'This high-tech food vacuum saved me money, time and effort when it came to cooking'
I hate to admit it, but I am a certified ‘food waster’. I know, I know, it's terrible and I feel bad enough about it as it is. But every week I have high hopes of cooking at home every night, enjoying my leftovers the next day and sticking to my carefully curated meal plan.
But, every week, something throws this plan into disarray. A last-minute work dinner, bouts of sickness that make me lose my appetite (Norovirus who?) or an impromptu night out with friends that ends in burgers or Chinese takeout on the way home.
As much as I want to get the most out of my grocery shops, I always find myself throwing out old veggies I didn't cook up in time or binning leftovers that are no longer for human consumption simply because I forgot about them.
That is until I tested out the extremely futuristic and possibly game-changing DRO!D food vacuum.
What is a DRO!D food vacuum – and how does it work?
DRO!D is a revolutionary food vacuum, designed by the brand B!POD. With research showing that 9.5 million tonnes of food waste are generated in the UK every year, and 70% of food waste is produced by households, B!POD decided to create a device that would give food long-lasting freshness. Obviously, I was intrigued and tried out the starter set to see for myself whether this hi-tech kitchen gadget could actually make food waste a thing of the past.
How it works
Fill the container with ingredients and cover with the lid
Place the DRO!D device on the container
Select your mode (DRO!D has two powers high and low)
Tilt the device
Remove DRO!D and store the container in a pantry, fridge or freezer, same space as usual.
Starter Pack
How we tested
I cook almost every night, so when I knew I’d be testing this product, I wanted to see if it could help extend the life of my ingredients between uses and keep leftovers fresh longer, reducing food waste in the process.
I was also curious to see how effective these containers would be as Tupperware, doubling their usefulness for meal prepping or packing lunches.
B!POD review
So first things first, this baby is high-tech! The DRO!D machine that comes with the starter pack works by clicking on the lid of the container and with a press of the button it sucks out air and claims to preserve food for up to five times longer than other food vacuums.
I definitely noticed that this helped to extend the life of my ingredients. From cheese to vegetables and fruit, I was pleasantly surprised to see minimal oxidisation and a major difference in wilting on green veg like spinach and lettuce.
I also used it on my leftovers to see if something that would usually last two days in the fridge – with extreme trepidation about eating afterwards – could last longer. While I was nervous at first, I found that the food lasted at least a day or so longer than usual. However, still make sure to follow food safety rules to avoid getting sick.
The main benefit I saw from this was definitely ingredient longevity. I even used it to store my fresh herbs for longer around Christmas time, when I couldn't make it to the shops.
It's also great for marinating food, sometimes I get a bit weird about leaving raw chicken or fish in the fridge while it marinates – but this quelled those anxieties and kept things feeling really fresh.
It also makes for really quality Tupperware. It's airtight, and while I’ll admit I felt a tad nervous putting it in my bag at first, the lid is secured thanks to vacuum suction, and I’ve had no spills or accidents.
One day, I noted on one of the container lids that there was some slight splintering where the vacuum happens. However, this could have been a result of my doing the actual process wrong. I do wish the starter pack came with a couple more containers – while it’s a quality product, it is also pretty pricey for what you get.
If you do choose to buy extra containers (£69 for three) there is a wealth of colours to pick from – plus, each colour is named after an endangered species (with the aim of raising awareness about certain ecosystems and the need to protect them) – for example; cauliflower coral, orangutan orange, emperor penguin, javan rhinocerous, borealis whale and ridley turtle.
The containers are compatible with fridges, freezers, dishwashers, and microwaves. They are also BPA-free and made with FDA-approved and MOCA-certified materials. I also read on the site that the DRO!D uses only a fifth of the energy required to make a coffee capsule, and its battery life lasts for weeks.
By the end of testing, I found I was throwing out my veggies far less often than I had been originally. My partner is equally obsessed with the thing and has also been using it every day. It’s really made a difference in the way I store and keep food – and it’s become a permanent fixture in my fridge.
WH verdict
Without stating the obvious – this machine, at just over £300, is a pricey investment. But, if you're like me and you really want to reduce your food waste, extend the shelf life of perishable items and make the most out of your ingredients (often saving money in the long run), then trust me when I say, it's worth it.
I think it's a great device for those who are serious about their food; foodies will love this, but it’s also ideal for also those wanting to live a bit more sustainably and play a more proactive role in reducing food waste.
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