On November 15th, 1936, L.A. resident Harry H. Patrick patented an invention that would go on to heat up the lives of millions of bachelors across America: the humble hot plate.
Now, more than 80 years later, New Zealander Lawrence Bass and his team have patented a hot take on the YMCA staple that also has the capability to function as a frying pan, pot, grill press or oven.
Powered by a rechargeable battery that can provide up to three hours of cooking time on a single charge, the all-electric Morphcooker has an eight-inch steel plate at its core that can be paired with a variety of stainless-steel components in order to mimic the functions of those various appliances.
Lightweight (14 ounces) and compact (0.7 inches thick) when packed up, the Morphcooker can be charged via a solar panel or USB battery pack and would seem to be an ideal fit for camping. And if the idea of going electric in the great outdoors has you spooked, don’t be.
“We don’t take electrical systems lightly,” according to Bass and his team. “The Morphcooker‘s patented, integrated heating system has been developed with quality components by a team of talented electrical specialists, and tested in extreme wind and rain and freezing conditions.”
Now funding on Kickstarter, the standard Morphcooker will set you back $105, while a smaller Solo model costs just $96. The project is funded, so both models should ship in March.
Now we’re not cooking with gas.
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