On2Cook: The future of cooking technology

In a typical Indian family, the person who cooks daily meals spends four to eight years of their productive life in the kitchen. On2Cook aims to change this by transforming cooking into a more efficient and enjoyable process. “Cooking can become a chore due to the time and effort involved. During my early professional days in Bangalore, I found stove-cooked food often overcooked and lacking in nutrition, while microwave cooking preserved nutrition but lacked flavour,” explains Sanandan Sudhir, Founder & CEO of On2Cook India Pvt Ltd.

Driven by a passion for innovation, Sudhir sought to combine the best of both cooking methods, blending the crispiness of microwave cooking with the caramelisation and flavour of stove cooking. “After extensive research, I found no existing device that offered this perfect fusion. This led to the creation of On2Cook, a revolutionary device that cuts cooking time to one-third, reduces energy costs by nearly half, lowers oil usage, and enhances nutritional retention compared to traditional methods,” Sudhir explains. He asserts that On2Cook is the world’s fastest cooking device, set to revolutionise both B2B kitchens and home cooking globally.

Technology behind On2Cook
On2Cook employs a patented technology that merges traditional flame or induction heating with the efficiency of microwave cooking. This combination ensures food is cooked perfectly inside and out. “The traditional methods provide ideal browning through pyrolysis, while the microwave inside the lid rapidly heats the core to 80°C. This results in dishes that are both flavourful and nutrient-rich,” Sudhir explains.

He emphasises that On2Cook doesn’t just make cooking easier; it enhances it with a focus on safety and precision. “It features container safety locks, pan detection, and robust microwave leakage protections. Additionally, it excels at managing moisture levels with steam or super-heated steam, which significantly improves texture and flavour. For intricate cuisines like Indian, On2Cook has truly been a game changer,” he adds. The device’s app and IoT capabilities further simplify the process, enabling even novice cooks to achieve expert results with ease. On2Cook turns everyday ingredients into extraordinary meals, making it feel like a magic wand in the kitchen.

Benefits of On2Cook
On2Cook excels in saving time, reducing costs, and enhancing health. It preserves water-soluble nutrients and minerals, ensuring that food remains both delicious and nutritious. “By cooking vegetables and meats without added water and minimising heat exposure, On2Cook retains more sensitive vitamins, like Vitamins C and B, compared to conventional methods,” Sudhir explains.

In the B2B sector, such as restaurants and cloud kitchens, On2Cook can replace multiple appliances, including microwaves, air fryers, and pressure cookers. “Traditional frying equipment is energy-intensive and often underutilised,” he notes. On2Cook streamlines the process by cutting preheating time to under six minutes and using less than 20 per cent of the typical oil. This not only reduces oil costs by up to 80 per cent but also cuts cooking time by at least 50 per cent. Plus, it minimises fat absorption by 40 per cent, turning indulgent foods into healthier options. The device also reduces the need for multiple cooks, automates order processing, and ensures consistent taste and quality. Overall, it can decrease food wastage by 50 per cent and lower cooking costs by nearly 80 per cent.

Overcoming challenges during development process
On2Cook is far more than just another kitchen appliance, according to Sudhir. It’s the result of four years of intense research and development focused on innovation. “We went through 15 versions to perfect safety, stability, and efficiency,” he reveals. The outcome is a revolutionary device supported by 11 granted utility patents and recognised with multiple awards for invention and design. He recounts initial challenges, including the failure of early prototypes due to heat exposure issues, which were resolved by repositioning the magnetron away from direct flame or induction heat. This careful engineering ensures stability and compliance with safety standards, featuring advanced pan detection, multi-level temperature sensing, and a durable structure capable of operating continuously for 15 days at full power.

Primary users of On2Cook
“If you can cook chicken in six minutes and Gajar Ka Halwa in seven, why stick with traditional methods?” questions Sudhir. He believes that On2Cook can revolutionise both B2B and home kitchens. With utility patents granted in the US, UK and India, and applications underway in other countries, On2Cook targets the US and India for initial B2B operations, especially in the frying segment of small and mid-sized kitchens.

Research with over 300 restaurants highlights significant time and cost savings, making it clear that replacing existing frying systems with On2Cook is a practical choice. The device not only offers cost benefits but also ensures consistent, SOP-based cooking, aiding in scaling operations with less reliance on specialised chefs. For home kitchens, On2Cook liberates the cook from lengthy hours, allowing more time for family and personal pursuits while preserving essential nutrients lost in traditional methods.

Sustainability factor
On2Cook is the sustainable answer to all cooking woes. It saves significant amount of energy, up to 80 per cent in many cases, and cooks vegetables and meats without water. So, significantly less energy is required to cook with this device as you don’t need to evaporate water to get your final dish, resultantly saving precious water in the process as well! “The design of On2Cook optimises cooking volume, with 90 per cent of the cavity space of the device used for cooking. In comparison, only 30 per cent space is used in a microwave or any conventional oven. On2Cook is the most sustainable cooking method than any other prevalent cooking method in the world, especially for Indian cooking,” says Sudhir.

Future plans
“Our product offers significant advantages in the baking industry, casual dining as well as Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector, catering to both cooking and baking needs (excluding grilling). Sudhir says the focus will evolve towards optimising the entire kitchen and reducing the effort required to consistently prepare high-quality food. “We are constantly striving to improve the product quality and features to ensure cooking remains no more a hassle for anyone, both in B2B and B2C. Eventually On2Cook will rule the kitchen of tomorrow, as it is a new product category that makes many kitchen appliances obsolete,” he concludes.