when placed together. These would truly be a vision of your dinner table.

4. Wasteware

Viennese designer, Barbara Gollackner collaborated with Australian chef and restaurant owner Martin Kilga to create the ‘Wasteware’ collection, a range of tableware made using leftover food! The duo created a collection of bowls, plates, and cutlery using industrial and personal food waste. To bring the interesting tableware items to life, the studio utilized food waste such as pork skin, and old bread – from personal and industrial waste.

5. NEST

Designed by Mirko Romanelli, the NEST is a minimalist black and white salt and pepper shaker that draws inspiration from a bird’s nest. The shaker design was built using marble, providing it with a sophisticated yet sturdy identity. “The nest envelops, houses. and protects the egg inside. The aim is to work with marble through simple and geometric shapes such as the sphere and the toroid, enhancing the material aspect of marble and offering the user a product that gives great flexibility of use,” said Romanelli.

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to start creating your own design and submit the design to us to get featured on the Inspiration Hub and the Yanko Design Instagram Page.

The post Top 5 tableware designs to upgrade your mundane dinner table first appeared on Yanko Design.

Kitchen ergonomics is the science of designing a comfortable environment that adapts to the user and ensures smooth workflow with the least waste of time and energy. Ergonomics originates from the Greek word ‘ergon,’ which means work, and ‘nomos,’ which means laws. An ergonomic kitchen focuses on people, and it is the science of designing a comfortable environment for stress-free cooking. A kitchen is one of the home’s most functional areas where one needs to multitask and get involved in parallel activities like washing dishes, cooking, fetching ingredients from the refrigerator, operating appliances, and so on. Kitchen ergonomics aims to minimize body movements, enables one to maintain correct posture, and makes everyday cooking effortless so that it does not cause chronic pain or fatigue.

What are the advantages of an ergonomic design?

In recent years, ergonomics has become an essential feature in product design which is vital in determining the comfort of various products like a chair, tables, sofas, scissors, different types of accessories, and so on. In short, ergonomics or work laws are the optimizations of product design so that it works efficiently for human use. Similarly, an ergonomic space saves time and effort and ensures all kitchen activities function smoothly.

Designer: Unique Kitchen

What is an ergonomic kitchen?

These kitchens are designed as per the end user’s height, comfort, and working style. Note that kitchen activities like cooking, cleaning, dining, and entertaining might force us to stretch, and reach out for things, resulting in unnecessary bending and twisting or turning of the body that may result in stress. Hence, an ergonomic kitchen is designed to be easy on the back. It reduces the body movements and fatigue that one might go through while cooking and cleaning up.

Discover the science of some ergonomic principles that can make everyday cooking effortless. Factors like the height of various surfaces, distances, and placement of various items can improve the functionality and efficiency of the space.

Zone the Kitchen

The first step is to divide the kitchen into five zones: the cooking area (hob), washing area (sink), food preparation, and storage of perishable as well as non-perishable items. A good kitchen design understands the workflow of the user. The distance between these areas is considered so that one can shuffle between one activity and the other without crisscrossing or getting in each other’s way. For example, there should be ample space on both sides of the hob so that work people can simultaneously cook together if required.

Designer: Azzurri Kitchens

The Kitchen Triangle

An ergonomic kitchen triangle is a rule of thumb that has been used for decades and is fundamental to a good kitchen design. The three important areas of the kitchen include the refrigerator, the sink, and the hob; one can connect these areas with an imaginary line called the kitchen work triangle. There should be a clear, unimpeded path between these three points, and the distance between each of these areas should be minimized and unobstructed. This allows one to efficiently multitask between each of these areas for cooking, cleaning, and food preparation. Note that the length of each side of the triangle should range between 4 to 9 feet, and the length of all three sides, when added together, should range between 13 to 26 feet.

