If a couple of pancakes is good, a large stack is better, right? And if they can be made in large quantities quickly by something of a pancake robot (ok, maybe we're exaggerating just a little), better still!
That’s essentially the idea of the ChefStack Automatic Pancake Machine, an invention that recently reached the U.S. at $3,500 a pop. The microwave-sized machine makes stack after stack of perfect, piping hot pancakes—lots of them, from “silver dollars” to diner plate sized—in under a minute. Just load it up with batter and the ChefStack does everything else but eat for you. So break out the Mrs. Butterworth's!
Realistically, ChefStacks are of course designed squarely for commercial use—cafeterias, convenience stores, the OctoMom’s house, the AbsolutelyNew headquarters (hint hint to our CEO). And in that is a good reminder for all of us: whereas many inventors look to create a household item inspired by something in commercial use, there’s also ample opportunity in creating commercial products for everyday tasks… like making pancakes.
More tasty bits:
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ChefStack batter is also apparently 97% fat free, and the makers appear to be playing up the healthiness is their sales materials. Needless to say, it can’t ever hurt to tie your product to health and life trends like this.
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Tapping into the emerging food cart and truck craze catching on in cities like our hometown San Francisco, the ChefStack people are also emphasizing their invention’s cart-ability. Smart. And a lot more appealing than that new French food truck (frog legs anyone?) that just started parking up the street.