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Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Shelfy review: Can this device keep food in your fridge fresh for longer?
Shelfy Price : €149 Website : Where To Buy : Vitesy 'Well done! Your fridge status is excellent.' That little pat on the back makes me feel a bit smug. Amid the chaos of everyday life, at least my fridge is under control. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I have thrown away a chunk of money on a smart fridge just to soothe my ego, I haven't; this is the work of Vitesy smart fridge purifier. Food waste is a serious problem. In 2022 Ireland dumped 750,000 tonnes of food, equivalent to around 146kg per person. About 220,000 tonnes was down to households, which means a lot of money went into the bin too, not to mention the environmental impact. We know what we are talking about. Wizened strawberries. Raspberries that turn to mush in a shockingly short time. The wizened tomato that seemed fine yesterday. I'm not saying I expect food to last for days – that way lies preservatives and stuff you would rather not have on your food – but 24 hours without rampant mould taking hold in the soft fruit you just bought would be nice. So could Shelfy help? The device from Vitesy claims to keep your fridge in tiptop condition, smelling fresh and feeding you back the information via its hub app. READ MORE The trusty tub of bicarb that usually deals with any pungent cheese or broccoli odours seems a lot cheaper and easier to manage. But Shelfy doesn't just deal with odours. It also claims to remove bacteria and gasses from your fridge that could otherwise upset the delicate balance and lead to food spoiling more quickly. [ Why are we eating more and wasting more food? Your plate size could be to blame Opens in new window ] Vitesy has some experience here. It usually makes air purifiers for your home, removing voltaic organic compounds and other pollutants from the air. So it stands to reason that it would have the know-how to keep your fridge clean and fresh. The device itself isn't the most unobtrusive of things. Think a smartphone photo printer and you are on the right track, complete with USB-C rechargeable battery. It sits in a shell what ensures there is airflow around the device, no matter how packed your fridge is, although you should still pay attention to the tips on how to position it. And it can stand up to fit into the shelves on your fridge. There are three modes: Eco, during which it will whirr away in the background and work for around three to four weeks; Crisper, which is designed for use in your fruit and veg drawer and has a battery life of two to three weeks; and Performance, which is intended to extend the shelf-life of your food. You cycle through the three modes either in the app or by pressing the single lit-up button on the front of Shelfy. The oddly long-lasting strawberries might stand as testament to its efficacy, but it is hardly scientific First of all, it is bye-bye bicarb. Then Shelfy is charged up and slotted into my fridge. I've connected it to the app, but you don't need the app for Shelfy to work; you just won't get the nice pat on the back from when your fridge is at the right temperature without it. Or know how many times your fridge has been opened, for how long and how the temperature has fluctuated throughout the day. Within a few days, my nice pat on the back goes to a finger wagging warning. It takes me a few minutes to figure out it is down to small children leaving the fridge door open for too long while they are getting a drink or mine-sweeping for fruit they might have missed. Within 10 minutes, I am back to my perfect rating. Re-educating the troops might take a while. The other things that are in my control though are regular cleaning of the fridge – Shelfy reminds you to do that on a schedule – and proper food storage, both of which will cut down on food waste too. But after a week I do start to notice a difference on how long food is lasting. The fridge is also remarkably odour-free, despite the presence of food that normally tips the balance. There are some strawberries – used as an experiment in this case, fruit rarely lasts more than a couple of days – that still look edible, rather than wrinkled at this stage. Can I say it really works? The oddly long-lasting strawberries might stand as testament to its efficacy, but it is hardly scientific. Shelfy has a report that covers the scientific studies carried out on its devices, measuring how well it controlled bacteria in the fridge environment, dealt with odours and controlled the level of ethylene – the gas that is produced by ripening fruit. The report gave Shelfy a thumbs up. The nectarines in my fridge that can still be used as a weapon agree. Good It deals with odours well, and food does seem to last longer. There is a reassuring amount of data fed back by the app to keep you apprised of the fridge's condition – assuming you needed to know that. It also nudges you towards better behaviour, and tells you how to make changes to make your food last longer in the fridge. Bad It isn't as cheap as a bit of organisation and elbow grease. You could save yourself the expense and only buy what food you need for a few days, a cheaper option than buying a filter for your fridge. Add in a fridge thermometer, and a regular cleaning schedule, and you will probably keep your fridge ticking over nicely without having to spend money or remember to charge a device on a schedule. Everything else The filter is washable, so there is no ongoing expense in replacing it. Verdict If you need a nudge, Shelfy will help you keep your fridge in good working order. As long as you remember to charge it.
