Showing posts with label best water filters for drinking water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best water filters for drinking water. Show all posts

CRYSTAL QUEST® Countertop Replaceable Triple Multi ULTRA Water Filter System

CRYSTAL QUEST® Countertop Replaceable Triple Multi ULTRA Water Filter SystemInstallation is easy. Takes up a little more space than I would like.

Number one recommendation I have is to run the water until the metal taste is gone. It took a few days to get that out. Now it is wonderful. Highly recommend.

This is the second of these I have bought. It cleans the water and completely improves the taste. I find myself drinking a lot more now that I have better water.

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Big Berkey Water Filter with 2 7" British Berkefeld Ceramic Filters & 2 PF-4 Fluoride Filters Save 14% Off

Big Berkey Water Filter with 2 7'' British Berkefeld Ceramic Filters & 2 PF-4 Fluoride FiltersI bought this after researching water filters for awhile. I chose this one since it is gravity-fed. Unlike other systems that require electricity (which might not always be there when you need it) or that waste water while filtering (water may be come scarce and it''s just not right to waste resources). Another requirement was to remove fluoride since it''s a toxin despite the propaganda you might hear.

It''s super easy to use and there''s a fairly easy initial setup. The only thing I struggled with was the instructions mentioned a certain washer to prime the main filters which I couldn''t find (maybe they changed the color) so I just used another washer that was there. Also you really need to tighten very firmly the spigot or it will leak.

I love having the peace of mind that comes with knowing I''ll have clean water using any water source (pool, pond, swamp) in a disaster and that I''m now drinking water with no toxic fluoride.

I''ve used Brita-type water filters before, but since they''re transparent, I was getting algae every couple of weeks which I don''t get with this water filter.

I''m recommending this filter to all my friends. I think it''s the best one out there!!

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KRUPS XP2280 Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker Save 25% Off

KRUPS XP2280 Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker Combination with KRUPS Precise Tamp Technology and Stainless Steel Housing, SilverI was searching for a budget minded machine in the $350 price range that would be a combination espresso/coffee maker and stumbled upon the XP2280. mind you, I am a novice machine purchaser but avid coffee lover. I liked the overall appearance of the XP2280 and simplicity of the design and controls. I searched the internet for a review and alas there were none. I took a chance and bought it and am very satisfied thus far. It makes a very good cup of coffee with #4 cone filters, although a gold tone should be and was not included in the purchase. I also programmed it to start brewing before I wake up, VERY NICE. I would have been more satisfied with an extra two cups of coffee, my previous coffee maker being a 12 cup, but the coffee it does make is great tasting. The espresso side is literally idiot proof with the built in tamper system and makes a fine one or two serving with either scoops or the option of ESE pods (44mm Dia. 7g size). I used the Illy dark roast and it made two espresso servings with the right amount of foam, coloration, aroma, and taste that you would find in many popular "indie" coffee shops. I used the steam function for foaming milk for a cappuccino and was very satisfied with the outcome. It was quieter than other machines for the sole purpose of making espresso/ cappuccino while still making a full 15 bars of pressure. The unit is easy to clean and care for and will be a fine addition to your counter-top.

The reason for 4 stars and not 5

1. lack of gold tone filter, it should be included for the price I paid

2. 10 cup maker not 12, I drink alot of coffee

3. coffee making process can be heard from a few rooms away, not loud, but louder than my previous machine

4. no pressure indicator for espresso maker

It is so rare that I take the time to write a review but I feel I must to prevent others from buying this machine and with the hope that the former excellent manufacturer sees how disappointed I am with this product. I am not a novice espresso maker and in fact had an older model Krups combo coffee / espresso machine for more than 10-years previous to this. That machine was so good, brewed perfect coffee, espresso and froth milk without a problem or touchy process.

Let me start by saying what I love about this machine THE LOOKS (lipstick on a pig???), the little compartment for the coffee spoon and the release button for used espresso grounds. These items do not have a thing to do with brewing or making a good coffee drink.

The machine I have does not make very hot coffee, it''s very warm but not super hot. As for the espresso and frothing capability they just don''t work according to the VERY fragmented instructions. There are so many references to figures 1.... and you have to keep going back and forth. The espresso does not brew after waiting for the light to turn solid and simply pushing 1 or two cup selection. I often have to push 3 or more times and it still doesn''t work. Then I start the "warming" process, etc. all over again.

As for the "froth" it simply doesn''t work everytime or well and worse of all it pushes water into the milk. Instead of froth it makes barely luke warm water filled milk. This machine generally sucks (a word I dislike and rarely use).

I am so disappointed with this machine and for the money it''s really bad. I want to know when we started to think that spending $300.00 on a coffee maker was cheap. Why on earth is it necessary to spend $700.00 on a coffee maker? This product is not worth $40.00, let alone $300.00.

Don''t buy it. I promise it''s not worth any amount of money. Too bad because it looks great!

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I received this item as a Christmas gift. It looks beautiful on my counter top and for the first month it worked flawlessly. Other reviews are accurate concerning confusing instructions but once you figure out how it works, it works well.

