BestAir A35W Aprilaire 35 Paper Wickl Waterpad Save 3% Off

This BestAir pad solved a problem that was making me an unhappy Aprilaire user.

My Aprilaire system could not keep up with my home''s humidity needs, but it sure did run through the hot water. With this pad, there''s much more moisture transfer to the air supply. Now instead of most of the hot water going down the drain, it goes into the air (where I want it to go).

I won''t even buy the standard water pad anymore. This BestAir version is the only one I will buy. In fact, if somebody gave me a stack of standard pads I would throw those away and still buy this one. The savings in hot water cost alone would justify that. With the BestAir, I get the increased comfort I am really after.

I have verified the huge performance increase by using humidity meters. Of course, the numbers vary with the amount of heating required. But here''s an example of a sort of side by side test I ran in 2010. The outside temperature was consistently around zero degrees for several days (with the forecast, I saw this coming so decided to run tests).

I have a Trane heat pump system, with variable speed blower to provide a constant (but minimal) flow of air when heat or AC isn''t running. This constant flow means my Aprilaire is always running also (I removed Aprilaire''s original controls, which essentially render the system pointless, and installed my own system and yes I am an engineer with a significant controls background).

With the standard pad, the humidity dropped to 37%. That is well below the recommended minimum. Even the morning warmup furnace blast, which gives you the best humidification with this system, couldn''t nudge it much past 40.

I changed to the BestAir before going to bed, noting a humidity of 38%. I got up just before the furnace kicked on and the humidity was at 41%. After the initial warmup blast, the humidity was 45%. It dropped back to 42% under normal low demand.

Then I reversed the situation by installing the standard pad, and the previous condition resumed. I already knew how the standard pad ran from previous, pre-test conditions of the previous couple of years. And that''s what I got upon going back to it. So then I reversed again, and again got the better results with the BestAir. Even over several days, these results were consistent.

Then it warmed up outside, and the humidity hit 47%. I put the old pad back in, and the humidity slowly dropped to 39%. Changed pads, and it went up again.

I use supplemental humidifiers to get the humidity up to 48% to 52% (50% is recommended), but can stay above the low-H danger zone using just the Aprilaire but only if it has this BestAir pad installed.

If you have an Aprilaire system, this BestAir pad is the only one you should be using.

I have a larger house, but built in 2008 so I expected humidity to never be an issue. However, my house really struggled with the Michigan winters. After replacing my usual wire mesh drip filter with this paper pad style, I''m better able to maintain a 30% humidity level. Before I was having problems keeping it at 20%!

It does say to change them more often, so we''ll see. But they are around the same price as the mesh so really it''s not that bad.

If you need more humidity, try these before you spend more money on alternatives!

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The whole point of a humidifier is to add water to the air. The regular metal mesh media pads just don''t work as well as these paper media ones. Sure, you need to replace them 2-3x/season .. but a ton less water will go down the drain, unused.

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The BestAir box states, "For best performance, change at least twice per season, maybe more depending on water conditions and frequency of use." In my case, this pad failed badly, decomposing and gathering algae/mildew within 3 months of heavy mid-winter use in a heat pump system that runs frequently. I''ve placed two photos of failed pad in the user photos section here. I think that when it was working properly, the paper panel increased humidification over the all metal panel, but it has a very short lifespan compared to the 1 year recommended change interval for the metal panel (see Aprilaire website). I would not recommend this pad for heat pump systems, since they run much more frequently than a gas/oil system. This pad may be a good upgrade for a fossil fuel-based system, but make sure to check and change it frequently.

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This paper wick is definitely more effective than the previous metal ones used based on actual humidity measurements made in my house

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Vitamin Shower Refill Filter (5 Pack)

• 100% Organic and environmentally safe
• Totally neutralizes chlorine
• De-chlorinating agent is 100% pharmaceutical grade vitamin C
• Improves condition of skin and texture of hair
• Comes with 5 Vitamin C filters

One of the important things to keep in mind with these shower filter inserts for the Sonaki hand held shower wand is that performance will vary depending on both the condition of the water in your specific area and also whether one is using in conjunction with them a primary NSF-certified shower filter designed to remove chlorine and other particulates first that the Sonaki wand with these vitmain C inserts can then attach to after that to address chloramine removal specifically. These two main factors appear to be the primary reason for the mixed reviews of their performance.

The way I came to know of these filter inserts was via an NSF-certified filter company who recommended the Sonaki hand held wand attachment/w vitamin C filter inserts. The reason for the recommendation at the time I first purchased the main filter was due to the fact that the filter I was buying already addressed chlorine removal and other harmful particulates, but not chloramine removal specifically which is where the vitamin C inserts came in to complete the picture.

So, if one does not already have a main filter in their shower designed to remove chlorine and other substances first, there could potentially be an undue amount of stress put on the vitamin C filters in the shower wand to remove all chlorine as well as chloramines---which it will do, but the preformance will most likely suffer tremendously as a result depending on the specific levels of chlorine/chloramine in one''s local water. If the filter inserts are only having to handle the residual chloramines that a primary filter does not catch, then the performance should be as advertised or at least close to that.

With this said, I find that these filters work very well but not as excellent as I would appreciate given the cost (They could easliy be about $10 cheaper and I would be much happier). However, I can definitely tell the difference when I am using them in concert with my main shower filter vs. when I am not. In my particular case, the 5 filters generally last ~6 months or close to that (2-3 showers/day of ~10-15 minutes for each shower or so...) when used with my main filter and the performance is very good.

Lastly, I have not experienced any sort of problems with the water not hitting the vitamin C or anything else to that effect as some other reviewers have mentioned. The only thing I would suggest in those cases is that either the filter may not be installed correctly (make sure the insert is ALL the way down in the wand) and/or there may be a compatibility issue with the filter and another brand of hand-held shower wand that is not a Sonaki possibly?

Bottom line with these inserts is definitely make sure you have a primary NSF filter in your shower to use with them and also purchase a simple testing kit for chlorine/chloramine levels as well. Conduct a before/after test and that way you will definitely know if your current filter system will benefit from a continued investment in these additional filter inserts or no with your particular chlorine/chloramine issues in your area. Basic testing kits are fairly inexpensive and widely available for purchase online, but if you are having trouble locating one--contact NSF directly for suggestions/recommendations. Happy bathing!

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According to the Sonaki website, "the lifetime of the Vitamin C shower filter is about 3-6 months or 10,000 liters of water". From my experience having this showerhead for over 2 years, each filter lasts no more than a month. Now whether the Vitamin C filter works to purify chlorine is another matter. My aunt believes that it works. But I''m upset because a 5 pack is almost $50, meaning $10/month for these filters which I feel is too expensive.

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I''m not really excited about a business model that puts Vitamin C in a plastic tube at what seems to be an unreasonable price.. I suppose if the price were $20 lower I might be willing to play the game. However, I decided to not play the game. I decided to figure out a way to refill this thing once its empty.. And its actually really easy.. Did you know that 3 lbs of vitamin C crystals costs $38 NOW Foods Vitamin C Crystals, Ascorbic Acid, 1 Pound???

So, here''s an easy solution..

First. here''s what you need.

One of these Sonaki filters

A Soldering iron with a pointed tip. (Pointed meaning like a pen or pencil) Sparkfun makes a really good and cheap ($9.95) soldering iron (30 W).

A cork plug from Ace Hardware ($0.23) Looks like a wine cork, but much smaller, diameter smaller than a dime, something that would fit, diameter-wise within dotted circle on bottom of filter..

Once your filter is out of Vitamin C, turn it upside down, and take the soldering iron, and, once its heated up, slowly pierce through the base of the filter. Once you have made a small hole remove the soldering iron away from the plastic for a second and then continue to gently use the soldering iron to widen the hole until the diameter approximates the diameter of the middle of the cork plug. Do your best with the soldering iron to keep the hole you make round. The diameter of the hole I made was inside the dotted circle on bottom of the filter. Next, put your cork plug in the filter to test fit and snugness.. You can even run a test in the shower device with the filter to see how well it retains water within the filter.. Once you''re happy just pour in your own vitamin c and plug the hole and let ''er rip..

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Just ordered a set of refills from a separate website.

