Spicerr - the new peppermill beyond human stupidity. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 08:19:37 am
content: https://spicerr.com/Coming to Kickstarter soon (where else...)Looks like a Juicero 2.0, completely pointless for what it does, requires an app, requires costly refills, costs quite some money. When all of its "functionality" is available for a tenner, and is probably present in pretty much any household.Honestly, what were they thinking, when a "team" devoloped this product? Beyond words.

author: ZGoode
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 11:25:24 pm
content: I'll be honest, I like the concept. I could see myself using something like this, but only if the end user could make/refill their own cartridges.I agree with you that this is gonna be most likely like the Juicero, which is a shame, because conceptually it actually has some potential

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 12:28:48 am
content: Hilarious but about 100x more elegant design than the juicero.If this was juicero level, you'd have air sealed spice bags with a miligram force sensor for dispensing and massive burr grinders designed for each spice type.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 01:40:21 am
content: I don't want god damn engineering related management people near my foodI don't like any of these inventions that have the edible part made or related to the company that produces mechanical or even worse electronic parts. What creative way will you figure out to reduce the "BOM" on my peppercorn?I am not even convinced that vacuum keeps it 'fresh'. Vacuum prevents parts from rusting, and people are extrapolating that its going to keep old warehoused spice good.I use vacuum packing for food, but its hardly a miracle. It helps a little, but they say its a magic bullet.It seems to be one of those technologies that gets way over stated in quality and results. It's not good enough that suddenly I will trust a mechanical manufacturing company with food.And those cartridges are puny.And who the hell pours in their splice like its soy sauce? A good spice grinder makes it 'rain' spice. Its only acceptable for sauces, soups to add it like that. Its not going to spread out good on a vegetable, meat, etc if you pour mounds of spice on it. But I don't expect the people that buy this will handle raw meat or slice a eggplant lolHowever, if you are making your own spice mixes, soups or sauces, and you can dial in a value, that is useful to meter a blend. If you had 2-3 of those devices, and they can be used manually (no phone) to meter spices according to a recipe, then its useful.However, if you are making a blend, then a spice blender is the tool to use, in order to make a good mixture. So if i was using this tool, I would actually use it to measure spice into a spice mixer (mini blender), instead of a measuring spoon. Quite rupe goldberg and ritzy. But its also low quality now, because I see their cumin and cinamon is pre ground. If you are going to bother with machinery, using pre ground cumin, coriander, peppercorn, allspice, juniper, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, bay leaf and quite possibly many hot peppers (chipotle, etc.. )is criminal.**peppers are a bit of a exception because processing dried peppers is a circusGood citrus zest is also a non powdered form

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 02:14:04 am
content: QuoteThats me out,looks like the trusty mortar and pestle lives to see another decade.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 02:24:26 am
content: seriously, especially cumin.And I suspect alot of the more advanced people.... their gonna have most herbs in dried leaf form. I just listed the ones that are commonly available as whole in cheap markets.And ground onion flake is better then onion powder.I do have a soft spot for granulated garlic though, because its classic pizza topping, to have the aired out pizzeria garlic powder, not sure I want something different there lol. It's like a meme spice. I don't give them any credit for most of their spices (because it tastes lower quality) but the garlic is a special case, like the crap powdered parma cheese, so long they keep it refrigerated... used to control pepperoni grease lol, you gotta load up your pizza with cheese powder to prevent it from dripping everywere .https://wlv.openrepository.com/handle/2436/131890But seriously WTF is with the powder cumin. Its a god damn joke. Like if you make any tex mex, it can basically define the food flavor if its ground from seed. It;s like it loses some zesty note when its old powder form. I literarly think "you can't do that" and do not feel like a snob saying it when it comes to cumin.and rosemary too, you don't want powdered lol

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 03:48:59 am
content: Well it's like this bread toaster they released a few years ago. It's just that people think there's an opportunity to make an IoT business with absolutely just anything. Next thing you know, they'll release a connected pair of socks.This is potentially endless. The fascinating point is not that some people are trying to seize those opportunities, even when that's complete BS. The really fascinating thing is that they find other people that will invest money in that.

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 04:13:57 am
content: Looks like the developers watched a lot of Futurama.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 04:46:56 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on January 09, 2025, 03:48:59 amBilly-Bob: D'you think we can Kickstart something even dumber than a Juicero?Earl: Hold my beer...

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 07:11:54 am
content: We Indians have had AI ( Actual Intelligence) powered spice boxes for hundreds of years now...

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 07:15:19 am
content: Its cheap, durable, easy to refill and you can customize to your liking however you want...Take that Spicerr!!!

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 08:04:46 am
content: Quote from: krish2487 on January 09, 2025, 07:15:19 amNot only that, it works even without mains power and no WLAN. "Oh no, I can't add any spice, now what's the WLAN password?"

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 09:26:22 am
content: Quote from: Haenk on January 09, 2025, 08:04:46 amLol!! Thats true... also... as@themadhippymentioned... you can choose whether you want powdered or raw form of the spices!!!No more "one size fits all" shoehorning...

