PickfolioHow we research
Where our information comes from, how AI is used, and what each evidence level on a page means.
The short version
We collect primary sources, check every claim against them, and tell you plainly what kind of evidence a page rests on. We don't run a lab, and we never imply that we do.
Step by step
- Start from a real question — what people ask before buying a tool, or while using it.
- Collect primary sources. Manufacturer product pages and manuals, and public guidance such as USDA food-safety pages. Retail listings, star ratings and other people's reviews are not sources for facts.
- Build a claim list. Every number or spec that will appear on the page is written down next to the source that supports it, with the date we checked it.
- Draft with AI assistance. AI helps us organize and draft. It is never treated as a source.
- Check before publishing. Automated checks block any page with a number that has no source, a missing "not ideal if" list, commission language, prices, ratings or testing claims.
- Re-check over time. The "fact-checked" date on a page is the last time we compared it with its sources.
Evidence levels
Every page carries one of these labels:
| Level | What it means | What it can't tell you |
|---|---|---|
| E0 · Illustration only | The page or video relies on AI-made or borrowed visuals to show an idea. | Anything about how a real product performs. |
| E1 · Documented sources | Facts come from maker documentation, manuals and public guidance, each linked and dated. | How the product holds up in your kitchen over time. |
| E2 · Real footage | Includes licensed real-world footage; we describe only what it shows. | Results under conditions the footage doesn't show. |
| E3 · Independent test | A documented test with method, conditions and results. | Results beyond the tested sample. |
All pages published today are E1.
About our short videos
Our short videos are quick edits: brief clips from manufacturer and cooking videos, with an AI-generated voice-over and graphics. They are useful for showing how a tool is meant to be used. They are not our own footage or tests, and they never raise a page's evidence level.
Sources we prefer
- The manufacturer's own product page, manual or care guide.
- Government and university guidance (for example USDA FSIS, FoodSafety.gov, Cooperative Extension services).
- Standards and safety bodies, when relevant.
Last updated .