Because I have learned that Amazon is an EXCELLENT resource for product feedback, I decided to review what I could on Sonaki products. Because I do not appear to be the only one who was confused about not having a hole at the bottom of the filter, I decided to ask the supplier to address. His response was as follows:

"The water enters and exits at the top of the filter this allows for a more economical use of the Vitamin C if the water ran straight through the filter a lot of the powder would just wash away with it and provide no benefit."

This was the conclusion I was hoping for, but could not say without confirming. I am happy about that. I am also happy with the entire Sonaki shower system. I have the LOTUS handheld, and have had for 9 months. Will be getting one for my mom as a happy new year gift in a couple of days!

I noticed right away that the refills that I ordered did not work the same way as the original that came with the showerhead. The Vitamin C powder never really gets wet with the refills that I got, and I later noticed that there is no hole at the bottom for the water to go through. I read a couple reviews mentioning the same thing, so I''m wondering if this is a common problem? It''s too bad that I only noticed this problem after I''ve used 4 out of 5 filters.

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Watts WP5-50 Premier Five-Stage Manifold Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment System Save 23% Off

• 5-stage manifold reverse osmosis water treatment system offers a continuous supply of water for the whole family
• Manifold design provides seamless water path, effectively eliminating 17 connections
• Nitrate reduction
• NSF tested and certified
• 3-year limited warranty

For an aspiring indoor hydroponic vegetable gardener like Your Humble Narrator, a source of clean water is essential. Here in suburban Salt Lake City, we are blessed with some of the dirtiest water in the country. Using this meter: pH-EC-TDS Meter my tap water clocks in with a pH of 8.2-8.4 and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) reading of 300-350 ppm (parts per million). This review specifically addresses the suitability of the Watts WP5-50 reverse osmosis system to the task of providing a water supply for the home hydroponic gardener.

I''ve used other filtration devices, like straight carbon filters, and have been disappointed. Yes, they do remove sediment and some contaminants, however the drinking water never genuinely tasted "clean". Moreover, taking the testing meter to this water, and the TDS reading never went below 280 ppm which is unacceptable for hydroponic growing. After doing some research, I concluded that the only option was reverse osmosis.

Package Inspection

Out of the box everything looked okay with the exception of the faucet, which, as other reviewers have noted, is a cheaper version of the displayed product.

Installation

Installation was straightforward. The instructions, while not written by an English professor were sufficient albeit vague in a few critical places. I had the unit installed within two hours.

Waste Water, Output Water Quality and Quantity

My three biggest concerns with this product are output water quality, output water quantity and waste water production. Bear in mind that all of these are dependent upon the quality and pressure of your incoming water supply, which can change from season to season as well as from one time of day to another. Take a certain degree of comfort in knowing that my incoming water is probably worse than yours.

I have not yet connected the waste water tube to the sink''s drain. Rather, the waste water tube is currently draining into an 18-gallon bucket so I can take measurements for the purposes of this review. To leave this setup in this manner is a code violation. I suggest that you connect your unit properly.

The amount of waste water this unit produces is staggering. For each gallon of clean water, I produce an additional 6.5 gallons of waste water. I have come to understand that I will experience a similar ratio regardless of the reverse osmosis unit I use. This phenomenon is a consequence of RO technology in general rather than a peculiarity of this particular unit. As I''ve suggested, the amount of waste water produced is proportional to how contaminated your incoming water supply is.

The output water quality is excellent. TDS (total dissolved solids) are 15-20 ppm, which is ideal for hydroponic growing. Any purer than that brings you into the realm of distilled water, which would need to be supplemented with minerals to be suitable for hydroponic use. Output water quantity is sufficient although disappointing. It produces one gallon in about 90 minutes. Higher water pressure and cleaner incoming water will decrease this time. The storage tank, although it has a physical capacity of three gallons, drains to empty after drawing two gallons. I consider this is a consequence of the technology, not a case of misleading advertising.

Summary

The Watts WP5-50 reverse osmosis water treatment system is well suited to the task of providing contaminant-reduced water for the purposes of hydroponic growing. It produces clean water in sufficient quantity for the purposes of a home hydroponic garden. Insofar as the waste water is concerned, for the time being, I''m leaving the waste tube in that eighteen gallon bucket. I''m using that water for my lawn.

June 20, 2009 Important Update

Several weeks ago, our city''s water changed for the worse. I''m assuming that it''s because of a switchover to summertime procedures where water consumption is considerably heavier. Incoming water is now 800-900 ppm of Total Dissolved Solids. The unit''s output water quality is 80-100 ppm which is still in the "good" range. It now produces roughly twelve gallons of waste water for each gallon of clean water is generates. The lesson here is that water quality can dramatically change from one season to another, as well as from one time of day to another.

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I have one of these that is about 10 years old now and it still works great. Of course I change the filters as recommended. We have a well with sulfur and iron in the water but the water out of this unit is perfect. We use the RO water in our coffee maker and we don''t get any scale buildup. I have no problem getting replacement filters as these are standard 10" size. Watts Premier also has a great website and will even remind you when it is time to change the filters.

I just read an article about trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in the water supplies in many states. The article said that normal filtration does not remove the pharmaceuticals, but RO filtration does.

Read Best Reviews of Watts WP5-50 Premier Five-Stage Manifold Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment System Here

I wasn''t looking to buy a new R/O system but couldn''t find the filters for our old one so instead of wasting more time searching for them I opted for this entirely new Watts unit. There was a very long delay in shipping and I''d felt the order had been lost but before all hope had evaporated the boxes arrived and I got into the swing of installing everything. Give or take an hour or two, for someone as plumbing challenged as I am, everything was up and producing water. Following the manufacturers advice two tanks were run through before we started using the water and I have to say it works wonderfully and tastes absolutely great. It produces more than enough for our family of six for cooking and drinking and is very well built. Very pleased and will order another for my new house.

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The only major problem is that the faucet is cheapo chromed plastic. I bought a nice brushed nickle one at Lowes.

Filter price is nice. $40 on amazon for a 7 filter pack good for one year. They are standard filters too so you don''t have to buy Watts replacements. You will have to spend $65 more every 2-5 years for the membrane.

Not too hard to hook up if you don''t have to cut a hole in your sink. Lots of connections to make. Make sure you only use teflon tape where the instructions specify it.

Fast water flow. Tank takes hours to fill. Unless you need more than a bucket full within a few hours you wont run out of fast clean water.

Tank is a little shy of 12" x 16". It fits behind the drain pipes of my sink, but I had to remove the bottem of the cabinet (which was warped and water damaged anyway so due for replacement) to get it past the pipes. Would have fit in front, but didn''t want to loose the space.

Wattspremier web site has a FAQ if you need more info:

RO wastes water, but I used to waste water by running the water for a bit before filling my glass.

Iron is bad for a RO membrane. You can buy a TDS water tester on ebay for about $20 to monitor how well the membrane is doing.

Water pressure should be 40-85 psi. Pump or pressure relief valve may be required otherwise.

You should sanitize an RO system yearly with a little bleach.

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I was using a 5-stage Genesis V system from Havapure for years. It was quiet, and produced good water. I just moved and bought this system. It has an "air gap facuet" which means that it hisses when it''s filtering. It sounds like a mini garden hose, and lasts for about 20 minutes for each glass of water. It''s beyond irritating to have in the house. It was professionally installed, but it''s going back to Amazon *tomorrow*. I can''t believe people listen to this after each drink of water. I wish I could give it 0 stars...

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Daniel Green Women''s Glamour Slipper

It was definitely a good purchase because it is hard to find a leather slipper with a wedge heel. But I caution you that these slippers run small. I usually buy a 9 1/2 Med in slippers but I purchased a 9 1/2 Wide, after trying them on, I should have purchased a 10 Wide. The sippers run both narrow and short.

I bought these slippers for my mother in law who has been wearing this brand of shoes for over 35yrs, and she couldnt get her foot into it they are so narrow, and I purchased a ww.....these shoes just are not made right

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Daniel Green slippers, like everything else, are now made in China. They are no longer all leather inside and out. That is what made them so fabulous! I was so disappointed with the man made materials on the inside, and returned them.

Read Best Reviews of Daniel Green Women''s Glamour Slipper Here

The slippers tend to run about 1/2 size shorter than other shoes or slippers.

