If you follow us on social media, chances are you’re well aware of our love for the PancakeBot. And if you share our passion for delicious breakfast art, then you’ll be super excited to hear that the first-of-its-kind printer is now available for purchase. The production-ready model was recently on display at the International Home & Housewares Show 2016, and as first reported by CNET, is on sale for $299.
For those unfamiliar with the CNC-like machine, the PancakeBot is capable of whipping up pancakes in just about any intricate design or shape. These include everything from the Eiffel Tower and R2-D2 to Presidential candidates’ faces and our very own AVR Man.
Pancake designs can be loaded onto the PancakeBot via SD card. You can either devise your own artwork using its integrated software or browse through an online library full of sketches from fellow breakfast enthusiasts. Upon hitting print, the must-have kitchen appliance begins to dispense the batter by drawing your shape’s outline first, and filling in the rest shortly thereafter. The bot employs a proprietary system to extrude the ingredients as it glides over the griddle, while the combination of compressed air, a special vacuum and an onboard interface helps control batter flow.
Like so many other successfully-funded Kickstarter campaigns, the idea for this project was first conceived by a Maker right in the comfort of his own home. The PancakeBot is the brainchild of our good friend Miguel Valenzuela, who nearly six years ago, created the gadget out of LEGO as a way to make flapjacks exciting for his two young daughters. Since then, the countertop machine has gone through some radical transformations and has become an absolate sensation, claiming the hearts and stomachs of everyone, everywhere.
Not only for some kitchen fun, Valenzuela has mentioned in the past that hotels, theme parks, restaurants and other dining establishments can benefit tremendously from PancakeBot as well. Through some creatively-branded breakfast food, businesses can leave a lasting impression on customers, while satisfying their appetites along the way. Who knows? Perhaps Disney World will one day complement its Mickey waffles with some Goofy pancakes…
Intrigued? Hurry over to StoreBound, where the PancakeBot is currently in stock. At the moment, the unit comes in two colors — black and red — so it’ll surely match any decor.