Thursday, October 31, 2013

Low Cost Replacement for Whirlpool Aftermarket HEPA AP450 and AP510 Filter



Third Party replacement filter
This is a third party filter replacement pack. The filter are not an exact fit for the Whirlpool Whispure 510 Air Purifier (AP510). With some effort, you can force it in since the frame is made of medium weight cardboard instead of Whirlpool's hard plastic caulked with silicon gel.

I'm pleased to save the extra $$$ for the same functionality, but would have preferred knowing that it was not a Whirlpool branded product.

Works just as well as the official HEPA filter
This is a lot less expensive and I can't tell a difference between this and an official replacement HEPA filter.

Replacement filter? Just the basics...
The OEM filter has a plastic frame and is rigidly braced. This aftermarket replacement looks more like the cardboard-framed filter you'd buy for your furnace. I hope the filter works as well as the original, and the cost-savings is only in the frame. I also hope the suction generated by the fan will not distort the filter over time.

These filters are supposed to have a one-year life. Perhaps I'll be able to give a better review in a year.Whirlpool Aftermarket Replacement 1183054 Filter

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Whirlpool 675808 Arm Kit



does the job!
This was the best price around when you factor in shipping. Easy to install. Top shelf of dishwasher cleans like new.

FAST service!
Arrived quickly....all the right parts arrived as ordered. This was an easy repair. Thanks for saving us $hundreds$ on a new dishwasher.

My dishes are very clean again.
This product is so easy to replace it took my wife less than 3 minutes to install. My dishwasher works better than new with this unit. If your old dishwasher is not cleaning the upper tray this will resolve that problem absolutely.

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BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cyclonic Canister Vacuum, Bagless, 66T6



hate to vacuum
I have owned many vacuums - most of them too heavy or too difficult to change from carpet to tile. The attachments of this vacuum are easy to use and it is light weight. The canister doesn't hold a lot but I would rather empty a small one more often to have the super suction and convenience of a canister. It takes care of the pet hair on furniture and floors. If you have a large home or don't like to empty the container often, try something else. This little guy is great for smaller homes & apartments & those who don't like to work hard at vacuuming.

Works great, great value
We have mostly wood floors with some area rugs as well as carpet in the bedrooms. This is the one vacuum that I an use throughout the entire house. Prior to owning this, I was using 3 different vacuums- one for each floor type basically. This bissell does great with the pet hair. It does pretty well on the area rugs. It is fantastic on the wood floors. It's great in the bathroom. It works well in the cars and on the furniture and dog bed.

I am so happy that I ignored most of the reviews here. This vacuum may not be as great as a $500 canister, yes, I get that. But I have never owned a $500 canister, nor will I ever. I don't need a vacuum to last 20 years. I just want something affordable, that I can use in every room of our house. It's been great at picking up the kid's crumbs under the table and on the rug. The suction power is good. It's a pretty quiet vacuum. I love it and am very happy.

A decent vaccum cleaner considering its price.
Our previous vaccum cleaner was my parent's 25 years old Nilfisk GS80. A powerful unit made in Denmark which sucked everything with ease and only required to be emptied once every 6 months. I wish we could get another one, but we can't seriously spend $1000 on a vaccum cleaner.

We have 3 cats and our house has wooden floors. This low end Bissel vaccum cleaner gets the job done. It removes all the hair off the floor and the attachements work great on furniture. Especially the rubbery "pet contour" tool which pulls the animal hair right out of the fabric. It was $130, so we don't expect to last for more than a few years.

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Swift Green Replacement for LG LT700P Refrigerator Filter, 3-Pack



Doesn't get rid of chlorine
Doesn't remove chlorine at even half the efficiency of the old (factory) filter (measured with chemistry kit against old "worn out" filter). I'm very disappointed in this product.

Not an exact replacement
We have an LG refrigerator and have used the LG LT700P filters and have had perfectly good tasting, cold water from the refrigerator. I tried to save some money by buying these filters which are advertised as replacements for the LG filters. They are cheaper, but in more ways than the price apparently. I initially ran 3 gallons of water through the filter (directions require 2.5). Water had a strong taste. So I ran 2 more gallons thru it. It had less of a taste. The weird thing is that when initially poured it doesn't have a strong taste, but not 5 minutes later the taste gets so much worse that you can't drink it. I don't know what the difference in the filters is but this is not filtering something that the LG filters obviously does. I feel, therefore, they are DEFECTIVE. You can't advertise as replacements if they aren't EQUAL in every way. I will note that we live in the Phoenix area and our water doesn't taste that great out of the sink to start. But LG fixes this...

Terrible - Hate It!
Thought this would work - Cheap Price, but even after gallons of water purged through it, it NEVER tasted right. Always a background taste. NEVER AGAIN!

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AOS 2055A Automatic Air Washer



Check out the 2055 review on Amazon before you buy this thing
For details, including photos of the internal workings of this evaporative humidifier, look for the 2055 AirOSwiss reviews done elsewhere on Amazon which has plenty of images of the inner workings. To summarize, it's an evaporative humidifier which works by drawing air in through the top via a fan then over a disk pack of about 10 slowly rotating plastic disks which dip into a pool of water, then the air exits the side carrying the humidified air.

Pros: No heated element to worry about overheating when it runs dry, no ultrasonic misting to leave water droplets on carpet/furniture, easy to clean, no filters to be replaced, and it traps air particles on the discs with the water so it does 'wash' the air.
Cons: Evaporative which means it cools (fine for the desert country, not so good in winter in the Midwest), no heating, and the fill valve on the water tank is the stupidest location you can imagine, so that at best you can fill it only 3/4 full.

The other...

A quiet and solid performer
If you are in the market for a humidifier and are willing to pay a premium price the AOS 2055A merits serious consideration. If you are primarily interested in air purification you should look elsewhere; while air washers do remove a small percentage of large particles from the air (the rotating disk sweep some particles out of the air) they don't have the flow rate needed to compete with a good HEPA filter and they don't remove the full range of particle sizes a HEPA filter will. Additionally, a good HEPA filter will capture 80-99+% of the particles that enter the system (depending on the quality of the device) whereas there is no guarantee that a particle entering an air washer will make contact with one of the rotating disks. The primary benefits of the rotating disk design don't come from air purification but rather from the increased surface area available for evaporation that permits a smaller and quieter fan to be used in their design. Also, the action of the rotating disks...

Great Humidifier
Purchased this about 5 years ago (or similar model with rotating discs and digital humidity reading) for about $350. As far as I can tell, this is the best humidifier on the market. Tried a few other models including heating element, ultrasonic. wick, and this is by far the best. Have run it almost non-stop in the winter for a number of winters, and also ran it a little bit in the summer if my room gets too dry with the air conditioners in a former apt that had underpowered AC. It has kept my room at about 40 percent year round. Like any other humidifier - you can't have any drafts coming in from outside or a window open in the winter or it won't help you much.

It has had NO problems over the last 5 or so years. It is also very energy efficient and quiet and looks nice. The ultrasonic humidifier created too much white dust for me, and the mist could damage furniture. A wick humidifier caused some water damage on a floor after it cracked open.

You do have...

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Neato XV-14 Automatic Robotic Vacuum with Extra Brush Heads, Filters, and Squeegee - Blue



Impressed!
This is our first robotic vacuum - we wanted to wait to buy one until companies improved these products...and the XV-14 is pretty impressive! We babysat it during its first run, watching how it would deal with obstacles such as chairs, sofa covers, cables, carpet to tile transitions, etc. The RoboCop (that's what we named it) navigated very well around these obstacles, and when it couldn't "climb" the transition from tile to carpet one time, it backed up and approached the carpet at an angle - this time successfully transitioning from the slight threshold between the surfaces. I like that it doesn't bump into the obstacles. I also noticed that if an object is covered with a duvet for example, and the duvet reaches the floor, the RoboCop will go around the cover as opposed to forcing its way under the object. So if you want it to go under your bed, make sure the bed cover doesn't reach the floor. We had to "save" the robot once when it climbed the base of our tochiere lamp and couldn't...