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i purchased your slippers with a gift certificate i got unfortunately they are NOT TRUE TO SIZE and they had to be returned

and i therefore was charged for the postage on said purchase which i dont think was fair i have worn this product before and had no problem so it makes me wonder WHY these didnt fit

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Metro Vacuum VM4BS500 Professional Stainless Steel 120V Save 29% Off

• All steel construction
• 500 watts of power, 110 volts at 4.5 amps, 60" of water lift, weighs 2.7 lbs.
• Includes power unit, crevice tool, dust brush, upholstery nozzle
• Five year motor warrantee
• Made in USA

This tiny hand held vac has more power than some shop vacs. It''s all I had hoped for and is very well made of stainless steel. For cleaning the car or a quick pickup around the house ... 500 watt Vac n Go can do it. You can order a 3''flex hose attachment, seperately, and 5 packs of filters. Should be, but not carried by Amazon.

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I just received this vac from Amazon and already I love it!

Extremely well made and light weight.

Powerful vac and the back end is a "blower".

The blower part is not as powerful as the blowers

the gardeners use but can be quite useful in certain

situations.

As one reviewer mentioned, the flexible hose and

extra filters are not sold on Amazon.

I found both the 3'' and 6'' flexible hoses and

extra filter bags at AutoGeek (dot) net.

I would recommend this vac to anyone wanting

an excellent hand vac.

Read Best Reviews of Metro Vacuum VM4BS500 Professional Stainless Steel 120V Here

Pleased with the product. It is more powerful than the other rechargeable portables that I have. The length of the electrical cord is sufficient to reach the extreme corners of my motorhome from the mid outlet. I like the fact that it has a stainless steel body and not plastic.

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This vacuum has great design and SUPER suction. The cord is nice and long a big plus. We use it to suck up dirt, ash and wood particles around the hearth of our wood burning stove (obviously NOT hot ash)--and for the stairway and will also be using it to clean inside our cars. Would give it 5 stars but wish the paper-type filter held a bit more and was washable and permanent (i.e., nylon or metal fine mesh)instead of needing to order filters although you CAN empty and re-use the filter several times as is and two filters come with the vacuum. We really love it and are very pleased with the purchase. It''s a terrific vacuum!

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I bought this vacuum to replace my Dirt Devil. I am a professional auto detailer and wanted something powerful, yet small. I got tired of lugging around the house sized canister. The battery rechargable vacuums on the market don''t have enough power for my needs. I was quite surprised to find that it actually cleaned the interior of the car with vigor! Compact and easy to use, sturdy as well. Love the stainless steel design.

The only drawback for me is that the steel body gets hot to the touch after being on for a bit. if you are not using it for work and just picking up a little mess in the house or doing the stairs, this probably won''t be an issue. Also, I will have to empty the bag more on such a small vacuum. I plan to buy the reusable cloth bag to save money on purchasing throwaway bags. Moreover, I am purchasing the shoulder strap Metro Vac sells on their web site to solve the problem of the vacuum body getting hot to my touch. That, along with the flexible hose, will keep me from having to constantly touch the vacuum while using. These issues don''t keep me from giving it 5 stars or from recommending this product to others. On top of all the good stuff, it is made in the U.S.A!

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Bodum Bistro Electric Coffee and Tea Dripper Save 41% Off

I bought this hoping to simplify my morning routine, but I ended up returning it. Perhaps I was using it wrong, or maybe I got a lemon, but for me, it failed in executing its primary function. I could not get it produce a cup of coffee as well as my electric kettle and Bodum French Press can.

The way it works is by filling the vessel on the right side of the product with water and putting your French Press with coffee grinds on the left. You press the button in the center and water slowly gets pulled from the bottom of the right vessel, passes through the machine, and drips into the French Press cup. On my first attempt, I filled the French Press with my usual amount of beans, pressed the button, and waited for all the water to pass through. When it did, I removed the press from the machine, waited 4 minutes, then pressed. The coffee was weak. I decided to try again, but this time increase the amount of beans. Still weak. I decided I needed to do some testing.

Because of the machine''s compact size and design, I could not get a thermometer probe into the French Press cup while it was working. Instead, I ran the machine until all 16oz of the water passed through, then removed the press cup and took the temperature of the water. I ran this test twice. Both times the water came out at 175-177 degrees F, not the recommended 200 degrees F for French Press coffee. It''s possible I''m supposed to leave the French Press cup in the machine while steeping and it will continue heating, but I usually start the timer when all the water is in the cup and at that time it is not at the optimal temperature. I cannot tell if it will ever reach that temperature since I never let it run that long, but even if it did, it would be difficult to tell exactly how long I should let the beans steep before pressing for the best brew. My Kona beans are a bit too expensive to waste for the sake of science.

PROS

Build quality Despite being plastic, every component of this product feels pretty solid. The French Press top screws and locks into place so it will not come out when pouring. To pour, you depress a lever at the top of the handle to prevent accidental spilling. The tea steeper cup also seems nice. Each piece fits well where it is intended to go.

Size Using Bodum''s measurement of 1 cup equals about 4 oz, this will produce about 4 cups (or approx. 2 8oz cups, if you prefer to view it that way). It is a compact design so it won''t take up a lot of counter space.

CONS

Temperature I was not able to make it reach the optimal 200 degrees F temperature for French Press coffee. After 16 oz of water passes through the machine into the French Press cup, it registered 175-177 degrees F.

Price This seems like a pretty expensive gadget for what it does, considering you could just buy a regular French Press for less than half Amazon''s price. Despite being electric, this device does not do everything for you.

Pieces There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle: machine, water container, French Press cup, lid for percolating water, lid for French Press, cup for tea leaves, lid for tea.

CONCLUSION

If you already have a French Press and enjoy it, I would stick with your current process.

I took a chance on reviewing this item based on the idea that a compact coffee press and tea maker would be a great addition to my office. Here are my thoughts:

What''s in the box:

1. The box contains the unit, plus a tea infuser, a coffee press, and a carafe.

How does it work:

1. The unit works by either making tea or coffee and placing the appropriate parts in the carafe. After boiling the water, you place the desired implement (press for coffee, or the strainer for loose leaf tea (you could also use a bag, of course) into the top of the carafe and you have your desired drink.

Use:

1. I have to say that the coffee that is produced is awesome. It is far hotter and clearly well-brewed then a simple coffee machine is in my experience (for example, a Cuisinart or a Mr. Coffee). The coffee seems more richly brewed and better tasting. Tea is similarly better infused then with an auto tea-kettle and a tea-bag in a cup. The tea is far better tasting as well.

2. The set-up is fairly simple with just a power switch.

3. Clean-up: This item has to be cleaned after each use. This is also not something that can be abused without causing problems with the brewing process as the filter will get fouled up without disciplined cleaning.

Pros:

1. For an office or dorm, this would be a wise purchase as the dual use and small footprint (imagine a small integrated stereo unit) make this a handy unit.

2. For the money, it is fairly well-built. Of course the carafe is glass and subject to breaking. Plus, the parts are plastic and cannot be abused. So this unit has to be handled with care.

3. The combination of the two possible hot drinks is a cool idea and the drinks are better than I would get with a tea-bag or a coffee machine.

4. Design: The unit has a really cool, contemporary design and this does make a nice statement in your kitchen area (or desk area).

Neutral:

1. In using this item, after you brew the water, and place either the diffuser for the tea or the press for the coffee, you have to remove carafe, and place the pourer on the top of the carafe to actually pour the drink. Meh. And, if you want to replace the carafe back into the machine, you have to repeat the process. Meh.

Cons:

1. Dainty. By this I mean that this is not for having a cubicle party as the amount you can brew is about two cups at a time. Plus, you have to clean the unit pretty much each time you use it.

2. Power. This is not a hot-plate, such that you can''t really keep your drink hot for a long period of time. Plus, it is missing that killer app, which is there is no auto turn-off. When you remove the carafe, it turns itself off so there is no real way to keep the drink hot on it''s own. This isn''t a deal breaker, but is one of those things that would have put this over the top of coolness.

Overall:

This is a pretty nice item and overall the good idea here is pretty well executed. For what it is asked to do, I think it covers a lot. I have some issues with the `daintiness'' which is probably because I see that I have to be careful with all the plastic and glass, and the low quantity of drink produced. On the other hand, the unit does produce a pretty darn good cup of tea or coffee that seems to make the above issues petty concerns rather then large obstacles.