The biggest issue is the frothing nozzle, MS-622874, broke within the first month. The internal assembly is plastic with a metal sheath. After my machine wouldn''t froth milk the way it used to, I opened it up to clean it to notice that the threaded plastic assembly broke. This must be due to the high heat temperatures that can occur in the steaming process. When I try to purchase a replacement (ranges from $11 to 20 online) I cannot find one in stock ANYWHERE! This is a key part that works on several of Krups'' cappuccino machines and its lack of availability (including from he Krups store itself) leads me to believe this is a very widespread problem!

The unit did come with an alternative device that attaches and still ''works'' but it operates differently than the primary nozzle (it draws milk through a nozzle from a tube). This method produces lattes and cappuccinos that are nowhere near hot enough and not as good as the original part. It also tends to spit milk all over the place which is annoying. That said, I am glad it came with this back-up piece because otherwise I would be totally out of luck in the froth department. It would have also lead to a 1 star rating.

This was a great gift and I love it but I am bummed that this key part was so poorly engineered. It is even more frustrating that I cannot find a replacement. Perhaps they are working on a re-engineered version and no longer making the crappy original?

I have only brewed drip coffee a couple of times and the results are fine.

UPDATE 4-27-12: This is my third update to this review. I had filed a warranty claim with Krups concerning the frothing part which broke within the first month. They contacted me and informed me that it was being re-designed and they would send me a new one. I noted this in a comment in March. Well today I received the new part from UPS. It installed easily (although there were no installation instructions only cleaning instructions) but after I figured out that the plastic fitting attached to the metal tube could be unscrewed with care and replaced with the new fitting and gasket I was good to go. Anyhow, the new design actually looks better. The inner structure, which caused the problem on the original part, is made from a much more solid piece that does not require you to unscrew anything along it in order to take it apart. That was the primary design flaw of the original part. You had a piece of plastic that was subject to heat and then would be subject to the twisting force of the screw assembly. The new design eliminates this completely and relies on a silicone seal to keep the metal housing in place.

The performance of the new steam nozzle is even improved over the old one! I made my first cappuccino and it was awesome. Clean up was a snap. Obviously I will have to see how it performs over a longer period of time but it appears that the primary issue with this machine has been addressed. Krups replaced the part for free and while it took some time, and they didn''t include instructions on how to replace and install it, it was intuitive enough to figure out. Raised the rating from 3 stars to 5 stars. Back in business!

Read Best Reviews of KRUPS XP2280 Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker Here

I have been making Espresso/Coffee at home for too many years to count, and I have been a big fan of Krups over the years. But this is the worst Krups machine I''ve ever come across, Krups engineers really screwed up here. It makes great coffee on the coffee maker side, and it will make great espresso even with E.S.E. pods. There are two problems with this machine: 1. The foaming wand has too many cheap plastic parts for a $400 machine, and the foaming wand leaks water while you are making an espresso. In fact, after only a few uses, the plastic foaming steam wand cracked which caused it to lose pressure thereby preventing the proper foaming of the milk. 2. The portafilter is too small for two pods. You can do it, but not without struggling to attach the portafilter to the locking holder. There are better machines out there for the money, save yourself a lot of grief! Krups should do the right thing and offer a free simple one piece stainless steel screw-on replacement steam wand that is built to last.

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While it worked it made coffee just fine. My husband had A LOT of difficulty making any quality espresso with this machine. Overall the machine was very hard to work (as newbie espresso makers). Big reason for the 2 stars? Espresso side of the machine broke after 3 years and the machine stopped working all together (no power/no nothing), just shy of 4 years. For $400? I don''t think so.

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PE2-10R-32, 10,000 BTU Portable Evaporative AC Save 40% Off

PE2-10R-32, 10,000 BTU Portable Evaporative AC with Dehumidifier and FanAs noted by a previous reviewer, this unit shuts down its air conditioning function when the condensate reservoir fills up. The unit then goes into fan mode. To get air conditioning back, the user empties the reservoir using a little, almost-flat plastic pan (LAF pan) that, even with its low sides, just barely fits below the reservoir exit, which, itself, is situated under the heat exhaust hose and just a little above the floor. If you''re on a rug, the reservoir exit has even less clearance, or none. In addition to the LAF pan, you must also bring a pail to the job, so you can repeatedly empty the LAF pan into the pail. Of course, if you tip the LAF pan slightly on its way to the pail, you spill some of its contents onto your floor or rug in the process.

This is a case of abominable engineering---design that wastes your time and patience each day you use the "air conditioner." You spend time on your knees moving water from the very bottom of the unit to a pail. Then you spend more time mopping up what you''ve spilled in the process.

If there is no other way for you to exist than with this portable unit, you may want to design a fiveor six-inch-high pedestal that holds the unit securely and allows you to place a bigger emptying vessel below the reservoir exit. (About half a gallon would be good.)

Better is to rethink the buying decision and return the unit.

