The FirstBuild Paragon Mat wants to bring more consistency to the dishes you cook in a pan, from over-easy eggs to a stack of identical pancakes. The cooktop cover is the latest addition to the $299 Paragon Smart Cooking System. The system includes an induction cooktop, a Bluetooth-connected temperature sensor and app to guide you while you cook (check out my review of the Paragon Induction Cooktop here). The Paragon’s main focus was sous vide cooking when it debuted in 2015 — you used the temperature probe to set the the temperature for a water bath in which you cook vacuum-sealed foods. The addition of the Paragon Mat means that you can set the exact temperature for your cookware, which brings precision cooking out of the water bath and into a pan.
The Paragon Mat is a good addition to the Paragon Smart Cooking System. The added functionality of precision pan cooking makes the system’s $299 price easier to swallow (you can get the system for $100 cheaper if you order directly from FirstBuild’s website). The Paragon Cooking System is a helpful tool for novice cooks who are eager to try new methods of cooking and need a little coaching. Plus, the mat is a fun tool to use.
The Paragon Mat keeps your pan’s temperature relatively steady so your food will turn out exactly how you like it. You attach the Paragon Bluetooth sensor to the mat. The mat goes on top of the Paragon Induction Cooktop, and you then place induction-friendly cookware on the mat.
