Crowded kitchens create interesting conundrums. Finding the perfect balance between essential devices and cosmetic touches can be tricky and relies upon a certain hierarchy unique to kitchen appliances and gadgets. Most people would probably agree that the stove and the refrigerator top the list of essentials; it's hard to not work around these two behemoths of the kitchen. But when it comes time to place the next piece of the puzzle, rarely does one next look up.

Installing into the kitchen ceiling, the Frecan Paradigma (Spanish site) is a combination range hood/lighting system that puts a previously under-utilized … Read more

Every kitchen needs a set of tools. Sometimes, that just means a bowl or plate and the microwave. (An eating utensil might come in handy, too.) Other times, it seems that meal preparation requires every kitchen tool in the house. In any event, to keep things mixing, chopping, slicing and blending smoothly, it's important to have the right tool for the job. Or in this case, all of the tools.

The Breville All-In-One Immersion Blender and Food Processor ($199) combines the versatility of a food processor with the convenience of a stick blender. An evolution from Breville's Control Grip … Read more

The kitchen cupboard is a portal that can lead to many great discoveries. However, the kitchen doesn't always have to be about exploration. Sometimes, it is a simple, everyday favorite that calls out to our stomachs. A go-to meal is after all, a meal to go to without hesitation. But for that, of course, you need a drawer full of hot dogs.

The methods employed to make a batch of hot dogs at home can range from the deceptively simple to the downright outrageous. However, even if you want it plain or if you prefer it to be a … Read more

The refrigerator door has long been a source for inspiration. On the inside, condiments line up and stand guard over the contents on the shelves. Pressed into action, they are ready at a moment's notice to be squeezed, squirted, and spread all over any meal any time of the day. But it is more than Sriracha and mayo that the fridge door has to offer. On the outside, there's a whole other world to explore. Now, with carbonated water.

The Samsung RF31FMESBSR 36" Four-Door Refrigerator with SodaStream dispenser takes tricked-out refrigerators to a bubbly, new level. Hiding … Read more

Kitchen appliances for generations have been sleek, shiny things not designed to particularly appeal to our senses as much as to convey a sense of almost clinical utility. The hearth of the home, being what it is -- a place of warmth and sustenance -- has in recent years seen a growing trend of kitchen gear and gadgets being more colorful than shiny. Bright splashes of color appeal to a broad range of consumers, but sometimes it is the complete lack of color that offers something more.

The Bodum Bistro 5-Quart Capacity Electric Stand Mixer ($400) updates a kitchen classic … Read more

Dining can be a delicate thing. Finding the right balance of flavors and ingredients can be tricky, but the meal is only half the story. Surrounding whatever food is on the plate, of course, is the environment. The setting could be anything from the soft glow of a candlelight dinner to the bright glare of a midday meal. Or, it could be any number of options dialed up from the range hood. Yes, that oft-overlooked thing above the stovetop.

The color of meal-making can now be controlled with the Arkea range hood made by the European firm Faber. The striking … Read more

The Epiphany One Puck may well be the world's most awesome coaster. It may also be the most useful. The One Puck doesn't just protect your coffee table from drink sweat, it also charges up your smartphone.

You don't have to plug the Puck into an outlet. It uses a small Stirling engine to provide the power. The device has two sides, one red and one blue. Place a hot drink on the red side, or a cold drink on the blue side.

Stirling engines have been around since the 1800s. They work by turning heat disparities into energy. Epiphany Labs has built a working prototype of its One Puck, though the company is still vague on just how long it takes for the device to charge up a phone. There are a lot of variables at play, including how hot or cold the source is.… Read more

Cooking is an action sport. Oh sure, there are plenty of options for those who go the less dynamic route, but when it comes to prepping ingredients, activity is usually necessary. Certainly kitchen gadgets do their best to make life easier for those who choose to chop, slice, and dice, yet still there usually remains a need for direct involvement from the chef. Sometimes, however, it is the smallest of features on a gadget or appliance that lends the biggest hand.

The Hamilton Beach 70730 Bowl Scraper Food Processor ($49.99) is like having a third (blade-proof) hand in the … Read more

Dyson, eh? The company is best known for making weird-looking vacuum cleaners and high-velocity hand dryers. So what's the British firm's next invention? Well, to paraphrase the great Admiral Ackbar, it's a tap!

Yes indeed, we've gone hands-on (or should that be under?) with Dyson's Airblade Tap -- a ludicrously pricey new piece of bathroom furniture. Click play on the video below to see what it looks like in reality. … Read more