Soleus pe2-10r-32 review. PLEASE NOTE: I bought this for $299 plus tax in box, and brand new at Menards hardware store on 5-11-11. I COMPLETELY AGREE with Mr. Griffiths and Koqn. This unit has hardly any dehumidifying ability. I WAS using it in the bedroom, and it hardly cools at all. It is also loud, but I think that goes with the territory of a portable, because the compressor, and motor are on the inside of your house, instead of outside the window. However I TOTALLY RECOMMEND their window units. I have a 12,000 soleus, and it reduces humidity in my 12 X 22 X 7'' high front room a lot. It will reduce it from 70% on a bad, muggy day to about 40% in just a couple hours. I am going to take this back, get another 12,000 and put that in my bedroom window. Not much else to say except I would like to thank Soleus for helping me to a great WORK OUT while hauling it up and down the steps.

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This unit works great. The only part I agree with on the other reviews is the drain hole. It''s in a terrible place but to solve that I simply put it on a small table that was about 18" high and put a 5 gallon bucket under it for drainage. It takes about a day for the bucket to fill up and was my saving grace last summer during a heat wave. It was exactly what we needed and worded great.

Read Best Reviews of PE2-10R-32, 10,000 BTU Portable Evaporative AC Here

This turned out to be a glorified fan. Even when we put a box fan a 12 or 24 inches from the front of the unit to cool the room off, it still did not produce sufficient coolness. I am taking it back and getting another window unit. We walked across the street and our friends had their 10,000 BTU window unit on and it was cooling the whole bottom floor. The Soleusa we purchased could not even do the job for one room.

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This product is a joke and a rip-off. It doesn''t cool properly the bedroom because it sucks the hot air from under the door, creating a vacuum in the room by sucking all the hot air in. You are constantly trying to make up for the hot air that is coming in. Save your money and do not buy this expensive fan. Poorly designed!!!!!

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Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch 8-Cup Cordless Electric Kettle Save 34% Off

Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch 8-Cup Cordless Electric KettleMost importantly, my wife loves it, and she is a gadget-phobe. I just bought a second one for my mother.

We have been using it for two months now, and no problems so far.

After my usual exhaustive search, I selected this tea kettle because it had the best combination of features.

PRO:

All metal: stainless steel liner and no exposed heating element to accumulate scale buildup. The lid is plastic but it doesn''t come into contact with the water. I really didn''t like the idea of boiling water in contact with plastic.

Cool touch exterior for safety and also it insulates the water inside, keeping it hotter after the kettle shuts off upon boiling.

Nice balance for the handle I find the electric kettles with the handle on the top to be much more difficult to lift and pour. This one has the handle on the side much better.

Wide mouth top is easy to fill and clean. The lid pivots in the middle too hard to describe so I added a clip from the user manual. Easy to remove lid to clean, though as others mentioned it does get in the way a bit when you''re filling the kettle.

As with many other kettles, it is cordless -the kettle lifts easily off and on from the corded base, and you can hide any extra power cord inside the base.

CON (none of these matter to me or my wife):

No water level indication, but then if there were you would probably have connections that could leak over time and potentially plastic parts in contact with water.

Water temperature is not adjustable.

(TOP 10 REVIEWER)(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)2 1/2 Year Update (as of 3/2013): We''ve been using this kettle at least twice a day and it works and looks like new. The only maintenance we do is every six months heat up a one-to-one mix of water and vinegar to clean any build-up. Now, back to the original review...

There are lots of pluses... The double insulation keeps the outside less than dangerously hot. It also means the water will heat up a tiny bit faster and stays hot a lot longer than uninsulated kettles.

The water almost never touches plastic; an important consideration to some. The underside of the lid is plastic and so is the frame around the scale filter. Still, the contact is minimal. The tall, thin design means it take up less counter space than other models.

The surprising (to me anyway) "minus" is that when you take this pot off its base the switch stays in the on position. All the other cordless electric kettles I''ve used shut off when you lift them up. The result is that the only two ways to turn this off are to remember to flip the switch or count on the kettle to turn itself off when the remaining water boils or the pot runs dry. It''s not a big deal but for the price Hamilton Beach could have included an interlock (like they do on other kettles they make).

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I''ve always appreciated the help I''ve gotten from other reviewers and continue to return the favor as best as I can. If you thought this review was helpful please let me know by clicking on "Yes" button where it asks. If there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I''ll do what I can to fix it.

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I''ve had the Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Tea Kettle for two years and I''ve had no problems with it. I love it for the following features:

Pros

----

Stainless Steel

The most important reason I got this kettle is that its interior is made of stainless steel, not plastic. Boiling water in plastic just doesn''t sit well with me what with the talk about the health hazards from harmful chemicals (e.g. BPA, DEHA) in plastic leaching into food and drinks.

Seamless Metal

Inside and out, I simply can''t find a a metal seam the kettle is a one-piece stainless steel construction and have absolutely no joints where pieces of stainless steel are welded together. There is, therefore, no need to worry about the water being contaminated by lead from solder.

Quick Boil

It boils 40 oz of water, the maximum capacity, in 4 minutes. (I actually timed it. Boil times will of course vary depending on altitude and the initial temperature of the water.)