Designer: Elham Elezzi Design

Designer: British Standard by Plain English

Working height in the kitchen

The user does not have to adapt to the standard height of the countertop as it is tailor-made and customized according to the height of the actual user. The height of the countertop, storage, sinks, and oven head cabinets are customized to make it easy to work without exertion on the back. Also, one should easily access the overhead cabinets, so they should not be very high on the wall. Furthermore, all the utensils should be within the reachable height, and one should be able to operate the appliances easily without straining the back. The optimal working height of the countertop ranges between 85 to 95 cm. To be more specific, the elbow’s height determines the functional countertop’s height. The elbow should form a right angle 10 cm above the countertop when standing. Note that if there are disability and mobility issues, the countertop should be of lower height as per the user’s comfort.

The depth of the overhead kitchen cabinets should be around 38 cm so that one does not bump their head into these cabinets while cooking. Plus, the clearance between the countertop and the overhead cabinets should be at least 60 cm.

Organization

A well-organized kitchen boosts productivity and has everything in the right place. A combination of well-organized cabinets, kitchen tools within hand reach, and cleverly designed pullouts create a clutter-free space. Introduce organizers in differently-sized drawers so that they can be used for storing different objects and creating a neat environment. All the spices, oils, and pans should be near the stove. The liquid soap, dish sponge, and dishcloth should be near the sink. The waste disposal should be near the sink so leftovers from plates can be disposed of.

Designer: Sheerin Bespoke

Make optimum use of the corners of U-shaped or L-shaped cabinets inaccessible with corner modular accessories. Place cooking supplies and edibles in a single layer of drawers and segregate them as per their sizes to be visible in one go. A pullout pantry can ensure efficient storage and should be placed in one countertop corner. Place the plates, glass, cutlery cabinet, and dishwasher near the sink and store them neatly in the place where it is first used. Pullouts should open entirely to get a view of all the contents. Group all electric items, and it is recommended to go for awning-style top-hung cabinets and make them safe to use, considering they have the tendency to hit the head.

Designer: Novex Kitchen

Note: If you are a left-hander or a right-hander, organize the kitchen as per your comfort and how you intend to use it.

Good Lighting

Lighting forms an essential component of an ergonomic kitchen design. There should be ample general lighting where ceiling and pendant lights should be centrally placed. Since the overhead cabinets are projected, they cast shadows on the countertop, and this dark spot makes it difficult to see. Make provision for concentrated lighting above the cooktop so that the surfaces are well-illuminated with LED strip lights. It makes food preparation and cleaning much easier, reduces shadows, and creates a bright countertop. Overhead lighting will provide the necessary ambient lighting. There should be a window in the kitchen that can bring in maximum natural light during the day. Ensure the cabinets do not obstruct the sunlight entering the kitchen.

Designer: Berla Mundi

Flooring

Hard flooring surfaces like tile and marble can take a toll on you. Softer flooring materials like cork and bamboo are accessible on the body, providing enhanced comfort and easing the joints. If the flooring is hard, opt for kitchen mats in front of frequently used areas like the sink and hob to add a little bounce to the step.

Designer: German Kitchens London

Their ergonomic solutions are bound to improve the interaction between men and the entire kitchen. Embrace the science of ergonomics in your kitchen design, as a good organization is an excellent method of minimizing unnecessary body movements while working in the kitchen.

The post How to design an ergonomic kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re a passionate lover of cooking, or you’ve recently kickstarted your cooking journey, and want to accelerate it even further then you’ve reached the right place. Having an efficient and streamlined cooking process is the key to preparing dishes that simply taste excellent! And the number one aid you need in having an effortless process is an arsenal of great kitchen appliances.  With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be an increasingly fun and simplified process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From the ‘Tesla of Ovens’ to a multifunctional smart cooker that turns you into a kitchen wiz – these innovative and exceptional appliances are all you need in your kitchen.

1. The COit

Designed for LG, the COit is a robot that can serve as a hub in the kitchen ecosystem. Adequate for use by a novice (who can get cooking guidelines) and professional chefs (who can instantly share their prep), this is more of an autonomous device that brings your focus back from videography to cooking, which is primarily what you set out to do at the first place.

Why is it noteworthy?

Comprising a mountable rail with a circular display surrounded by a camera, projector, light, and a smart grip. All of these modules can move freely and independently on the small rail to cover the entire prep area or away from the fire and vapors.