NEATO
My husband bought this for me as a birthday gift. I have had it for over a month now. I use it very often. I have done the spot cleaning, schedule cleaning and normal house cleaning. It is amazing!!! It isnt the pet one however I am impressed with the amount of cat hair it picks up. I have 3 kids and they can get messy. The vacuum picks up full goldfish and all the crushed crackers they kids leave everywhere. I never write reviews, but with a pricey item I felt i should! I would buy this product all over again. It does not replace the upright vacuum because it doesnt get to the corners and against the base boards. The vacuum senses the kids and will go around them even when they constantly try to stay in front of it. It is simple to use as well. My kids love to turn it on. It sounds like a jet prepping for take off when it first starts but after it starts i can still watch tv with the tv volume at 18 and hear it fine :) i hope this review is helpful. I truely love this...

Neato review after 5 months of use, compare to Roomba
First, a little about me and this device:

1. I have a 3000 sq ft, 3 story home, with 2 cats, a dog, and a baby. So these robots had their work cut out for them.
2. I have been using Roomba 5-series for 7 years before purchasing 2 of these Neato units from Costco. I will compare the pros/cons of each.
3. Confusion about models: All Neato units are essentially the same except for colors. The only 2 real differences: A: the XV-11 model came out first and had lots of software bugs and badly produced parts, and B: the XV-21 model has a different beater brush and filter (pet model").

I have been using Roombas since 2005, when I first purchased a Roomba red. I loved it. Over time, I got 2 more- in part because these guys required constant maintenance and the batteries died after 1.5 years or so. I learned to rebuild the batteries myself, and clean the sensors when they would do the "circle dance of death". Eventually, all good things come to an end, and...

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Drip Tray for TOB-60



Sturdy and easy to clean
This toaster oven pan measures 11-3/8" x 9-7/8" and fits my Hamilton Beach T/O like it was custom made for it. It is definitely nicer than the original and clean up is a breeze. Since a drip tray is, after all, not particularly exciting, I wouldn't normally write a review for it; but during the process of trying to find a replacement, I discovered that measurements mean e v e r y t h i n g!! So I thought including them might help someone else :)

Works for the model of toaster oven we have
Don't be worried by the mismatched manufacturer model #s. Apparently some retailers have their own mfg # that differs from the "true" mfg #? This worked just fine for our toaster oven, which I think we got from Costco and matched the picture, though the model # was different.

not much to say
not much to say, it does what it suppose to do. not much to say, it does what it suppose to do.

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Donvier 837409W 1-Quart Ice Cream Maker



Attention Unhappy Customers!
I ordered my Donvier a couple of weeks ago, in spite of some negative reviews, because I've used this type of ice cream maker before and I like the hand cranking, no-salt method. It's also small and easy to store. Since I received my Donvier I have experienced every problem listed by a negative reviewer for this product, and I have found the single solution to all of them.

When I got the Donvier I made some ice cream right away and it came out perfect--yay! Then I thought, hmm, better with a little less sugar. So I tried it again. Disaster! The mixture got all slushy, with too-large ice crystals, and it never really froze. This sounded suspiciously like one of the negative reviews I'd read, but since the first batch was great, I tried again. WORSE! Not even any ice crystals this time. The Donvier I now possessed could not freeze an ice cube. I started thinking "defective product," and was considering sending it back. But then I remembered reading recently that...

Nothin' but Ice Cream!
Caution: Rave Review
Why can't I get decent chocolate chip ice cream? That's what I want to know. Chocolate chip, plain, unvarnished and perfect, is a rapidly vanishing breed in the highly segmented world of commercial premium ice cream.

The Donvier lets you create the fresh flavors you want, when you want them. So, I get my chocolate chip with rich veins of beautiful Ghiradelli's milk chocolate chips and just a few semi-sweet for the heck of it. My wife's favorite is fresh peach and that's what she gets. You know what - in season, it tastes very much like a beautifully ripe peach! Only better.

Freeze the container overnight. Dump in the ingredients. Pop the lid on. Stir. Wait a bit. Stir some more. Repeat for ... minutes or so. Yesterday, I made a quart of ice cream while I was in the midst of preparing dinner for six - it was just no problem. The ice cream got such rave reviews from our guests that I was troubled at how easy it was to make.

Chocolate chip TIP: Wait...

I LOVE IT!!!
I have had this machine for a few years but just got into REALLY making wonderful icecream with it. My kids, husband and I love the ice cream we make with this machine. My husband asked me (after tasting his favorite flavor), "You made this icecream, NO, really, is it really homemade?" We have had friends over for dinner and I made some homemade ice cream. They just raved about it....they all want a Donvier too. I purchased this one because it is easy to use and produces FANTASTIC results. My kids love to be able to be part of the process so they, too, can say they can make delicious ice cream. (I think part of what MAKES the machine is a REALLY good recipe). You can buy several different ice cream books but my favorite recipes is from Ben & Jerry's. 2 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 c milk (I use Half & Half), 2 cups heavy cream. (this is just the base for many different flavors you can make). Beat the eggs for 2 mins, until light and fluffy, add sugar a little at a time, beat...

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LDR 501 5120 Garbage Disposal Plastic Strainer - High Impact, Fit All Design



Haven't lost a spoon yet
This doesn't look like much but it's great. I put it in the. Disposal side and leave it. Only water goes down the drain until you are ready to u se the disposal. A drop of soap to clean and it is as nice as when I first got it.

SOS! (Save Our Silver!)
And save the disposal unit as well.
Ever turn your unit on, and something has lodged so badly the unit stops altogether? It's so annoying, and I'm really lazy.
Not only does this keep those nasties out of your unit, but no more chewed silver as well.
Easy to clean and keep sanitary, and then it drops right back in.

These are great!
These are a lot nicer to use than the strainers that are standard in most sinks. My disposal doesn't work, so this keeps food scraps from going into the disposal. I've had trouble finding them at the hardware stores lately, so was glad to find them here.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

DeLonghi DD50P 50 Pt. Energy Star Dehumidifier with Patented Pump



Feature filled, but loud blower fan
After four good years of service, my old Soleus Air CFM-40 40-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat (see my review of this model also) up and unexpectedly died on me. Searching for a replacement, I happened across this unit at a local store in Michigan. A bit larger than I really needed, but the extra capacity will come in handy when it is really humid outside. After 48 hours of use, I can tell you my experiences thus far:

Good:
* High power blower motor really moves the air around in my basement.
* The compressor is quiet when running.
* Digital display for outside unit air temp, compressor coil running temp and set humidity level in percentage.
* Programmable humidity level - 30% to 80% in 5% increments and on continuously regardless of humidity.
* Timer function - 24 hour run time is broken down as follows:
1) 0 to 10 hours -- 30 minute increments
2) 10 to 24 hours -- 1 hour increments
* 3 ways to collect and dispose of the...

Does the job
We have used this dehumidifier for over a month to recover from a flooded basement. After removing the standing water, we were left with carpets and padding that were soaked thru, and humidity high enough to cause perspiration if you went down there. The unit was positioned in the TV room and I ran the long vinyl hose to the sink in the laundry room. The controls are easy, set it to pump, then set the desired humidity to --- which essentially means the unit will run continuously. It took perhaps a week+ to drive the humidity below 50% given the extensive carpeting and the padding lying underneath. We did not move furniture or turn up the carpets so dehumidifying maybe took longer than it might of. But once the humidity dropped below 50% it went to 40% in another day and to 30% the day after that. We did not do bucket brigade because all the water was automatically pumped into the laundry sink. After leaving the unit off for a day the humidity in the basement crept back up to...

Works exactly as described
We purchased this unit for our relatively damp basement. The pump was the primary selling point as our last unit was gravity fed and had to be elevated off the ground in order to drain into the laundry tub. We've been running it for over a month with good results and the pump works well.

