Why would I need WiFi connection on an oven?

[HeartOfInk]

Looking to replace my oven. I've narrowed it down to 4 and two are "WiFi enabled, Remote control and monitoring".

I am at loss to know why an oven needs to be connected to WiFi. I'd have to be in front of it to put any food in it and you'd not leave an oven running if you weren't at home. So...what am I missing?

@nopulp

Why can't you leave a washing machine running? I put mine on and go out all the time.

It will absolutely definitely burst into flames and burn your house down. Apparently.

I was just thinking the same @nopulp. I hate the sound of the washing machine so always try to run it when I’m out. Which isn’t often to be honest! So I jump at the chance.

I want to know why a kettle would need WiFi. You still have to put water in it to use it

WiFi kettles work well on the proviso you remember to fill it up again after you’ve used it.

Couple a WiFi kettle with an Amazon Auto and in theory you can tell your car to pop the kettle on when you’re on your way home.

I leave my washing machine unattended every time I use it because it is in a detached garage. There's no way I'm sitting in the garage for three hours every time I need to do a wash.

My kettle takes seconds to boil, I don't think I would use the wifi function.

This is the first I’ve ever heard of not using a washing machine unattended.

We all decide on our own level of risk, but the Fire Brigade advises strongly against having dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers running overnight or when there's no one in the house. After the time when smoke came out of our dishwasher shortly after starting up, I've followed that advice very carefully.

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/home-safety/washing-machine-and-dishwasher-fire-safety

Couple a WiFi kettle with an Amazon Auto and in theory you can tell your car to pop the kettle on when you’re on your way home

I don't really understand what that all means, but I'm a master of using the 'kettle boiling time' to get useful things done in the kitchen that I don't want to do.

Empty and fill dishwasher, take bins out, check fridge for food that needs using up, running out, freezing etc etc, make shopping list etc, so I'm never thinking 'I wish I could set the kettle boiling remotely so I don't have to wait for it' because I never do.

Apart from streamlining tasks for people with mobility issues and possibly a diagnostic app, neither of which is probably the primary driver, I can't see wifi enabled appliances as anything other than a gimmick designed to make us even more inactive.

I suppose that's one of the benefits of having these devices connected to the internet. They could send you an urgent message 'Help, I'm on fire!' or even make their own 999 call.

Meanwhile, keeping doors closed at night and having smoke alarms with regular checks on the batteries are sensible precautions for all of us.

[quote Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]We all decide on our own level of risk, but the Fire Brigade advises strongly against having dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers running overnight or when there's no one in the house. After the time when smoke came out of our dishwasher shortly after starting up, I've followed that advice very carefully.

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/home-safety/washing-machine-and-dishwasher-fire-safety[/quote]
I suppose they would, as if they said 'do it it's fine' and someone's appliance spontaneously combusted then that wouldn't be good.

I think on the whole though most people do just use their appliances whenever and probably go out while they're on.

We used to have Economy 7 years ago and always put the dishwasher/washing machine on overnight to take advantage of the cheaper electricity which was the whole point of it.

[quote Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]We all decide on our own level of risk, but the Fire Brigade advises strongly against having dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers running overnight or when there's no one in the house. After the time when smoke came out of our dishwasher shortly after starting up, I've followed that advice very carefully.

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/home-safety/washing-machine-and-dishwasher-fire-safety[/quote]
Yes, in fairness I was being a smartarse about not sitting in the garage to watch it. I probably wouldn't be leaving it unattended if it was in the house.

I have genuinely wondered this.

I have just googled it and you could
-preheat the oven e.g on way home from commute so its at temperature when you get in
-turn it off when you are out e.g. if you nipped out and got waylaid
-get temperature alerts

None of this sounds that exciting, although preheat could be handy I guess - it depends on how comfortable you feel with the oven on when you are out. I wouldn't with a gas oven.

A lot of reminders can be done via Alexa so I don't see much benefit for me.

The one that does sounds interesting is

• monitor how well things are cooked and switch into warming mode until you are ready to eat

It seems to take more away from the process of cooking than it adds though.

I quite like learning that the supermarket joint only need 2/3 of time and if I grill it I get a crispy skin at the end type thing.

Also smart items are REALLY annoying when they malfunction e.g. need resetting for no apparent reason etc.

I am what is called a late adoptor. I wait until the technology has become really advanced.

@BarbaraofSeville

Couple a WiFi kettle with an Amazon Auto and in theory you can tell your car to pop the kettle on when you’re on your way home

I don't really understand what that all means, but I'm a master of using the 'kettle boiling time' to get useful things done in the kitchen that I don't want to do.

Empty and fill dishwasher, take bins out, check fridge for food that needs using up, running out, freezing etc etc, make shopping list etc, so I'm never thinking 'I wish I could set the kettle boiling remotely so I don't have to wait for it' because I never do.

Apart from streamlining tasks for people with mobility issues and possibly a diagnostic app, neither of which is probably the primary driver, I can't see wifi enabled appliances as anything other than a gimmick designed to make us even more inactive.

I will add I don't have a wifi kettle. I drink one cup of tea a day so it would be wasted on me. I do have Amazon Auto though which basically puts Alexa functionality into your car. My car is too old for all the fancy car play stuff so it's useful for that, but it also means I can control things from the car so I can put the porch lights on before I get home, turn the heating up etc

Personally I dont think it makes me lazier, it just makes life a tiny bit easier.

So you can turn it on from work so dinner is ready when you get home (I assume) - I’d love that actually

But you still need to put the food in the oven and most people wouldn't leave raw food sitting in an oven all day at room temperature.

The best way to stop this crap is not to buy it.

Our electric toothbrush is wifi enabled too so you can track how long you brush for. Never bothered with that either.

We love oven baked potatoes and would love to have them ready when I get in from work. Years ago I had an oven you could programme to come on at a particular time. I guess the remote control/smart oven is the equivalent, though if you haven't already put something in it you don't need to turn it on, so a delay timer would be just as good.

Its so you can always be connected to the Internet of Shit!

@MoiraNotRuby

Its so you can always be connected to the Internet of Shit!

Is the IoT still a goal? Shit is a much better word.