"Cool" Touch

When boiling water in the kettle, the exterior of the kettle is warm, not hot, so you don''t risk getting burned.

Wide Opening

The wide opening makes it easy to fill it with water and to clean.

Easy Plug In and Plug Out

To "plug in" the kettle to the power supply, simply sit the kettle on the base unit. Similarly, simply lift the kettle to "unplug" it. It''s a one-handed operation, and there''s no cords or plugs to mess with.

Spring-Loaded Lid

The spring-loaded lid flips open with the press of a button on the handle. The lid can also be easily detached by pressing a button on it to release a catch.

Auto Shutoff

When the water starts to boil, the power button pops up, the green LED indicator turns off, and the kettle automatically shuts off. There is also an audible "click" as the power button pops up.

Looks

The kettle looks attractive with its simple curves and brushed stainless steel finish.

As for Cons, there''s just one for me:

Con

---

Hard-To-See "Max" Water Fill Mark

The interior has a "Max" mark to indicate the maximum water level but it''s not easy to see it. Work-around: The lid is hinged in the middle, so when it is flipped open, the bottom half of extends below the rim of the kettle. It so happens that the bottom of the lid lines up with the "Max" mark, so you can use the lid as a marker for gauging when the water level reaches the mark.

Conclusion

----------

The Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Tea Kettle is attractive, easy to use, and boils water quickly. I don''t think you can go wrong with this one.

[Update June 9, 2011]

I''m really pleased with how durable this product is -I''ve been using this electric kettle for well over 4 years now, and I''ve had no problems with it. I hope to enjoy using it for many more years to come!

Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch 8-Cup Cordless Electric Kettle Here

I bought this kettle a month or so ago. I agree with other reviewers that it''s a well built appliance that boils quickly and doesn''t impart any taste to the water (that I can detect). I chose it because of it''s steel container, having read too much about chemicals leaching out of plastics. But it won''t pour! The darned thing must have been designed by an industrial artist to look cool, and I bet they didn''t build a prototype and check it out before launching into production. I''ve tried everything to get it to pour cleanly, but it always trickles water back down the outside of the canister and all over the counter or table top. I''ve tried removing the plastic filter, pouring quickly, slowly, etc, but nothing prevents a pool of hot water that has to be wiped up afterwards. It seems to be inherent in the shape of the lip. The only thing that minimizes(but doesn''t prevent) the problem is to open the lid and pour extremely slowly. It''s really a major irritation with an otherwise pleasing product.

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One of the best features about this kettle is that the all metal interior is seamless! No metal stamped or welded together unlike other stainless steel kettles out there. Guarantees me of no leaking and no grooves to corrode or collect junk. The other great feature is that the entire lid can be removed leaving you the ability to insert your whole hand in to clean the interior. There are no sharp edges either! The flip open lid allows easy filling. I''ve been searching and researching for a long time, and this was the best $40 spent! My old stove top kettle is out in the recycling bin!

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4.0 Gallon (3.2 Draw-down) Reverse Osmosis RO Water Storage Tank Save 50% Off

4.0 Gallon Reverse Osmosis RO Water Storage Tank by PA-E
  • Metal Bladder Tank 3.2 Gallon (NSF approved) - Provided by 123filter.com
  • Stainless Steel Connector 1/4"NPT
  • Made from FDA listed, food grade materials
  • Special designed for RO application
  • Discharge efficiently in a vertical or horizontal position

This tank is perfect replacement for my watts premier unit. The old one lated 10 years and finally developed an air leak in the diaphragm liner. The result of that was that the whole tank eventually filled with water (that is why the faucet kept releasing air for quite a while). When I replaced it with this tank it was really great to get a good 2.5 gallons of filtered water whenever I needed it. Saved me from buying a whole new setup. Easy to install in 5-10 min.

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I am very happy to have purchase this water storage tank to replace the old one.

The delivery is quick and upon receipt of this item I installed and replace the old one immediately. Now the water is running fast and good enough for the water supply for the whole family consumption. No more wasting time to collect water as with the old tank.

Thanks to the Amazon

Read Best Reviews of 4.0 Gallon (3.2 Draw-down) Reverse Osmosis RO Water Storage Tank Here

The tank itself is exactly what was ordered. It replaces the same tank that failed a few months back.

The only problem was the tank arrived in the box with the box damaged and tank dented. This does not seem to affect operation but is disappointing when ordering a new part. Box was left at the door so I have no way to reject it.

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Purchased this product to replace the one that came with my RO system and it works great. It was an easy and quick install and it holds it''s pressure better than the one that came with our EcoWater System.

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We seem to have the bladders on our tanks fail every couple of years or so. This one gives us slightly more capacity than the last one, but still fits under the sink and behind the disposal.

EcoGecko Pure H2O Large Water Based Air Purifier Revitalizer Air Freshener Save 23% Off

Unilution EcoGecko 75606-Silver H2O Earth Globe Air Revitalizer, SilverI bought this item thinking that it would work nice for a small bedroom. I am amazed it actually makes the whole house have a nice clean smell. Much better then any other air freshener I ever used in my whole life. I am thinking of getting one for the basement to get rid of the musty odor there. Also love the lights in it. So cool seeing the water move around!

