While the price tag may scare some cost-conscious Millennial consumers away, the new Pro 750 Vitamix is a top-quality investment piece for the Millennial kitchen. Vitamix blenders are known in the industry for their workhorse longevity; they are even covered under complete warranty for seven years. They can make every day items like smoothies, but some of the newer models also have settings for steaming soups and decadent ice creams and healthy nut butters. We tasted the “going green smoothie” (made of spinach and fruit) and were blown away not only by how delicious it was, but also how perfectly smooth the solid ingredients became in the Vitamix blender! The new model is great for Millennial kitchens because the bodies are shorter and wider than older models – allowing the unit to fit right underneath kitchen cabinets, clearing up much needed counter space. They also have a self-clean feature: just fill the blender halfway with water and a squeeze of dish soap and put the blender on the “clean” setting, and you’re good to go!
KitchenAid debuted a new line at the Housewares Show that we loved for the Millennial kitchen! The Catalina Collection contains new colors including Crystal Blue, Majestic Yellow, Tangerine, Green Apple, and Frosted Pearl. The bright new colors offer a way for Millennials to customize their kitchens with something a little different than the traditional white/black/stainless finishes for kitchen gadgets. Not every product in this line is new, but we especially loved the new smaller, 3.5 Cup Food Chopper for Millennials. With two speeds for chop and puree applications, this food processor is perfect for someone on a budget who is looking for a food processor. The smaller size also takes up less room in Millennials’ space-deprived kitchens, making this product a real winner.
If we could have invented this product ourselves at AIM, we would have! Based on our research, we have been recommending that companies find a way to incorporate technology into the Millennial kitchen without being too in-your-face. QOOQ is essentially an iPad specifically designed for use in the kitchen. At its core, QOOQ is an electronic recipe book. It comes pre-programmed with over 3,500 recipes, and also allows you to add your own tried-and-true favorites. Users can search through the recipes and target them specifically based on ingredient, dietary restrictions, calories, even budget! They can pick out a few meals for the week and QOOQ automatically creates a grocery list, which can then conveniently be accessed from a variety of gadgets, from laptops, to tablets, to smart phones. The recipes themselves are interactive, with access to over 300 techniques on video, so if you come across a technique you aren’t familiar with, you can just click and watch to see exactly how it’s done. QOOQ has full access to the Internet and social media applications, so you are connected while you’re cooking. The tablet is also heat-resistant and spill-proof, so you don’t have to worry about accidents damaging this product.
The new Bed Head Curlipops curling wands is a line containing three different curling irons that help create texture, loose curls, and waves. These irons feature Tourmaline Ceramic Technology to help evenly heat the hair, adding smoothness and shine. Each iron comes with a heat-protective glove to keep your hands safe against burns while learning to use these innovative clipless curling irons. They also come with quick and informative instructional videos, so you can see exactly how to use these tools like a pro. Millennials learn best by watching, (many describing themselves as “visual learners”) so these videos are particularly helpful for this group. The wrap-and-go feature of the clamp-free design promises that you can style your hair quickly, perfect for time-crunched Millennials. With three designs to create three different styles, you can hand-pick your treat to achieve your personal desired style.
The Bambooee reusable paper towels won the innovation award at the IHHS, and it’s not hard to see why. The idea is simple: take the convenience of paper towels but cut down on the waste. Enter Bambooee. These come packaged just like a traditional roll of paper towels, with all the appeal of being able to easily rip off a perforated sheet whenever a spill occurs. However they have one crucial twist; they are machine washable! When you’ve used up your roll, just toss the sheets in the washing machine and you’re ready to start again. We saw one Bambooee sheet that had been washed 50 times and it still looked great. These towels are made of pure organic bamboo, and we were pleased to learn that the bamboo is sustainably farmed, meaning the company is responsible in making sure the bamboo is harvested in a way that it grows back very quickly. One roll of 20 bamboo sheets takes the place of 60 rolls of traditional paper towels…that’s a lot of waste! Both eco- and cost-conscious Millennials will love how easy, durable, and Earth-friendly this product is. BONUS: Bambooee will send you a paper towel to try for free! Just pay $1 for shipping and they will send you a sheet of their innovative bamboo paper towels to see how they work for yourself. Go to http://www.bambooee.com/shop to order.