Buy Bodum Bistro Electric Coffee and Tea Dripper Now

The Bodum Bistro is, in this reviewer''s opinion, overpriced for what you get. Yes, I know that French Press

coffeemakers get much pricier than this, but the Bodum is of mostly thin plastic construction, and is just

not built to stand up to heavy use. If you use metal utensils with it or use abrasive cleansers to clean it,

you do so at your own risk. The attached AC cord is pretty short. Moreover, Bodum''s idea of "one cup" is

about 4 1/2 ounces, which makes this unit only a two-cup brewer at my usual cup size. Besides, Bodum advises

against the use of fine-ground coffee, explaining that it will clog the press filter; that didn''t happen

when I used a fine grind. You do need to thoroughly clean the Bodum each time you use it, as scale buildup

is said to be a big issue...that''s a huge pain if you use the unit two or three times a day.

Lest you think that I have nothing but negative comments about the Bodum, it must be said that it brews a

darned righteous cup of coffee. The French Press system allows for total infusion, unlike the ubiquitous

drip-style coffee makers, and this gives you a very rich and satisfying brew. That''s all the more important

considering the soon-to-be-skyrocketing prices of coffee beans. The unit itself is stylish in its peculiarly

Euro fashion, and comes in different colors. (Mine is Basic Black, which always works for me.) The Bodum also

comes with a tea strainer, for those who want to get away from lame teabags...admittedly, I did not actually

try out this feature, but I certainly will in the future. The Bodum is quite easy to use, and the manual is

printed in several languages. I just can''t wrap my mind around its nearly $100.00 list price, but, if that

doesn''t bother you, and you can live with the aforementioned issues, by all means buy a Bodum. Amazon offers

it at a pretty good discount, and, since it doesn''t use paper filters, you''ll have everything you need apart

from the coffee itself.

Read Best Reviews of Bodum Bistro Electric Coffee and Tea Dripper Here

A nice concept for the office or other area without a stove or microwave to heat up the water, the Bodum Electric Coffee and Tea maker is adequate only.

The Positives. THis is a relatively compact appliance that works without fail (but within some frustrating limits--see below), and that includes both a press for coffee and a filter for tea. In the Amazon.com picture, the tank on the right is filled with water, and one adds either coffee or tea (inside a filter) to the container on the right. When the two (washable) plastic containers are in place, the machine will turn on--heating the water which transfer over to the container with the coffee or tea. Tea is brewed and coffee is pressed down with the familiar French press mechanism so that the water is infused with coffee and the finished product has no grounds.

After brewing tea or coffee, one fits a safety lid (liquid won''t pour without depressing a lever), and then pours the beverage into cup or mug. The heat turns off as soon as either container is removed. To keep any remaining coffee/tea warm, one must remove the safety lid, put on the other (flat) lid, place it back on the Bodum, and then turn it back on. These safety features are welcome, but also *too* cautious (as described later). One other thoughtful feature, the tea/coffee container''s hot bottom (from restng on the heating element) is somewhat protected by a lip that extends beyond it, thus minimizing contact with the surface upin which you place it.

Coffee and tea taste fresh (after all, you just made it!), is hot (initially), takes a little over 7 minutes to empty a 4-5 cup (full) carafe ONCE it is heated (more on that, too) and brewing is safe. That said.....

Negatives. Yes, this will sound all "Grinchy," but, taken togther, I found myself disappointed, feeling it''s not worth the money even at a 30% discount over list price. Many of these negatives stem from what I see (others may disagree) with a over-concern for safety. I''d feel differently if this were a device that children will use, but I doubt they will be the primary users.

Temperature. While the initial gulps will be enjoyably hot, replacing the container on the hot plate does not keep it close to this temperature: It loses its heat in a very short period. IT''s not lukewarm or tepid, but it''s just not hot.

Tempermental. It appears that if the two containers are not set in the machine "just so," the Bodum will not begin heating (either that or it takes an inordinate amount of time--well over ten minutes) for a full water carafe to start transferring hot water to the other container. It appears to work best when the handle on the receiving carafe and the numbers indicating cups on the hot water carafe are facing outward--but that may just be coincidence. Basically, I have to fool around with these containers to feel confident it will begin heating.

Extension Cord. In a wonderfully paternalistic nod, Bodum informs us that--for safety reasons--they include a short ekectric cord, and that we may need to buy an extention cord (they assume that''s safer, I suppose). Safety or less expense for Bodum, I wonder...

Taste. Tea is not a problem, but French Press coffee should have a richer, somewhat oily (from the coffee beans) taste and texture. I think that the size of the receiving carafe mitigates against this. The carafe bottom is so wide that the coffee just settles at the bottom--there''s little mixing of water and coffee as you press down (with little or no resistance) with the "plunger." Although this may work better with smaller quantities of water, and even more coffee, the coffee is strong and fresh, but it does not taste very much like French Press coffee.

Bottom line. I can''t really recommend this because of the price/value, temperature, and operating deficits noted above. However, if you absolutely need your coffee/tea fix, have no easy access to a microwave or other heat source, and you''re not too fussy about recreating conventionally made French Press coffee (and if you do use this to make tea, not just coffee), you may feel it''s a worthwhile purchase. While concern with safety is laudable, one wonders if designers could have made an equally safe product that produced a more satisfying taste at a more consistent temperature.

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We aren''t big coffee drinkers, in fact we never drink it, but my husband is a big hot tea drinker. Really big, he drinks it when it''s in the 90s outside. But making him hot tea has been a pain with only a small kettle so when I saw this in the Amazon Vine list I picked it for a review knowing I''d get to try it several times.

The version I was sent is blue and I''m grateful for that because while the device comes in a lot of other colors, they all seemed rather gaudy to me. The instruction booklet is easy to read once you find your language in it -it needs clearer divisions frankly to make that easier. You''ll need to read all the instructions because unless you do things just so, the safety features will not allow the machine to work. Safety features that require the pot be locked in and that turn off the heating element after a certain amount of time. These are both good because they lessen the risk of accidents.

The water reservoir holds over 24 oz of water or more than four standard coffee/teacups. The filter for the pot makes it easy to use teabags or loose tea and it isn''t very difficult to clean. It is a small size and fits neatly on my kitchen counter after the microwave, KitchenAid, and toaster. For just one two four people wanting a hot beverage this has worked very well for us.

I''m so tempted to try to make hot cocoa with it...

Save 41% Off

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Flex-Drain Flexible/Expandable Landscaping Drain Pipe Save 14% Off

Item was just as described. Easy to work with, seems to be taking care of flooding problem. Shipped and received very quickly.

I attached this to a 12 inch box drain. It is buried with gravel around it. It does a great job so far but I may extend it to 50 feet.

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We did a massive drainage project behind my house to mitigate water runoff from the mountain. 375 foot of flex-drain was installed along with 15 tons of crushed rock. Great product and easy to work with.

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I thought I had ordered a "sealed" unit, meaning there would be no holes in the pipe. Had I read anywhere in the product information that was the case, I would not have ordered the item.

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TASSIMO Single Serve Coffeemaker

Let me first start by saying that I hesitate to call this device by its full name as this is much more than a traditional coffee maker! Honestly though, to most the Tassimo Single Serve Units are no different that the numerous Keurig models on the market; I mean, after all, it is pretty much just the same type of device right?? Well, there''s several differences in the product that clearly defines the system.

STYLE

For styling the Tassimo T45 isn''t very different than most of the other Single Cup Brewing Stations on the Market and this likely won''t win any awards for looks but it isn''t so hideous that you don''t want it in your kitchen either.

OPERATION

Brewing is as simple as Filling the Water tank, lifting the lever and installing a coffee pack, placing a cup on the stand and pushing brew and if desired tweaking the brew by pushing the brewing button within 20 seconds of brewing completion. Of course multiple packs might be used if you''re wanting to make more complex drinks.

SEPARATION

So the Tassimo has okay styling, simple operation and the pros certainly outweigh the cons but what really separates it from Keurig and prevents it from being an Also Ran in the Single Cup Brewing Market?

Well, there are a few things that separate it:

First, are the bar coded coffee packets that tell the machine how to brew the product and this allows the manufacturer to give you the perfect brew right in your own home!