Ok, this is the first time I have wrote a review for anything. But I wanted to say that I really love ours. I originally got it to put in our dining room, but since we have a bigger, bulkier air purifier in our livingroom, I decided to put the EcoGecko in our room. It has a blue light on it that you can turn off and on (i use it as a nightlight). You can control the speed to it, also. During the day I have it up pretty high but at night while we''re sleeping I turn it down about mid-way that way it isn''t very loud. You also get a free little thing of the EcoGecko Scented Oil, I got Lavender. I like to clean the bowl out before bed, soap and water and scrub it good. Then fill it up to the highest mark, add a few drops of the lavender oil (and a few drops of some peppermint oil that I had before) and it makes a GREAT relaxing scent. I have now had it for about 2 months and it has been used EVERY day since then. I am even planning to get one for my 3 year-olds room :) ...an air purifiying night light?? -I''M IN!

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This air purifier if AMAZING!!! I can actually see how much it cleans the air. After just a few hours the water was cloudy. I put it in my daughter''s room. She smoked cigs in there with her freind. This air purifier pulled the VOCs for the smoke filled air into the water. The water was actually brownish and there was notable decrease in the stench of the cigs. I have owned purifiers costing hundreds of dollars. This lil baby is the best I have ever seen! It easily cleans a small to medium room upt about 15x15

Read Best Reviews of EcoGecko Pure H2O Large Water Based Air Purifier Revitalizer Air Freshener Here

I got the item because it said it was a large purifier, I expected it to be a little bigger and hold a little more water. I can''t let it run throughout the day while at work because the water will evaporate below the minimum water level. Cleaning and setup is quick and easy. If it was put in a kids room and used as a night light while running it does do an under water effect on the walls, the LED lights shine into the water and reflex out into the room. All in all it is a decent product and does work as expected.

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I ordered this after talking to many friends and reading reviews. It is very quiet and leaves the room smelling very nice. The light adds nice ambience to the room. I am looking forward to having our old house smell fresh again.

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Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System Save 7% Off

Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
  • Reduces Sediment, Dirt, & Rust
  • Built in By-Pass Valve
  • Includes 3 filters and Wrench
  • Stainless Steel inserts for easy installation
  • NSF Tested & Certified

I previously purchased a Culligan whole house filter for a rental unit, and although there was nothing wrong with it, the Watts unit is superior. The threaded fittings have metal inserts for strength, the filter has a bypass mode, as well as "off", and the general level of quality appears superior to the Culligan.

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I purhased this to replace another filter. Installation was easy and the results have been good. I recommend it. Removing the lower part of the filter to replace the media is a bit difficult as the bottom does''nt turn easily however this is not unusual to this type design.

Read Best Reviews of Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System Here

I bought this filter to replace an older filter that had a leaking pressure relief valve. The install was easy and the filter works great. The filter wrench is not shown correctly in Amazon''s picture. The actual wrench is a full circle the goes around the filter cup which is better than the C shaped wrench shown. The shutoff/bypass valve is easy to turn even under pressure. The clear filter cup is very usefull. I have well water and I''ve always known my filters don''t last long. Now with the clear filter cup I can see how bad the incoming water is.

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I installed a watts WH filter as above to replace a Sears WH filter. After 6 cartridge changes the "O" ring at the inlet port in the head failed, rendering the filter useless. I contacted Watts Premier and was told taking apart the head would render the warranty void. Since it was inoperative I thought this was a bit of information I didnt need. Taking the head apart , which involved removal of one phillips head screw , is not exactly rocket science. Watts told me the "O" rings were not available from them and they did not manufacture the unit. I was not able to find an exact replacement " O" but was able to make one out of 3/16" round Neoprene stock. If anyone has experienced this problem and can tell me where to get a replacement "O" ring I would appreciate hearing from you. Also Watts failed to tell me the name of the manufacture so I could contact them for parts.

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I have city water.

After all the planning and sweating copper and valves together,

I finally got to the easy part; installation of the filter assembly.

Forget the teflon tape; use pipe dope liberally and select big pipe wrenches. DON''T wrench the housing.

Oh my gosh, the cartidge went orange with rust within just a few seconds!!

I left that cartridge in for a week and upped the frequency of recharges on my seemingly dead water softener.

Without the oily rust in the system, my water softener has been resurected!

If you don''t have one, you need one!

Amico Bathroom Sink Double Hole Chrome Brass Single Handle Basin Faucet Mixer Tap

Amico Bathroom Sink Double Hole Chrome Brass Single Handle Basin Faucet Mixer TapThis vendor ships from overseas, china/singapore.

The product is not made as per US standards, for eg. when I bought this sink faucet, it was not the standard size as typical american bathroom sink would be, further it didn''t have the aerator which is standard for this product.

