A multi-purpose cooking platform which will eliminate the need for a stove top. Toplo is a mobile and modular heat source which can be used for any pan or slow cooking methods. It also allows the user to keep food warm for guests at the place of consumption with no safety concerns.
The popularity of single purpose cooking devices has created a saturated market of appliances, many of which are used a handful of times and then donated or thrown out. In order to combat the current trends of unnecessary appliances and plastic waste we were tasked with designing a cooking platform which conducted a minimum of two cooking processes and would be adaptable in a modern kitchen.
In order to fully understand the environment and user which I was designing for, I conducted observations of two vastly different cooking processes. Those being: fondue making and pan frying. Due to the irregularity of these cooking processes it was difficult to compare them and so I broke down the processes into three phases. The phases were prepping phase, cooking phase and serving phase. Having dissected each phase individually, I was able to make detailed observations and group similar concerns into key considerations for the project.
As social beings, one of the most common shared experiences is a meal. I found the communal aspect of sharing a meal extends into fondue making process. Every single participant in my research suggested they would never eat fondue alone. The dinner table is dynamic and busy with users often passing food items to share, and so Toplo needed to be undistrubptive to the natural flow of a dinner table.
In conducting research with a number of different participants I quickly observed the multitude of pans and pots which people use to cook, often even cooking the same dish. I also observed that in most cooking processes multiple utensils and cooking instruments are used, and so I focused on having a minimum of two hot plates as well as versatility enough to allow for all if not most pots and pans.
Naturally in most meals there is a portion which needs to be cooked with high heat, requiring a strong heat source. In the fondue making process since the meal must be kept warm, the heat source is placed on the dinning surface where there is high traffic. These heat sources are a source of concern for the user and it is vital that the user be protected or aware of any precautions they must take
In order to create a dynamic and adaptable cooking environment, Toplo was design with a transformative feature. The heating element is equipped with handles which can be lifted once the heat is on low and the sensor detects nothing on top, transforming Toplo into a portable heat source. In order to reduce burn risk, the heat is produced via induction coils which directly heat the pot or pan and do not heat the glass or plastic housing. Once the heating element is lifted it will stay on low heat until it is turned off or returned to the base. While the heating element is separate from the base it can be used as a warming station or slow cooking station.
Toplo is a single surface cooking platform which allows for all types of pots and pans due to it's lack of edges. It's user interface is inspired by analog record players which use slider knobs to carefully control volume. Toplo incorporates a slider in order to control the temperature which is then followed visually on a LED display on top of the console. Indicator lights on either side of the LED display communicate to the user when the device is locked in place or unlocked.
Rarely do we cook and only use one pot or pan, therefore Toplo allows for multiple consoles to be connected as the cook needs. The power source must only be connected to one of the bases, from there the other cook tops are connected. This allows multiple cooking surfaces to be used in a customizable layout, while also reducing the amount of wiring needed to reach the power source.
The initial research for this project was done in teams, with my team I was able to put into action many research mapping methods. These methods included affinity diagrams, kano analysis, mind maps and many others. The use of these in a group environment was extremely beneficial and presented me with key observations I was able to work on.
Having had limited experience with electronic components it was challenging to design as well as source the correct electronic parts. During this process I learned the importance of having an expert such as an engineer on the team which can not only save time but also create a greater product for the user.