The other reviewer commented on how the unit heated up his/her basement, but this has not been our experience. Drier air simply feels warmer than damp air. I'd recommend this unit to anybody who wants a unit with a pump, otherwise a cheaper model would work just as well.

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Whirlpool 2198597 Icemaker



Genuine Whirlpool part
This is a genuine Whirlpool ice maker unlike many of the cheaper units for sale. Fits perfectly and works like the original. Don't be concerned if it doesn't make ice immediately. It may take up to 24 hours to get down to temperature and make the first batch.

Factory Part Great
Was easy to install. Great part. I now have all the ice I want. Matched the orginal part almost exactly.

Ice Maker
Great quality. was a perfect fit. worked like a charm. don't settle for knock offs. get the real replacement part!

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VCT VT-500J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts To 110V OR Vice Versa - 500 Watt



Works great with Japanese video game consoles!
I recently purchased a Japanese "Slim" Sony Playstation 2 to play games never released in North America. The SCPH-7000x model of Playstation 2 comes with an external power supply which is multi-voltage (100V-240V) capable, but the newest model of "slim" PS2, the SCPH-9000x series, has an internal power supply set at 100V. Instead of risking a burnout of my new console, I purchased this step-down/step-up converter to safely reduce the voltage coming out of the wall. This transformer has a wattage capacity of 500W, which is more than enough to cover the 70W output of the PS2. So far in my testing, the voltage transformer runs quiet and cool, even after several hours of use. An external light lets you know that the unit is functioning properly, and should its internal fuse fail, it can be easily replaced. Overall, I highly recommend this piece for its heavy-duty metal build (it's heavy!) and affordability.

(FYI, should you also be planning on importing a SCPH-9000x to North...

For those times that you need a 100V transformer.
The Americas uses 120V as a standard and the rest of the world uses 240V. Japan is the exception with 100V. It's not much of a problem as most appliances come with a 100-240V universal adapter,or you can supply one with your own local voltage.

The problem can be where you buy a great gadget in Japan,that was never meant to be exported outside Japan and the voltage is fixed at 100. The bigger problem is that it might not function at 120V. Modification by a service tech may be anywhere from expensive to impossible. This is where the VCT/VT-500J comes in handy and for only $36 if your appliance is less than 500 watts.

I've had it a while and it works. It is meant for continuous operation,something I would not trust to a cheaper wall converter. It does use a fuse for safety reasons and comes with three spares,but it might pay to buy some extras. The design is very compact. The switch and pilot light are in the back with the power cord. I wish both were up front...

Nifty Converter
I purchased this Japanese Step Up Voltage Transformer to use on a recent trip to Japan. From past experience I knew my curling iron would not work well on the Japanese current. This converter works great, but you need to take a three prong adapter along. All Japanese plugs are for two prong appliances; the converter is three prongs. I left my adapter at the first hotel on our tour; I ended up breaking off the ground plug on the converter so I could continue to use it! (Not recommended!) This little unit is quite heavy. We had to put it on our carry-on because we were concerned about our luggage weight. Going to Japan--this gizmo is priceless and I found the best price on Amazon.

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OceanAire HPG15B-M Warmwave Ceramic Heater



Very good small heater
I decided to review this because I saw bad reviews and I have used this heater in a travel trailer I lived in for 18 months and it works great. I was googling how to clean it when I came across this site. This heater worked great for the price and I ran it many, many hours. I would not leave a portable heater with a fan on when I am not at home, if you need to do that I suggest you get a quartz, infrared, or oil filled portable heater with no moving parts. With that said there is a switch if a pet or someone knocks it over it will shut off. I would recommend periodically blowing it out with compressed air like the cans for computers if you use it a lot. I had to disassemble to clean the dust from mine which was easy except for two plastic corners that space the heating element that I did not see how they were set before they fell out. I figured it out an it's running like new. The initial smell when you purchase it is normal for all portable heaters and will burn off. As far...

Love This Heater
I love this little heater! It is never warm in my building, but it puts out a lot of heat and keeps me very warm and toasty all day at work. It has an over-heat feature (automatic shut-off), which is especially good from a safety aspect, two heat settings, and an adjustable thermostat so that you can choose the level of warmth you prefer. It is also much quieter than other portable heaters I have used in the past. I would definitely recommend this product to others.

Heat's really well
This thing is small, but heats a normal sized bedroom really well. It's not too noisy and has several different settings to adjust. It also isn't hot to the touch which is great for me since I have a toddler in the house that likes to get into everything. I would definitely recommend this to others!

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Nostalgia Electrics HSB590 Stainless Steel Margarita & Slush Machine



Delicious Margaritas
My husband loves his new Margarator Margarita Machine. We all enjoyed testing it. The drinks were delicious. It makes a large batch and keeps them icy fresh. One of my friends commented "Isn't that just a glorified blender?" I could explain that it not only made a larger batch, the spigot made it very handy to serve, and it was insulated so it kept the drinks cold and icy. We have enjoyed several different kinds of drinks. It did take trial and error to figure out that if it had sat for a while after mixing, we needed to turn it back on and let it run before serving ourselves for the perfect drink.

unimpressed
I am very disapointed. The unit's drive train broke within 3 months so the motor runs but nothing spins. While it did work, it was much louder than a blender and was not as useful. Spend your money on a nice blender and an insulated pitcher instead.

Not Very Happy!
Purchased this product to make smoothies for my class. It does not crush the ice very well at all. I am not sure I would purchase this item again.

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Secura Infrared Convection Countertop TurboFry Oven 997MC



Very pleased with this product
We ordered this a few weeks ago, so far we have tried potatoes fries, pizza, roasted chicken and we roasted some almonds as well. Everything came out excellent. This oven is indeed a multifunction appliance. It first is a convection oven similar to a Rotisserie oven, but with a turntable rack. So you are not limited to roasted chicken and ribs but can put smaller pieces on the turntable. The second function is to replace the turntable with a food tumbler or paddle, it then turns into an automatic stir fryer. We made some fries from fresh potato. Needless to say the fries are much less greasy with only one spoon of oil, but we are thrilled to see this actually works. It means this cooker can take the tedious labor work out of cooking.

With everything we have cooked in this turbofry oven so far well done, we are very pleased with this product.

Roasted chicken is second to none. The first chicken we cooked is perfect, golden crispy skin bottom and up, and juicy...

waste of money
I should have paid more attention to the negative reviews before purchasing this product. I wanted something that would be convenient for small dinners consisting of food items like chicken quarters. I tried it out on thawed chicken quarters and had it cranked all the way up to what is supposedly 482 degrees (I seriously doubt that the Secura reaches anything near that temperature) and I set the timer for 13 minutes. After the first 13 minutes I turned the quarters over for another 13 minutes. checking to see if they were done the internal temp was still only 145 degrees. I continued cooking for another 13 minutes on each side and they still weren't done. I wound up finishing them off in the microwave. Another reason I wish I hadn't bought the top of the line Secura is because it has the rotating bottom which means that there is a hole in the bottom of the glass bowl to accommodate the feature and this is annoying when you want to use a lower rack but can't because of the protruding...

So far so good.
I just got it today. We'll see how long it lasts. I expect a minimum of 2-3 years of service for this price or I will update the review and drop it to one-star.

Toast is the one thing the user guide doesn't mention, and I could find nothing scouring the web. I was eager to find out if I would be missing anything by not having a toaster or toaster oven. So the first thing I did was try a split English muffin with a dab of margarine and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It didn't toast like a toaster. Actually, it was better. It crisped and browned in a really desirable way. My now defunct (after one year) B&D toaster oven seemed to have two settings - watch and wait, or burnt. You generally had to just stand there and watch. This infrared convection cooker browned it nice and slow (well, 10 minutes) but in a very nice golden brown way. The margarine and cheese melted perfectly. I love this thing so far.

The instructions aren't very clear. I had to pretty much guess...

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Keurig K-Cup K40 Elite



Good Choice
We had a little trouble with this coffee maker at the start. The brewed coffee had a strong plasticky taste and was not fit to drink. Thanks to the good advice from the wonderful seller and customer support at Keurig, we were able to solve the problem by cleaning it with vinegar. Customer support said it was apparently just off the production line, which could be the cause of the problem. Now we have the perfect cup of coffee we'd been expecting when we both this machine.





