The Evolution of Kitchen Appliances
For many years, the traditional oven was a staple in every kitchen. It was an essential appliance that played a crucial role in preparing family meals. However, as technology advanced, new alternatives emerged, changing the way people cook.
The microwave became popular in the 1980s, offering a quick way to heat or cook meals. While it provided convenience, some purists were not always impressed with its results. More recently, the air fryer has taken the cooking world by storm. Introduced around five years ago, this compact appliance uses hot air to cook food quickly, producing dishes that resemble those made in an oven. Many time-poor cooks have embraced the air fryer for its affordability and efficiency, with models starting at just £20. Even professional chefs have praised it for being a healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods.
Jamie Oliver’s enthusiasm for the air fryer led to a cookbook, TV show, and collaboration with Tefal to create his own range of air fryers. Despite its popularity, the traditional main oven is being used less frequently, often reserved for larger weekend meals like Sunday roasts and even air fryer Christmas dinners.
However, experts in culinary innovation suggest that the kitchen landscape is changing once again. There is a growing trend towards moving away from stand-alone air fryers and focusing on making the oven the central feature of modern kitchens. Technological advancements are transforming ovens into sleek, futuristic cooking machines.
Major electrical retailers now offer increasingly sophisticated ovens with features such as self-cleaning, automatic cooking, and steam functionalities. These features are becoming more common even in basic models. Looking ahead, the next decade may bring hyper-speed cooking, live oven cameras, and voice-activated controls as standard.
Jag Sandhu, UK account manager at high-end Swedish kitchen brand ASKO, shared insights with the Daily Mail about the demand for guided cooking, automatic settings, and connected features that allow remote monitoring or additional help when needed. He emphasized that the best technology should work quietly in the background, simplifying daily routines without complicating them.
Integrated air fryers are becoming more common, and next-generation heating technology, including graphite elements that can reduce cooking times by up to 30%, may soon make pre-heating an oven a thing of the past. For example, the Smeg Omnichef promises seven-in-one cooking capabilities, allowing users to roast a whole chicken in just 30 minutes and roast potatoes in 35 minutes using a combination of traditional, microwave, and steam cooking methods.
Last year, electronics giant Haier launched the ID Series 6 Oven, which uses AI cameras to detect the dish placed inside and select the appropriate cooking programme. This oven can capture cooking in real-time through the hOn app, automatically adjusting the temperature if dishes appear to be over-browned. It also learns household preferences, such as how crispy roast potatoes should be, and adjusts accordingly.
Combi-Steam ovens from upmarket New Zealand brand Fisher & Paykel already include voice-activated oven doors that can be controlled via an app. Bosch is also embracing AI in its Series 8 built-in ovens, which come with a 6.8-inch touch screen and a digital control ring engraved in the glass.
Sophie Lane, product training manager at Miele GB, highlighted the desire for the same technology found elsewhere in the home to be extended to the kitchen. She explained that what is driving the next wave of innovation is the move towards more intelligent, connected appliances that deliver consistently high-quality results.
Bosch Series 8 HBG7741B1B Single Oven
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Another development on the horizon could see burnt frying pans become a thing of the past. Next month, Miele will launch its KM8000 induction hob paired with M Sense cookware. These pans have built-in sensors that communicate directly with the hob to automatically adjust heat levels and prevent boiling over.
So, could the air fryer soon be a relic of the past? Chloe Blanchfield, product and consumer manager at Hisense, suggests that ovens with built-in air fryer functionality are now being introduced at all levels, from entry to premium. She explains that the oven’s central role in the kitchen makes it difficult to replace, as air fryers cannot match their capacity or versatility. Many modern smart ovens now feature dedicated air-fry settings that deliver comparable results without manual input.
Blanchfield also noted that aesthetics play a significant role in the shift towards sleeker kitchen designs with minimal countertop clutter. Even those who prefer more expressive or maximalist interiors still want the flexibility to decide what is on display, typically prioritising aesthetics over functional appliances.