When I tried to return it they told be I have to ship the $25 faucet to a address in Singapore, and that what ever is the balance remaining after the ship fee is deducted, that will be then refunded.

i contacted Amazon, but the lady didn''t seem to get the point that the shipping fee to Singapore would easily exceed the price paid for the faucet, I bundled my purchase and I didn''t notice that this product was not a prime eligible product.

I am going to suspend my Amazon purchases for a while now, because ultimately it is the responsibility of Amazon to protect it''s shoppers from vendor practices like this.

can not use product because the base cover is not wide enough to cover the tubing. gave away to charity.

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Culligan OR-233 O-Ring of 3-Inch Diameter

Culligan OR-233 O-Ring of 3-Inch Diameter
  • The OR-233 O-Ring has been branded under Ace Hardware, American Plumber, Ametek, Culligan, Pentek, US Filter Plymouth Products.
  • Use with Model No.US-600, Model No.SY-2300 and Model No. SY-2650
  • The OR-233 rubber o-ring gasket is 3" in diameter and is a Buna-N o-ring.
  • The OR-233 o-rings are used to seal the housing sump to the housing cap to prevent leaks.
  • The OR-233 oring should be replaced every two filter changes or if there is damage to the OR-233 oring.

The specs say to replace the O ring every few changes. Mine got pinched when screwing together and

made the filter leak. I went to my GOOD hardware store, and this model O ring was not sold, although

they had several other Culligan O rings. Getting the O ring online (I bought a few more) stopped the leak and I couldn''t be happier.

Buy Culligan OR-233 O-Ring of 3-Inch Diameter Now

Received as promised. No need to contact company. O Ring was perfect size. It is silly have to keep writing about this product.

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These are to be spares for an existing filter. Can''t give much of a rating until I need to use one, but expect they''ll be just fine.

Swizz Style EMS-164 "Aquila" Ultrasonic Humidifier Save 20% Off

Swizz Style EMS-164 ''Aquila'' Ultrasonic HumidifierThe humidifier works really well and produces great vapor with a good quality mineral filter and ionic silver to inhibit bacterial growth. For function alone, I would give this 5 starts. But I gave it two stars because of the obnoxious, ultra-bright internal LED lights that cannot be turned off. The lights are so bright that it lights up the entire room at night. It''s not an ambient glow, it''s BRIGHT. I received this as a gift for my son''s nursery, and the only way I can use it is to rig pen caps as "covers" for the LED lights (I can''t use tape because they''re located IN the water reservoir) and then wrap the tank in black fabric. Even then, it still puts off a glow that''s about equivalent to a bright night light. It''s such a pain in the neck to get this thing set up with the pen caps and the fabric that I avoid using it. This would be a great product if not for the internal lights. What a horrible design flaw.

I knew from other reviews that this humidifier had lights that you cannot turn off when it is functioning. This is 100 percent true. The blue LEDs are beneath the tank and while you can dim them, you cannot turn the lights off while the unit is functioning. This is a drawback, but shouldn''t completely discourage you. The light is not that bright when dimmed and I agree with another reviewer that it is no more disruptive than a fishtank light.

There are TWO really AWESOME things about this humidifier that are unique and great. I own two other brands, so I know what I''m talking about.

1. The humidity comes out like a ''smoke'' and not wet. Everyone who has seen this operate has commented on how they want one like this with the super fine ''smoke'' and not just misting wet air and ruining everything within a few feet. This really does look like it''s smoking rather than misting and surfaces within its proximity do not get wet. It doesn''t have a fan to push the humidity in a certain direction, but it does have the ability to aim the nozzle on the top to different directions. The humidity ''smoke'' will be going straight up though and you will see it sink and roll across the surface, just like smoke. It''s actually rather cool to watch.

2. The footprint of this is so small. I am renting an apt while my home is being renovated and my apt is really small. It''s so great that this takes up no more space on the counter than a ballet slipper. My other humidifiers take a lot of counter space, so this being so small is a big plus. The downside is that you will have to refill the tank if you intend to run it all day. It doesn''t hold as much water as my other units.

One concern I have is with the calcium/anti-bac filter in the middle of the tank. We had a few warm days, so I emptied everything to let it dry out and the calc/anti-bac filter never did dry out and when you''d shake it, it clearly still had water in it. It has some sort of microbeads in it and is impossible to dry out. I just put it all back together and refilled the tank because it turned cold again. I question where you can buy a replacement for this filter, since it is obviously meant to be thrown away after a couple months use and there''s no way to dry it out. Doesn''t look like Amazon carries the filters yet. If someone knows how I can obtain more filters, please let me know.

All-in all, this is a cool little unit and raised the humidity in my 600sq ft apt without problems. Just don''t expect much if you are using this in a large house. You''ll need to close it off in a room for the best effectiveness.

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The Swizz Style humidifier looks great and has many good design points. It''s thin enough to stand on my windowsill. I think $80 is far too much to pay for a humidifier; even one with features as this one.

It consumes about 1 gallon (1 tankful) per day. There is no option to adjust the (light) rate of mist production --which is fine for me. The various blue LED lights (on the AC adapter, next to the on/off switch, and under the water tank) are too bright to sleep with, so I have covered them with black electrical tape.

