New Video: A Viral... GRAPE PEELER?

Plus a new secret VLOG, fresh deals, and a throwback to 2019.

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It’s been an interesting week as I tested one of the strangest gadgets I’ve seen in a while (a grape peeler), ended my YouTube memberships, and kicked off a new “secret vlog” series. Between that and my ongoing mosquito situation here in Las Vegas, it’s safe to say things have been… buzzing!

If you missed any of it, I’ve got all the highlights below, along with some new Amazon deals, and this week’s household hack below.

Let’s get to it!

NEW VIDEO ALERT 📽️
Testing a Viral Grape Peeler!

A video for this has millions of views… meaning, I had to try it out!

Someone recently shared a video with me online that had millions of views for a grape peeler that looked quite impressive in the demonstration. My first two thoughts were: Does this really work, and… is it even necessary?

I couldn’t find many actual reviews for it, so I decided to take one for the team. This $40 gadget supposedly peels grapes, cherry tomatoes, and even garlic with the press of a button.

Shockingly, it kind of works. I tried grapes, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and mini potatoes, and the results ranged from impressive to disappointing.

I’m not sure how much demand there is for a grape peeler, but it was certainly fun to try. Check it out at the link below.

NEW VLOG 📽️
My First “Secret” Vlog! Mosquitoes, Microphones, and Memberships!

A very random scene from today’s vlog.

Earlier this week, I announced the end of channel memberships, but I also promised that I’d keep making vlogs that were available to everyone, although they would not be posted publicly on YouTube. These will be unlisted videos on YouTube, meaning anyone with the link can watch, and they’ll also be included in the 2025 Vlog Playlist.

To make good on that promise, here’s the first one, filmed yesterday (October 11, 2025). I cover a wide mix of topics, including my recent (and admittedly unhealthy) obsession with a new species of mosquito that’s shown up here in Las Vegas.

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DEALS 🏷️
Shark Vacmop: 40% Off

I reviewed the Vacmop way back at the end of 2020 and found that it worked surprisingly well. Think of it as a Swiffer with a built-in vacuum and sprayer that shoots cleaner right in front of the pad. It’s a clever design, and the fact that Shark is still selling it five years later says a lot about its longevity. It usually sells for about $100, so the current price is a solid deal.

White Noise Machine: 44% Off

I’ve discussed my tinnitus in past videos, and white noise has become a key part of my nightly routine. This model offers a wide range of sounds, strong user ratings, and the best part is that it’s marked down to under $17. If you’ve ever thought about trying one, this is a great time to pick one up.

Bella Slow Cooker: 36% Off

Bella has become one of my favorite low-cost brands in recent years and this deal is another example why. You can pick up their 1.5 quart slow cooker for only about $12. It’s compact, simple to use, and has a surprisingly nice design for the price. Just note that the color you choose can affect the final cost.

Household Hack: Easy Peeling Trick
Speaking of peeling… If you hate peeling fruits or veggies, try blanching instead. Drop your produce into boiling water for 20–30 seconds, then move them straight into ice water. The skins should slip right off without the need for any fancy gadgets at all.

ON THIS DATE 🗓️
Pillow Pad (2019)

Pillow Pad came out during the heyday of As Seen on TV advertising.

I had to go all the way back to 2019 to find my last video posted on October 12! That’s when I tested out an As Seen on TV product called Pillow Pad. It was a triangular, foamy item that could be used as a stand for books, phones, and more. As a footnote, there is an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit from the maker of Flippy vs the makers of Pillow Pad, and my video was included in the filing!

Don’t want to watch it? You can read my written version here.

📺 My Top 10 for October 2025 is updated! My Top 10 playlist has seen some new additions, including a new video that tops the list this week. The big question now seems to be… will the Ninja Crispi ever fall off this list? Check out the full playlist to see if there’s a gem you missed, or a video worth rewatching!

SHORT SPOTLIGHT 🎥
Robot Coin Sorter

In today’s Short Spotlight, we take a look at a recent short edit of my review of the “robot” coin sorter. It’s just a simple coin sorter for kids that is cleverly shaped like a robot. Each arm and each leg of the robot holds a different type of coin, and I found that it worked pretty well.

If you’d prefer to watch the full review, you can check that out here.

That about wraps things up for today! I want to give a warm welcome, and a big thank you, to all the new newsletter subscribers. I hope you enjoy the early access, secret vlogs, and all the other bits of behind-the-scenes Freakin’ Reviews content that come with this newsletter.

As I mentioned in my recent video, I never spam or sell this list. It’s simply the best way to make sure you actually hear from me when a new video drops, because we all know how unreliable YouTube can be about that.

Speaking of… I have one last thought about YouTube.

I’ve noticed my YouTube feed has been different lately, and not in a good way. I’ve been seeing more old videos, random uninteresting ones, AI slop, and an endless wave of Shorts. It’s gotten so bad that I’ve started checking my Subscriptions tab more often, and I realized that is a much better fit for my viewing habits. Even better, I can curate it myself by subscribing and unsubscribing as I please. If you haven’t taken a look at your Subscriptions tab on YouTube, revisit it and see what you think.

What really caught my attention while perusing that tab was spotting a channel I’ve been subscribed to for years, but one I hadn’t seen in my feed for months. I figured he’d stopped posting, but nope… YouTube just decided to stop showing his videos to me.

And that, my friends, is exactly why I write create this newsletter. YouTube’s ever-changing, often chaotic algorithm might hide the creators you actually want to see, but I can still reach you outside the grasp of the same geniuses who think AI is the future.

With that off my chest, I’ll call it here. I’ll have another review coming soon, so keep an eye on your inbox for that!

Until next time,
James