Introducing a method to enhance spice flavor, allowing bartenders to better connect with and elevate their customers' experience.
Ember
FinaMill Sponsored Studio | Fall 2023
Finamill's spice grinder features a unique design that allows users to easily interchange spice pods, enabling precise grinding and storage of various spices in one convenient device.
An opportunity to expand into high-end + specialty bars...
Consumers want restaurant experiences. 84% of consumers say going out to a restaurant with family and friends is a better use of their leisure time than cooking and cleaning up.
How might we enhance spice flavor while maintaining efficiency + precision?
Initial concepting explored ways of roasting, toasting, and blooming spices in a smaller appliance form factor to minimize overutilization of valuable footprint on the bar top.
Finding the right temperature + time to enhance a tsp of spice..
By using the toasting method to enhance flavor, the short time and simple cleanup will aid bartenders in maintaining efficiency throughout their shift.
0°F (Control)
No toasting
Expected peppery flavor
150° -160°
1 minute toast
Little / some change in flavor
180° -190°
1 minute toast time
Best smoky flavor
210° -220°
1 minute toast time
Burnt flavor
230° -240°
1 minute toast time
Burnt flavor
The Ideal Toast
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1 minute toast time
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Desire for some temperature adjustability depending on the spice used
-
Spices need to be flipped or moving on the surface for consistent toasting
Exploring a new toasting attachment...
By using the toasting method to enhance flavor, the short time and simple cleanup will aid bartenders in maintaining efficiency throughout their shift.
Two key concepts
By using the toasting method to enhance flavor, the short time and simple cleanup will aid bartenders in maintaining efficiency throughout their shift.
Set Duration + Preheat
Dispense Spice
Toast Spice
Open Shaker
Shake
Rinse
Ember User Flow
Brand Development
Moving towards the commercial market, FinaMill Ember needs to exemplify a level of professionalism and precision within the high-end market.
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Form Exploration
Sketches of the silhouette including a rebranded FinaMill and Ember. This exploration manifested in two directions; one providing a strong but uniform stance, and the other a more dynamic approach that lends itself to the fast-paced bartending environment.
FinaMill Ember.
By using the toasting method to enhance flavor, the short time and simple cleanup will aid bartenders in maintaining efficiency throughout their shift.
Dispense ground spices from FinaMill into Ember.
Set toasting duration and allow spices to drop into the reservoir below.
Use the bartop rinser to clean and avoid cross-contamination between orders.
Powered Base
Reservoir
Insulated Toasting Center
Spice Entry
Notable Features
Bartenders need to adjust the duration of toasting depending on what ingredients they use. Paired with clear lighting signals to indicate at a glance, how much time is left.
Spice Toasting. Reinvented.