Since the tank capacity is only one gallon, it doesn''t get too heavy or unwieldy to bring from the faucet. Like other humidifiers where the mist stack goes through the water tank, there will be a few drops of condensation clinging to the stack that will fall out as you bring the tank to be filled; but it''s not as bad as the Crane drop-shaped humidifiers that will essentially drip on the entire path.

I like the idea of the filter and the ionic silver; however, after two months of use, the reddish-brown algae or mildew that comes out of my faucets has taken up residence in this machine. (Better than the one month it took for the Crane.) This is easier to clean than the Crane drop-shaped humidifier: the vent at the top of the mist stack pops out, providing access to clean the inside surfaces.

I like that the LEDs turn red when the tank needs to be refilled. Simply refilling the tank won''t resume mist production, though --you need to press the on/off button for the machine to reset.

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So far, it seems to work great. Thought I should weigh in and say that, in my opinion, the light is not "bright" at all. At most, it is the strength of a night light, or an alarm clock. I have it at the foot of my bed and am nevertheless not kept up by the light or noise.

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We typically use humidifiers for our two daughters this time of year, and this "Aquila" Ultrasonic Humidifier arrived just a day or two after three out of four members of the family were diagnosed with sinus infections. This was perfectly easy to set up right out of the box. Literally taking it from my porch to pressing the on button took, at most, seven or eight minutes. This is a compact, well-made unit that really packs a punch. It works better than the humidifier we had been using, despite only being half its size.

Alas, there is a drawback and it borders on being significant. As another reviewer pointed out, the blue glow produced by this tiny device can be quite powerful and distracting in a dark room. I read through the instructions carefully, and even though the booklet gave the impression that the LED light could be dimmed or turned off completely, I found only three settings total regular, dim light, and off. Indeed, there is no option to completely turn off the light and still use this unit. The "dim" setting is slightly less irritating but does not make a huge difference.

So, will I stop using it because of the light? No. No one had any real difficulty falling asleep. The light is comparable to a fish tank or small reading lamp. Just be aware before you make your purchase that this unit will light up and stay lit as long as the humidifier is working.

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Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Piano WhiteAt this writing I''ve owned the J5 for two weeks and have produced approximately 100 shots of espresso/coffee. Having stated that as a qualifier, I''ve found this super automatic espresso machine to be outstanding in performance, ease of use, and quality of espresso produced. The controls are simple to understand and use there are detailed descriptions of these available on multiple vendor websites, the manufacturer''s website even includes a number of very informative videos.

Considering the financial commitment associated with this machine, I was more than a little hopeful that it would produce quality espresso in a straight forward and timely manner. It does this with aplomb.

Regarding its operation, the J5 heats quickly (around 60 seconds) then is ready to run the rinse cycle (also quick, at around 10 seconds). Once the rinse cycle has completed it''s ready for action. I won''t go into detail about the individual espresso/coffee settings (again, this info is readily available elsewhere) other than to say the controls work exactly as described. Each button is customizable, both permanently and as a one-time override. A very wide range of volume and strength is attainable by adjusting these controls.

The morning routine:

I was quite concerned about the total end-to-end time for brewing in the morning before work, and I have to say in this regard I am very pleased. I''ve configured the J5 to automatically turn on as I''m showering/shaving etc, so when I arrive in front of the machine it''s ready to run the rinse cycle. If you''re interested in ensuring the warmest possible espresso/coffee, I recommend running an additional rinse cycle to heat up the internal components a bit more, this combined with preheating your cup really produces a nice hot cup. In the mornings I brew 8 oz. of café crema. The whole process, including a rinse cycle after brewing (the machine prompts for this after hitting the on/off button), takes about 3-4 minutes. This time would be cut by at least half if you were brewing the standard 1-2 oz espresso instead of the higher volume café crema. If you''re interested in immediate cleanup, the drip tray and dreg box are easily removed and rinsed both will hold a substantial volume however, so daily cleaning of these items is not required.

A word on espresso quality:

Okay, after covering some of the operational highlights, here''s the real question of what quality is the espresso/coffee produced? The short answer is...OUTSTANDING! Producing quality espresso consistently is where the J5 really excels. I''ve used two types of espresso so far, Lavazza Pienaroma and the Organic Espresso available from CoffeeAM.com. The espresso shots produced using both of these beans results in an amazing amount of crema (1/4 inch) and a fantastic taste. I''ve also used a locally available pre-ground decaf espresso in the by-pass doser with good results. It''s difficult to describe a quality taste in a written review, but the espresso shots produced by the J5 are simply outstanding.

It''s difficult to continue enthusiastically describing features of this machine without sounding like a shill for the manufacturer...but a few more things are worthy of mention:

* I''ve used the frothXpress attachment for making cappuccinos and lattes a handful of times and it works well, much better than I expected, and is easy to clean. I have not used the optional Dual Frother Plus. The hot water is nice and hot, and works extremely well when used as a cup warming aid.