Don’t laugh…but this is the Mercedes of garbage cans. What first attracted us to this garbage can was its size; it holds 48 liters but is only 11.4” wide, perfect for the tight space in a Millennial’s kitchen! The Multi-Sense technology in the butterfly can is responsive to your behavior. Not only does the lid smoothly open when your hand passes over the sensor, but it then adapts to your behavior. It senses when you are doing a task like peeling vegetables or removing the garbage bag, when you don’t want the can to close, and remains open until you’re finished. The Odorsorb filter compartment in the lid to absorb smells and the fingerprint-proof stainless steel finish are two more features that set this garbage can apart.
10. (Tie) HoMedics myBaby Automatic Soap Dispenser with Training Song Melody
HoMedics introduced a whole line of products for all those Millennials who are starting to have babies. It was really hard to pick just one product from their line, but this touch-free soap dispenser not only solves a real problem, but is also really fun for the kids and their Millennial parents! It automatically dispenses soap when a hand is detected in front of the devices sensor. AND, after the soap is dispensed, the device plays a 30 second hand washing song that teaches children how (and how long) to wash hands.
10. (Tie) OXO No-Spill Ice Cube Tray
Lodge has been one of the most trusted brands in cast iron cookware for years, but its new Seasoned Steel products help spice up the scene. The new carbon steel pans have been seasoned with Lodge’s proprietary vegetable oil formula. This is the first time carbon steel has ever been seasoned; usually the consumer has to spend months home seasoning, as steel is much smoother than cast iron. The skillets come in 8”, 10”, and 12” sizes and are Made in the USA, which AIM has found is particularly appealing for Millennials, as it means jobs for their peers.
TIE: Keurig Vue & Nespresso Gran Maestria
Coffee lovers: the world just got a little better. The two new models from Keurig and Nespresso are sure to be a hit with Millennials. The Keurig Vue takes personalization to the max and allows users to change not just the beverage size, but the brewing strength, and temperature as well(perfect for those of us who like our coffee strong or hot-hot-hot!) The machine uses a new type of pod that is partially recyclable, which Goodie Two-Shoes Millennials will love. We love that Keurig is striving to move forward so quickly, instead of just sitting on top of its successful product line. We were also happy to see one of our favorites, Nespresso, with a new model at the show. The built-in Aeroccino on the new model, Nespresso's milk frother, was a winning feature for us. For the Millennial who hasn't yet developed a taste for espresso (cough:Whitney) but loves milky lattes and capuccinos, the Aeroccino is an essential part of the at-home barista system.
Three by Three sort it out! bamboo wall caddy
This wall caddy is perfect for organizing the busy Millennial's life. Made of eco-friendly bamboo, this piece has a weekly calendar and lots of room for storage. You can use this caddy however you want: by the front door as a place to hang keys and keep mail, in the kitchen to hang utensils and hold spices or recipes, in the bedroom to hang jewelry and store books, and wherever else you can think! You can customize your caddy with additional magnets and hooks to personalize it to suit you best.
Verilux solar cell phone charger
This small solar charger packs a punch! These cell phone chargers use energy from the sun to power your phone, and can hold up to 20 hours of charge. They are small and compact, and would be the perfect accessory to bring on a camping trip or outdoor adventure, or just to have as a last resort when you need to charge your cell phone on the go.
Holstein Burger Grill
Who says you need to wait until summer for the perfect burger? Holstein has a new line of fantastic cooking accessories to make creating your favorite dishes easier. Our favorite was the new burger grill, a small colorful piece that grills two burgers on your countertop, without all the mess or effort often required when making burgers. Just place your filling of choice into the burger compartment, close the grill, and in a matter of minutes you have a perfectly cooked burger. We love that you can use any filling with the enclosed burger compartment, allowing you to be creative in creating your burgers, using differently spiced meats, or even beans or veggie-based fillings!
Lifetime Brands Universal Storage Block (for knives, etc.)
