may potentially disrupt Le Creuset’s stronghold on the cast-iron cookware market.
A new oven has been created using thermodynamics, which designers claim has accelerated cooking times.
The pan, made by FireUp, features protrusions surrounding its outside inspired by heat transfer methods used in jet engine and rocket technology.
Inventors claim that the fins aid in more efficiently dispersing heat across the pan, which would otherwise be wasted around the edges, thereby creating an “oven-like” effect.
The company behind the design, FireUp, developed the new technology following a £10,000 grant from the University of Oxford’s Innovation incubator program, which offers financial support to entrepreneurs in exchange for a share of the profits.
Professor Thomas Povey developed the design for the pan by adapting his research on high-efficiency cooling systems for advanced jet engines to items that transport heat, such as household cooking pans.
Raghav Agarwal, founder of FireUp, remarks: “Traditional cookware heats up only from the bottom – our patented fin design directs heat across the bottom and up the sides of the FireUP Dutch oven, leading to quicker and more uniform heat distribution, ultimately conserving energy every time.”
Professor Povey added: “Adding fins to the pan takes more heat out of the hot plume and makes it more efficient. We spent a few years optimizing it and the result is this product.”
FireUp is now vying for control of the cast iron market, which has historically been dominated by French leader, Le Creuset.
The highly regarded brand, celebrating one hundred years in operation, is renowned for its vibrant colors, exceptional quality, and long-lasting warranty – with some of its pans available for as much as 600 pounds.
Large crowds flocked to the site seeking discounted prices, prompting the police to intervene to manage the traffic congestion.
FireUp – which manufactures its products in France – also offers a lifetime guarantee. However, its cookware is more affordable, with a five-litre pan priced at £250, and a skillet selling for £175.
However, Mr. Agarwal has countered any accusation that he is attempting to emulate Le Creuset in its appearance.
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As a point of reference, our innovative design shares similarities with Apple’s game-changing approach, which overhauled the mobile landscape with the introduction of the iPhone and its revolutionary touchscreen interface, ultimately displacing Nokia and BlackBerry.
He stated that the market seems to have plateaued following the “lazy rebranding” of essentially the “same product”, which brings “nothing” new.
He noted that our product is not aimed at competing with established large companies.” “We firmly believe there has been no significant innovation in cookware design for nearly a century.
Professor Povey stated that the fins help catch and hold onto heat, thereby increasing the pan’s efficiency so that food can be cooked more quickly.
Designers claim that the new pan can boost heating efficiency on a gas stovetop by 30% to 80%, allowing it to take full advantage of the heat plume generated by the burner.
An Oxford University Innovation representative stated that the FireUp cookware design was an “example of how universities can facilitate the commercialization of technologies”.
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