What we like

• These modules – that clip onto the rail with built-in magnets – can be customized in orientation, depending on user requirements

What we dislike

• Food over the globe has such diversity, trying to standardise the recipe as per one instruction set would impact the diversity of that dish

2. Brava

Meet Brava, an oven that harnesses the power of pure light to cook food to perfection. Unlike radiant heat, which heats the entire oven chamber, light can be precisely delivered to specific zones within the oven chamber, allowing you to cook with precise control and no energy wastage.

Why is it noteworthy?

>With three dedicated zones on the cooking tray and lights above and below it to match, Brava can cook three-part meals at three different temperatures at the same time, on the same tray, and in minutes as opposed to hours on a grill or oven

What we like

• The three light zones help focus the heat into three distinct categories, letting you cook meats and veggies on one tray, but at different temperatures
• A camera built into the smart oven gives you a literal window into the oven’s interiors, letting you see your lasagna bake and your meat sear in real-time

What we dislike

• Some people may prefer ovens with transparent displays

3. Porsche Pepper Grinder

Say no to tedious twisting or manual grinding. Enter, Porsche’s pepper grinder to freshly ground peppercorns and season your dishes in an instant!

Why is it noteworthy?

Are you a foodie who appreciates finer things in life and has a taste for uber luxe? This Porsche Pepper Grinder is a perfect kitchen gadget designed for your special interests. Conceived keeping a discerning auto enthusiast in mind, this gear stick-inspired pepper grinder draws timeless Porsche design elements to deliver an unparalleled grinding experience.

What we like

• The intuitive one-touch operation ensures ease of use, making seasoning your favorite dishes a breeze
• A standout feature of the Porsche Pepper Grinder is its unique rotor-like grind-level adjustment

What we dislike

• There is minimal transparent/see through space to judge the quantity of material in the grinder

4. Pronto

Rather aptly named the Pronto, this relatively compact gadget handles every part of the cooking process, from weighing to sautéing, slow-cooking, simmering, reheating, and even air-frying thanks to its modular companion, the Alto.

Why is it noteworthy?

With its small footprint and multipurpose design, the dynamic duo of Pronto and Alto occupy a fraction of the countertop space and let you prep elaborate meals without all the messy dishes and dread-inducing clean-up. Pronto and Alto were designed to take the effort out of cooking, so you can focus on the most important part… eating!

What we like

• Multipurpose design
• Make meal prep easier, faster, and smarter

What we dislike

• There is a learning curve involved in getting used to the design

5. The Affinitea Brewing System

Designed as an elegant tabletop device, the Affinitea Brewing System expertly makes you a fresh cup of luxury loose-leaf tea in just 90 seconds. The Clearview re-usable chamber takes care of every aspect from agitating, pressurizing, and steeping the tea brew, before straining and dispensing it directly into your cup.

Why is it noteworthy?

The patented chamber uses pressure and agitation to handle the steeping cycle perfectly, creating a brew that has fewer tannins (the chemical that creates that bitter aftertaste) while extracting the maximum flavor.

What we like

• An LCD screen right above the control panel lets you view and confirm your choices
• Has a subscription service allowing you to try different teas

What we dislike

• Space-consuming and bulky design, especially in kitchens that are already crowded with appliances

6. Breeze

Breeze, designed for the South Korean coffee brand Dongsuh, drastically changes the appearance of a capsule coffee machine. This comparatively newer breed of coffee makers often have more stylish and less industrial designs, but they still can’t get rid of that shiny metallic luster common to kitchen appliances and tools. In contrast, Breeze applies a refreshing and softer color palette, favoring pastel variants of white, charcoal, and pink to convey a gentler personality.

Why is it noteworthy?

A ridged surface wraps around the base, contrasting with the smoother texture of the head. Another point of contrast is the tall water tank at the back, a transparent container that projects an image of clarity that, when taken together with the more subdued hues of the machine, seems to send a message of calm.

