Joshua Weissman – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Joshua Weissman

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2014

82%

WISE Score

10.4M

Subscribers

High-energy cooking instructor who'll convince your kid they can make better Oreos than Nabisco—and they probably can.

Joshua Weissman

YouTube

2014

82%

WISE Score

10.4M

Subscribers

High-energy cooking instructor who'll convince your kid they can make better Oreos than Nabisco—and they probably can.

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10.4M

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of the better cooking channels on YouTube, period. Weissman manages to be educational without being condescending, entertaining without being obnoxious, and inspiring without making cooking feel impossible.

The 'But Better' series is legitimately clever—it teaches kids to think critically about food, understand ingredients, and build real skills. Unlike some cooking content that's just food porn, this actually empowers viewers to cook.

The main consideration is that it's YouTube, which means you're always one autoplay away from who-knows-what. Use it intentionally: watch specific videos together, pick a recipe to try as a family project, or let older kids browse for inspiration with guardrails in place. The content itself is solid; the platform requires the usual caution.

If your kid shows interest, this could genuinely spark a lifelong skill and hobby. Just make sure you're ready to supervise some ambitious kitchen experiments.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-99. Younger kids (8-10) can watch and help with simpler tasks under supervision, while tweens and teens can start tackling full recipes independently. Adults love the channel too for its blend of entertainment and genuine technique.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Upbeat, enthusiastic personality that models genuine passion for cooking and learning. The 'But Better' series frames cooking as creative problem-solving rather than criticism. High-energy but not chaotic; maintains a respectful, positive tone throughout. No toxic behavior, profanity, or inappropriate content. The butter obsession and bread fanaticism are endearing rather than unhealthy.

Imaginative

The 'But Better' format invites viewers to think critically about food and reverse-engineer recipes, which is genuinely creative. Encourages experimentation and adaptation rather than just following recipes robotically. Shows food science and technique in accessible ways that spark curiosity. However, it's still fundamentally instructional content—imaginative within its domain but not pushing boundaries of creative expression.

Safe

Content is family-friendly with no explicit language, mature themes, or inappropriate material. Comments are enabled but the channel maintains a generally positive community. The main safety consideration is that recipes involve knives, hot equipment, and cooking techniques that require adult supervision for younger viewers attempting them. No manipulative elements or concerning monetization practices. Loses a few points because YouTube as a platform can easily lead to autoplay rabbit holes.

Enriching

Genuinely educational—teaches real cooking skills, food science, technique, and kitchen confidence. The step-by-step instruction is clear enough for beginners while offering depth for more experienced cooks. Encourages self-sufficiency and the practical life skill of cooking. The 'make it yourself' ethos builds competence and understanding of food systems. Highly entertaining while delivering substantive skill-building content.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches legitimate cooking skills with clear, detailed instruction that builds kitchen confidence
The 'But Better' series reframes fast food as a fun challenge rather than just junk—sparks critical thinking about food
Enthusiastic without being annoying; his genuine passion for bread and butter is infectious
Covers everything from beginner fried eggs to advanced bread-making, so it grows with your kid's skills
Entertaining enough that kids actually want to watch and learn (2.2 billion views suggest he's doing something right)

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What to Watch For

Recipes involve sharp knives, hot stoves, and real cooking equipment—definitely needs adult supervision for younger kids attempting them
It's still YouTube, so the algorithm will try to pull viewers into endless autoplay; best used intentionally rather than as background
Some recipes are quite advanced and time-intensive, which could frustrate younger or less patient cooks
The 'But Better' premise might create unrealistic expectations about everyday cooking (not every meal needs to be a project)

Conversation Starters

"What's one fast-food item you'd want to try making from scratch? Think we could actually make it better?"
"He's obsessed with bread—what food are you most interested in learning to make really well?"
"Which of his recipes looks doable for us to try together this weekend?"
"Why do you think homemade versions of food often taste different than restaurant or store-bought versions?"