The International Home & Housewares Show is one of the top trade show events in the United States and the largest annual gathering at the massive McCormick Center in Chicago which boasts 16 miles of aisles packed with new products for every room in the house.
From a clever gadget invented by a busy mom to the small appliances giants like Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach, nearly 2200 exhibitors debut innovation and design in products for cooking, cleaning, home design and organization. The Housewares Show is not open to the public, so consumers have to wait until these products are on store shelves to experience the excitement first hand!
As the show’s Lifestyle Editor, and a longtime contributor to Today’s fourth hour, it’s my job to go on the hunt for the best new products to share with Kathie Lee and Hoda and their dedicated viewers.
Last weekend I logged an average of 16,000 steps a day on my search and, with the help of the Today Show crack staff, we narrowed it down to this tight list of products. For these manufacturers being on the Today Show is a gigantic, make or break opportunity!
Here are this year’s special picks!
Cleaning Solutions
Kaercher Window Vac, $79.99
It’s a real AHA! When you first spray a window with cleaner, you watch the drips go down the window which leaves streaks. The window vac immediately sucks up the cleaner -leaving the window spotless. The vac is lightweight, and can be used on windows, counters, mirrors, tubs and shower tiles.
Better Living Looeegee Hygienic Toilet Squeegee, $39.99
I never saw so many toilet bowl cleaners and innovation in this cleaning product is huge. This one is a category disruptor! No more dirty bristles, germs or drips. Neat, clean, easy. Reaches under the rim, dries quickly, and is long lasting.
Talisman Designs Bacon Bin Grease Holder, $14.85
Hot grease can melt plastic and clogs drains and pipes fast. Bacon Bin strains, stores and disposes grease from bacon and other meat. You can refrigerate and reuse for cooking. When full, put in freezer, pop out in the garbage, and start over.
Kitchen Innovation
Zyliss 2 in 1 Pepper Corer, $9.99
The Zyliss 2 in 1 Pepper Corer can easily core and de-seed both Bell Peppers and Jalapeños. The Bell Pepper Corer features a stainless-steel blade rim for clean cuts and a non-slip base for added stability. Easy storage as the Jalapeño Corer locks neatly into the bell pepper corer and acts as a blade cover. The 2-in-1 is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Rapid Slicer, $12.99
The Rapid Slicer is the fastest, safest and easiest way to slice a large quantity of small fruits and vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, grapes and olives in seconds. Other great uses include slicing meats, poultry and shrimp.
Dexas Mise En Place Cutting and Prep Board, $39.99
Everything is truly in its place when you combine the warmth of natural bamboo with the precision of stainless steel prep bowls. The Dexas Mise en Place Prep Board is a thick bamboo cutting board with four precisely milled stainless steel bowls to hold freshly cut ingredients. The 1-cup bowls are flush with the board’s surface for easy filling, while also being easy to lift out while cooking and creating. Mise en Place also features non-slip silicone feet, an ample juice well, and even cut-out openings on each side for easy movements to the cooktop.
Baking Innovation
OXO Silicone Dough Rolling Bag, $14.99
Contain the mess and roll perfect pie, pastry, and pizza crusts in this easy to clean dough rolling bag. Easily roll pizza, pastry, pie and cookie dough into perfect rounds. Simply place dough inside of bag, use zipper to close and roll. Bag seals flour and sticky dough together so the countertop and rolling pin remain clean. Effortlessly transfer delicate doughs from bag to baking pan. Measurement markings help you roll dough into the perfect, uniform size. Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Chefman Fusion Color Changing Stainless Kettle, $39.99
Mornings get a whole lot more colorful with the Chefman Color Changing Stainless Kettle. Utilizing a proprietary, almost magical painting technology that changes the color of the kettle’s exterior as it approached boiling, this kettle provides users with a warning that the kettle is hot for safety purposes, and gives a guide on where in the boiling process the kettle is for those who don’t want to wait for full boil. The kettle also features a 1500 watt, Strix Controlled heating element for quicker and safer boiling.
Sanodegusto Calido Serving Plate with Tempcontrol Technology, $44-$119
These round, robust serving plates are designed to keep warm dishes such as paella, rice dishes or pastas at the right temperature without loss of flavor. Use the Calido with cold technology to keep your seafood at a constant temperature or to accomplish your summer barbecue with a fresh salad. The Calido serving plate is available in different colors. These hot and cold plates are really cool or… hot!
Drink Innovation
vSpin, $239
vSPin is the only wine aerator that gives you complete control over the time and speed that you aerate your wine, allowing you to customize the aeration process to suit your taste. Provides active tabletop aeration for wine connoisseurs. Aeration with vSpin results in enhanced aromas and richer bouquet, and mellows harsh tannin textures in under 5 minutes with a full bloom.
Nod Products Bloody Mary Tree, $25
They say tomato, we say Bloody Mary! Introducing drink innovation at its best our brand new Bloody Mary Tree! Made from stainless steel it stands just over 7 in. tall and fits perfectly inside a pint glass. The (6) alternating branches and stem provide ample space for picking, poking, stacking and sticking all kinds of garnishes. Not only is The Bloody Mary Tree the essential accessory for this classic drink but it also makes a great gift!
