The first implement in the EasiChef range of kitchen utensils, the EasiSpread heats the leading edge of the knife to a little under 40C, softening the butter and making it much easier to spread on bread or bagel. The knife is heated electrically and the built-in battery can be recharged in the optional EasiDock charging unit. The blade itself is detachable and dishwasher safe, and it is expected that additional implements will be available in the future, including a heated ice cream scoop. I’d buy that version – nothing worse that chiselling out ice cream at -25C when the fancy takes you!

The second concept product in the British Inventors’ Project at Gadget Show Live is the SousChef from Ben Rawls. The SousChef is designed to circumvent the issues typically encountered when trying to use technology in the kitchen, mainly that it’s wet and messy. The SousChef projects information onto the kitchen work surface and uses infrared (IR) feedback to detect the owners interactions with the projected image. As there’s no direct contact, the SousChef doesn’t get wet, messy or damaged. There’s a built-in ultraviolet (UV) light that sterilises kitchen utensils as well.

Although the Internet of Things is very much of the moment, sometimes all you need is a connected device. In this case, the device being connected is a set of kitchen scales. Todd and Todd start cooking with Darin Barri and Perfect Bake Scale and App.

Targetted at cooks and bakers, Perfect Bake combines digital scales with a tablet app to make sure that the weight (or more correctly mass) is just right. Connected via the audio jack, scales can weigh in real-time, showing the quantity on the tablet screen. The app has hundreds of recipes and can walk the baker through the steps with mixing times and instructional videos. The scales come with colour-coded preparation bowls to help too and the app can adjust quantities to suit appetite.

There’s an even an oven thermometer to make sure the temperature is right, so whatever’s baked, it’s baked perfectly every single time.

The app available for both Android and Apple devices, the Perfect Bake Scale and App is available now for $69.99 from Brookstone. A Bluetooth wireless version will be available later in 2015.

If you do a lot of backwoods hiking, then you know that building a fire isn’t always easy and there are times when it might not be permitted at all. However when eating food cold isn’t the answer either, one solution maybe the product Magiccook. All that is needed to heat something up with Magiccook are the Magiccook pouches and some kind of liquid. It can be water, but you could also use snow or even a soda. Place the pouch in the container, then pour the liquid over it. Place the cooking vessel with the food in it in the container and the water will begin boiling in less than a minute. It will continue to cook for up to 60 minutes and can reach up to 203 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the cooking is done the pouch is recyclable.

There are two packages available, the smaller package consisting of a mug size container and 10 small pouches is $35.00. Replacement pouches are $15.00 for a pack of 10. The larger package consisting of a larger container and 10 large pouches is $50.00. Replacement pouches are $25.00 for a pack of 10. Further information can be found at the Magiccook website. Magiccook is not only great for hikers but also a great cooking source in the case of an emergency.

The Gadget Show isn’t all high-tech TVs and tablets; sometimes the gadget is much more practical. Case in point, Hygiene Innovations’ Auto Stirrer, a gadget for the kitchen which unsurprisingly stirs saucepans to stop the contents burning.

As you can see from the small picture on the left, it’s a tripod-like device. Obviously the feet go in the sauce and the grey cylinder on top vibrates to provide the rotation. The feet are covered in silicone rubber, making it safe to use on non-stick pans and the stirrer is dishwasher-proof, too.

The auto stirrer takes 4 AA batteries and is currently on sale for £14.95. Here’s a picture of the auto stirrer in action.

If you think CES is all geeky gadgets and gear, think again: many household names take the opportunity to show off their latest technology-driven product developments. Home appliance manufacturer Maytag talks to Courtney about their latest innovations.

Self-cleaning ovens are associated with high temperatures, long waits, clouds of smoke and bad smells as the deposits burn off. Maytag’s new self-cleaning range uses “Aqualift” technology to reduce the temperature to 200 F and the time to 1 hour. It’s a coating on the bottom and sides of the oven that works with water to lift the deposits so that they can be simply wiped away.

The Maytag’s induction hob is controlled by a touch panel which keeps the top surface smooth and easy to clean. Induction heating is efficient, highly controllable and much safer as the hob itself doesn’t heat up (though there are other disadvantages). It’s a technology that’s been around for awhile but hasn’t yet gained widespread acceptance – perhaps its time has come.

Jonathan Conelias of iDevices, Inc. (www.idevicesinc.com) presents the iGrill Bluetooth-enabled wireless temperature probe device that is designed to synch up with an iPod, iPhone or iPad and remotely display temperatures of cooking meats. It is able to monitor two temperatures at once and runs on four “AA” batteries. The iOS application features alarms that can be set to notify the user that the desired cooking temperature has been reached. The app also includes recipes and an Internet browser. The app is currently available for Apple’s iOS devices but will be available for Google Android by the end of the first quarter of 2011. It sells for $99.99 and comes with one temperature probe. A second temperature probe can be purchased for $19.99. The probes have 48″ inch cords and can measure 40 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit inside cooking meat products.