Cool Gadgets

     A while back we made up our mind we were going to get a Panasonic IH stove with three hobs, one of them all-metal.  This means we don't need to invest in new cookware, except maybe for our stovetop espresso maker, which isn't the right size.  But the downside of this model is that it comes with a fan for the grill, and I just know that it'll be hard to keep it clean.

     Luckily, there are some really smart devices that can help solve some of our kitchen miseries, like this Glass Exhaust Vent Cover (ガラスの排気口カバー) for instance, which I didn't even know existed!  

     This looks like just what we need to keep that area of the stove sparkling clean. Plus, it can easily be removed for washing and it does look nice! Pretty sure we're going to invest in one of these!

    While visiting showrooms over the past few months, we saw a bunch of cool gadgets we thought would be nice to have like this IH cooktop mat. 

     These mats help protect the surface of the IH stove which apparently gets stained over time (didn't know that!).   I googled "Induction Cooktop Mat" to see if I could get more information, but got far more results with IH 焼け焦げカバーマット, which is what this device is called in Japanese.  Could it be that this kind of mat is not used much outside of Japan?

     To clean the inevitable spills, especially if you're a first-time user of induction cooktops, there is a whole range of cleaning products.  This one here was featured in my COOP advertisement this week.

      There are several other types of IH cooktop cleaners available on Amazon Japan, which, by the way, come with English labels, likeVita Craft.  Google "IHガラストップクリーナー" and you'll find a lot more cleaning options.

    And how about this IH Stovetop Frame Cover?  I worry that all kinds of food remnants will get stuck between the counter and the stovetop, so this might be a good way to keep that area spotless. 

     It never fails to amaze me how Japan develops unique gadgets to solve all sorts of daily annoyances.  While some may seem completely useless, others are quite innovative and lifesaving! 

We'll be on the lookout for other cool gadgets but if you know of any that's worked for you, let us know!