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Max Burton 6015 Portable Induction Cooktop Stove and Interface Disk Combination Set



Best I could find
I have been using the Max Burton for a month now. The old problems with induction have been solved. This generation works instantly. In case you do not know what I am reviewing, this is my choice for an induction unit, portable. So the surface is glass and it induces heat in metal. I can heat a pot ten times faster than electric coils. I have nearly the same control as with gas.

The features here are critical in a mid power unit like this one. You want as many grades of temperature as you can get, This one has ten, the most available.

It allows you to set temperature by degrees. Thank you. From a gentle 140 on up.

I cook with clay on this burner because included is the interface disc. Unit heats disc, disc heats clay. As slowly as 140 degrees.

You can place this unit on any surface. It is light. If you want an extra burner, this one will outperform your own stove unless you have a 17,000+ BTU Viking like mine. And even if you...

Induction Cootktop and Disc Inerface
I've wanted an induction cooktop for some time and this model fits the bill perfectly. It's easy to operate and cooks and/or warms foods without creating extra heat in the kitchen. I've cooked meats, vegetables and pastas to perfection. Being able to set temperature or time for cooking makes it easy to coordinate cooking of the different elements in a meal. I was especially pleased with the interface disk because some of my pots and pans are not magnetized. I was able to use my glass cookware to prepare vegetables and boil eggs. I don't regret this purchase.

super high-tech!!!
*Generates NO external heat...will be great in summer here in Texas!
*Works great /w/ LeCreuset Cookware!
*Temperature Control is amazing...super-responsive!
*Looks & perform like a super high tech./space age device!
*Boils H2O fir Pasta in record time...much faster than my gas stove without the heat!!!
*Opens up a whole new dimension to cooking!!!
*I'm making Chicken Stock and it is coming to a boil in almost record time!!! feel like a professional chef!!!
*A Must for any Foodie!

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KRUPS EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine with Built-in Conical Burr Grinder, Black



Compared with the Jura ENA 4!! Love It!!
I just received this Krups Espresseria automatic machine. I have a Jura ENA 4 at my work so I will try to make some comparisons to them. The Jura is about the same price and they both have very similar features. I was so excited when I found out I would be receiving this Krups machine so that I can make my cappuccino at home too! I am a coffee fool so I make alot. With winter coming up this will be well used. Ok I have been using the Jura for some time at my work and it has been a very nice machine and is easy to setup, clean, and use. The Krups is no exception here as it is very easy to setup. Just fill the water container, bean hopper, set language, ML or OZ for liquid measurement, water hardness and ready to go. I use beans I buy here on Amazon. They are eight Oclock brand 50 % decaf. I chose the fine grind setting and brewed my first Cappuccio in less than a minute and the froth was superb. The coffee taste and strength is every bit as good as the Jura maybe alittle stronger with...

The cream of the Krups
We're a 2-3 cup a day coffee household. This doesn't include all of the weekly trips to the coffee shop while at work for more specialized drinks. Prior to getting this espresso maker we simply brewed flavored coffee at home with cheap and disposable coffee makers. We were of course overjoyed to welcome the Krups EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso and coffee Machine into our kitchen. Here are my thoughts;

Pros

+ All in one unit. Stores, grinds, brews and disposes of your coffee. No outside water lines needed.

+ Stainless Steel milk frothing bottle provided. Very nice!

+ Auto clean/rinse cycle. Only needs complete cleaning once every 360 cycles!

+ Modern and sleek black look. Also, very compact in size for an espresso machine.

+ Easy to use digital interface and quick set up.

+ Water proof service guide stored inside a side slot of the machine.

+ Steamer nozzle also dispenses hot...

Excellent cappuccino for breakfast every day.
This could seriously be the best thing I have ever purchased. It is expensive, but man, it is great to wake up and push 3 different buttons a total of 5 different times and have an excellent cup of cappuccino. It could not be easier. Set up is a breeze. The machine tells you when you need water or a new filter. You can see the coffee beans. There is no mess to clean up. When it is time to empty the spent grounds (about every 10-15 cups) a message comes on, you pull out a side drawer, dump it in the trash, empty and rinse the water tray and ... voila.

We bought this assuming that it would not replace our regular drip coffee maker. But we completely stopped using the coffee maker and instead have cappuccino or cafe creme every day. The automatic cappuccino foamer is really quite clever and easy to clean. We have found that you need milk fat to make a decent foam so use whole milk or add a little 1/2 n 1/2 to whatever reduced fat milk you use and it will make a good...

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Omega J8004x Factory Certified Reconditioned Nutrition Center Commercial Masticating Juicer, White



Save your money: this ain't bad for a "free" juicer!
PROS:
- Good savings over the "brand new" unit.
- Excellent quality juice.
- Squeezes out the juice like nobody's business.
- Reliable.
- Versatile.
- Quiet.
- Easy to clean.

NEUTRAL:
- Time consuming.

CONS:
- Small feed chute.
- Leaky chamber rear seal (-1/3 star).
- Soon to be Obsolete (-2/3 star).

SUMMARY

I needed a juicer for a month long juice fasting experiment to see what it does for me. I'm a little obsessive, so after seeing the movie "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and doing some research, I wanted to know what would happen to me under such a radical dietary change.

The J8004x is a wonderful compromise: highest nutrition content of any juice, incredible versatility, reliability, a preposterous warrant and it's easy to clean and relatively portable: you can't lose with this purchase.

I HATE having one-trick ponies in the kitchen, unless they're friggin' amazing...

Works great and has so many things you can do with it.
This is definitely a quality commercial masticating juicer. We have a centrifical juicer also but it would not juice kale, collard greens, or other vegetables that had quite a bit of hardness to them. This juicer is the easiest juicer ever to clean, will juice anything you put in it, and what does not juice is dry and has much less waste than with a centrifical juicer. There are good things about each type of juicer. The only, and I mean the only thing that would make this 5 stars instead of four is that the chamber that you put food into needs to be bigger so that you don't have to cut food into smaller pieces. We still love it, but it does make it a little more work to have to put smaller pieces of food than the big honking pieces we could put in our other juicer. But we are not going to let that stop us from using this. The juicing takes longer because it juices at a lower speed, but it is worth the time because you get more juice and clean up is a breeze.

Love This Juicer
I have only owned this juicer for a few days but can already say that it is sooooooo much easier to clean than my previous juicer. Easier to clean, easier to use means using it more. This juicer is very quiet. I can juice in my kitchen in the morning without waking up the entire household. The 12 year warranty makes buying a factory reconditioned unit a no brainer, in my opinion. Saves money and the Omega company is willing to stand behind their product. I get more juice out of leafy greens and vegetables than I ever was able to with my centrifugal juicer. The pulp comes out very dry. This unit will easily allow me to incorporate FRESH green juicing into my mornings. The footprint isn't any larger than my other juicer and fits nicely on the countertop. Shipping was very fast. Great Product!!

UPDATE: Have now owned this juicer for about 2 1/2 months. Still works great and still easy to clean. The ease of cleaning has truly been the thing that has allowed me to...

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Whirlpool Washer Timer Knob 3362624



Doesn't fit
While the knob is brand new and looks great, the threaded insert is a different size than what my machine is. I matched up the part numbers to confirm it is the correct piece, but unfortunaly, it doesn't fit my Whirlpool

Sturdy but needed modification for older washer
Was meant for a newer washer.

My older washer had 1/4" thread which meant I had to run a tap thru and it then would thread on and work.

Cheaper than new washer or repairman

It's a knob
The knob fit a Kenmore 70 series washing machine perfectly. To install you unscrew the broken remains of the old knob and simply screw on the new one. Hand tight is all that is needed since every time you manually advance the timer you are tightening the knob.