Second, when brewing Cappuccinos or Lattes the unit will use a multiple Cartridge approach like the Keurig but the Tassimo uses real Milk, not some powdered confection, and the bar code allows for the perfect frothing based on the beverage being served.

The Tassimo is able to achieve these things by using a Hot Water on Demand System to alter the brewing temperature on the fly and the Barcode allows the coffee company to tell the brewer the exact temp the Coffee should be and exactly how much water should be used for their product. On top of this, the system uses a pressurized brewing system to control the time it takes to brew and this process actually emulates a French Press.

Of course, some manufacturers brew on the stronger side because the Tassimo allows you to soften the brew but there''s no control for the user, to make the brew stronger and fortunately, the Tassimo single button allows for this to be done.

FEATURES

Pros

* Adjustable, or removable, cup stand Using pretty much any coffee mug and most travel mugs is brew and go.

* Uses Single Button operation Brew and Adjust the Strength with the Same Button.

* Built in Filtration Garbage in Garbage Out, Assures a cleaner beverage than just ordinary tap water.

* LEDs Indicate time to Descale (Clean) the unit or fill the Tank.

* Removable Water Tank No more pouring water into your coffee maker and getting your counter all wet.

* Multiple Cartridge Brewing Makes for More Complex Drinks.

* Pricing The Unit is priced competitively with Keurig models but the Coffee Cartridges are Less Expensive for the Tassimo.

* Bar Coded Cartridges Help Control the Brewing Process

* Hot Water On Demand Allows Changing Temp On The Fly.

* Pressurized Brewing System Emulates a French Press and Helps Control Brewing Time.

Cons

* Limited Variety The Tassimo library is growing but it isn''t as large as the Keurig Offerings at the moment.

NOTABLES

The Device is much more than a coffee maker as it brews Coffee, Gourmet Beverages, Iced Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea, Hot Chocolate, Apple Cider and the Like. This is in no way limited to being just a Coffee Maker and I really wish they wouldn''t label it as such.

CONCLUSION

When we set out to purchase a SIngle Cup Brewing Station we basically had to choose between he Keurig and the Tassimo but ultimately the Tassimo won out for us as the final brewing process allowed more control to both the manufacturers of the Brewing Cartridges and it allowed us to tweak the brew strength to our liking. For some, the limited variety of Cartridges might make the system a bad choice but for others, like myself, it is okay if the quality of the product is high and the price per beverage is reasonably priced.

Overall, though, the product is very good quality all around and it is really hard to go wrong with this system but I''m only giving it 4 stars until more coffee houses get on board.

OUT OF BOX EXPERIENCE

The brewer was well packaged and a pleasure to open up. The manufacturer clearly took the unboxing experience into consideration, and put some thought into it -not on par with Apple for example, but certainly more thought than I''m used to seeing from small appliance manufacturers.

CRAFTSMANSHIP, FIT & FINISH and MATERIALS

That fabled German engineering is clearly in evidence here. I can personally say BOSCH also makes some amazing large appliances (their dishwashers are fantastic), but they aren''t widely known here in the states. Materials selection is great. Nice sturdy plastics, and attractive finishes that also feel pleasant to the touch. The water tank is probably the least ''premium'' feeling part of the brewer, but there aren''t any moving parts and barring a drop out a second story window, I don''t think it will be a source of trouble.

The brewer has sufficient heft that I can tell the internals are manufactured with some substance, and it doesn''t have that "disposable" feel that so many small electrics have these days. That being said, it''s not so heavy that its difficult to lift or move. Closing the lid of the brewing mechanism after inserting a t-disc provides a satisfying amount of resistance and finishes with great tactile feedback once the t-disc is locked properly in place and the brewing chamber is sealed.

USING THE DEVICE

The small but adequate LCD screen makes using the product all but foolproof. It tells you when to put in the disc, when to wait, and when to remove the disc. You also get an opportunity to hold the start button to dispense more beverage (if for example you wanted your beverage more dilute, or wanted to top off your mug).

Additionally, it lets you know when the water tank is running low or when cleaning is recommended. The included optional water filter is a welcome feature for me as we have god-awful water here, however I think the suggested replacement interval is a bit excessive. I replace it roughly quarterly with good results.

DEEP BREWED FLAVOR

I have tried just about every flavor and variety of t-disc offered in the states and have even purchased some varieties only available in europe from online foreign grocery shops. I am not a coffee connoisseur, but I know the difference between ''blech!'' and ''yum!''. All of the coffee varieties I have tasted have been good to great, and most coffee drinkers should have no problem finding a variety that suits their individual tastes. The teas are wonderful, as is the Milka brand hot chocolate -try dropping a marshmallow or two in your mug and then brewing the hot chocolate on top -truly a treat. Personally, my favorite is the Chai Latte -I made the mistake of getting my friends and neighbors hooked on it as well.

The fact that the brewer reads the barcodes on the t-discs and ''knows'' what it''s brewing is really cool. This is how it automatically adjusts water volume, temperature, and pressure as well as brew time and frothing, which it appears to do by expelling steam. This seems far more advanced than other pod/capsule type brewers, which are more or less oblivious to the type of drink they are preparing.

I have no trouble finding the t-discs at Bed Bath & Beyond, or here at Amazon, and make a habit of buying in bulk for conveniences sake. Just recently I have also noticed the t-discs beginning to appear (albeit with a somewhat limited selection) at my local grocery and at Target.

JUST LIKE IN THE PICTURES

I highly recommend purchasing clear glass mugs/drink-ware, as some of the specialty drinks are truly beautiful with their frothy tops and wonderful color gradients that absolutely beg to be shown off. The drinks you make at home actually turn out looking like the ones in the product pictures, which surprisingly are not merely ''serving suggestions'' as they say in food packaging parlance.

IT''S FOR YOU IF...

You want to enjoy a variety of specialty drinks

You and other members of your household have different beverage preferences

You don''t mind purchasing supplies online or at a home goods store

You regularly purchase beverages from Starbucks and the like, and want an at home substitute to lower your cost per cup

You entertain often and would like to serve delicious and impressive looking fresh brewed beverages to your guests

You don''t mind paying more for quality, variety, versatility and convenience

THINK TWICE IF...

You drink coffee by the potful

You have no interest in specialty beverages such as espresso, crema, lattes, cappuccino, mocha, cocoa and teas

You are looking for a large variety of decaffeinated options -there are decaf choices, but not an abundance

You are extremely cost conscious -the cost per cup is less than retail coffee chains, but more costly than folgers and coffemate

You are extremely eco-conscious -the packaging and (as far I know) non-recyclable t-discs may send you into a carbon footprint panic

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I purchased the T45 Tassimo several months ago. It consistently left 1/2 the milk, and on top of that ..milk spilled all over the machine! All I wanted was a nice cup of chai tea. Finally I returned the T45 model and decided to go one step up to the T65 model. That was the best decision! First of all the piercing for the pod was upgraded, and I am thrilled with the results. Apparently TASSIMO has received many complaints.

There was not one milk spillage...and lots of other perks!! It was so worth tbe extra $40.00!!

I LOVE THE T65!!!

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First let me say; I did not want this machine. My wife bought it because she finds culinary arts, (like boiling water,) difficult... especially in the A.M. I''m too cheap to pay this much for a coffee machine and the expensive individual pods. Further, I am ethically opposed to all the packaging waste the pods create.

So I was no fan of this system... until I had it for the last two years.

Now, we find it indispensable. It sees use two or three times every morning, one or two times in the afternoon and more on the weekend if we have guests. Other than routine cleaning, we have had no problems with it.

A note about the "piercing problem" other reviewers mention...

As befitting of my manly wont, I started using this thing without reading instructions. It is a tribute to Bosch engineers that I was able to get away with that for so long. However, I too noticed an occasional glitch where the grounds would spill and spray all over... which challenged my male tool-using prowess. Then I learned that you should be gentle and not slam down the lid. It would be an understatement to say, "I''m not very coordinated in the morning." If we share the kitchen during early hours, my daughter calls me "Big Foot." (It''s not MY fault she doesn''t wear shoes before 9AM!)

As my wife later learned, you can''t put the pod in crooked or upside down and expect happy results. Sometimes, when she is not yet fully awake, she does stuff like that: puts the pods in upside down, puts shoes in the freezer or puts her Blackberry in the toaster. It''s hard to answer a pop-tart.

