Are you for or against the increasing amount of technology in the kitchen?

Blog DVICE seems to think that over the long-term you can save money on eating out by purchasing nine specific kitchen gadgets, like plates that cook. As exciting as these gadgets sound, just how necessary are they and will they actually help you save money?

The adjustable measuring cup (see the photo above) can measure up to two tablespoons with the small cup and up to a half-cup with the larger one. While this device costs $18, it functions as both a measuring cup and spoon. And, the price is similar to that of both measuring tools and can take up less space.

But are these gadgets worth it? Find out after the jump.

Obviously, we have the refrigerator to keep our foods nicely stored at a chilly 42 degrees or so. However, if you're a grazer like me, you might be opening that refrigerator every hour throughout the day just to grab a nectarine.

Industrial designer Klara Zavadilova has Coool, a food cover which keep fruits and pastry fresh, protected, and easily accessible during the day. The base plate contains a mild cooling system that sets the temperature inside the domed cover from a control. According to the product description, "The cooling system is CFC-free and free from polluting cooling liquids. An additional ventilator inside the cooling chamber ensures that the cold is distributed optimally inside the cover."

[via: Yanko Design]

Leave it up to our sibling blog, Engadget to find the coolest things for the cook.

Maverick makes meat thermometers that allow you to grill, without having to stand out their on the patio sweating it out under the sun. The thermometers come in three different models, all of which work the same way: the thermometer's probe is inserted into the meat and you carry a wireless receiver that gives you the temperature from up to 100 meters away. It will also alert you when the meat has reached a given temperature or doneness. So you can go back inside and have a margarita with your guests.

The Maverick thermometers range from $59.99 to $79.99.

This is so cool - a scale in which you can measure dry or wet ingredients, in both metric and standard, that are hard to weigh on a regular scale that has a flat surface. It's also very cool because you can tare the scale (set it back to zero) even when there are things already in the scale - so you can just add additional ingredients right into the container.

The scale is made by eva Solo and has only three parts - all of them are dishwasher safe. It is available online at Modern Motive for $72.95.

Sometimes, cooking for one or two every night is just as much of a challenge as cooking for a large family of six. Whereas cooking for a large family requires savvy stretching of dollars and food, cooking for one or two requires the ability to cook in small quantities without wasting food. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't get creative with leftovers.

The micro rice cooker helps out by allowing you to cook a small amount of rice, and conveniently, too, since the ceramic pot goes in the microwave oven. Once the rice is cooked, you can eat straight from the bowl. It's certainly not any faster, since the uncooked rice still has to be washed/rinsed and soaked for 15 minutes before cooking. If you want speed, then just go for the pre-cooked ready packed rice available at Asian markets.

The micro rice cooker is available at Compact Impact for $44. 

[via: popgadget]

Chef'n is a company that makes kitchen gadgets - everything from an avocado slicer (like the one we saw earlier this year, available from Williams-Sonoma) to barbecue tools painted with hot rod flames. This is Chef'n's Grapefruiter, a tool used to section grapefruits and other citrus.

It looks scary - strangely futuristic, yet medieval. Even though I read the description of the product, I can't figure out how the thing works. You're supposed to insert the tool into a halved grapefruit or other citrus, then squeeze the handles together, which magically sections the fruit.

The Chef'n Grapefruiter is available at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens N' Things, and Sur La Table.

I don't know anyone who likes peeling potatoes, so this little gadget called the Palm Peeler might make the hated task a little easier. You slip it onto your middle finger like a ring, then simply wave your hand, and magically, the potato is peeled. The Palm Peeler pretty much works for any fruit or vegetable that has broad, somewhat flatter surfaces like apples and carrots. It comes pretty colors, too.

[via: PopGadget]