What a wonderfully simple idea for Millennials. This storage block was displayed at the show with awesome mixed-and-matched colored knives that could be arranged in any pattern. We are interested to see what other uses Millennials could find for it -- in the office for pens and hiliters, in the bathroom for toothbrushes, in a kid's room for markers and crayons...
Made up of two self-contained pots, both with watertight screw top lids. There's a seashell additive to the polypropylene to make it feel like ceramic. The lid is made of Eastman Tritan copolyester, which gives it the look of glass. Dishwasher and micro-wave safe.
The Top Ten Products for Millennials were selected at the March 2012 International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago by Albing International Marketing's Millennial Associate, Whitney Ryan, and reviewed by selected members of AIM's Millennial MOVERS panel.
I can't see myself actually buying any of these things, though some of them are interesting and noteworthy.
ReplyDeleteThe self-cleaning feature on the Vitamix blender sounds too good to be true. We never actually use our blender because I hate cleaning the thing. I would probably actually use a blender that cleans itself and would love to have one of these, but for $500 or more, that blender would have to not only clean itself but go out and buy my groceries too.
The Casabella spray mop is a neat idea...if you like "spray mops". I have a love / hate relationship with my hard floors. I'm constantly buying new floor-cleaning products to try out, to the point that I'm developing a bit of a reputation for it, and my husband dreads seeing a new vacuum or mop come into the house. Anyway, my experience has been that "spray mops", however well-made, are no substitute for a good old-fashioned mop-and-bucket-of-water. Quick and easy as they may be compared to old-fashioned mops, "spray mops" don't get the floors nearly as clean. I wouldn't mind trying this thing out, just out of curiosity, but I wouldn't spend money on something that is so very similar to other products that I've already tried and didn't like.
UV-C sanitizers are awesome. I credit a UV-C air sanitizer with keeping a cat that we recently rescued from spreading an upper respiratory infection to all of the other cats in our house. I can see where someone who pretty much lives on their cell phone might find that Violight thing handy, but for my money, I'd rather just buy a UV-C sanitizing wand that can be used to sanitize a great many different things and use it on my phone as well. It wouldn't be worth it to me to shell out more money for something so specialized when I could just use a more general-purpose tool to the same effect. What I'm waiting for is a UV-C breadbox that keeps bread from going moldy. That would pay for itself in no time, if it were feasible and actually worked.
Some of the products just aren't relevant to me. I don't use "irons" of any description on my hair, and we have an automatic ice maker. Pretty much any "automatic" product that starts working when it senses motion would be a bad fit for our house. We rescue cats. At any given moment, there are no fewer than 6 cats in our home, though we're more typically in the 10 - 12 range. I'd be scared to have that garbage can in my house, for fear that a cat's motion would cause it to open, they'd hop up out of curiosity, and end up getting stuck inside! And any automatic soap dispenser would likely result in very soapy kitties.
Washable, reusable paper towels just might be the dumbest idea I've ever heard. Sure, they come in a convenient "roll" form, but once you've ripped a rag off, used it, and washed it, it's no different from any other rag, and the "convenient roll" factor is gone. The appeal of paper towels is that they're disposable, and sometimes the mess we're cleaning it gross enough that we need disposable! Otherwise, we have "washable, reusable" old junky towels and worn out T-shirts to clean up spills and such. Re-purposing worn out stuff is far greener and thriftier than buying "washable paper towels".
I got a "spray mops" for Christmas and it works fine. It takes a while to heat up but once it there it works well. I would love to try the Casabella Quick Scrub Double-Sided Microfiber Spray Mop. I love the idea of using water, vinegar, or other natural cleaners with this mop. I have young children in the home, so I try to stay away from harsh chemicals.
DeleteAs somebody that has used a blender while on a liquid diet post-surgery, a good blender that can truly liquify food is hard to find. I went through 5 over 6 weeks which cost $100+ each, and could not handle liquifying my meals. I have no doubt that this could actually do wonders blending a burger. That said, I think this could make a fantastic smootie and/or protein shake.
