The Drew & Cole 5 Minute Clever Chef is one of those products that instantly feels appealing, especially if you’re tired, busy, or just don’t feel like cooking properly.
Throw ingredients in, close the lid, and somehow get a full meal in minutes. It sounds perfect… until you start thinking about what it actually is.
Because once I bought it, it didn’t feel like a “mini kitchen”… it felt like a very familiar appliance with better marketing.
Key Takeaways
- I liked how simple and fast it seems, but it’s more limited than it’s marketed
- It’s basically a plug-in sandwich maker with deeper wells
- The “full meals in 5 minutes” claim is very stretched
- It works best for specific things (eggs, toasties), not everything
- I couldn’t ignore how similar it is to older “5-minute chef” gadgets
What is the Drew & Cole 5 Minute Clever Chef?
The Drew & Cole 5 Minute Clever Chef is a compact electric cooker that uses dual-sided heating plates to cook food from the top and bottom at the same time.
It’s designed for quick meals like omelettes, toasties, pancakes, burgers, and even small pizzas, with no temperature controls… just plug it in and close the lid.
The key selling point is speed and simplicity: no flipping, minimal effort, and fast cooking using enclosed heat.
Why I Tried It
It’s the convenience factor. Something about the idea of just throwing ingredients in and getting food quickly, without pans, without cleanup… makes it feel like a shortcut you actually want.
Especially for quick breakfasts or lazy meals.
My Experience Using It
The first thing I noticed is that it’s very straightforward. There are no settings, no learning curve… You just plug it in and go.
For simple things like eggs, toasties, or pancakes, it actually works well. The dual-sided heating means everything cooks evenly without needing to flip, and it’s quick enough to feel convenient.
But once I tried to go beyond that… trying to make “full meals” or anything slightly more complex… it started to feel limited.
Because the shape and depth of the cooking wells control everything.
You’re not really cooking freely… you’re cooking within the mould of the appliance. That means:
- portion size is restricted
- thickness matters a lot
- some foods just don’t work well
And that’s when it clicked for me… this isn’t a versatile cooker, it’s a specialized mini appliance being marketed as more than it is
It reminded me a lot of those older “5-minute chef” gadgets that promise everything but realistically do a few things well.
Build Quality & Design
It’s lightweight and compact, which is great for storage. The non-stick coating helps with cleanup, and overall, it feels functional.
But it doesn’t feel premium. It feels like a typical countertop gadget… nothing more.
Positives (What It Actually Gets Right)
It’s genuinely easy to use. No thinking, no setup, minimal cleanup. For the right use cases, quick snacks, eggs, and toasties, it actually delivers on convenience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Quick cooking for simple meals
- Even cooking (no flipping needed)
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Limited versatility despite marketing
- No temperature control
- Portion and shape restrictions
- Feels similar to older/generic appliances
- Not ideal for real “full meals”
Is It a Scam?
Not a scam, but definitely over-hyped. It does what it says in a basic sense. But the way it’s marketed makes it seem like a mini all-in-one kitchen, when in reality it’s closer to a sandwich maker/omelette maker hybrid.
How to Use
It works best when you treat it like a quick snack maker, not a full cooking replacement. Stick to foods that fit the shape and cook evenly.
Alternatives to Consider
- Red Copper 5 Minute Chef
- Dash Mini Griddle
- Breville Sandwich Toaster
Conclusion: Would I Recommend It?
I’d say only with the right expectations. If you want a quick, no-effort way to make simple meals, it can be useful. But if you’re expecting a versatile, all-in-one cooker, it will probably disappoint.
For me, it felt like convenient, but not essential… useful, but not as versatile as advertised.
Also read my similar review on the Rice Robot Cooker