(Really... I ''m not kidding. TWICE! We got a thick protective pad for it and attached her keys to it so it won''t fit in the toaster anymore. The jingling-keys usually alert her before it''s too late. BTW, our Cuisinart toaster still works and so does the Blackberry!)

So if we put the pod in correctly and don''t hammer the lid down, we have ZERO problems. If this machine can withstand both a Somnambulistic Sasquatch and the Terrible Telecom Toaster, it must be robust!

(minimum 4 cycles per day, 365 days X 2 years, plus weekend guests... I estimate that is over 3,000 cups o'' Joe!)

Maintenance...

You have to wipe down the laser-window once a month or so. That takes two or three seconds. (a moist tissue works better than a paper towel)

Routine internal cleaning is easy with the (supplied) cleaning disc. (Put disc in, press button. Repeat.)

If your water is funky, you will have to run a few more cleanings cycles or use a special cleaning agent they sell. We bought another Tassimo for our daughter in law who has city water; that''s how I know. (Hers has also has worked perfectly for over a year now, and SHE makes those sticky sugary drinks with it.) Frankly, I haven''t noticed any great improvement with the cleaning agent, so we just use good water for the cleaning cycle. With our home water purifier, we''ve had no problems and the beverages consistently taste great. (I''m having Yuban this morning)

Joan Jet should write another hit: "I hate myself for loving this machine" but it really has made good coffee and GREAT espresso for over two years. It''s SO convenient! I might go to hell for the egregious extra landfill all the pod-packaging makes, but I will be wide awake when I get there.

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First off, I''ve had this for almost a year, and I have never once had any problems with it. Maybe I''m a lucky one, but it seems to me that this is how it is meant to work, and if someone had problems with it, they got a defective machine.

My husband bought this for me after me insisting it would save the money from the coffee I poured down the drain every time I made it. Even though I knew the discs were more expensive, I didn''t drink coffee every day even, and this would be so much more convenient. Also I love cappuccinos. He was very skeptical and was against buying a single serve. When he did start considering it, he wanted a Keurig. I have used a Keurig many times, and have never liked any of the coffee I''ve tried (and they didn''t make cappuccinos). Every review I read, even reviews favorable to Keurig, said this made a better tasting coffee. So I finally convinced him.

He got the T45 instead of the T65 because it was cheaper and the only difference was an LCD display, which I don''t need. He got it at BB&B without the 20% off coupon I had because he didn''t want to ask me for it and give the surprise away. BB&B let him come back in after he gave it to me with the receipt and the coupon, and they gave him the difference back.

The day I set it up he was like "ok, let''s see if this is everything you said it was". One taste and he was sold!! He loved it! As did I :)

Since then, it has run 3-4 times daily (ha! so much for saving money, it has made me an addict! I drink way more coffee now than I ever did before) between the both of us. I knew in advance the coffee selection wasn''t as good as Keurig, but we only ever drink one or two kinds of coffee anyway so I didn''t care. My Wal-Mart sells two blends of Maxwell House and a Maxwell House cappuccino. I like them both. It equals out to 34 cents a cup for the coffee and 53 cents for a capp. Still cheaper than a coffee place, and the convenience to me is way worth the price difference of the bags of coffee.

For those complaining about the lack of variety, BB&B carries a lot in store now, and even way more online. When I want something different, I order from BB&B online with my 20% coupon, and there is no shipping charge on coffee. With the coupon, even the specialty coffees are barely more than I pay at Wal-Mart. And since I''ve had the machine, they have added about three different brands of coffee, each brand with several different flavors. And my absolute FAVORITE thing as of a couple weeks ago, is that they teamed up with Tim Horton''s which is my FAVORITE coffee and what I always drank with my regular coffee maker. And since I live in Michigan, I can just run to the Timmies around the corner from my house and pick up a package. Granted, it is 50 cents per cup, but I use it for my morning cup, then the cheaper stuff after that. Also to save money, I buy the really strong coffee on BB&B online and run extra water through it. Same price, but I get a travel mug full rather than a regular size cup, and still at the strength I like.

As for the machine itself, it has always run like new to this day. The descaling light just came on for the first time today (10 months in), so I will see how that goes. Nothing has ever leaked, and the noise doesn''t bother me a bit. It''s just a few seconds of the pump starting, then more quiet after that. And brews in less than 60 seconds (I''ve counted). And to add to that, I have only once ever used the cleaning disc, and have never cleaned the piercer (I know, I know, I really should). Can''t comment on customer service as I have never had to contact them.

This is a great machine, and I really hope they start marketing it better. It really should be more popular than Keurig in my opinion. But it looks like it''s headed up :)

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Brita Soft Squeeze Water Filter Bottle Replacement Filters (2 Count) Save 19% Off

For living in an area that is known to not have the greatest of water in the first place, the taste with the filtered water bottle and without are from two completely different worlds! To include the nasty water from the drinking fountain in my work''s building, it is like a clean fresh bottle of spring water. Great investment, especially for being pregnant and trying to be as healthy as possible.

I use this at work and able to get nice cold water from the drinking fountain and the large mouth of the bottle allows me to fill the bottle to the top.

The water taste much better than tap water and is safer than bottled water, not to mention the recycling issue with plastic bottles.

Good purchase.

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Ever since I saw this ad on t.v. I wanted one so I don''t have to buy all those bottles. I just wanted good tasting water from my facet! Now I have it! This is a great way to save money!

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My daughter got this as a gift from me...Its was great. She likes the idea of getting her water filtered and not throwing out a bottle...Perfect gift

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I like the concept and am able to use the bottle with normal tap water. You do need to make sure that the top is on correctly or it may leak.

Save 19% Off

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G.T. Water Products, Inc. MP500-4 Master Plunger All Purpose Plunger Save 17% Off

• Great for sinks
• Stream line design allows this plunger the power and flexibility
• Patented air release with a quarter turn of the hand
• All purpose plunger for the hard to reach drains
• Made in the U.S.A.

I rent a condo with a bathroom sink trap too tight to looosen (no leverage). The sink became totally clogged. I removed the sink stopper, put duck tape over the overflow hole and used the master plunger 500. The master plunger 500 worked to unclog my sink.

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I hate to disagree with the other two reviews; however, after spending upwards of $40 for a power plunger from QVC I stumbled upon this and it is terrific for my problem. I love it and have recommended it to several friends. It does work at about 1/5 the cost of the pricer models.

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This plunger may very well work on some model toilets, but it doesn''t work at all on the models I tried it on (a Briggs Vacuity, a Gerber, 2 models of American Standard, and a Kohler). The toilet hole is either too large for the plunger, or it isn''t perfectly round to match the plunger shape. Consequently, the plunger generates no suction. Even if it had worked, it looked and felt like it cost no more that two dollars. Really cheap. Didn''t seem right to return such an item, so I threw it out.

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The plunger is too big to fit into the base of our toilets and did not work in the slightest bit. I ended up going back to my Korky plunder and that did the trick.

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Warm Mist Humidifier

I would have rated this a 5 star if the cleaning was easier, but I do not know if such a humidifier exists.

We have hard water and the build up of scale was becoming a problem, even with daily cleaning (yes, you should clean this unit daily). I came up with a solution to reduce and almost eliminate the scale I add a teaspoon of baking soda to the tank when I refill it. The scale is drastically reduced and the unit runs at a whisper quiet. I originally ran the unit without the baking soda and there was some noise, mainly gurgling, that was too loud for me since I am a light sleeper.

There is a black covered heating element that requires cleaning to remove scale. This can be very difficult to remove. I solved this as part of the weekly maintenance when you use vinegar to clean the base. The part with the heating element rests on the base. By adding enough vinegar to fill the well where the heating element engages with the base, and allowing it to soak for 10 or 15 minutes, the scale is easily removed.

I like the warm mist because it helps warm up the room.

Overall, I believe this unit is a great value.

I bought one for the office and liked it so much I bought another one for home. I like the warm mist, it heats the water and kills the germs before sending out mist. You have to be so careful with cool mist humidifiers especially ones with a filter, because if you get sick the germs lodge in the filter and just multiply and you wind up re-circulating germs through the mist. I''ve read about the gurgling noise and yes baking soda does get rid of it I''m a light sleeper and I have mine right next to my bed. It keeps the sinus moist which prevents sinus infections. The vinegar is great for cleaning the unit as well. And I love the fact that I don''t have to deal with filters. I HATE filters. This is like plug and go! I''ve had mine over 2 years and it''s still going strong. Hope they never discontinue it.

