Hi there — I’m Melvin Odom. I grew up in a small college-town setting in Vermont, where I developed a fascination for gadgets and gear long before “tech review blogs” were a thing. After finishing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont, I spent several years working as a materials-engineer for a mid-sized outdoor-equipment manufacturer in Colorado. Designing and testing camping stoves, performance outer-wear and backpack systems gave me a solid grounding in how things are built, how they fail, and what really matters in real-world use.
Eventually, I moved back east, traded in an office full of testing rigs for a laptop and a view of the Connecticut shoreline — and began re-thinking what I wanted my work to be. Since 2025 I’ve shifted my energies into this blog, burnratebook.com, where I share honest product reviews, clear buying advice, and real-world usage insights.
Why This Blog Exists
The idea behind this site came from noticing how many reviews out there sounded polished but lacked depth: they’d show a shiny photo, list some specs, then move on. But I kept asking: how does that gear behave six months in? Does it still look sharp after the trip? Did it withstand the rain, or the bus ride, or the toddler’s backpack fiasco? Having worked in product-development and testing, I believe the best review is one grounded in experience, not just hype. That’s what I aim to offer here: thoughtful, clear, and practical.
When you land on burnratebook.com, you’ll find reviews that don’t just repeat manufacturer claims. You’ll find reports from someone who’s tried the gear, lived with it, maybe even abused it a little. Editing for clarity, calling out what works and what doesn’t, so you can make a smarter buying choice.
My Journey & What I Bring
Because of my engineering background and the years I spent in the outdoor-gear industry, I’m comfortable digging into build quality, materials, design trade-offs—and all the details that matter behind the marketing. But I also know that as a buyer you don’t necessarily care about tensile strength ratings as much as: “Will this jacket keep me dry while I’m chasing after the kids in a drizzle?” So I combine that technical lens with a real-life approach.
Today I live on the Connecticut coast with my partner and our golden retriever, Rosie. On weekends you’ll find me boating, exploring tide-pools, testing new camp-cook kits, or wandering second-hand shops hunting interesting finds. It’s a lifestyle that keeps me curious about gear, tools, tech and the little things that make daily life a bit easier and more fun.
What You’ll Find Here
Starting in 2025 I began using this blog as a platform for reviews and buying advice covering everything from kitchen gadgets and outdoor kit, to home-office gear and tech accessories. My goal is to keep it real: showing you the good, the bad, and the “I wish I knew this before I bought it.” I’ll call out if something truly excels, and I’ll also call out when a product falls short of promise.
If you stay around here, you’ll find reviews with photos from real usage, honest commentary (not sales slogans), and the kind of advice I wish someone had given me when I started buying all this stuff myself. Thanks for being here — I’m glad you stopped by. If you ever have a product you’re curious about or a review request, drop me a message. Welcome to the journey.
Author Profile
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Melvin Odom is a former mechanical engineer turned full-time reviewer who brings hands-on experience from years spent testing and designing outdoor gear. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Melvin built his early career around understanding how things work in real conditions, from performance jackets to camping stoves. That technical foundation shapes his clear, practical approach to reviewing products that people actually use, not just admire online.
Now based on the Connecticut coast, Melvin runs burnratebook.com, where he writes honest, in-depth reviews covering everyday gadgets, home tools, and outdoor equipment. His mission is simple – to help readers make smarter buying choices through real-world insight, not hype. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him hiking, boating, or testing a new piece of gear on the weekends with his golden retriever.
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