Short Summary
I'm Brian Kennedy. I've spent 50 years building scientific instruments for satellites. The idea for the new, innovative, kitchen appliance, the CoolCooker, came from my wife 10 years ago when we were dining with our friend Mike. She complained about not having someone home to start her slow cooker at the right time. She wanted one with a refrigerator and timer. Mike and I said no problem. I can make one of a kind, sophisticated, highly reliable scientific instruments. Mike had spent his career in industry and he, like me, had dabbled in every aspect of his business. We made a great team and the CoolCooker was born.
There have been many prototypes, trips to the Home and Housewares show and China. The CoolCooker production prototypes using parts from the plastic injection process are nearing completion. I'm looking for support to complete the prototype activity, develop the manufacturing and testing procedures and perform marketing activities. The more help I get now, the more marketing I can do and the better the chances are for selling the CoolCooker.
This is, of course, a new kitchen appliance. If you look around your kitchen you won't see much as new, sophisticated and revolutionary as the CoolCooker. We've talked to hundreds of people over the years and they virtually all think it's a great idea and almost all want one. So, I expect the CoolCooker and it's variants will eventually sell in the millions.
What We Need & What You Get
Prototype completion: We're in the second phase of the plastic injection molding process and we're still working out the bugs. We've also just completed a big change to the software (firmware) for the microprocessor. We have a few bugs to chase there as well.
Production unit testing: We plan to built 20 production units at first. These will be used to help develop processes and we will test them to establish operating parameters. These, in turn, will be used to refine production testing.
Manufacturing: We still have to work out the details of the manufacturing plan as well as testing. We plan to test each unit before it goes out the door. Our goal is happy customers and that means the CoolCooker has to work.
Marketing: The plan is to sell these on line at Amazon. We've been learning about on line marketing and it's clear we still have a ways to go.
So, the funding will be used to support these activities. Every little bit helps.
As a backer, you'll be the first to get a CoolCooker. You can go to CoolCooker.com and it will direct you to the CoolCooker Comedy Troop videos. Corny they are, but fun to make and we hope you'll enjoy them. We're looking for more ideas. We had a blast making them and would love to do some more.
A second perk, is the Warmer/Sous Vide version. This upgraded version allows you to control the cook temperature. As a Warmer, you can set the temperature at 140 F, a safe warming temperature as long as you want. (You can always use it as a mini-refrigerator by setting the cook time at 1 minute.) Sous Vide cookings (under vacuum in French) is becoming quite popular. Meat is typically vacuum packed in plastic bags and cooked at low temperatures in a water bath. This can be easily done in the CoolCooker. I've also developed Pas Sous Vide, not under vacuum. A study shows some concern about the plastic. So, I simply wrap the meat in aluminum foil. A comparison test shows no difference.
The Impact
I can't tell you how enthusiastic people have been about the CoolCooker. I'm impressed with how many people use slow cookers these days.Time and time again they've complained, as my wife did, about not having someone home to turn it on at the right time. We, of course, eat most of our dinners during the week from the CoolCooker. I've never eaten so well. And you can make so many things. Oatmeal for breakfast, soup for lunch, all kinds of things for dinner and desserts. Pineapple upside down cakes..... We've selected recipes that can be prepared in about 15 minutes start to finish including cleanup. We provide some salad ideas so you can have a great home-cooked dinner in about 5 minutes from the time you walk in the door. It's 9:30 PM and you want to get dinner ready for tomorrow. 15 minutes later it's done (with a little practice). We also plan to provide grocery lists so you don't even have to do that if you don't want to.
I've been involved in 100's of successful scientific instruments with no failures. I'm confident in the technology. But, I learned long ago to go find good people to help me do the things I can't. I've been fortunate to find some good people who were able to lend a part time hand to bring the CoolCooker to fruition.
Other Ways You Can Help
Spread the word! Watch our YouTubes videos. Send recipe ideas to coolcooker@coolcooker.com. Go to CoolCooker.com and see what's going on. And don't forget the Indiegogo share tools.
