What Happens When AI Meets Infrared Indoor Grilling?
Cozytime LUMO is an AI infrared indoor grill that uses focused light and food recognition technology to cook indoors without producing smoke.
Photo source:
cozytime
How Cozytime LUMO Works
Indoor grilling has typically involved a
compromise. Electric grills cook food, but most of them rely on heating coils
or convection that either dry out the food or fail to replicate outdoor
barbecue flavor. Cozytime, a Hong Kong-based company backed by a manufacturing
team with DJI and Anker supply chain experience, developed the LUMO as an AI
infrared indoor grill that approaches the problem differently. Instead of
traditional heating elements, it uses focused infrared light directed by four
precision reflectors to distribute heat evenly around the food from all sides.
The device was demonstrated at CES 2026 and
launched on Kickstarter in April 2026, where it raised over HK$3.5 million from
more than 1,170 backers. The campaign exceeded its funding goal by over 6,400%.
Shipping is estimated to begin in July 2026, with a planned retail price of
$499 after the campaign period.
What the AI Infrared Indoor Grill Actually Does
The infrared heating system works without
preheating. Once turned on, the four reflectors focus infrared energy directly
into the food rather than heating the surrounding air. According to the
company, this method retains more moisture than convection-based grills,
reducing the dryness that often comes with indoor cooking. The heat
distribution is designed to eliminate hot spots, so food cooks at the same rate
across the entire grill surface.
The device includes a separate component called
the Flavor Module. This module generates a charcoal-infused taste during
cooking. At the same time, the grill uses a side-heat design that prevents
grease from dripping onto the heat source. This means grease does not burn, and
smoke does not form during the cooking process. That design is what allows the
grill to operate indoors without triggering smoke alarms.
Understanding the Key Features of Cozytime LUMO
The AI component is a system called CookPilot™.
It uses food recognition to identify over 40 types of food placed on the grill.
Once it detects the food, it selects a cooking program automatically. No manual
temperature probe is required. Users can monitor the cooking process in real
time through the LUMO app, which means they do not need to stand by the grill
throughout the session.
LUMO operates in three cooking modes. Open
Grill mode uses a semi-open lid to concentrate heat for rapid searing, which
suits steaks and quick meals. Indoor Smoker mode fully encloses the cooking
chamber and circulates smoke from the Flavor Module around the food, which is
intended for slow-cooked items like brisket. Oven mode distributes warmth
evenly for baking and roasting tasks such as pizza or casseroles. In terms of
capacity, the grill fits six sausages, seven skewers, a seven-inch pizza, or
two steaks per batch.
Portability, Size, and Maintenance
The device weighs 6.5 kilograms and measures
374 by 308 by 176.5 millimeters, which is compact enough for a standard kitchen
countertop. It is also portable enough to use on a balcony, at a campsite, or
inside an RV. Food contacts only stainless steel grill grates and grease trays,
both of which are removable and dishwasher-safe. The remaining surfaces require
only an occasional wipe.
This combination of size and easy cleanup is
relevant for users who want to grill regularly without dedicating significant
time to post-cooking maintenance. The AI infrared indoor grill does not require
charcoal, lighter fluid, or extensive setup, which reduces preparation time
compared to traditional outdoor grilling.
The Growing Role of AI in Kitchen Appliances
Artificial intelligence is gradually entering
the kitchen appliance industry. Several manufacturers now integrate food
recognition, automatic temperature adjustment, and app-based monitoring into
cooking devices. These features aim to reduce the manual effort involved in
meal preparation, particularly for users with limited cooking experience.
However, the effectiveness of AI-assisted cooking still varies depending on the
complexity of the dish and the accuracy of the recognition system.
Infrared heating, meanwhile, has been used in
commercial food service for decades due to its speed and energy efficiency. Its
adoption in consumer-grade appliances has been slower, partly because of cost
and partly because most home cooks are unfamiliar with the technology. Whether
combining AI with infrared heating in a single device addresses a meaningful
gap in home cooking or adds unnecessary complexity is something the market will
determine as more products in this category emerge.
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