Concept gadget would cook better than a microwave

Concept gadget would cook better than a microwave 

              Once upon a time, microwave ovens were only a concept. Now, freezers everywhere can be stocked with frozen food as easily as taking a trip to the local market. But it still requires a trip to the store. Sure, frozen foods can be ordered and delivered, but since frozen foods are frozen there lacks a certain urgency of need; they can be stockpiled for months on end. But what about freshly-made convenience food?

There exists a gap between microwaveable meals and restaurant delivery. While some might say, "yes, that is called 'cooking,'" others might ask "how many buttons?" The answer, according to Kim Risager, is one -- in more ways than one. He envisions a cooking appliance that uses hot air and steam to cook vacuum-packed single-serving meals at the touch of a button.

The Whirlpool Fastronomy is a concept cooker that would be as easy to use as a microwave. Consumers would use a food ordering service to select menu items and have them delivered by a local provider. Upon arrival, the food tube would be placed in the appliance and the device would automatically cook it. Seasonings and sauces could be selected on a mix-and-match basis, combining aspects of fresh food delivery, convenience food, and home cooking all in one appliance.

Part of the UID '13 Design Talks and Degree Show from Umea Institute of Design in Sweden, the gadget won't be hitting store shelves any time soon, so don't worry: there is still time to work through that stock of frozen pizza.

The Whirlpool Fastronomy conceptualized by Kim Risager would combine the convenience of a microwave with the quality of a freshly cooked meal -- apparently complete with dessert.

(Credit: Kim Risager/ UID '13)