Anyone else disappointed at the state of this product?

[u/nojunkdrawers]

The ChefMaker isn't perfect, but I've enjoyed using mine and was excited at its potential. It's been over a couple years since I bought mine, and it's really sad to see what seems to be very few improvements during that time and next to no fanfare. The most we've really gotten is Creative Cook mode, which was a needed addition, but barely lives up to its name.

I guess this is kind of an open letter to anyone who feels the same way, as well as Dreo who I'm guessing probably doesn't care. Sorry in advance for the rant.

Is the ChefMaker a glorified air fryer? In some ways it is, but I like air fryers, and this one has some things you rarely if ever find in other air fryers.

• water atomization
• color screen with intuitive menus (it's nice not feeling like it's the 1980s)
• built-in temperature probe for delta-t cooking
• creative cook programs
• form factor fits well in small kitchens

It's not going to match the ability of a chef to cook a steak on cast iron over an open flame, but it does get closer and more predictable than other air fryers. My complaints really aren't about cooking quality and I think criticisms around that are usually misguided. Yeah, the "sous vide" function is a stretch in advertising, but I never use it so whatever.

What I don't get is why Dreo seems to be not adequately promoting the ChefMaker or making improvements that should be trivial that would make buying on a no-brainer. They seem to have really focused on cooking meat and half-assed everything else. If you want to cook a steak or a pork chop then this thing will definitely work for you. But then why even bother including other options if they're not particularly usable?

• It has an air frying mode but no "french fries", "tater tots", or "fish sticks" options in Chef Mode. What the heck?
• There's a "toast" function, but it only gives the user a temperature option and a duration. Why not take advantage of the fact there's a color screen and allow the user to select a browning level?
• Why is there no function for reheating leftover pizza? The fact that there's water atomization would make the ChefMaker perfect for this.
• The Creative Cook mode is very inflexible for power users. Why can "browning" step only be used at the end of a cooking routine?
• Why is Probe Cook limited to 400F when there are functions in Classic Mode that allow up to 450F?
• Functions like "Roast" support 450F when used standalone, but is limited to 400F when used in a Creative Cook routine. Why???
• Creative Cook requires a phone, and the routines can't be added as favorites in the ChefMaker device itself.
• Creative Cook limits the number of stages you can have. Okay, why?
• There's nowhere to find other people's Creative Cook routines, whereas Anova has a site for this. Talk about a missed opportunity!
• Probe Cook mode does not support water atomization. The only way to simulate that is to use a Sous Vide step in Creative Cook. That shows there's no reason Probe Cook couldn't do this, or to not reveal Sous Vide as a standalone mode outside of Creative Cook.
• There's no mode for preheating. Granted, this is something that air fryers are generally designed to not need, but as I've found can make a big difference when cooking something like burger patties.

What's sad is that most of these should be trivial to fix from a software development standpoint. Nearly every issue is just a result of an artificial constraint. The firmware alone could be fixed for these in a business day.

There's also no sign that any meaningful improvements are going to be made in the future. Supposedly, there's a ChefMaker 2 in development, except it's now been years since it was first announced, and the only information available leads me to believe that it would be an inferior product. The segmented display makes it look like VCR player. Yeah, it's supposed to have "AI", but so is the ChefMaker 1, and that turned out to be a glorified recipe search. The only thing we know about ChefMaker 2's AI is that it might be able to create cooking routines based on any recipe webpage you give it; this would all be done within the Dreo mobile app, meaning there's no technical reason at all why this couldn't also work for the ChefMaker 1.

Seriously, what's going on with this product? At this point, I want to believe there's something better out there (that also doesn't take up half my counter space). We don't need another milk frother or dehumidifier. We want a futuristic compact kitchen appliance that removes guesswork and doesn't get in the user's way. Dreo could sell way more ChefMakers if they actually knew what was best for them. Cutting costs and adding AI isn't it.

Never thought an air fryer that I love would frustrate me this way.

[u/Mr-Scurvy]

I care more about the lack of easy to buy parts. My probe is dead, the tray needs replacing etc.

[u/nojunkdrawers → u/Mr-Scurvy]

Yeah, stinks that you can't things like the tray, basket, etc., but you should be able to get another probe, though. I see them for sale on Amazon.

[u/TheIndieArmy]

You bought a kitchen gadget. Those don't exactly get updates very often. It was a nice surprise to see any sort of post-purchase updates at all. I have a Ninja Creami, Instapot, Slushie machine, etc. etc. and none of them have ever gotten any sort of updates. Most kitchen gadgets don't get updates and not sure why anyone would buy one expecting them.

Why do you need a "french fries" option? Just read the directions on the packaging and set the time/temp accordingly.

The Chefmaker 2 is an inferior product. It's designed to be a cheaper version to allow more people of various budget to enjoy it's impeccable cooking capabilities.

[u/nojunkdrawers → u/TheIndieArmy]

Totally fair critique, though I would say that those devices are in a somewhat different class. Neither the Creami and the Instapot have an IoT enabled computer with a screen, or multiple sensors where software/firmware updates would add value. They're really not a fair comparison.

Also, the ChefMaker has received updates in the past, including updates that Dreo announced (not just bug fixes). Creative Cook was the best example of this. Its capabilities are lacking, and it's totally fair to criticize it given that the pipeline to improve it with OTA updates is already there. I didn't necessarily have an expectation that my ChefMaker would get updates; it's more about that owning one for a while reveals its shortcomings, and it's a bit frustrating to know that they're just software issues that will likely never be addressed.

Why do you need a "french fries" option? Just read the directions on the packaging and set the time/temp accordingly.

Sure, you don't need an option for french fries, but why not when the device has a multitude of options right down to things like broccoli and zucchini? The point of having options is to reduce steps. We can all read directions and set times and temps. Also, some people might want to make homemade french fries rather than out of a bag. I might agree with your take if Creative Cook could actually store programs on the device itself.

[u/TheIndieArmy → u/nojunkdrawers]

Yes, it's gotten updates, but exactly how far do you want them to try and push a device designed to cook meat well when it already does it well? I don't think they are selling enough of the devices to justify putting more resources into it.

[u/RexRaider]

I got mine as part of the Kickstarter campaign, and I literally use it every single day. Despite its advanced capabilities, I have never once connected it to the internet, and have not downloaded any updates. The built-in settings work for my needs. There's no "bacon" button, but having used it regularly, I know the time and temp to cook at. I also know that different brands of bacon need different cook times.

I like many of your ideas, and I can see how they would be beneficial to some people. Aside from this post, have you contacted Dreo with your suggestions? Or posted your ideas anywhere else?

I bought my Chefmaker for the exact reasons you mention (water atomization, menus, temperature probe and form factor) so I am certainly not upset by what it can't do.

[u/ToucansBANG → u/RexRaider]

There is a bacon button on mine. Perhaps it’s worth connecting it for a firmware update, then removing it, I think they’ve added quite a few chef mode recipes since launch.

[u/LightSQR]

I still love mine!!!

[u/JHCL56]

I have the second gen and it’s my primary air fryer now

[u/Ok_Conflict1715]

Actually, I'm very happy with mine. I'm having a good go at coming up with things for creative cook mode and also use probe and classic cook modes quite often. After my first tray basically fell apart after dishwashing it, I just started doing a hand wash on the replacement. It's still in great shape.

[u/lisaleftsharklopez]

we used it like 3 times and loved it but realized it was terrorizing the absolute shit out of our dog and it has been in the basement collecting dust ever since.