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experiences with Kenwood, Kitchenaid and other cooking machines (feddit.de)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Has anyone experience how bad the proriatary software is on such machines? For Kenwood there is an app (Kenwood World App) which apparently guides you through the cooking-process. Does anyone have a idea for how long this app or other apps from similar machines will be maintained? Does anyone have experience of using such a device without an internet connection?

I am sure that there wont ever be a simple foss app which can connect to such a device, but how bad is it? I am worried that the new Kenwoods wont be as durable as the old one I had (had it handed down, was around 30yo), because the software will be discontinued.

Looking for people with experiences with such machines and their software-side.

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

Why do you need an app to guide you through cooking?

Why would you buy a kitchen appliance that requires an app in the first place? Optional, sure. Required? Fuck no.

Your concerns of software support are valid. Typically the companies lose interest within 5 years in my experience.

Also I have no idea what appliance this is in the picture. Is this a stand mixer? Combined with a scale? And an induction cooker? Just buy one of each and save a pile of money and hassle. Integrated devices never do anything well.

I guarantee this hardware will fail within 10 years. Your 30 hand me down probably has no digital circuits in it, it's all mechanical and easily repaired.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Why do you need an app ~~to guide you through~~ using a cooking appliance?

Ftfy... A minor correction, because wtf is all this IoT nonsense with appliances?

I just repaired our 20-year-old dishwasher with a part that cost $30 online. No electronics, just a simple electro-mechanical timer in it. What else would it need to spray water and pump it out?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The appliance in the picture is a standmixer + scale + induction cooker with additional features to do much more (if you buy them ofc). What I dont know is if the app/wifi connection is required or optional, if its required I am not buying it.

It appeals to me because you can just throw in the ingredients the appliance tells you to and after 10-20 mins you have a done onepot, soup, dough or sauce. But am worried about the software part of this becuse I am with you about those 5 years and then they lose interest. But those companies are reputable and have a long history of repairing their devices and giving new warranty on it after the repair. So that makes me optimistic, kinda.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Software just changes too much IMHO. That thing isn't going to support the latest wifi security setting you want to turn on in 5 years. For long term appliances, I would avoid anything that requires use of an app or loses functionality without one.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Very well put. I also avoid any appliance that needs internet or an app.

Kenwood is a great brand, but I'd never pay extra for it to become "smart".

[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago

I'd say get a basic kitchenaid mixer and just cook on the stove (or induction plate).

Combining stuff especially with modern software generally does not go well.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I was given a sous vide machine as a gift, only a power button on the device and no way to control it outside of an Android/iOS app over Bluetooth or WiFi. Not something I'd ever buy for myself thanks to the lack of manual controls (even though the experience of using the app is honestly very nice), but I've been preparing myself for the day it just stops working.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Hopefully one day we'll have FOSS hardware that comes with FOSS software so we won't have to buy this shit hardware and have to backdoor it to work with FOSS software.

Last month we got a FOSS blender (both hardware and software). Hopefully well get a FOSS hardware stand mixer sometime in the next few years. Maybe a good hobby project to contribute-to ;)

https://www.openfunk.co/blogs/news/open-funk-goes-open-source