* I''ve had no issues with the conical burr grinder or any of the other brewing components. They work well and operate within very acceptable sound levels.

* Commenting specifically on the espresso/coffee temperature, I can say that while using the "hot" setting, a rinse cycle to heat up the internal components, and preheating the cup with hot water, the output is very acceptable no need to be hotter.

* Brew duration seems to be heavily effected by the grind setting. For example, a fine setting using dark oily beans induces very slow brew times. If these types of beans are used, a grind setting between medium and coarse seems to work best; this produces a great crema and normal brew duration. Oily beans should also be "air dried" for 4-5 hours before adding to the hopper to allow the excess oils to dry.

* Included with the J5 is an excellent owner''s manual and very handy instructional DVD. Reading/viewing both is highly recommended.

Con?:

For reasons I have yet to determine, both 2 cup buttons brew at the "extra strong" strength setting only. Although I don''t consider this a major fault, it seems very odd that the volume setting is configurable and the strength is not.

Finally, as stated above, I''ve owned this machine for only about two weeks, so I can''t yet comment on durability or longevity. However, the build quality and performance so far would seem to portend high marks for both.

For many years I have used a Krups super automatic, but sadly it broke. After contemplating various machines, we did a taste test of several, and the Jura won hands down.

The Jura uses a lot more coffee for each cup that it brews, and as a result it extracts a bit less, leading to a much richer smoother taste instead of a slightly bitter taste. We did a blind taste test between the Jura and the Saeco and the Krups, and the difference was extremely clear. The Jura was just fantastic.

Set up of the machine is very simple. It took just a few minutes, and all of the parts are clearly marked.

It includes a water filter option, which we are using, so as not to have to descale. The frothing siphon attachment works very well and delivers a perfect amount of steamed or frothed milk and is very easy to clean. I find this nicer than the wand, which some users report can fly off.

Access to the water tank and bean area is easy, and the tank holds a lot.

It features a light for the cup area which is quite nice, especially if you live in a dark place like seattle.

Brewing, cleaning, steaming are all a snap.

The machine is durable and attractive, but most importantly, delivers a fantastic espresso, mocha, latte...

The one down side is that unlike the saeco it has to be sent back to the factory (NJ) for repairs. I''m just hoping that it won''t need them.

Buy Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Now

Where to begin? This machine can do it all, from a strong shot of espresso to a flawless cappuccino, all in under minute. If you can tie your shoes, you can use one of these machines.

I looked in to this machine after using an older Capresso model at a friend''s house. I was always impressed by how easily and quickly he could make a variety of drinks for guests, not to mention the quality of their appearance and flavor.

This machine comes with two different frothing systems, one is a more traditional bullet style frother, while the other can automatically steam or froth milk. This is where the J5 really shines. In no time you can froth yourself milk that would make the most seasoned barista jealous, and then push a single button to instantly brew piping hot coffee.

The machine starts with whole beans of your choosing and grinds them just for the drink you are making. This ensures that you''ll get the freshest tasting coffee cup after cup.

What I like most about this machine though is the variety of drinks it can make. If you have a guest over who isn''t a big coffee drinker you can use the machine to make instant hot water for tea, or my favorite trick: run chocolate milk through the steamer for instant hot chocolate. Of course for the rest of us, the pressure brewing system in this machine will allow you to say goodbye to expensive coffee drinks, and become your own favorite barista.

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After five years of continuous use, we consider this one of our best purchases ever! Reliable, flexible, simple to use and maintain, we have had virtually no problems. A great coffee maker.

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When we have already owned or used several Jura Capresso Automatic Coffee Centers, it is difficult to come up with more superlatives. This machine is at or near the top of our experience with many European coffee machines. It grinds fresh coffee beans, tamps automatically either one cup or two cups worth, then brews the coffee to our own taste and measure, then disposes of the used coffee grounds,in less than 30 seconds. From bean to cup espresso, coffee, cappucino, cafe latte, and even makes hot water for tea, faster than a microwave.

What a great Swiss invention. Completely programable and infinitely adjustable for coffee fanatics. Simple enough for the rest of us.

MultiPure MP1200EL NEWEST MODEL Capacity-Metered Under-Sink Water Filter Save 3% Off

MultiPure MP1200EL NEWEST MODEL Capacity-Metered Under-Sink Water Filter - Includes Capacity-Metered FaucetIt''s only been a little over a month since I''ve been using it. So far, my wife and I are definitely extremely-happy with it. Living where we do in Japan, tap water is drinkable and is not bad taste wise but at times smells a little too much for us. It took us a while to decide on which filter system to get but after research decided on the Multi-Pure MP1200EL. After installing, we noticed immediately that there was no smell and the water tasted even better than before.

Installation was real easy! It took me less than two hours to install. The most difficult part for me was drilling the hole in the sink counter for the faucet to fit in. The thread attachments fit with no problem. I was expecting a difference in metric and inch threads but apparently is universal. Also, the kit came with thread seal tape so no need to go out and buy.

Even though we thought it was pricey, we feel it was well worth it.

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