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Smart kitchen

Updated

Leak sensors under the sink, stove shutoff for peace of mind, under-cabinet lighting and freezer alarms: the kitchen upgrades that solve real problems.

The kitchen is where smart devices earn their keep fastest, because it concentrates water, heat and food that can spoil. The useful upgrades are rarely gadgets on the counter: a leak sensor under the sink and behind the dishwasher, a temperature alarm in the freezer, task lighting you can switch with wet hands, and an automatic shutoff for the range if someone at home tends to forget it.

Two cautions apply to every page in this section. High-wattage appliances such as space heaters, ovens and many kettles must not run through ordinary smart plugs unless the plug is rated for the load and the appliance maker allows it. And smoke alarms near cooking areas need the right sensor type and distance, or they will be disconnected after the third false alarm.

Kits 2

KitWater leak protection kit for a houseFive leak sensors, an automatic shutoff valve and a hub: the shopping list to catch leaks early and stop them before they flood the floor, with…KitSmart kitchen kitLeak sensors, fridge and freezer alarms, smart plugs and a voice timer: the kitchen gadgets that solve real problems, with prices, placement and…

Guides 7

GuideSmart under-cabinet lighting for the kitchenPlug-in bars, LED strips with a 24 V driver or hardwired fixtures: how to choose under-cabinet lights, size the power supply, add motion sensing…GuideSmoke alarm near the kitchen: stopping false alarmsKeep the alarm about 10 feet from the stove, use the hush button and ventilate. Never pull the battery, and do not replace a bedroom alarm with a…GuideRefrigerator and freezer temperature alarmsSet the alert above 40°F for the fridge and above 0°F for the freezer, with a delay so open doors do not trigger it. Know the 4-hour and 48-hour…GuideAutomatic stove shutoff devices: what exists and what needs a professionalSome devices cut power or gas to a stove when no one is in the kitchen, but electric ranges and gas lines call for a licensed installer. Compare…GuideSmart bulbs for recessed lights: sizes, fixtures and optionsRecessed cans take BR30, BR20 or PAR bulbs, or an LED retrofit module. Learn which smart bulb shape fits, why the can matters, and when a smart…GuideLumens and color temperature by room for smart bulbsPick smart bulbs by lumens, not watts, and by Kelvin for warm or cool light. Use this room-by-room guide to size your lighting, from kitchens to…GuideWhich smart plug for kitchen appliances like a coffee maker or kettle?Check the plug’s 15 A / 1,800 W rating, the appliance’s watts and whether its switch stays on. Many kitchen appliances should not be started or…

Comparisons 2

ComparisonPhotoelectric vs ionization smoke alarms: how they differ and what to buyThe two sensor types respond to different fires. Here is how they differ, why dual-sensor alarms exist, and which type suits a kitchen, a bedroom…ComparisonWater leak sensors or a whole-home flow monitorLeak sensors catch water on the floor where a leak starts. A flow monitor watches the main line for water running when it should not. See what…