How much time did you spend next to the grill the last time you cooked some meat? Getting the temperature right, not overcooking or under cooking the food can be tricky if you get distracted. Christopher Allen wanted to mingle with guests, or simply walk away from the food without having to worry. According to Hartford Business Journal Online, that inspired him to create the iGrill, the first cooking thermometer that uses bluetooth.
The $99.99 device was almost an instant hit since its introduction in 2009. The iGrill turns your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into your own personal sous-chef, enabling you to multitask between your grill or oven and guests with the peace of mind that your food is perfectly cooked, at target temperature and safe for consumption.
The product quickly caught the attention of Apple, which chose it for participation in Apple’s Made For iPod, iPhone, iPad Developers’ Program. It is also a finalist for the Bluetooth.org’s 6th annual Best of CES 2011 Awards – Innovator of the Year. That award was to be announced during the show.
Allen discovered that the iGrill is not just a seasonal product targeted to summertime grilling. He said, “We had an amazing consumer response over the holidays … something that can be credited to two factors. The iGrill also works in the oven or on a stove top, making it equally as relevant a device for fall and winter meals as for spring and summer. An independent study conducted by Weber revealed that most people barbeque year-round with only one-tenth relegating their grilling to the warmer months. Next time I will not underestimate the unprecedented success a grilling implement can have in the midwinter marketplace. We sold out of units for Christmas in mere days.”
Photo from iGrill