Do you want to know if the Drew & Cole 5 Minute Clever Chef is worth buying? Does it have any hidden problems? Please read this review to find out. Like you, I came across this As Seen On TV cookware and I was hooked!
The promise was simple and honestly very tempting. Homemade meals, snacks, even desserts in just minutes. No fuss, no stress, just toss in your ingredients, close the lid, and food is ready.
As a stay at home mom juggling school runs, a baby on my hip, and a never ending list of things to do, anything that claims to save time in the kitchen will always get my attention. So yes, I caved. I ordered it for 59 dollars on Amazon because I always feel safer buying from there. At least if things go sideways, returns are easier and you are not stuck arguing with some random website.
About the Drew and Cole 5 Minute CleverChef
The CleverChef is marketed as a compact cooking device designed to make meals in minutes. It looks like a cross between a sandwich press and a mini grill. The idea is simple. You add your ingredients into the small cooking compartment, close the lid, and let it cook both sides at once.
It is supposed to handle a variety of foods. Omelettes, pancakes, grilled sandwiches, small desserts, and even little savory meals. The whole selling point is speed and convenience.
Review
The first thing I tried was an omelette. That seemed like the safest and most obvious option. Crack some eggs, add a bit of cheese and veggies, close the lid, and wait.
It did cook the omelette fairly quickly. I will give it that. But right away I noticed something that bothered me. The surface is not truly non stick. Even with a bit of oil, parts of the egg stuck to the plates. Not horribly, but enough to make cleaning more annoying than it should be for a product that promises ease.
Cleaning became a recurring theme. Because of the sticking, you cannot just wipe and go. You actually need to clean it properly after each use, especially if anything spills over the edges, which happens more often than you would think given how small the compartments are.
Over the next few days, I tried a few more things. Pancake batter was messy and uneven. Grilled sandwiches felt cramped and did not cook as evenly as my regular sandwich press. I attempted something slightly more creative and quickly realized this machine does not have the space or power for anything beyond very basic, small portions.
The truth is, I kept coming back to omelettes. That is where it worked best. Simple egg mixtures, maybe a bit of cheese, nothing too ambitious.
It might also work for mini pitta breads if you are careful, but even then you are working within very tight space limits.
Size and Practicality
This is where I feel a lot of people will be disappointed. The pictures make it look more capable than it actually is. In reality, it is quite tiny. If you are cooking for more than one person, you are going to be doing multiple rounds, which defeats the whole purpose of saving time.
As a mom of three, this was a big issue for me. I am not cooking just for myself. Even making something simple like breakfast becomes a slow process when you have to repeat the same thing over and over.
The 5 Minute CleverChef feels more like a novelty in comparison. It has a very narrow range of use. It does not replace anything in your kitchen. At best, it adds a small, somewhat limited option.
The Biggest Issue For Australian Buyers
Drew & Cole 5 Minute Clever Chef does not come with the correct power plug for Australia. It has an Uk China plug. To buy an adaptor in Australia it’s an extra $18.99.
There was no clear mention of this in the advertisement. No warning. No note. Nothing.
So now, instead of using it straight out of the box, you have to go out and buy a plug adapter just to make it usable. That adds extra cost and inconvenience that should not exist in the first place.
For me, this is a major oversight. A kitchen appliance should be ready to use, especially when sold to customers in a specific country. It is not something you expect to troubleshoot after purchase.
Affordable Alternative
If you are hellbent on getting an omelette and fritata maker, I would suggest going for a real Non-stick one. I found this one by TECHEF for $41 on Amazon.com. It’s a Double Sided Folding Egg Pan, Made in Korea (PFOA Free).
I’ve really enjoyed using this TECHEF Frittata and Omelets Pan. The nonstick surface works beautifully—my omelets came out light, fluffy, and slid right out of the pan without any fuss. It’s also held up well in the dishwasher, which is a big plus for convenience.
For the price, it’s a great value. The quality feels solid, and it performs like a much more expensive pan. My only minor complaint is that the pan needs to be closed quickly to seal properly, which creates a loud slamming noise. It startled my husband the first time I used it!
Overall, I’d definitely recommend it for anyone who loves making omelets or frittatas at home. Just be mindful of the closing mechanism.
Is the CleverChef Worth buying?
If I am being completely honest, this is one of those products that looks more impressive in ads than in real life.
It is not entirely useless, but it is very limited. If you live alone or just want something for the occasional quick egg breakfast, you might find some value in it.
But for a busy household, especially with kids, it does not hold up. You need something that can handle larger portions and more variety without turning cooking into a repetitive chore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the CleverChef really cook meals in five minutes
For very simple foods like eggs, yes. But for anything more substantial, especially when cooking for multiple people, it takes longer overall because you need to cook in batches.
Is it truly non stick
Not completely. Food does stick, especially if you do not use some oil. Cleaning is not as effortless as advertised.
Can it replace an air fryer
No. It does not have the size, power, or versatility to replace an air fryer.
Is it good for families?
Not really. The small size makes it impractical for cooking larger portions.
What can you actually cook in it
It works best for omelettes and very simple items. You can experiment, but the limited space makes it difficult to do much more.
Final Thoughts
I really wanted to love this. As a mom, anything that promises quicker, easier meals feels like a little lifeline in a busy day.
But the Drew and Cole 5 Minute CleverChef just did not deliver in the way I hoped. It feels more like a niche gadget than a truly helpful kitchen tool.
It has its moments. It can make a quick omelette. It is small and affordable. But beyond that, it struggles to justify its place in a busy family kitchen.
If you are curious and do not mind its limitations, it might be worth trying. But if you are looking for something that genuinely makes life easier, I would skip this and go for something more versatile.
Sometimes the simplest tools end up being the most reliable. And this, unfortunately, is not one of them.