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Capresso 484.05 MG600 Plus 10-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe



The best on Amazon... (I've tried them all)
At this point I've purchased the following machines from Amazon:

-Cuisinart Brew Central 1200: the worst of the bunch, brews cold, does not fully saturate the grounds
-Bonavita: brews hot, but way too fast for small pots yielding weak and flavorless coffee
- Melitta 46893: brews too cold (maxes out around 185), produces muddy coffee on the bold setting
- Zojirushi 5 cup: brews too cold (maxes out around 190) but better than the previous 3 and has nice design features
- Black & Decker Brew & Go: (maxes out at *207*) this machine is awesome, I have one at work

What I wanted was a machine that brews at or near 200 degrees and can accommodate small pots between 2-5 cups (this one has a 3-5 cup setting). This is the only machine on Amazon that seems to fit the bill. It does a very nice job and produces hot and flavorful coffee. In my tests it was brewing at 196 and above. It has a lot less of a plastic-y smell than other machines and seemed to...

A Good Coffeemaker
First you have to know that the Capresso MG600 Plus 10-Cup comes in two different model numbers, 484 and 485. The following comments are for the 484.05. Capresso tells me the only difference is that the 484.05 has additional processing such that finger prints won't show on the stainless steel finish. I've been using this coffeemaker for about a month at this writing. I can tell you that finger prints are not an issue. I have yet to see a finger print on the stainless steel finish. An earlier reviewer critizied the coffee maker as have a flimsy handle. I say, not to worry, the carafe's handle is very substantial, has a very "solid" feel. The coffee maker makes a bit of noise during the brewing process, but so what. I don't know of any coffee maker that is "stealth" during the brew cycle. There was a comment regarding water running down the back of the unit when the lid is openned to remove the coffee grounds. If in fact you do open the lid fully during that process there will be some...

Good Coffee Maker
If you are reading this review, you are probably looking to replace a burned out coffee maker too. We have had three Cuisinart DCC-1200's over the past 3-4 years and happy with those. Since the current one died, we started researching again to see if anything was better. After reading about some of the later models catching on fire, I decided to forego that model again, although we still have one of the three still working at the cabin. My comparison would be more between these two models and not other brands.

One Cuisinart was the stainless steel model and it did show finger prints all the time unless you kept it wiped down. We did want another stainless steel look to go with the appliances we have and the Capresso satisfies that requirement. It does not appear to be tru stainless steel, which is fine with us, as it has the stainless steel look and it does not show finger prints. It's slides under the cabinets in the same space as the Cuisinart.

As far as...

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Hunter Air Purifier Carbon Replacement Pre-Filter for Models 30901, 30903, 30907, 30958, and 30959



Adequate
The product's size was as advertised, however it was noticeably thinner than the original filter that was included with my Hunter 30546 air purifier. Also the "Product Features" area advertises this an an "activated carbon" filter, but there is no mention on the box or on the [...] website saying that the product is indeed made of "activated carbon."

no activated carbon in these filters!
These are NOT tivated carbon filters, which shed carbon particles, and these mis-named and not suitable for a HEPA air filter; Amazon/Bultk Filters continues to send this bagged version, not the original Hunter boxed filters, and I won't get ever purchase these from Amazon/Bulk Filters again.

Universal
We have several room Air Purifiers that require Pre-Filters. This product is universal that can be cut to size for many different models, whether they are Hunter or any model that requires a carbon pre-filter. Great value.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Whirlpool Part Number 883149: Filter, With Lens (Includes 1 Charcoal Pad)



As described - a perfect replacement.
Great replacement for the OEM filter/cover. Beware when you order. They are packaged poorly (sandwiched between two very thin pieces of cardboard. Easily bends when shipped). Mayhem arrived slightly bent. Very disappointing but I was able to bend back into shape. It is not perfect but it will still work.

just what I needed
Filter is just what I needed.Fit my rangeaire hood perfectly. A great, inexpensive fix. Delivered a day late, and had a little kink in it, but it is not noticeable. I'm very happy.

Right product, right price, right vendor
What more can I say. Such a simple product but you would be amazed how others try to sell it. I'm impressed with the vendor and their product. I'll buy from them again should the need arise.

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Kaz K14-3P Dynafilter Air Cleaning Replacement Cartridge (3-Pack)



This Silly Thing Actually Does Make a Positive Difference
The entire concept seems like a scam. You plug this thing into the wall and it pumps out soothing, moisture-filled air that allows a congested person to rest easier. I laughed when I first read about them. But once again, my inner cynic was forced to admit error. These things help my children sleep when they have a cold. The filter replacements are easy to install and keep the entire apparatus free of mold and bacteria. I've been using the same Humidifier for over ten years, simply by keeping it clean and changing the filters regularly. I mock no longer.

OK!
This filter fits the cvs brand humidifer i boought so i was happy as I couldn't find the filters anywhere.

satisfied
Product arrived as promised and in good order. I would order this product again.

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10 Pads for H20 Steam Mop and Steamboy Unit



Great Product
These disposable pads are wonderful. The H2O Steam Mop comes with 2 reuseable pads, but once used they have to be washed and it does not take to long for them to become worn and somewhat ragged. It is nice to have an alternative and also to be able to dispose of the pad after use especially when used on a very soiled area. I recommend these.

Great product, low cost
I've had my mop for 2 years and used the pricey mop covers that came with it. These are exactly the same at a fraction of the cost. Items came quickly too.

Very Sturdy Pads
I ordered extra pads for my new H2O mop and they are well made and fit perfectly!

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Heavy Duty Ironing Board Cover Fasteners Clips 3-Count



Very useful
Help keep pad in place, now just how much more can one say about a product that they have already gave a very high rating

not good
they broke and stretched too much, did not work out, i found some more and used them instead; would not buy again

Too short!
Kept them but they are too short!

Really disappointed. Have owned ironning board clips in the past and they were wonderful… These… meh… not so much!

Would not recommend!

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Lasko 5309 Electronic Oscillating Tower Heater



Nice little heater!
This is a nice little heater. Has the same size
ceramic core as bigger units, but costs less because
theres no remote, or fancy lcd display. But it puts
out just as much heat as its big brothers.
The exterior is pretty cheap, so I can't give it
anymore stars. I believe this heater qualify's for CA prop 65
warning. But didn't see it! Made in China....

Great heater, lacks safety features!
Overview: This is a great small size heater. It has two main setting "low" and "high". The low setting is nearly silent, so you can easily do certain task such as talking or listening to music without some background interference. It has 6 temperatures settings (in Fahrenheit): 65˚, 70˚, 75˚, 80˚, 85˚, and "Max". During the winter time, my room is about 55˚ Fahrenheit, using the max setting it gets my 10x12 feet room heated to 80˚ in 15~20 minutes. It has an oscillating feature that rotates about a 60˚ angle.

Pros: Quiet and many settings to keep your room at a comfortable temperature.

Cons: NO SAFETY FEATURE! I think this is the reason I took off a star. There is no safety function for this heater. If you accidentally knock it over, it'll stay on. I've used other heaters and they have a safety button on the bottom of the heater, if the heater is move even the slightest, it'll turn off as a safety precaution. Now why does...

Nice and toasty!
Very warm heat. Love it! We don't have heat in our upstairs just yet so we needed something to get us by this winter until my husband puts in the ductwork. We have 3 bedrooms and 1 bath and it keeps it warm if we want it to. I love how you can control the heat - it has a setting for 65,70,75 and MAX heat. It has a high and low speed but if you put it on low, you can't set the temp, it just runs on low the whole time. If you have it on high, it will shut off when it reaches the desired temp. It also has a oscillating setting which is nice - I use it at night so it blows in all the bedrooms evenly. Happy with my purchase!

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AKDY 30" Kitchen Wall Mount Stainless Steel Range Hood AZ63175 Stove Vents



Solid and affordable
I bought this as it combined simple design and affordability. It's not too loud, has 3 settings and LED lights. Good overall. Downside- It comes with a plug, so instead of running a whip for hardwiring, be ready to precisely place an outlet behind the footprint of the flu so you don't see it. Other than that, 3 thumbs up.