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It produces upto 2.5 gallons per day, but the tank is only 1 gallon so you have to refill it a lot to get this. The instructions say DO NOT use detergents on any part but then it says to put the bottom section in the dishwasher. It takes a lot of time and effort to clean the scaling off, partly because you have to wait 15 minutes after turning it off since the heating element remains hot for a long time and could send out random steam to burn you as you pick it up. In terms of cost vs time it''s probably a better deal for many people to just buy new wicks for an evaporating humidifier. But the worst thing is a metal plate on the bottom maybe 1/3" from the ground that''s there to prevent the plastic from melting under the heating element. That''s pretty close to the floor to have a metal plate that''s nearly boiling hot and is probably the real reason why the manual says to keep it off rugs or finished floors. It also had a pretty bad plastic outgas smell; maybe this will go away in time though. All considered I don''t really even feel safe leaving this on when I''m not in the room (although there''s probably no rational reason behind it).

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great value for the money. no filter was the reason for the purchase and thank goodness. can be hard to clean, but i haven''t tried the baking soda yet. can be heavy when full of water, and the tank is so big that i have to use the bathtub to fill it because it doesn''t fit under my sink. it is very quiet and would recommend it to anyone.

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We bought this humidifier last year and my son used it in his smaller room and it worked very well. The gurgling sound was no louder than a tranquility fountain. It only lasted about 10 minutes and then it was silent throughout the night. The water tank was just right, one fill is all it took. (Any larger capacity tank would cause it be too heavy to carry. I can''t imagine that.) We tried it in our master bedroom and since it is large we would rather have two of these humidifiers than to try another brand. We save a lot of money since we don''t need to buy filters. We have had no issues with cleaning.

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MagicShowerhead SH2040 Water Temperature Sensitive Color Change Shower Head

• Self powered by water pressure only - no battery or electricity required
• Color change by water temperature
• The light of the water, will tell you, how warm/cold the water is
• ABS chrome
• Fit to standard 1/2-Inch hose

This is a replacement for a very cheap LED version I had. It is definitely made more solid and felt heavier. The pressure is good and not too strong or weak. My only complaint is that the actual part where the water comes out has a strange angle to it meaning that it almost has to be completely vertical to get the right angle to shower under. I have one of those shower massage setups with the swivel attachments so when I replaced it with this if the piece is angled down it sprays the back of the wall. I have to lock it in its most vertical position to get it to spray just about in the middle but close to the drain and of the shower tub.

Pros:

Made well

good led''s

nice medium spray

Cons:

Shower head angle pitch is to angled and may not work for everyones setup

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at first we LOVED this showerhead, being able to tell the temp w/o burning ourselves. Then it started working only sporadically. Now, the only lights that work are the white and the red lights-sometimes. The metal laquer finish from inside the showerhead is coming out through the nozzle in flakes and pieces.

Wish it had worked.

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Hoover Platinum LINX Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Save 30% Off

I am really impressed with Hoover''s new cordless Linx handheld vacuum. We have 3 dogs in our home: 2 chocolate labs and one yellow lab. The yellow lab sheds three times as much fur as the two chocolates combined. You cannot sit down on our sofas without getting fur all over you. And while we have a great upright vacuum, it is huge and not good for when you want just a quick pick up. I''ve been looking for a cordless handheld for a while. I almost caved in to getting a Dyson, and I am so glad I held out!

Pros:

* 18 volt Lithium-ion battery that doesn''t fade (runs at full power until dead). My Black & Decker chain saw, drill and edger all use 18 volt batteries to power them. This little vacuum has some serious power!

* Most vacuums have handheld brush attachments that are powered only by the suction of the vacuum. This bad boy is actually motorized and is great at picking up fur!

* The Hoover Platinum Collection Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum also comes with a limited six year warranty on the vacuum, limited two year warranty on the battery and charger.

* I have to disagree with the other reviewer who did not like having to take battery out to charge it in the charging stand. I for one love this! It is so much nicer to have a small charging stand that the battery slides into that can takes up such little space. If it used a stand that the whole vac plugs into, it would have to stay out always. Now, it gets put up and on the battery stays out (and is next to my B&D charging stations).

* Emptying this vacuum is simple and clean. Some bag less vacuums aren''t designed intelligently and end up making a huge mess when you try to empty their canisters. The Hoover cordless was definitely well thought out!

Cons:

The price is still a bit high, but this is definitely a better value than the Dyson handhelds. I do own a few handhelds that are not cordless, and this cordless blows them away!

Would I recommend this handheld cordless vacuum? Definitely!

I''m glad I found this worthy alternative to Dyson''s pricey cordless vac.

Pros:

* Lithium-ion battery that doesn''t fade (runs at full power until dead). Has LED guage for battery life left.

* Motorized brush works great at "fluffing up" my newly carpeted stairs and picking up the dog hair. The brush attachment also swivels, making it stay in contact with the floor as you move it across the stairs. The brush roller is designed to easily unsnap for cleaning in case hair, string, etc get wrapped around it.

* NO HEPA filter -a gimmick for a hand vac (IMO) that just lessens efficiency and requires frequent cleaning. The filter in this is foam and can be washed in cold water.

* Not nearly as noisy as my cordless Black & Decker vac was.

* 2 year warranty?! Wow.

Cons:

* Have to take battery out to charge it in the charging stand --it is really easy to do, but still would be easier to have a stand that the whole vac plugs into.

Notes:

* After a few weeks of use, the flip down crevice tool broke off. It was a poor design. I mainly use the vac with the motorized brush, so I wasn''t too upset. I continue to use my Black and Decker cordless vac for the smooth floors, and I use the Hoover for the carpeted floors and stairs.

Edit: 6/9/2011

* battery charger broke -the blue light flashes fast. Hoover tech support confirmed that it was the charger. Instead of sending out a new one, Hoover made me take it to a service center. The service center guy said we''d be lucky to get a new charger in 4 months because Hoover''s warranty service is so slow. My stairs are gonna get awfully dirty. What''s the point of the warranty??? BTW, I only use the thing once a week, so having the charger break is disappointing.

Buy Hoover Platinum LINX Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Now

The power brush is a real necessity for this hand vac. I have the older model and ordered the power brush and the improved dirt cup and prefilter insert. The newer one allows better air flow. I now cut a circle of used dryer sheet to cover the sponge filter to catch larger debris since this can be messy to clean the filter otherwise. The cone-shaped prefilter allows more dirt to cling to the filter but the used dryer sheet can be peeled away when the vac needs emptying. There is no need to affix it in any way, it will stay on when it''s inserted in the cone.

The dirt cup has been improved also, it''s been molded so that one can get a better grip on it when it''s time to empty. It still requires a firm grip to get the cup off but that''s necessary for a good leak-resistant seal.

The other attachments include a dusting brush and an upholstery tool with plastic ridges designed to rub pet hair into a ball where the suction can remove it. I needed nothing more than the power brush and the improved air flow that the cone prefilter allows.

The issue with the swing-up attachment seems to have been addressed as

well. It feels more sturdy than the arrangement on the earlier model. You won''t need a rubber band to hold it in place!

If you had been holding out for something better based on the reviews, now''s the time to spring for it, this is a definite improvement over the original. I do NOT work for Hoover!

Read Best Reviews of Hoover Platinum LINX Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum Here

First of all, after buying the LINX standup vac I was blown away by the power it had. So, I decided to jump back on board and get this as its companion. Well, the brush accessory that is powered works wonderfully. However, normal dustbusting without the accessory was just average. When you spend this kind of money you expect better suction than a low cost Black and Decker Hand Vac. That''s the area where I think it could have been better. The other gripe I have is the way you empty the collected dirt. Seems it could have been made easier. When you sit it upright without the brush attatchment on, the slightest nudge will knock it on its side as well. As far as the battery goes, it''s powerful and charges quite quickly. Why did I keep it? It gets the job done and there aren''t really any other choices out there in the Lithium Ion market. Conclusion, when you buy the LINX upright you can expect an amazing lightweight hardfloor cleaner but when you get this dustbuster don''t set your expectations too high.