DeleteThe Simplehuman Butterfly Trash Can...WOW! I am familiar with the Simplehuman brand; however, I don't think I have seen one that holds so much and takes up so little space. Apartment living in a urban area can be difficult, and this would be like a breath of fresh air in a tiny urban oasis! I have always been a fan of Simplehuman products; however, this time it looks like they took it to the next level.
ReplyDeleteI like the Odorsorb filter compartment in the lid to absorb smells and the fingerprint-proof stainless steel finish. The trash can I use now smells when you open it and has finger prints all over it and its hard to clean. I love this big and friend trash can from Simplehuman.
DeleteI have gone throug several trash cans, several of which were expensive, because I could not get out the bad smells. This would sell me on the item alone, but the fact that it would save me space, makes it an ideal home item. I intend to put this on my wedding registry.
DeleteI love Bambooee Reusable Paper Towels. I just had a baby and I am always cleaning up little spills all the time. I was looking for a way to go great and this was perfect. I pay $1 today and placed my order and looking forward to trying this product. Once it does what it says it should do, I will spread the word to all my friends and family. I will send out the word about Bambooee Reusable Paper Towels on facebook, email and word of month. This is a great idea and I hope more people create products like this. Thanks Albing International Marketing LLC for bring this product to my attention.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post and will help me to fill out my wedding registry, birthday, and Christmas list. First, you did a great job rating the items, and I think we are in complete agreement. Now to my two cents on the items (I will break this into 3 posts because there seems to be a character limit):
ReplyDeleteI must say that the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Model blender is also my #1 choice. Having had some serious jaw issues that required me to have my jaw wired shut, I wish I had elected to purchase something like this. As I recovered and was on a liquid diet, I went through 4 really expensive blenders, which broke when I tried to blend more solid ingredients. They were generally hard to clean and the consistency was still never thin enough for me. While I was sick it was hard to clean the blender. This would have made my life much easier. Plus my current blender is still quite bulky and I have a small narrow kitchen. This seems like the right item for me. Having spent $500 on several blenders, I wish I would have found something like this and purchased this product. This would also be great because I tend to still blend protein shakes and many times the powders never fully disintegrate, giving them a grainy taste. I bet this would work. I may have another surgery soon and if so, I would love to have this item in my home.
The KitchenAid Food Chopper seems like something that would be most useful in my home. My fiancé and I love colorful items in our kitchen and I think that these whimsical colors would suite our aesthetic. The food chopper, much like the Vitamix, seems like something that would appeal to us because we do not want to get a large food processer. We are constantly constrained in our small kitchen, and this product would do many of the things that we need (e.g., chop and puree) and would help us save some money, maybe to buy some more stuff for our kitchen.
Wow, the QOOQ tablet seems like the perfect product for my household. I cannot live without my iPad, which I have used to condense my recipes. No more index cards in a box or cookbooks for me. All this said, the QOOQ seems like it would be even better, because I am always worried about getting my iPad dirty or getting liquid on/in it. This sounds like the ultimate interactive item for somebody like me that enjoys cooking, but has no formal training. This could be a chance for me to collect recipes but better understand how exactly to make certain dishes, including some more complex techniques. I also like the grocery list feature, as I never remember to keep a list and I could always use help with a calorie count.
I had never heard of the Bambooee Paper Towels, but I like the idea that this is both eco-conscious and could save space and costs. I always feel so wasteful buying paper towel, so any way that I can be more efficient is appealing to me. I especially like the fact that I can wash the sheets in the washer. I was excited to see that there is an offer to try it out, and I have already ordered mine. I’ll let you know if it was a $1 well spent, but I think I know the answer.
ReplyDeleteThe GreenPan Hot Pot is a cool solution to a problem that I have all of the time. I like my food piping hot and sometimes I come home later than my fiancé so we have to re-heat. This item seems like it would go a long way to addressing our staggered schedule. I really enjoy a hot meal so this would be great for my busy lifestyle. This is an item I would use many times a week.
