This fridge purifier made me realise I'd been keeping my fridge at the wrong temperature for years - it's been a gamechanger
It banishes bad smells AND extends the shelf life of my fruit and veg...it's safe to say I was impressed
I'm embarrassed tosed to admit that until a week ago I had no idea what the right temperature for a fridge was. That was until I started testing out a dedicated fridge purifier that confirmed that I'd been getting it wrong for the last 10 years.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been putting the Shelfy from Vitesy, available on Amazon, to the test. Vitesy specialises in air purifiers, but the Shelfy is a little unusual in that is designed to go in the fridge to keep food fresher for longer and minimise fridge odours and food contamination. It also comes connected to an app that tracks your fridge temperature, and door openings and counts down to your next big fridge clean.
Usually priced at £149, but currently discounted to £99 on Amazon, after testing I can say this little gadget is worth snapping up while it's on offer for Amazon Prime Big Deals Day. After two weeks of testing the benefits have been so significant I've made it a permanent feature in my tiny under-counter fridge.
Let's start with my fridge temperature epiphany. In less than an hour of putting the Shelfy in the fridge, it had already changed my habits, flagging that my fridge was too cold. The app fucntion of the purifier essentially turned my fridge into a smart fridge tracking the average temperature which should sit between 4 and 5 degrees. Immediately, I was sent a prompt notification to adjust the temperature.
Up until that point, I'd been keeping my fridge at a chilly 0 to 2 degrees. While this isn't wrong exactly, according to the FSA anywhere between 0 to 5 degrees is safe for a fridge, Shelfy has worked out the average range to minimise the cost to run a fridge whilst preserving food. I shudder to think of the energy I've been wasting all these years.
However, I wouldn't suggest that you shelled out over £100 on a glorified thermometer, the Shelfy can do so much more. Its main purpose is to purify the air inside the fridge and make my fresh products last longer. I'm happy to report that I've had it in my fridge for about two weeks now and my kale, apples and plums have all outlasted their usual shelf life.
However, the biggest difference I've noticed in my fridge is the smell. There is none! Nothing, not even a whiff of cheese. It took me a while to realise I was no longer holding my breath every time I opened the fridge. It is the most effective odour neutraliser I've ever used, with the bonus that the filter never needs replacing, just cleaning now and again.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
The Shelfy is battery-powered and will need recharging every month which it flags on the app along with when you'll need to clean the filter. I only have the one Shelfy in my tiny fridge set to eco to optimise the battery life, however, if you have a particularly pongy fridge, or want to keep your salad drawer extra crispy you can opt for the Crisper or Performance setting.
Should you buy the Shelfy?
When I first clocked the Shelfy I did think it was an unnecessary indulgence to have an air purifier in a fridge. However, I'm a complete convert. Yes, there is the upfront cost, but it's already helping me to save on energy bills and food bills, so I have a feeling I'll be making that money back pretty fast.
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
Is an expensive mattress protector worth it? This is how much you should be paying for one, according to sleep experts
Mattress protectors can help make a mattress last long, but how much should you be investing in one?
By Zoë Phillimore
-
I tested an air purifier that doesn't need filter replacements – here's why I'm convinced 5 months on
Is it a game-changer or just a gimmick?
By Jullia Joson
-
5 calming Christmas scents recommended by fragrance experts - take the stress out off the festive season this year
Smell your way to a stress-free festive season
By Vanessa Richmond
-
I always failed at keeping my sourdough starter happy - that all changed once I tried the Goldie keeper
For any budding baker the Goldie Keep made looking after a sourdough starter a much more achievable task
By Molly Cleary
-
Are boiling water taps easy to install? A breakdown of the process so you can decide if it’s DIY-able or best left to the pros
Considering fitting a boiling water tap yourself? This is everything you need to know first
By Linda Clayton
-
Le Creuset held a huge half-price sale requiring police back-up - If you missed out these are 3 affordable Le Creuset lookalikes you'll love just as much
Find your dream cast iron cookware, without breaking the bank
By Kezia Reynolds
-
I tried the OXO Reusable Silicone Bags and they saved me so much time when food prepping
I won't be going back to plastic tubs
By Kezia Reynolds
-
The 4 best scents for hiding bad cooking smells – get your kitchen ready for hosting season
Banish any bad odours while adding ambience
By Holly Cockburn
-
The 5 things you need for hosting in a small kitchen to take the stress out of entertaining
From the perfect plates to mood lighting - these buys will have your kitchen prepped for hosting
By Holly Cockburn
-
I’ve renovated four kitchens - these are the 7 trends I regret falling for, and what I'd now do instead
Learn from my kitchen trend mistakes
By Linda Clayton
-
Do you need an air fryer cleaning spray? I've tested air fryers from all the big names and this is why I'd save your money
An air fryer cleaner is no different from an ordinary one, really
By Molly Cleary