What we like

• The design includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head

What we dislike

• It’s a capsule-based coffee machine but there is no knowledge shared on how to make the process reduce wastage or make it more sustainable

7. Makit’s Portable Microwave

This cordless microwave uses the cordless XTGT system to help you heat your meals and snacks when you’re on the go. It has 40-volt rechargeable batteries and can use up to 500 watts for eight minutes and then 350 watts after that to save energy.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the batteries are fully charged, it will be able to warm up 11 meals or 20 drinks. It also has a USB port so you can also juice up your smartphone or a gadget, but of course, you’ll probably have to choose between your meal or your device. The microwave also comes with a handle and a strap so you can carry it around with you.

What we like

• If you’re worried about safety, the design has safety measures in place for the user’s convenience
• It also deactivates when it’s tilted or when the door is opened

What we dislike

• If you’re warming up frozen meals, it might take up more energy so you’ll be able to reheat fewer meals

8. The SüpKüp

The SüpKüp is a travel mug that is not really a mug in itself but serves more as an alternative to the disposable paper coffee sleeves. It is able to hold the paper cups (medium and large at least) that most coffee shops provide, including the still pretty popular Starbucks.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is made from durable polycarbonate and has a pretty elegant and minimalist design that can still display whatever cup is snugly placed inside. This holder doesn’t need any liquid transfer or constant cleaning that’s why it’s more convenient.

What we like

• Your hot drink can remain hot for longer, 50% longer, than when you just hold your paper cup
• Has a double helix screw ejector that lets you eject the cup when you’ve finished just by twisting the rotating base

What we dislike

• It helps retain your coffee drinkability rather than an alternative to disposable cups, leaving more scope for future sustainable improvements which we hope to see soon

9. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

• The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
• Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover

What we dislike

• Not the most shape-efficient design/shape for storage in a refrigerator

10. The Monolith

Designed by Italian kitchen brand Falmec and designers Studio Ferriani, the Monolith is an extractor hood that can be integrated into the benchtop, and also used as a nifty storage space for utensils.

Why is it noteworthy?

The extractor hood is a part of the Elements Collection and features a 90-centimeter-long suction element. It has also been equipped with differently sized storage units that can be placed and arranged in different custom configurations.

What we like

• Integrates storage units
• Sleek clean aesthetics

What we dislike

• Occupies space in a premium location, the cooking hub. Would be great if there was a stand/alternate method of placing the hood

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances designed to turn you into a kitchen wiz with ease first appeared on Yanko Design.

With a classiness one could attribute to Scandinavian or Japanese minimalism, the Luvia water-purifying jug believes in absolute transparency – both literally and metaphorically. Made entirely from glass, the Luvia jug helps you see the water as it’s being purified, and is minimally designed enough to make it worthy of keeping on your tabletop or kitchen counter. While most water purifiers have the appearance of an industrial appliance, the Luvia styles itself as a decor-worthy jug that’s beautiful to look at, with a compact catalytic carbon filter suspended in the center, and a chic bamboo lid that lets you keep the jug covered at most times.

Designer: Jacob Shumaker

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $180 (51% off). Hurry, only 8/190 left!

The usage of glass serves multiple design and functional purposes. On purely the aesthetic front, the all-glass jar is nothing short of stunning. Made with a one-piece design, the jar has a double-walled construction with two levels – one for the water you pour in, and another for the water that gets purified by the Luvia jar.

The jar’s borosilicate construction gives it crystal clarity while a 3mm cross-section makes the jar virtually shatter-proof and more rugged than most. Finally, the usage of all-glass means that there’s no plastic used anywhere in the Luvia’s design. Not only does that make the jar environmentally friendly (and somewhat recyclable), but it also means there’s no danger of unwanted compounds leaching into your water.

Sustainable Carbon Foam Filter – Independently tested to meet the NSF 42 and NSF 53 standards. It significantly reduces harmful substances such as chlorine, chloramine, PFOA/PFAS, pharmaceuticals, herbicides/pesticides, and trace heavy metals.

Simple Filter Setup – Made using eco-friendly materials and production techniques, their filter requires no additional housing, significantly reducing waste.

