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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