I like It
Easy to install, Good quality, Quick delivery, Low noise, Low price. Need more improvement, Out side vent should (6") be with the packages, end cover plate should be with the packages.

This was the perfect product to accent our new kitchen!!
This product was shipped quickly and was such a beautiful vent!!! This vent is so quite for being the high cfm that it is.

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Hamilton Beach 25451 Indoor Grill with 85-Inch Cooking Surface, Stainless Steel



Great little grill
I love this grill and use it all the time. It is compact, easy to store and with the removable disks, easy to clean. The only thing that it lacks which would be helpful is a timer. But for the money, it is well worth it!

Product was as I expected.
I chose this product for the way the top grill fit so that when cooking items of thicker proportions it would adjust unlike those grills on a regular hinge.

A real keeper
I purchased the Hamilton Beach 25451 as a replacement fro my George foreman grill. The George Foreman grill was clumsy and hard to clean. The 25451 works great and is easy to clean due to the grilling surfaces being removable, cleaning is a snap.

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KitchenAid Pro Line Series Waffle Baker



Very Pleased!! After 3 years of use
I take this unit on vacation with us - I use it at home - I take it to over nighters anywhere.

I see some reviews that say it has no temp adjustment - well, it simply would be useless if it did.

Pour in the batter and set the timer for 3 min 45 seconds and two waffles are done to perfection - each time and everytime. It has never failed after hundreds of waffles

I also see some noise about it being large and bulky - well, if you want a heavy duty machine that will out last you, this is what you get. I have no trouble taking it everywhere.

The best unit ever!

PS: The very best waffle mix is the malted mix from Williams Sonoma - wow! I am going to make some now . . .

KitchenAid Pro Line Series Waffle Baker
KitchenAid Pro Line Series Waffle Baker

I recommend the purchase of this waffle baker.

I purchased the baker from Amazon.com using bonus points on 12/18/10. S&H was included which is one of the reasons I like using Amazon. Plus, the price was right.

I received the unit via UPS in three days after ordering. Even though it was Christmas time, Amazon was just as fast as I usually find them. The packaging was excellent and the package was received unscathed.

Cons.
The unit is made in China. I find that a little disappointing as the stainless steel and workmanship is good, but not the same quality as products made in the USA.
There were a few small scratches on various places to the unit. But, not to the extent that it is worth returning for a different unit.
The waffle make unit does not sit level in the cradle and has to be adjusted to insure that it is level. When turning the unit it will go just a little beyond level...

Well worth it
We have a couple of other Kitchenaid products, so I knew this waffle baker would be built like a tank. The instructions were well written and pretty straightforward. It is simple to operate and the waffles I made this morning came out great. I used a basic waffle recipe (you can get mixes, but it only take a few minutes to make it from scratch). I started out with the timer (which is very simple to operate) set to 4 minutes; this was good but the waffles wanted to stick just a tiny bit, so I tried setting at 4.5 minutes, which was perfect.

The waffles were delicious, and HUGE. Yes, you can make a lot of waffles very quickly, but really, you only need to make a few of these waffles to feed a crowd. I made 5 waffles this morning for six people (four young kids, two adults), and had one whole waffle left over. The waffles separate into quarters very easily, and one quarter is definitely a good bit for one plate. If I could give it 6 stars, i would.

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Monday, October 28, 2013

Mary Ellen Products I Hate Ironing Spray Wrinkle Remover, 16.9-Ounce



Lisa Z South Dakota
OH MY GOSH THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!!!!!! Used it many times and it works on everything from light weight clothing to Denim jeans it's FANTASTIC!!!! Recommend it to anyone!

Ergonomic and does what it claims!
It's very easy to spray and comes out easily. You don't hurt your hand spraying! It also straightens clothes. I just wish they offered it with a scent.

It works!
I have used this for a while now and it's works!!! I'll be ordering again soon! Thank you very much!

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NuWave PIC - Precision Induction Cooktop



MARCH 2013. THIS UPDATED REVIEW would only give one star.
MARCH 10, 2013.

Our review from December published below originally gave this PIC a five star review. I have changed to only ONE star now. SO, if you happen to read any comments by other folks which might not make sence, that is why...

I also have added at the bottom of this review an email from The Induction Cooking website expert, addressing small induction burner elements and the cooking powers of these smaller Induction cooktops.

The Induction cooking method is a good choice.

THIS product has a defect which makes it cook at much higher temperature than the temperature you set.

I used a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of water and soup. THe temperature/thermostat was defective.

When the unit was set and 160, the thermometer measured 200 and a rolling boil occurred.

I returned the unit, exchanging it for another PIC.

THe same defect occurred.

I will be returning the second...

unsafe, rotten customer service
I'm on my second PIC and have had it a little over a month and the thermostat is messing up. hot, hot, burn then down, down, down sitting on a cold pan. I don't EVER want to talk to anyone there again. If I stand there and keep adjusting the heat I can get meal. Don't trust it for melting chocolate or making yogurt. My fried chicken sat in cold grease, till I turned it up, then down, then up. Buy a different brand. I have a commercial cooking background and know how to cook on induction. This is a bad product.

My PIC over heated enough to separate the enamel from my dutch oven. They agreed to replace, then put a hold order on the replacement without notice to me. I called 5 times and it seems that notes are not accumulated in one area of the software they use, I had to go over the same thing every time. I finally got a "Shipped Out" phone call 24 days after the initial call. By then I was outraged and said so and wanted recompense for my dutch oven, time and inconvenience...

Not as efficient as represented.
I purchased mine from the Nuwave website. It was the BoGo offer with the cookware. As written in many other places the S&H for the cookware and second cook top negate any "get one free" benefit. That should be a considration of "how/where" you purchase.

I immediately unpacked my 2 PIC to test boiling water. First thing I found out was my Calphalon cookware from Target is annodized aluminum...not magnetic and not induction compatible. That should be a considration about buying the PIC if you want to use current metal cookware...BE SURE IT'S Magnetic.

Ok, now for the review of actual functionality. I used both the "free" stainless steel cookpot and a castiron fry pan. Both PIC's that I received only had a functioning induction coil in the very center of the cooktop. If you see a picture without the pot or pan on the PIC it's the size of the center red circle that is intersected by the NuWave logo. This will affect the eveness of heat distribution and...

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VacMaster Vacuum Chamber Pouches, 3 Mil 10-Inch by 13-Inch, 250 per Box



Works great in the VP112
Works great in the VP112. I'm running the seal duration at 6 seconds and they seem to be working great. Very sturdy bags.

Works great in the VP112
Works great in the VP112. I'm running the seal duration at 6 seconds and they seem to be working great. Very sturdy bags.

Work also with hot liquids and an impulse sealer
These are my favorite bags for sous vide and freezer food storage. I use them with an impulse sealer similar to 8" Impulse Sealer - Cellophane Bag sealer, whenever I have sufficient liquid in the bag to expel the air. This purchase pair would be justified for freezing stock, alone, if you cannot imagine life without frozen stock always on hand. And stock is the easiest application to learn: One fills each bag with 2 to 3 cups of stock, using a yogurt container with the bottom cut out as a funnel. (It takes a smaller size to fit this bag.) Now place the impulse sealer by the edge of a counter, and hang the partially filled vacuum bag off the edge of the counter, draping the top portion over the sealer bar. Now squeeze the bag to coax out the air (setting up the sealer with a faint tip, and less pressure smoothing the high end encourages a path for the air, but isn't strictly necessary with practice). Now smooth out...

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Epica 10" Portable Battery Operated Fan with Adapter



A very versatile fan: indoor - outdoor - window - floor - desk


I'm already a "fan" of this fan
I would have given my eye teeth for this fan two weekends ago when a storm blew down a tree on our street, blocking the street and taking down the power lines, with the power not being restored for more than 24 hours. My in-laws a few miles away had power, but we couldn't drive away with our street closed. The fan would have made us a lot more comfortable in the sweltering heat and humidity.