The Luvia is what we call in industrial parlance a ‘gravity filter’. Pour water into the top, and gravity forces it to pass through the filter into the vessel at the bottom. Without motors, pumps, or any electrical components, gravity helps purify the water, giving you clear H2O that’s fresh, pure, and odor-free. The water, in Luvia’s case, travels through a catalytic carbon filter that traps harmful substances such as chlorine, chloramine, PFOA/PFAS, pharmaceuticals, herbicides/pesticides, trace heavy metals, and more. Additionally, the filter helps with pH neutralization to give your water its great taste. The filter, like the jug itself, is sustainably made with a zero-waste zero-plastic approach.

The Luvia has a pristine, almost heirloom-like quality to it. Its clear design with the simple bamboo lid makes it a wonderful addition to most tabletops and countertops, while cleverly masking that the Luvia is, in fact, a purifier and not merely a regular jug. The Luvia comes with a two-liter capacity, and costs $104 for early bird backers on Kickstarter, while filter replacements are available as add-ons.

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $180 (51% off). Hurry, only 8/190 left!

The post This might be the most elegant water purifier ever designed first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are many techniques and tricks these days that try to recreate certain food smells and tastes with minimum fuss, but they can only go so far. The distinct flavor and scent of smoked food, for example, is extremely difficult to emulate without actually smoking the ingredients. Unfortunately, typical smokers are large and cumbersome to use, and they can only be used outdoors. Smoker guns, on the other hand, are too simplistic and sacrifice quality for convenience. Fortunately, the situation isn’t as hopeless as it sounds, and this portable smoker isn’t just easy to use indoors and outdoors, it even supports three styles of smoking to suit your food and your taste.

Designer: KIWAMIYATEI

Click Here to Buy Now: $159 $250 ($91 off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $182,000.

Barbecues and smoked food are some of the more difficult types of dishes to make, mostly because of the inconvenience of where you can do the smoking. Measuring only 24cm x 24cm by 21cm, SMOKER-X tears down those barriers and lets you smoke wherever you want to, even indoors. In fact, this smoker’s body is so compact that it works with any kind of stove top, whether it’s gas, electric, or induction. Whenever you feel the craving for a good smoked dish, you can quickly whip out the SMOKER-X to satisfy your appetite.

Mouth-watering hot bacon.

Hot Smoking – Fire up your wood chips and smoke passes right through to cook your food and infuse it with smoky goodness.

Portability, however, is just one of the tricks up the SMOKER-X’s sleeve. Its versatility lets you smoke any type of food or ingredient using the exact same smoker. Want a traditional hot barbecue? Just place some wood chips inside the main frame, light up a fire underneath, and you’re on your way to a great slab of bacon or steak. The built-in thermometer gives you a precise readout of how hot it is inside.

Perfect cold smoked salmon.

Cold Smoking with Ice – Add ice cubes to the saucer and place it over the wood chips. The smoke cools off as it passes through the ice, infusing your fresh salmon, cheeses and meats with smoky flavor without them heating up or melting.

Smoking more delicate food like salmon, nuts, and cheese? Put ice on the saucer between the wood chips and mesh rack, and you have an instant cold smoker that separates the heat from the smoke.

Wine-infused wings.

Water Smoking with Beer or Wine – The smoke from the wood chips passes through the liquid so that the smoke and beer/wine vapor is absorbed, resulting in juicy spare ribs or chicken infused with flavor.

Cook savory meats by pouring wine into the saucer for water smoking, infusing the food with a special blend of flavors in the process. Whatever the smoking style you want or need, SMOKER-X can handle it without breaking a sweat. Part of the secret is the smoker’s unique design that creates a narrow 6mm pathway for the smoke to pass through the saucer, making it possible to create all types of smoked foods.

Despite its small size, this multi-talented smoker is built to last. Unlike typical smokers that rust over time, SMOKER-X is made from durable and rust-resistant materials, employing three layers of stainless steel 304, aluminum, and stainless steel 404 for good measure. At the same time, the smoker is easy to clean as well and can be safely placed inside dishwashers. They say that productivity is about working smarter rather than harder, and smoking doesn’t get any smarter than this. With a portable yet durable construction and its three-way smoking capability, the SMOKER-X lets you become the barbecue hero of the party anytime, anywhere.