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Obviously, I bought this because it said "PET" in the description, and I wanted to be able to pick up pet hair both that flying around on non-carpeted floors (as it does) and furniture.

I''ll give you this: the vacuum is lightweight, well made, and has great attachments. It''s the quality I expect and receive from a Hoover (which has been around for my entire lifetime).

Here are my suggestions for when it''s a GOOD solution:

* If you have a cat/dog/rabbit/etc. that is very small and/or doesn''t shed too much. I think if you have more than two pets you''d be pushing the feasibility.)

* If you have to clean a small area in a pinch e.g., when someone happens to be coming over.

* If you are traveling by car or RV and want to do some quick cleanup. (It will also pickup your typical bits of dirt, crumbs, etc.)

* If you are able to point it directly at the hair you want to vacuum. (See my comment about the side vent, below.)

* If you require something lightweight and easy to hold because you have some physical limitations.

Here''s why it IS NOT feasible in other pet situations:

=> The cup fills up too fast. I spent more time unlocking the cup, emptying it, checking under the filter, pulling out any hair that didn''t make it into the cup, etc. then I actually spent using the vacuum.

=> The brush on the crevice tool did not stay locked in place. If you push on it just a bit, it becomes unlocked and slides down the plastic tube. For me, this didn''t just happen one time: it happened every time.

=> The battery lasted 10 minutes total. The description says it has "2X longer run time and fade free power," and based upon what I have read for other products of this type this is probably true. However, that''s still a much shorter time than I expected. (There is a battery light with three settings so you can see when the power charge will be gone sort of.)

=> The vent on the side blows away what you''re trying to vacuum. This is a major nuisance if you are working on a non-carpeted surface such as wood or tile floors. You will end up chasing around one piece of hair while blowing others, and seem like you''re doing nothing but waving this thing around. By the time you do all this, it would have been easier to simply pickup the clump of hair with your hands! (I think this also one of the most common complaints for other handhelds.)

For my situation/needs, this wasn''t the right choice. I wish the title had said, "SMALL PET HAIR" because I would have looked for something else.

>>WHY DID I GIVE THIS ONLY 3-STARS?

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Ceramic Water Filter Kit by Just Water

A Sawyer Sawyer PointOne Emergency Water Filtration Kit with 1-Liter Light-Weight Durable Pouch is our basic portable system.

We added this Just Water Filter Kit for more capacity in our Stay-where-you-are system. Indeed, we considered a Berkey but could not envision enough improvement to justify the considerably higher price. Why pay for a stainless steel container good enough to last for 10 years of constant use when the most probable length of a water emergency is less than two months?

The Just Water Kit was quite easy to install on a 6-gallon food grade plastic container and lid. We used a small square plastic container originally holding dishwater soap for the unfiltered water container on top. It fit the 6-gallon container lid like a glove.

Highly recommend both products.

Glenn Flock, President

G2F, Inc

Bought this for prepping and for camping. Seems to work as advertised and the water tastes fine. They should sell the filter and 5gl buckets/lids as a kit.

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I found everything I needed, except the buckets, in my kit. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I received the product quickly and in good shape. Great service!

Read Best Reviews of Ceramic Water Filter Kit by Just Water Here

This filter really works. Makes pure drinking water out of questionable water.

It does, however, make it a bit slower than stated. Supposed to purify a gallon an hour. The most I got was 2 qts per hour but pleanty enough for two people.

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Water runs through this product extremely quickly, unlike the more expensive British counterparts. Not sure of product efficacy as far as bacterium, but it does take out particles and dirt. If used, I would use in conjunction with a bleach treatment or heating.

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Watts Premier 560087 pH Balancing Ceramic 13-Inch Filter Save 23% Off

• The six layers include a sediment filter, mineral filter, the pH balancing alkalization ceramic media, activated ceramic phase, coral media and final sediment filter
• Filter re-mineralizes, pH balance, proper alkalization, far-infrared activation and balanced mineral elution of RO water
• Intended for use as a re-mineralization post filter for all reverse osmosis systems on the market
• Kit Contains one 13-Inch pH balancing ceramic filter and two 3/8-Inch easy to install quick connect fittings
• 12 month filter

I ordered the 13-Inch long vs the 11-Inch long because I figured that the water would have more contact time with the media inside the filter, so the longer, the better. I also ordered 2 reverse osmosis double membrane clips so this pH filter sits neatly atop the RO membrane housing. Installation was easy; I installed this filter as the LAST stage, just before the icemaker line and/or the RO faucet; I let the water run through the filter for about 10 min just to flush any loose material that might be inside. The filter came without detailed instructions; the label on the filter tells you which port is the inlet and outlet and the kind of media inside the filter among other info. It won''t tell you when to replace the filter, but I figured it would last for about a year or 1500 gallons. It doesn''t come with tubing so you''ll need to buy either 1/4" or 3/8" tubing depending on your system. My water tasted flat before, and when I filled up my plastic water bottles and the water being inside the bottle for two days, it tasted bad and flat. Now my water tastes great! I even brew some coffee and what a difference! The only drawback: the water pressure coming from the RO faucet will drop, but this is necessary so the water has time to absorb the minerals properly. Good filter, recommended.

Buy Watts Premier 560087 pH Balancing Ceramic 13-Inch Filter Now

I bought this for use with a WHER25 reverse osmosis system. I''ve been using RO''s for years, and just recently discovered that drinking the equivalent of distilled water may not be beneficial. This pH balancing remineralizer seemed like a safe bet after comparing it to the other remineralizers and alkalizers on the market. As of this writing the cost of the 13" is 50% more than the 11". I would probably buy the 11" at that price difference. The item shipped in 2 weeks, although it is advertised as 3 5 weeks.

First, it does add alkalinity, and it definitely moves the pH to alkaline. I posted a jpg of the test results, comparing the RO with and without the remineralizer, tap water, and KDF filtered water. Note that the test was done with pool test strips not the most rigorous science. Some remineralizers caution that the water should flow through slowly. It might be advantageous to run the faucet at a lower volume to let the filter have the maximum effect. I was able to improve the alkalinity this way.

The remineralizer does not include tubing or a bracket. The hardware store supplied a 24" length of 3/8" O.D. tubing. I had room to tuck the remineralizer in the corner next to the RO and did not need a bracket. It is fair to call the fitting quick connect. To replace the remineralizer take the pressure off the faucet on my system removing the post filter does that. Then push up on the bottom of the quick connect fitting where it is pushed on to the remineralizer. It slides right off. Leaks are always an issue for me with plumbing, but this connected dry and tight.

Before this the RO water tasted kind of flat. The remineralized water tastes a little different. It''s definitely not worse, and maybe not better, just different. It is alkalized, and somewhat remineralized for approximately $30, and that is a good return on time and expense.

Read Best Reviews of Watts Premier 560087 pH Balancing Ceramic 13-Inch Filter Here

For those folks that will ignore this review, this section is for you:

Product comes with two 3/8" to 1/4" QuickConnects. No tubing is provided. The connections on the filter are 1/4". More than likely (if you have a watts RO system already) your tubing to the faucet is 1/4" through a QC couping to 3/8" at the faucet; hence, you will need one 1/4" to 1/4" QC.

Real Review:

After adding this inline and flushing though a whole gallon of RO water, the water has a horrible aftertaste. The initial taste is very good...sweet like spring water. But after it is down the hatch a STRONG rubber-sulfur tastes hits you. It actually made me gag...just terrible. I am not sure if it required more flushing as this comes with no directions other than the inlet and outlet port locations. This item is being returned. Just NASTY! Put the system back and water is back to bottled water quality! I will be looking for another pH filter...not Watts brand.

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water has its flavor back i love pure reverse osmosis water this filter adds a delicious taste back plus you get minerals i highly recommend it it was very easy to install

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12 each: Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator

• 22 oz. trigger spray
• Works instantly on all types of oil and water based stains
• Safe for children and pets
• Certified biodegradable by scientific certification systems containing no VOC''s or phosphates

Found this at my local grocery store that was demonstrating it. Bought a bottle because it was biodegradable and non-toxic. I can''t believe how well it works. I sprayed (and in seconds, no waiting time) rubbed or blotted, and the spots were gone. I have pets and it removed old stains other cleaners had left behind. Really, I couldn''t be more pleased! What a great product!

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