Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop Oven 2019-2020

Designers: Newell Brands Design, Newell Brands, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Manufacturer: Newell Brands Design, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

Calphalon Cool to the Touch, even when internally heated to over 450 degrees, the Calphalon® Cool Touch Countertop Oven is the first ever to protect users and surface items from being burned. The oven

preheats in seconds, comes with a programmable two-step bake/broil feature, and features a high-end edge-to-edge glass design.

CHALLENGE FACED ( DESIGN INNOVATION)
The challenge was to design a countertop oven capable of heating quickly and consistently while remaining cool to the touch, even at cooking temperatures above 450 degrees—something that has never been achieved.

Through research, we discovered that scalding hot surface housings are a major pain point for consumers. Many have been burned when preparing foods close to their existing oven. Others leave items on oven surfaces, which then heat and melt when the oven is in use. Bread bags are a common and devastating example of this as they permanently melt to the housing, resulting in a smoky mess.

The first of its kind, the Calphalon Cool Touch Oven is designed to keep people safe from burns when in use. This is especially appealing for parents of young children who may not understand the dangers of a conventional countertop oven.

An additional benefit is the oven’s cool surface, which prevents items from melting or being burned when the oven is in use. It also comes with exclusive Quartz Heat technology capable of pre-heating 40 percent faster than competitor ovens. When up to temp, the oven maintains precise heat for superior cooking performance, every time.

BENEFIT TO USER
Knowing that cooking is often a messy undertaking, Cool Touch comes with an all-glass capacitive touch control panel that’s easy to wipe down. The smooth surface is beneficial when working with raw meats. The panel also integrates a large, high-contrast PMVA screen that’s easy to read and intuitive to control.

Consumers can choose from 11 preset cooking functions: Bake, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Roast, Defrost, Warm, Reheat, Cookies, and Dehydrate. A novel Step Cook feature lets users pre-program the oven to roast for 25 minutes then automatically broil for perfectly crispy results.

A built-in interior light makes it easy to monitor progress, and the spacious interior accommodates up to a 12-inch pizza. A rubber-coated handle makes it easier to move the oven when necessary. Superior craftsmanship, precise fit and finish, and a full-glass fascia make it an appealing option in any high-end kitchen.

BENEFIT TO CLIENT
The Cool Touch Oven builds on the momentum of the Calphalon Quartz Heat Oven, which was named 2019 Best Convection Countertop Oven by Business Insider. With a heritage of market-changing innovation - including stay-cool handles and non-stick coatings - Cool Touch is the latest on a growing list of Calphalon industry firsts. This means being able to offer solutions consumers can depend upon for safety, convenience, and elevated design.

BENEFIT TO SOCIETY
When it comes to safety and usability, more is expected from consumer products than ever before. This includes basic cooking appliances, a category that has been long overlooked for safety.

The launch of the Calphalon® Cool Touch Countertop Oven is a chance to shift consumer expectations in a safer direction. Brands looking to stay relevant will need to update their offerings as the cool touch technology, and design solves major pain points in the kitchen with a contemporary new design.

APPROPRIATE AESTHETICS
Using rough mock-ups of existing oven internals, we embarked on a proof of concept. After a series of setbacks along the way, our team was finally able to confirm feasibility. However, the result was far from consumer-friendly.

Transitioning from prototype to a full-fledged consumer product required infrared camera testing, airflow diagnostics, and dozens of design iterations. In its final iteration, the oven’s edge-to-edge glass design not only helped to pass testing requirements, but it also gave it an aesthetic that’s suited to a range of high-end kitchens.

The materials used are stainless-steel, glass, and plastic.