Whatever. This is a really nice fan, and the ability to run it on either batteries or AC makes it far more versatile that the traditional AC-only fans of this size. One tip: Even if you plan on using the fan only with AC power, it's a good idea to insert 8 D-cells in the base, even if the batteries are dead, since it makes the base more stable and the fan less likely to tip over if it's bumped. Even with batteries inserted, the fan only weighs about 4.4 pounds, making it very portable.

The 10" fan puts out a surprising amount of air flow. Indoors, with the high speed setting,...

The best tabletop/portable fan you can buy
I think this is a perfect little desk fan and keep it on my desk for when it's not super hot to save some energy with the air conditioner. I also do some gardening in my yard and this is good to take with me in the back so i can keep cool in the heat. If you have dogs or even kids that you travel with and need to keep them in the car for a few minutes this is good to have because you can just keep them cool while they wait for you.

The fan provides an adequate amount of air even on low settings. I am the type of person who does not like too much of a strong gust of air in my face so the high setting is pushing it for me but for someone who likes a lot of cool air it would be great. The noise the fan produces on low is minimal but it can be a little loud on high setting. It's bearable in my opinion.

The fan can lock into many different positions. You can angle it to wherever you need air. I thought that was pretty neat compared to desk fans that just sit in one...

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Hamilton Beach 67801 Health Smart Juice Extractor, Black



Great deal for the price...
This is more for the person who is a casual "juicer". It works well for what it is. A few things I would change: The hopper is too small, you have to cut your produce to size to fit in the shoot. The side flaps are flimsy and seem like they could break easily, so be gentle with them. Cleaning up the juicer is a messy pain. Having said that, great deal for the price and I would recommend it as a BUY for the casual juicer.

good juicer
i like this juicer a lot, it is pretty quiet and powerful. its true it does leave a bit of pulp at the end, but i just freeze the pulp to use later in soup. great juicer for the price!!

Healt Smart Juicer
For the money ($25), this was a good value. The hopper is too small. You must slice everything down to a small size. Overall, I am happy.

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10 Cup / 1.7 Liter Capri Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle by ZUCCOR (BOIL-DRY PROTECTED / U.K. MADE HEAT CONTROL)



love it it, but now it has rust.
Love the kettle very much looks great, love the blue LED light. boils with in a reasonable time and is quiet. However just noticed that the rim of the kettle where the lid sits has rust forming. I am not at all happy about this as I have not had the for more than a couple of months.

Very good Kettle
It looks very good and modern and works very well...Happy with it :) I will buy the other one for my mom :)

Nice electric kettle-until it rusts!!!
*UPDATED* I did like this kettle until I noticed after 3 months of use it has developed RUST on the inside edge of the top of the kettle, where the plastic lid makes contact. I am concerned about the rust because it suggests that this kettle is made of low quality metal - in CHINA - who knows what combination of cheap metals were used in the manufacturing process, it's anyone's guess. I should not have taken the chance - and I am UNABLE TO RETURN IT due to Mountain Woods' and Amazon's return policies, since the deadline for returns was back in July, 4 weeks after I purchased it. I expected a better return policy from Amazon and I won't be a regular shopper here anymore.

Was looking for a stainless steel kettle to replace my beloved Bodum plastic kettle that lasted several years but eventually stopped working. Searched high and low and read too many reviews, took a chance on this "UK made heating element" kettle and we are all happy with it at our house. Electric...

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Battery, designed for Dyson DC35 Hand Vacuum -Unbeatable Warranty



Go with an actual Dyson battery.
UPDATE:
After using this battery for a few months now as a secondary to the battery that came with my Dyson DC35 slim, I have discovered that something is off with the way it connects to the unit. Although it charges fine, it "cuts out" when there is a slight tap or jarring while vacuuming (like tapping your foot, or going over an edge of flooring). It's okay, as all you have to do is release and depress the trigger, but it can get very frustrating. The charge itself is not quite as long as the original battery, and the black color does not look right in the unit, but all in all, it's adequate as a secondary battery to add vacuum time to your Dyson DC35, but personally for me, I would rather spend the extra money on a battery from Dyson.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I ordered this battery as a second battery for my Dyson Digital (DC35) since I was worried about the 13 minute battery life. It is an almost exact replica of the battery that came with my DC35, and lasts just...

Substitute battery
I purchased a battery for the Dyson DC35 vac. I received it and put it on the charger for 24hrs. I went to use it and it had no charge at all. I informed the manufacturer and they sent me another one. I again put it on the charger for 24hrs. I went to use it and again no charge. I informed the manufacturer again and they told me that the supplier had a problem with the battery. They did issue me a credit and told me to dispose of both batteries. I was really looking forward to a spare battery because the charge of the orginal battery is very short. They were quite fast in responding to my complaint and issuing a credit.

No Way
The battery was defective it would not take a charge, tried 3 different times. It came with no instructions about charging times.I called Certified Battery US Distribution Point.I talked to Brad he told me the supplier was having problems with these batteries and it would not be available for 2 months. He told me he would send me another one or I could get get a refund. I Got my refund $ 36.90 minus my $4.99 shipping charge. What I would like to know why would you ship a battery to a customer that you know is defective ? I would not recommend the product or company.

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BISSELL Auto-Mate Hand Held Vacuum, 35V4



Great Vacuum
This is a really nice vacuum! It seems like they market this for the "auto" however it can do so much more. Comes with different attachments depending on what you want to use it for. It's very small, yet has a lot of power. The actual "hose" is long enough to allow you to put the vacuum down and reach places. However as I said the vacuum is small and light. The on/off switch is a red rotating button on the front of the handle (you can see it in the picture).

It's easy to empty the dirt from inside. Just push the button and off it comes. However I'd advise doing that outside as depending on what you have inside, you may end up getting the house dirty again!

What I like about this is it's small enough to put just about anywhere. And As most of us do, we snack in the room watching TV. Crumbs get all over. This is small enough to pull out and do a quick vacuum job on the chair, etc.

Keep in mind this is NOT what you would want to vacuum the...

My New Buddy?
This corded hand-held vacuum does the job-it picks up debris quickly with little hassle. I love the 18 ft. long power cord. The length is perfect. When I'm on a "roll" cleaning, it gives me enough freedom to do several jobs before having to quit. It's somewhat heavier than I am used to for a hand-held vacuum, but those with relatively strong wrists should not have a problem.

The on/off switch is a simple red button on the tip of the upward curved handle. It's easy to turn on and doesn't get in the way. I appreciate that I only have to hold this vacuum instead of squeezing some trigger mechanism to keep it on.

The motor is on the loud side, giving you the impression that it's very powerful, however the suction isn't as strong as another significantly more expensive hand-held vacuum (different brand) I've bought in the past. Although my other hand vac has stronger suction, the thing is always running out of power when I need it most. I like having continual...

Powerful and lightweight....
The Bissell 35 V4 Auto-Mate corded handheld vacuum packs enough power to suction up dog fur embedded in our car's upholstery. That says a lot.

Our primary backseat passenger is our Aussie Terrier, Fred. He must be a hairy little guy because even using a pet seat mat, we're still getting a fair amount of pet fur on the backs of the seats and the inside doors. The Bissell picked it right up.

We're also gardeners who bring home far too many plants from local nursery centers, and even using boxes, we have dirt and plant residue on the back seat and trunk floors. Again, the Bissell cleans it all with no trouble.

The four amps of power creates strong suction and the compact shape makes for easy handling. Add to that an eighteen foot power cord and three easy-to-add attachments, and I may have a chance in my quest for a pet fur free house.

The crevice tool works well in the car as well as on stairs and around the baseboards where the kitty fur...

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Sunday, October 27, 2013

DeLonghi DC514T 14-Cup Programmable Drip Coffeemaker



I'm Heartsick!
I've had my DeLonghi Esclusivo coffeemaker for exactly 3 months. It brewed the best tasting coffee I've ever had. It was my favorite coffee maker by far for the following reasons: Coffee is delicious -slow brewing permits a more robust coffee. Small footprint on my counter. Stylish design. VERY easy to program and use. Large opening through which to pour water. Charcoal filter to purify water. Automatic shut off. Caraffe has large opening for easy cleaning. NON-DRIP POURING!! I was in heaven with this coffeemaker and knew I'd found the perfect one. (I've had many in my lifetime.)