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 04:44:00 pm
content: Quote from: ZGoode on January 08, 2025, 11:25:24 pmI don't hate the idea of a multiple barrel spice grinder. I don't even hate the idea of having a motorized grinder with an RFID/QR/EEPOM so that it can detect the type of spice and adjust accordingly.What I hate is it having a screen and being tied to subscription refills. If there was a mechanical selector ring and I had to buy pre-marked but refillable containers for each type spice it would make sense. I wouldn't buy it myself but I could see recommending it to people who like kitchen gadgets. This gadget is just future e-waste and that future is _very_ soon.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 05:08:46 pm
content: AI-powered implies a large carbon footprint. That's bad! Anyhow, they can't top fresh herbs/spices growing in the garden and winter garden.

author: Fryguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 07:28:24 pm
content: It really is a computer controlled spiceweasel . . .

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 08:49:41 am
content: Quote from: ZGoode on January 08, 2025, 11:25:24 pmLike a spice jar?Seems like a silly idea. They are really reaching on their website... "Say goodbye to dirty measuring spoons and messy counters, and enjoy precise dispensing with every use". I don't know about you, but my measuring spoons go in the dishwasher after I'm done, and I don't throw spices around the bench like an idiot.Also, my measuring spoons don't require Wi-Fi.

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 08:58:01 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on January 14, 2025, 08:49:41 amAlso makes you wonder how to ensure that the rest of the ingredients are so "precisely dispensed"... :-D and how did chefs manage to consistently deliver food of a certain taste without their wifi powered nonsense...

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 09:10:38 am
content: Quote from: krish2487 on January 14, 2025, 08:58:01 amI use a scale. Far more accurate and cheaper than the Spicerr, and it's compatible with an unlimited amount of herbs and spices. For what it's worth, I buy a lot of my spices whole and only grind what I need, so it's even fresher than Spicrr as well!I'll also leave this here:

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:16:43 am
content: I think the widespread mockery that Juicero received doesn't deter these startup types. They can all see that transforming everyday items into "as a Service" will be insanely profitable. There are stupid ads on the radio for something called the Bartesian, which is a "cocktail mixer" that uses premanufactured "capsules" analogous to Keurig K-cups. Remember, Keurig is a highly successful company and is the lodestar for the people behind the "Spicerr" and other like offerings that tempt you with convenience. Just a few more of these gormless gadgets, and we finally arrive at Wall-E.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:45:51 am
content: My thoughts on this will entirely depend on if there's any encryption/RFID on the spice refills.If it's another HP inkjet copy im out.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 09:08:50 am
content: Quote from: helius on January 16, 2025, 07:16:43 amLatest, crazy idea is a subscription service for your E-Bike from Bosch. Which turns your already purchased, expensive E-bike with several features into a subscription bike.Very much like my Philips HUE lighting products, which also went "Sign up for an online account & subscribe to our paid service". I hate that.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 09:18:41 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on January 14, 2025, 08:49:41 amDon't be obtuse. That can't recall a recipe and dump the exact quantities needed, dispensing as powder, seeds or through a burr grinder as needed. Then autoclean the grinder with rice or oats.I could see a more advanced version of this become a Pacojet type toy for rich kitchen hobbyists.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 11:44:44 am
content: Actually, when cooking I want to choose the spices and their quantities based on my taste, the spices I have, their quality, the dish, the ingredients and many factors more. A recipe's spice list is just a starting point or suggestion.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:51:47 pm
content: Quote from: madires on January 16, 2025, 11:44:44 amI'm sure that you will be able to do that if you subscribe to the optionalSpicerr ProorSpicerr Freestyleupgrades.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 02:33:52 pm
content: Quote from: madires on January 16, 2025, 11:44:44 amDo you want to manually replace the control loop of your oven too? Those modern thermostat ovens are just too mechanical, right?It's just a question of interface, analogue or digital. The device could dispense whatever you want, how you want and how much you want. While keeping stock of the shelf life etc. Punch it in and a small part of mise en place is done in seconds. Just a convenience to add to other rich boy toys like wireless thermometers, thermostat controlled induction cooktops etc.There is a lot of room at the high end for high quality high tech kitchen equipment. The early pensioner techbros and cryptobros flock to the kitchen. The classic Pacojet which I mentioned before is the ultimate example.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 03:37:02 pm
content: That gadget won't give me fresh rosemary.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 04:24:53 pm
content: That's what the LED illuminated automatically watered indoor herb garden is for

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 08:02:54 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on January 09, 2025, 03:48:59 amThe thing is that with 330+ million potential customers in the US alone, an 'inventor" only has to sell them to 1% of the potential customers in order to make a small fortune. I'm convinced that that is the marketing strategy behind all of the Ronco and of the other most brands of useless junk products that are widely advertised on TV. IoT just adds another layer of gimmickry to an already useless product.

author: rhodges
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2025, 01:08:37 am
content: And that is also the base for spam emails. "I can send a million emails for only cents, and if only a fraction give me money, I will succeed." But even when they fail, millions of us have to clean up their garbage. It's like when decent people have to deal with vandals and litterbugs.Maybe it is an apt analogy to compare these "inventors" with vandals and litterbugs. But a forced subscription system pushes the deal into an "organized crime" area.