Wow, the Violight UV Cell Phone Sanitizer addresses an issue that I have all the time, how to keep my electronics clean. I am not a germ-a-fobe, but I have seen people (myself included) take iPhones, iPods, and other items into some pretty dirty places and I always wonder about the public health impacts of them leaving a device on my counter or my couch. This seems like an answer to my cleanliness prayers as I could routinely clean my electronic products, especially the small ones that go with me at all times. I have a toothbrush cleanrer and use it often. If this is as simple as you say, this is an ideal product for me. Maybe they will make one big enough for iPads?
ReplyDeleteKiss my Swiffer-Wet-Jet goodbye, because I think I have found a new mop for my home, the Casabella Quick Scrub Double-Sided Microfiber Spray Mop. This looks to be so much more versatile and allow me to pick the cleanser that I will use in my home. It has a cool color and looks like it would work great on my wood floors. I like the ergonomic look and I like how customizable the product will be. I could see myself using this regularly.
Wow, it is like the people at Simplehuman have read my mind with the Butterfly Sensor Can. This thing would go great in my kitchen and would help me to save space and yet could still hold all the garbage that I wind up with. I love the stainless steel outside and I think the Odorsorb filter is great, because I have gone through several garbage cans that get a terrible smell that cannot be washed out. The fact that this adapts to me and will sense what I am doing is fantastic. I also like that it is fingerprint proof, as that is my biggest issue with stainless steel products.
The OXO No-Spill Ice Tray is a very cool concept, because I have a terribly small freezer and it is hard to store ice cubes. This seems to solve my problem and is adaptable to my lifestyle. I like the stackable feature and the fact that it will not get dirty or have distinct orders from the rest of the freezer. This seems like a cool and unique product that I would love to buy. I trust OXO and will be looking for this at Bed Bath and Beyond.
I too love the idea of the self-cleaning feature on the Vitamix. One of the main reasons we don't use our blender more often is that it's a pain to then have to clean. I wish they'd make a food processor with this feature too. I love my Cuisinart, but there are a bunch of little pieces and even though they can all go in the dishwasher, it just seems easier to chop a lot of things by hand than to bother dragging out the machine and then having to wash it.
ReplyDeleteThe ice cube tray thing is genius! I always hate having to clear a flat open space in my freezer for the ice cube tray and then be reeeaally careful not to bump it for an hour or two. Or if my husband fills the tray and I don't know he did it I sometimes bump it because I didn't know it was there.
One of the benefits touted about the bamboo paper towels is that they come on a roll that you can tear off just like "regular" paper towels. But once you are re-using them they no longer provide that convenience. They should come with a dispenser you can reload them into so they can continue to be convenient to use.
I like the automatic soap dispenser for kids. I work with children and they could really use this kind of guidance for how long to wash their hands. They want to put a miniscule amount of soap on one hand, stick it under to let the water sweep it away as quickly as possible, and call it good. This would help them have a better idea of how to do it properly.
The burger maker made me think of all these "cake pop makers" and "whoopie pie makers" they seem to be coming out with. A lot of them are essentially the same thing--a waffle iron/george foreman grill type product, with different shapes. I don't really like all these "one trick ponies." I'd really like to see more of these items that have interchangeable parts so they can have more than one very narrow purpose.
There are some products selected as a Top Product that I am very unlikely to personally use. The UV Cell Phone Sanitizer, Baby Automatic Soap Dispenser, OXO Ice Cube Tray, and Bamboo Reusable Towels all are innovative ideas, but some of the other products are more practical to my daily use. Unfortunately, I have very little space in my kitchen, so the butterfly sensor can would not work for me right now since I need to keep my trash under the sink. If and when I have a larger home, this would be a practical item to add to my kitchen.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I very often have my bulky laptop on my kitchen counter so that I can refer to a new recipe that I am trying out. Having something sleek and compact like the QOOQ tablet would be very convenient, especially since recipes are already loaded onto it. I think the fact that you can add your own recipes, and do a search based on different things, like ingredients, is very practical. I am often searching for recipes based on what I have at home, so that is awesome and very useful!I also like having access to technique videos. I don't always know the best way to chop something, for example, so having that resource library would be helpful.