Unfortunately, two days ago, the plastic surrounding the hot plate began to melt. The vendor from whom I purchased it has already refunded my money and has asked me to return it. I will NOT purchase another one for fear of fire hazard. This coffeemaker would have received 10 stars from me had it not begun to melt itself to death. For this reason, I'm heartsick.....it WAS the perfect coffeemaker.

What is not to like?
Easy to use, attractive design, makes aromatic hot coffee. I like the aroma function that brews the coffee slower and uses the "shower head method" to better soak the coffee grounds while brewing. As long as the machine doesn't break down, the 5 stars will remain. Silly me, I thought maybe was made in Italy, but no, made is China. I bought this because of good price, free shipping and attractive design. It has more pluses than that. It is a good buy!

Broken in 9 months, poor customer service
I purchased this coffee maker in December 2009 and it worked well for a whopping 7 months. My son threw it in the trash but I remembered that it had a one year warranty so I dug it out of the garbage can. The piece needed to stop the water from dripping all over the counter is on backorder. I understand that backorders happen, but a 3 month backorder is unacceptable.

I spoke to Bev in customer service and she was as useless as you-know-what on a bull. She said that the part wasn't necessary to operate the coffee maker. I suppose she's correct, IF you prefer licking your morning coffee off of the counter top instead of sipping it from a cup.

Since my machine has been inoperable for three months, and there is no date in sight for the part's arrival, I suggested that they send me a new one. Request denied. I later suggested that they should extend my warranty since my 12 month warranty has turned into a 9 month warranty since the part is on back order. Request...

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GE WB13T10045 Gas Range Oven Igniter Glowbar for Stove



Item is NOT GE and NOT what is pictured
I bought this one from Parts Appliance Chicago because it said it was a GE part and I was willing to pay more for this then the generics out there. Turns out that they are using the GE factory picture, but the part is different. There are two mounting tabs, the wire insulation is not extra thick like the GE part, and it is labeled "1227 Part# ERIG21" which you can buy for $20 many places online. No way am I paying $45 for a $20 imitation. It may work when I install it, but how long will it last?

Works like a charm
If your oven won't heat up but it's getting power and gas, the glow plug is likely the problem. Unless it reaches the right temp, the gas won't flow. This plug fit our oven perfectly, and it was about half an hour to install. Much cheaper than a $250 dollar service call, a long wait, and another $200 appointment to put it in.

Mixed Order Outcome: Oven Igniter Midwest Appliances
Pros: part well package, expedited shipping
Cons: 1/4 inch screws missing, oven igniter was not the exact original but included a metal lip which had to be bent in order to fit the oven bottom plate, wiring did not include protective high temperature sheathing, package did not include invoice receipt.

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Lego Star Wars Trifold Wallet



durable and desirable kids wallet
this is a well made durable tri-fold kids wallet (big kids too). My only gripe is that I wish it had a Velcro coin pocket inside.

Would be nicer if it had an enclosed space for coins
This was given as a gift to my five year old son. It was a great gift for him as he currently is obsessed with earning and saving money. The wallet seems very durable and the Velcro closure is good for his age. I wish there was a separate closure to keep coins, as he has not mastered the proper way to carry a wallet, but I think this is a pretty typical design for this type of wallet. Overall, I'm satisfied with this purchase.

Perfect size and characters
This is a great price for a fun little gift, I've seen uglier Star Wars wallets in stores for over $10. My son loves this one!

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SC Johnson Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair, 2 Pack



Works great, but it's only meant to be used once and tossed
Does anyone at Johnson's Wax actually own a pet with fur that's larger than a hamster? With a couple cats and dogs in the house this works well on the sofa and maybe one chair before the container is completely full of pet hair. That's a lot of money to clean the pet hair off a couple pieces of furniture not to mention all of these things landing up in our landfills. At even half the price if you buy the double pack, if you used one of these things 5 times a week, (Those of you who live with pets know that filling one of these things takes less than 10 minutes) it would cost almost $1,300 a year to keep you supplied with these fabric sweepers. For that kind of money you could replace the couch and chair every year!

That said, these fabric sweepers work better than the other rolling or brushing type devices I've tried. The single brush type things don't pick up the hair very well, and the the roller-with-the-sticky-tape-stuff are just plain annoying. This isn't perfect,...

fabric sweeper
works great, but instead of throwing it away when full, you can remove the roller/s, empty it and use it again

Works Well, but Pledge should MAKE it reusable!
I would probably give this product five stars if not for the fact that it's apparently designed to be disposable. Mine fills up every time I sweep the cat hair from my window seat cushions, so I would be spending a fortune on these things if I actually threw them away when they were full, not to mention the fact that that's about as un-environmentally-sound as it gets. However, I've been using the same one for over two years now, after figuring out on Day One that if the manufacturers weren't going to build in a way to get the fur out, I would make my own. Two minutes with an X-Acto knife and I now had a handy little flap that would allow me to reach in and pull out all the accumulated cat hair and start again. I see from the reviews here that most people have figured out a similar workaround, but it's rather irksome that the product wouldn't be designed to be reusable in the first place.

It really does work fantastically well and is the best thing I've found for removing...

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Hoover WindTunnel Allergen Filter Bag, 4010100Y



five stars for filtration, zero stars for ease of use
First the complaint - these bags are awfully pricey considering that they fill up so fast. The bag is too big for the compartment, so you have to fold it over at the top and bottom to get it to fit into the allotted space. Despite having owned this model vacuum for seven years, I still need three hands to get the corners of the over-sized bag tucked into place before slamming the compartment shut.

Changing the bag is a dirty bit of business, because when you pull the old bag off, all that super-fine dust at the top goes *POOF* and escapes from the bag's opening . We've taken to putting the vacuum on the back porch before opening up the bag compartment to keep dust out of our home.

I see a name brand competitor has come up with a solution to this by putting a little trap door thingie by the bag's opening, so when you pull the bag off the vacuum, all the dust doesn't fly out of the bag and go *POOF*.

Okay - the positive - these Hoover paper bags do a...

Hoover does better with their vacuums than their bags
First the complaint - these bags are awfully pricey considering that they fill up so fast. The bag is too big for the compartment it's supposed to fit into, so you have to fold it over at the top and bottom to get it to fit into the allotted space.

Changing the bag is a big hassle because when you pull the old bag off, it's full of all that fine dust you were trying to keep out of the house and it all goes *POOF* when you try to delicately remove the bag from the vacuum.

I see a name brand competitor has come up with a solution to this by putting a little trap door thingie by the bag's opening, so when you pull the bag off the vacuum, all the dust doesn't fly out of the bag and go *POOF*.

Okay - the positive - The Hoover bags do a superior job of trapping fine and itty-bitty dust particles. But I do wish they'd figure out how to make bag removal and installation easier. Or just make the bag a different shape so you're not contorting it to get it into the allotted...

five stars for filtration, zero stars for ease of use
First the complaint - these bags are awfully pricey considering that they fill up so fast. The bag is too big for the compartment, so you have to fold it over at the top and bottom to get it to fit into the allotted space. Despite having owned this model vacuum for seven years, I still need three hands to get the corners of the over-sized bag tucked into place before slamming the compartment shut.

Changing the bag is a dirty bit of business, because when you pull the old bag off, all that super-fine dust at the top goes *POOF* and escapes from the bag's opening . We've taken to putting the vacuum on the back porch before opening up the bag compartment to keep dust out of our home.

I see a name brand competitor has come up with a solution to this by putting a little trap door thingie by the bag's opening, so when you pull the bag off the vacuum, all the dust doesn't fly out of the bag and go *POOF*.

Okay - the positive - these Hoover paper bags do a...

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