Electrolux Launches ‘Auto-focus for Chefs’

Electrolux is launching a new oven called Inspiro, ‘the first oven that thanks to a breakthrough heat management technique automatically selects the right heating mode based on the contents of the oven’.

Rather than just measuring the air temperature with a thermometer and regulating it with a thermostat, the way a conventional oven operates, Inspiro uses sensors to calculate the precise combination of energy consumption and time needed to bring the food to the correct temperature.

This is similar to the way cameras now automatically set aperture, exposure time and focus, depending on the light and what's in the frame.

‘When auto-exposure and auto-focus were new features on cameras, there was a lot of skepticism,’ explains Hans Stråberg, CEO Electrolux. ‘But, with time, auto-focus has been accepted and today it is a standard feature. For the oven and for the camera, it is all about pushing one button to ensure a professional result.’

How does it work?
To cook a lamb joint, for example, select the category ‘roasting’ via the touch control, then choose whether the joint should be rare, medium or well done. The oven indicates which level to put the tray on - in a cold oven.

From that cold start, Inspiro calculates the energy consumption and time needed to raise the temperature of the meat to the desired level. That information is then combined with its database of professional cooking techniques to calculate what combination of heating modes is required (top, bottom, side, hot air, or grill) to ensure the desired result.

When the cooking sequence is finished, the oven stops, and alerts the chef that the food is ready.

‘With Inspiro, Electrolux has managed to transfer professional cooking techniques into consumer homes,’ says German top chef Christian Mittermeier. ‘No other oven allows you to combine top, bottom, side, and grill for one dish without having to stop and reset the oven. I use Inspiro both at home and in my restaurant kitchen and I'm amazed at the precision of the cooking. For ordinary people it will be like having a private chef at home.’

The Inspiro oven has already been put through its paces in countries across Europe - including the UK. Electrolux's Training Manager and Home Economist Penny Rumford used the oven for several months and declared herself 'converted' by the experience. ‘As a traditional cook, I have always preferred to be 'in control'. However, having tested the Inspiro and challenged it in every possible culinary way I have to say I have total faith in its automatic cooking programmes and now use them all the time. Being a natural skeptic, I tried every possible recipe to 'trick' the oven into making a mistake - but it rose to the challenge and cooked to perfection everything I rustled up - from Victoria sponges and quiches -to casseroles, gratins and roasts cooked to my personal taste.’

The Inspiro Oven is the perfect ingredient for anyone who wants to cook or entertain with confidence. Often the stumbling block in recipes can be the point you put it in the oven. The temperatures and times given in recipes are often guidelines - and most recipe books simply do not suggest using the many cooking functions available in today's multifunction oven. The Inspiro's automatic cooking takes all these decisions out of your hands - using the best temperature, time and cooking functions to ensure your dish is cooked to perfection.

Available from Autumn 2008, expected to sell at around £1000.

Web: http://www.electrolux.com