CNET
06-06-2025
- CNET
This Nifty Device Makes My Refrigerator Smarter and You Can Get It for 16% Off
Following general food safety guidelines and individual package instructions will go a long way to keeping refrigerated perishables fresh. But there are quite a few products out there that can help you do so with more precision. One device I have personally tested and loved is the Shelfy smart refrigerator device. Its manufacturer, Vitesy, says the Shelfy will extend food freshness up to 12 days while removing bad food odors from your fridge. We just spotted the Shelfy on sale — get one for $126, a 16% discount, or two for $230, a 23% discount — making now a good time to spring for it if you've been wanting to try it out. While testing the device, I was happily surprised with its performance, but one thing specifically stuck out to me: the easy-to-use Vitesy app that pairs with Shelfy. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Vitesy Hub app helps the Shelfy shine Shelfy sits in your fridge, measuring a relatively compact 6.51 inches tall, 4.5 inches wide and 2.38 inches in diameter. It works to prolong freshness through a washable photocatalytic filter. However, in order for the device to do its job, it will need to be near your fresh produce. If you store your fruits and veggies in a drawer in your fridge, the Shelfy should also be in that drawer in order to work as it intended. If you typically leave your kale and spinach in the bag or plastic container you bought it in, then you should remove it from the container and store it in your fridge near the Shelfy. When I tested the Shelfy out, it was slightly heavier than I imagined, and because I have a smaller fridge, it takes up quite a bit of precious space. But I've found that I prefer using it in my produce drawer anyways, since that's where my carrots, apples, lemons and greens typically are. The Shelfy operates in three modes: Eco, Crisper and Performance. It can last up to three weeks in Eco Mode. I use it in Crisper Mode since that's what is recommended when it's stored in a drawer. The device is rechargeable with an included USB cord. While doing its work, it generates noise at 30 decibels, which to me sounds like the world's smallest fan. And when opening my fridge, I don't typically hear it in the drawer. Read more: Best Kitchen Tools to Fight Food Waste While I can't fully say for sure if it extends the freshness of my produce since I tend to use mine up pretty quickly, I know for sure it hasn't lessened its shelf life in any way. The Shelfy does seem to eliminate smells in the fridge, which is a huge benefit when you're storing produce without any packaging or Tupperware. But my personal favorite part is that the device connects to the Vitesy Hub app that gives you more information about your fridge, such as how many times your fridge has been opened and for how long, the temperature of your fridge, and how many days until the Shelfy's filter needs to be washed. There's also a food storage expert section that tells you the best way to store the food in your fridge for optimal freshness. For example, if you type "cilantro" in the search bar, it will tell you its seasonality and storage tips. "Treat cilantro like a bouquet of flowers! Trim the stems, place them in a glass of water, cover the leaves with a loose plastic bag and refrigerate," the storage tip reads. "This method keeps cilantro vibrant and fresh for a longer duration." Read more: 31 Great Tech Gifts Under $100 Sure, you could find this information elsewhere online, but I love having it all in one spot, and using this app makes it feel like I have a smart fridge now. In addition, there is a section on cleaning the fridge where you can set up alerts to remind you whenever it's time to clean your fridge (mine is currently set to remind me every 120 days). It also gives you a seven-step section on how to properly keep your fridge tidy. The Shelfy is my favorite device-and-app combo that helps me care for my fridge and everything inside of it. Why the Shelfy makes a great gift The Shelfy is perfect for anyone who wants to waste less food, freshen up the air in their fridge or learn more about storing their food properly. The Shelfy originally launched at $180. But these days it is typically listed at $150, and it's now down to $126, a savings of 16%. However, if you buy two (maybe one for you?), the savings tick up to 23%. For other gift ideas, you can also check out CNET's roundup of the best Father's Day gifts and the best gifts for grads. And read about some of our editors' personal favorite products, like the ultimate coffee and espresso system, a game-changing air fryer and one editor's favorite enamelware pot.
