Two Products You Really Need to Know About

May 16, 2022 by Chef David

By S. Levin

Welcome to the future, or at least it feels that way sometimes. It is easy to get stuck in the past, sticking to the familiar products or habits, until you stumble upon something better, safer, or more practical. Ozeri found a way of improving two common household products, the lighter and the thermometer. Imagine a lighter without a flame and a thermometer without batteries.  These changes which are so simple, make the products child-safe, travel friendly, and very exciting.

A Lighter Without a Flame

For lighting a fire, or a gas grill, I reach for a match or butane lighter. Butane lighters release liquid butane, stored in a pressurized chamber in a narrow stream of gas, to produce a flame. Matches can be fickle, they are difficult to light in the wind, the lighting surface and match head need to be kept dry, and for older people, the act of striking a match can be difficult. Matches work by friction, from rubbing the phosphorous tip on the striking surface, both of which can be damaged easily.

In contrast, the Piezoelectric Kitchen Stove Lighter does not create a flame or contain gas. Instead, these lighters use a piezoelectric crystal which releases a small electric charge when compressed.  Just position the lighter near the gas source and squeeze the handle. This creates the piezoelectric spark which starts the fire.

Although they are perfect for lighting a gas stove or grill because they do not produce a flame.  This device will not light a candle or set the house on fire.

 

 

It Takes Some Getting Used To

As someone accustomed to using a butane lighter on my gas burner, the absence of a flame requires a mental adjustment.  When using the piezoelectric lighter, you need only compress the grip, you’ll hear a clicking sound as a spring-loaded hammer strikes the crystal to create the spark. And voila there is fire.

What I like best is that the piezoelectric lighter can stand, which makes it easily accessible without taking up room in my already overcrowded drawers.

After testing the Piezoelectric Kitchen Stove Lighter starting the stove with a click became second nature. It will be difficult to return to the matches.

Thermometer There When You Need It

How often do you locate a thermometer only to discover that the batteries are dead? Ozeri Kinetic Non-contact Forehead Thermometer does not use batteries at all, instead, it is charged kinetically by using a scroll wheel at the bottom of the unit to power the thermometer.

Using infrared technology, the thermometer provides temperature readings with a high degree of consistency, and the LCD display shows readings to a tenth of a degree. Like all thermometers, it displays in either Fahrenheit or Celsius, measuring from 93.2°F ~ to 109.4°F.

One thing that stands out most, is that the thermometer interprets each reading. In addition to providing a large digital temperature display, it shows a smiley face for normal reading, and a frowning face if an elevated temperature is detected.  In addition, elevated temperatures are called out by a prolonged audible beep, leaving little to chance.

Accuracy of the temperature is a topic commonly discussed as a weakness in thermal thermometers.  In our opinion, the most important thing is the reliability of readings, I will be using the thermometer to determine relative readings and the changes.  If my temperature is 102, I am concerned about whether it has gone up or down, directionality matters.  It is less important that this reading compares with other thermometers.

So Simple – Child Can Do It

Ozeri uses pictures and sounds to indicate if a temperature is in the normal range. This simple adaptation makes language, the interpretation of results, and the ability to read the display a nonissue.  The only skill needed is the ability to spin the dial to charge the thermometer, then point it at your forehead and wait. It emits a tone to let you know the time is up. This device makes it easy for people to monitor their own temperature.

Convenience is Key

Ozeri products are available at major retailers (listed on the Ozeri website) or on Amazon.  The Ozeri brand which is synonymous with lifestyle products began as a boutique supplier in the hospitality markets.

Convenience is key, and Ozeri offers consumers interesting options. While it may not be easy to change habits, some advances are worth applauding and embracing. These two Ozeri products eliminate our reliance on batteries, which makes them worthy additions as travel items, allowing you always to be prepared.