A Chef Tests ‘Smart’ Kitchen Gadgets | Sorted Food

This video from the Sorted Food channel, titled "A Chef Tests ‘Smart’ Kitchen Gadgets", features chef Ben Ebbrell and home cook Barry Taylor testing four app-connected or high-tech kitchen gadgets to evaluate whether they are genuine game-changers or marketing gimmicks.

Gadget 1: ASUS PureGo PD100 (Fruit & Vegetable Cleanliness Detector) [00:58]

Overview: An optical detector device paired with a mobile app. It analyzes wash water using dynamic algorithms to detect pesticides, pollutants, and impurities on produce.

Testing & Findings:

The team tested pea

ches, avocados, and bell peppers in water bowls.

The device showed green indicator lights for clean produce and red lights when detecting pollutants on unwashed peppers. Rinsing reduced the impurities until the indicator turned green.

Discussion: The hosts debated whether such strict testing is necessary in regions like the UK where food safety standards and crop regulation are already high, noting it may appeal more to germaphobes or individuals in areas with different agricultural regulations.

Price: £149

Ratings & Verdict: Barry rated it 4/5 and Ben

rated it 4/5 (8/10 total). They acknowledged the technology works well, though it remains a niche requirement for most everyday kitchens.

Gadget 2: Seattle Ultrasonic Knife C200 [09:20]

Overview: Marketed as the world's first ultrasonic chef’s knife for home cooks. Features a Japanese steel blade with high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations intended to reduce cutting effort by 50% and minimize food sticking to the blade.

Testing & Findings:

Tested on tomatoes, potatoes, and cucumbers.

While the blade itself was extremely sharp out of the box, activating th

e ultrasonic vibration made very little noticeable difference in cutting ease or food sticking.

Discussion: The chunky, un-ergonomic handle made holding the knife with proper chef technique difficult, as pressing the vibration button interfered with standard grip safety and control.

Price: £399

Ratings & Verdict: Ben rated it 2/5 and Barry rated it 1/5. They concluded that while the concept is novel, a standard high-quality sharp knife performs better at a fraction of the cost.

Gadget 3: Barcis Coaster 2.0 (Smart Cocktail Scale) [14:48]

Overview: A smar

t scale coaster that connects to the "My Bar" app. It uses interactive LED ring lighting to visually guide users through pouring precise cocktail ingredients without having to read numerical measurements on a screen.

Testing & Findings:

Tested by making a "Bay Breeze" cocktail (vodka, pineapple juice, cranberry juice).

The coaster changes light colors as the target weight for each liquid ingredient is reached.

Discussion: The hosts appreciated how it "gamifies" precision pouring and helps users discover new cocktail recipes based on home bar inventory,

though they noted the companion app had a few navigational bugs and limited recipe filters.

Price: ~$49.99 (£37)

Ratings & Verdict: Barry rated it 3/5 and Ben rated it 3.5/5. Considered a fun, affordable tool for home entertaining with room for software polish.

Gadget 4: Townew Smart Motion-Sensor Trash Can [18:55]

Overview: A touchless motion-sensor trash bin that automatically seals, cuts, and replaces bin liners at the touch of a button using proprietary 20-bag refill rings.

Testing & Findings:

Once full, holding the front button for 4 seconds activa

tes an internal mechanism that heat-seals the bag, cuts it free, and vacuums down a fresh liner into place.

Discussion: The mechanism worked smoothly, offering high hygiene and eliminating mess. The main drawback highlighted was being tied into buying proprietary refill bag cartridges ($21.99 for 6 rings).

Price: £156

Ratings & Verdict: Ben rated it 5/5 and Barry rated it 4.5/5 (9.5/10 total). Despite the proprietary bags, both hosts were impressed by its execution and convenience.

A Chef Tests ‘Smart’ Kitchen Gadgets | Sorted Food

Sorted Food · 273K vi