I have co-workers have swear by their Vitamix. It seems to be such a popular product, for those who can afford it. I really enjoy smoothies, and since I work from home, this would be make a great meal for breakfast or lunch. I am a bit intimidated at the idea of making something as "challenging" as soup and ice cream, but I think I would be more likely to venture out of my comfort zone if I had such a product. One feature about a standard blender I dislike is having to clean up. I love that this has a "clean" setting! I think it's genius, and I would be more likely to use it as a result.
I think the Hot Pot is a useful idea, but not as relevant for me at this point in my life, since I live alone and don't need to plan meals around multiple schedules. I do think the Hot Pot would be useful on the rare occasions I host a potluck party at my house though. People who arrive late can still benefit from enjoying a warm dish.
I WOULD LOVE TO GET THE VITAMIX PROFESSIONAL SERIES 750 MODEL BLENDER I WOULD PROBABLY DO MORE SMOOTHIES AND HEALTHIER FOODS WITH IT AND TRY OUT NEW RECIEPES SINCE I CAN DO SOUP AND ICECREAM WITH IT. AND TO KNOW IT SELF CLEANS IT IS PERFECT TO KNOW HOW CLEAN IT WOULD BE AFTER USING BECAUSE SOME TIMES IT IS HARDER TO CLEAN THE REGULAR BLENDER
ReplyDeleteGREEN PAN HOT POT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE MY HUSBAND COMES HOME LATE SOME NIGHTS AFTER I HAVE ALREADY COOKED AND THIS WOULD BE PERFECT TO KEEP HIS FOOD FROM GETTING COLD I LOVE IT.
I HAVE TRIED SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF MOPS AND I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING THAT IS ANY GOOD TO WITH STAND MY CHILDREN AND ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE, THIS CASABELLA QUICK SCUB DOUBLE-SIDED MICROFIBER SPRAY MOP SOUNDS SO GOOD I WOULD LOVE TO GET ONE AND REALLY SEE HOW GOOD IT IS.
I THINK THIS SIMPLEHUMAN BUTTERFLY SENSOR CAN IS GREAT YOU CAN STAND OVER IT AND PEAL YOUR FOOD WITH OUT THE LID CLOSING ON YOU LOVE IT THAT IT IS STAINLESS STEEL THE BEST PART OF IT IS THE FILTER ABSORBING THE ODOR.
I LOVE THIS HOMEDICS MYBABY AUTOMATIC SOAP DISPENSER WITH TRAINING SONG MELODY IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR MY CHILDREN TO USE WHEN WASHING UP AND THEY DON'T OVER DO IT WITH THE SOAP AND WITH THE MELODY IT MIGHT MAKE THEM WASH THERE HANDS MORE OFTEN.
A UV CELL PHONE SANITIZER SOUNDS GOOD WE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GERMS WE HAVE ON OUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT WE ARE ALWAYS HOLDING OR TOUCHING THIS SOUNDS REALLY GOOD TO HELP KEEP US A LITTLE BIT MORE GERM FREE.
I LOVE THE BED HEAD PRODUCTS THIS WOULD BE GREAT I CAN DO MORE STUFF WITH MY HAIR.
They all sound great. I've heard that Vitamix blenders are the absolute best, so I'd love to get to try those out. Since we have a brand new baby and are trying to make our own baby food, the KitchenAid food chopper also sounds awesome. We've used their lower end models for a long time. Someday I want to save up to get one of their super fancy stand up mixers! lol As our little man gets older, the baby soap dispenser could be really nice as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat article and some fantastic products that I had no idea even existed! That being said, as a millenial myself, I can't see myself going out and buying the Mercedes of garbage cans or that super expensive blender (although that blender does look awesome)! Even the kitchen iPad thingy...it looks and sounds like a great product, but I won't be heading out to buy one any time soon. It's just not necessary in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe Hot Pot looks great though, and the re-usable paper towels and the non-spill ice tray are nothing short of genius! The amount of times I've filled my ice tray and by the time I get it in the freezer I've lost half the water, or I forget I've just filled the ice tray and knock it when I grab something else out of the freezer.
Keep up the good work with these informative blog posts!