#HTE

It’s Smart! Or is it? Highlights from the 2016 International Home and Housewares Show

With over 2000 exhibitors representing 40 countries, this year’s International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago embraced the theme of “It’s Smart” with some strong entries from major manufacturers and Silicon Valley startups in the smart kitchen and cleaning space. The standout amongst the smart systems include a debut by Hestan Cue, a smart kitchen system that integrates a smart pan, induction burner and app. Gourmia, a Brooklyn-based appliance manufacturer, showed a wi-fi enabled multicooker that can prep and cook a meal with the help of programmed recipes. An app tracks the progress of your meal and sends updates to your Android phone as it goes. And multicookers will be a bridge between the product islands of our current appliances and the connected future.

Multicookers ruled the appliance world with options from KitchenAid, Aroma, Crockpot, Redmond, Panasonic, DeLonghi and the likes. Each promised to outdo the next with the number of settings, attachments, bells and whistles. Alternatively, I loved the smoke-less indoor grill from Philips but unfortunately, us New Yorkers just don’t have the storage or counter space for an appliance of that size.

Other trends include the continued proliferation of stacking storage containers, lunchboxes and water bottles—seems like Americans are still on-the-go and are looking for simple design solutions to help them transition from home to office. Microwave cookers from Joseph Joseph and OXO could be one solution to that problem—now you can cook a whole meal in your office microwave. 

And in the cleaning space we saw a move towards more natural or chemical-free cleaning alternatives from brands like Casabella and Full Circle. Silicone has also found a way to invade the cleaning space with a few silicone scrub sponges appearing on the market. This is all great but really, what we’re waiting for is the robot maid.

Inspired by the kitchen tools you saw in the International Home and Housewares gallery?

Enter the Versatile Kitchen Tool 1-Hour Design Challenge Today!!

Welcome to McCormick Place

The theme of this year’s Home and Housewares Show is “It’s Smart.”

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Kitchen Sponges by Aisen

Each sponge comes with an adhesive side that sticks to surfaces, eliminating the need for holders that take up space and trap moisture, while keeping the sponge dry.

Photo credit: Jenn Tsang

12-Cup Coffee Brewing System by OXO

OXO’s new system of appliances, designed by Smart, feel contemporary and multifunctional. This coffee system allows you to brew coffee and boil water for tea simultaneously. The intelligent system monitors time, temp and has an integrated scale.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Cordless Adjustable Temperature Kettle by OXO

The base of the electric kettle includes a reference guide with temperature recommendations for a range of tea types and coffee.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Microwave Bacon Tray by OXO

A range of new products for microwave cooking appeared this year and this tray for cooking bacon has a nice leg that allows the grease to drain into a removable catch.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Spiralizer from OXO

We saw a lot of spiralizers at the show but this countertop option from OXO comes with interchangeable blades (that can be stored on the appliance!) for heads of cabbage, onions, carrots and cucumbers.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Natural Cleaning Set by Full Circle

Natural cleaning alternatives had a big show this year and this set with “recipe book” by Full Circle is a great introduction to DIY options.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Walnut Scrub Sponge and Scour Pads by Full Circle

Full Circle’s walnut sponge and scour pads use natural materials from the shells of the nut.

Photo credit: Jenn Tsang

Lemon Drops by Full Circle

An all-in-one citrus squeezer and ice maker from the sustainable product brand.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan

Multi Wrap by Easy & Home

An alternative to cling wrap, this multiuse, stretching silicone cover is popular in Korea and is now making an entry into the United States market. It has an infinite number of uses and can be sterilized in boiling water or in the microwave.

Photo credit: LinYee Yuan