Click Here to Buy Now: $159 $250 ($91 off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $182,000.

The post This portable three-way smoker makes you the Master of the Pit anywhere you go first appeared on Yanko Design.

Say no to tedious twisting or manual grinding. Enter, Porsche’s pepper grinder to freshly ground peppercorns and season your dishes in an instant!

Are you a foodie who appreciates finer things in life and has a taste for uber luxe? This Porsche Pepper Grinder is a perfect kitchen gadget designed for your special interests. Conceived keeping a discerning auto enthusiast in mind, this gear stick-inspired pepper grinder draws timeless Porsche design elements to deliver an unparalleled grinding experience.

Designer: Sanjith Kumar R

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At the heart of this concept grinder is a powerful electric motor, which can effortlessly grind even the toughest peppercorns with just a press of the power button sitting on the top of the grinder. The intuitive one-touch operation ensures ease of use, making seasoning your favorite dishes a breeze.

A standout feature of the Porsche Pepper Grinder is its unique rotor-like grind level adjustment. Staying true to Porsche’s precision engineering and bespoke tire rim spokes, the grinder can be easily adjusted by simple rotation to customize the coarseness of your pepper that suits your personal taste preferences.

The grind level is indicated by three LED lights – red for fine grind, yellow for medium grind, and green for coarse grind – providing a visual cue for the perfect seasoning every time.

Sanjith’s pepper grinder is provided with a charging dock, adding to its convenience and functionality. The minimalist dock not only serves as a stylish storage solution, it also ensures your pepper grinder is always ready for use whenever you need it. By only placing the grinder on the charging dock, it can be recharged and ready to go for your next culinary adventure.

However, Porsche Pepper Grinder concept is not only about functionality but also about aesthetics. Its iconic Porsche design: sleek lines, premium materials, and attention to detail, makes it a true statement piece in any motorhead’s kitchen. So, are you buckled up to experience the thrill of precision seasoning like never before?

The post The ultimate electric pepper grinder for discerning food enthusiasts and Porsche fans first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flat-packed furniture and products have become popular these days because of their simplicity and their economy of space. If needed, you can easily disassemble some of these products and move them to another location without taking up too much space in transport. Of course, you won’t be moving a table or chair around that much, but smaller items are free game. Some furniture might even be designed to be portable from the get-go, easily folding or collapsing when it’s time to pack up and go. At first glance, this set of minimalist dish racks seems to be made exactly for that purpose, but its choice of material might make one wonder if it was really designed to hold wet tableware in the first place.

Designer: Ernest Perera

Dish racks are designed not just for holding plates, utensils, or drinkware, though there might be a few that are indeed made for that purpose only. In most cases, however, they’re also meant to help dry this tableware by letting water drip off them. This is the reason why most drying dish racks are made from stainless steel, coated metal, or even plastic, materials that don’t get easily ruined by water or moisture.

The Aurea collection of dryers and racks, however, is noted to be made from “stratify wood,” which might be a translation error for layered wood veneers. Whatever the correct translation might be, the choice of wood remains an odd one. Even with some coating, the wooden surface would still stain and be damaged over time, especially when repeatedly exposed to liquid.

It’s a shame, though, since the Aurea racks are quite visually and mechanically interesting. At first glance, they almost look like cardboard cutouts, except they’re made of wood, of course. That wouldn’t be far from the truth, though, as the pieces do seem to have been cut out in such a fashion to provide insets and gaps for putting plates in, holes for wine bottles, and protrusions for cups. There is also a variety of color options offered, including ones that try to emulate natural wood grains.

The racks also assemble like those wooden model toys, and their construction looks simple enough to assemble and disassemble repeatedly. This makes them ideal for use in outdoor trips or camping, except for the fact that they might not be able to weather the wear and tear of such use cases, not to mention constantly getting wet from holding wet plates and cutlery.

The post Flat-packed dish rack has a beautiful but questionable design first appeared on Yanko Design.