CNET
06-06-2025
- CNET
This Nifty Device Makes My Refrigerator Smarter, and Now It's 16% Off
Following general food safety guidelines and individual package instructions will go a long way to keeping your refrigerated perishables fresh. But there are quite a few products out there that can help you do so with more precision. One device I have personally tested and loved is the Shelfy smart refrigerator device. Its manufacturer, Vitesy, says the Shelfy will extend food freshness up to 12 days while removing bad food odors from your fridge. We just spotted the Shelfy on sale -- get one for $126, a 16% discount, or two for $230, a 23% discount -- making now a good time to spring for it if you've been wanting to try it out. While testing out the device, I was happily surprised with its performance, but one thing specifically stuck out to me: the easy-to-use Vitesy app that pairs with Shelfy. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Vitesy Hub app helps the Shelfy shine Shelfy sits in your fridge, measuring a relatively compact 6.51 inches tall, 4.5 inches wide and 2.38 inches in diameter, and it works to prolong freshness through a washable photocatalytic filter. However, in order for the device to do its job, it needs to be near your fresh produce. So, if you store your fruits and veggies in a drawer in your fridge, your Shelfy should be in that drawer too in order to work as it's intended. Or if you typically leave your kale and spinach in the bag or plastic container you bought it in, you should remove it from the container and store it in your fridge near the Shelfy. Read more: Best Kitchen Tools to Fight Food Waste When I tested the Shelfy out, it was slightly heavier than I imagined, and because I have a smaller fridge, it takes up quite a bit of precious space. But I've found that I prefer using it in my produce drawer anyways, since that's where my carrots, apples, lemons and greens typically are. The Shelfy operates in three modes: Eco, Crisper and Performance, and can last up to three weeks in Eco Mode. I use it in Crisper Mode since that's what is recommended when it's stored in a drawer. The device is rechargeable with an included USB cord. While doing its work, it generates noise at 30 decibels, which, to me, sounds like the world's smallest fan. When opening my fridge, I don't typically hear it in the drawer. While I can't fully say for sure if it extends the freshness of my produce since I tend to use it pretty quickly, I know for sure it hasn't lessened its shelf life in any way. And the Shelfy does seem to eliminate smells in the fridge, which is a huge plus when you're storing produce without any packaging or Tupperware. But my personal favorite part is that the device connects to the Vitesy Hub app that gives you more information about your fridge, such as how many times your fridge has been opened and for how long, the temperature of your fridge, and how many days until the Shelfy's filter needs to be washed. There's also a food storage expert section that tells you the best way to store the food in your fridge for optimal freshness. For example, if you type "cilantro" in the search bar, it will tell you its seasonality and storage tips. "Treat cilantro like a bouquet of flowers! Trim the stems, place them in a glass of water, cover the leaves with a loose plastic bag and refrigerate," the storage tip reads. "This method keeps cilantro vibrant and fresh for a longer duration." Read more: 31 Great Tech Gifts Under $100 Sure, you could find this information elsewhere online, but I personally love having it all in one spot and using this app almost makes it feel like I have a smart fridge now. In addition, there is a section on cleaning the fridge where you can set up alerts to remind you when it's time to clean your fridge (mine is currently set to remind me every 120 days). Plus, it provides you with a seven-step section on how to properly keep your fridge tidy. The Shelfy is my favorite device-and-app combo that helps me care for my fridge and everything inside of it. Why the Shelfy makes a great gift The Shelfy is perfect for anyone who wants to waste less food, freshen up the air in their fridge or learn more about storing their food properly. The Shelfy originally launched at $180. But these days it is typically listed at $150, and it's now down to $126, a savings of 16%. However, if you buy two (maybe one for you?), the savings tick up to 23%. For other gift ideas, you can also check out CNET's roundup of the best Father's Day gifts and the best gifts for grads. And read about some of our editors' personal favorite products, like the ultimate coffee and espresso system, a game-changing air fryer and one editor's favorite enamelware pot.
