4 Gallon Countertop Water Filter Save 60% Off

I purchased the Zen Water Filtration system about two weeks. I had been using a faucet based Pur filter, which kept leaking as splashing water everywhere. I choose this type of system because of the alkaline aspects of it. Water with Alkaline provides antioxidants, and helps to raise the pH levels, which is good for a lot of health conditions.

The Zen Water system arrived within a few days of ordering it. My order included both the 4 gallon dispenser and countertop models.

I was able to set the countertop model up with about 20 minutes, after reading the cryptic documentation. However, a picture is worth a thousand words, and based on the picture, I was able to set it up.

When I opened the box, I was surprised to discover that both items were in the same box, so I had to sort through the contents very carefully.

Needless to say, it is now sitting on my countertop. It took about 20 minutes before I could see some water coming into the dispensing chamber. When it was about 1 quarter full, I tried tasting the water, and I have to admit, I was not impressed. However, I waited until the chamber was completely full, and it tasted very good. The water has a very smooth taste and I don''t taste any powder or residue from going through the filtration process or that I experienced using the Pur water filter.

I tried comparing the water taste with water from several other systems: from my faucet, Brita and Pur water filters. The Zen Water system tasted significantly different. The water from my faucet made me think that I was drinking pure chlorine, the water from the Brita and Pur filter tastes like there was chauky it, but the water from the Zen Water Filtration system had no odor, and was very easy to drink.

I intend on buying a few stainless steel water bottles so that I can replace the Brita filter that I was using at work.

I compared this water filter with the Santevia system, which cost $200. They both use the same filtering methodology. The Santevia does mention that it is BPA free (for those who don''t know, that means that the plastic will not bleed into your drinking water, which occurs when using plastic bottles). I have compared the taste of the Santevia with the Zen filter and the tastes are very similar. The overall construction of the parts seems relatively the same. So for me it made more sense to purchase this model.

I bought the 4-gallon model. I live in an area where the tap water is OK, but sometimes has a funny taste. Tired of paying through the nose for bottled water delivery and not wanting to have to haul bottles of water home from the store, we decided to give this a try. It does a great job of filtering the water. It takes awhile to filter because it has to trickle s-l-o-w-l-y into the bottom tank through the stone filter and the 5-stage filter. That being said, it''s worth the wait for great tasting water. The reason I didn''t give this unit 5 stars is that when my unit arrived, the top tank had a crack that went from top to bottom. It''s made of cheap plastic and I don''t see this lasting more than 6-12 months. They could have used a better grade of plastic and charged a bit more, instead of going cheap on this important detail. Better yet, a glass tank would ensure that it would be dishwasher safe and could not harbor bacteria. The top tank seems to be made from a different type of plastic than the bottom tank, which feels heavier and denser. Yes...they will replace the cracked tank, but if the warranty is only good for 30 days, I can see having to purchase a new one every few months.

Buy 4 Gallon Countertop Water Filter Now

I got the 4 gallon model. That''s plenty for our family of 2 adults and 2 children under 2. I got this to raise the pH of the water and because I was sick of bleaching algae out of my Brita countertop filter every month.

--Water--

-It is not tasteless like many claim, but clean and crisp. It tastes just like the "minerals added for taste" bottled waters. If you want to know what I''m talking about, buy a bottle of Dasani or SmartWater and test it against something tasteless like Fuji or distilled. If you prefer the tasteless variety, order the mineral-free filter from their website.

-The water tastes so good I drink more without even realizing it.

-pH was the same immediately after filtering the night I set it up. The next morning, it had raised .2. In the afternoon, it was another .2 higher. The longer the water is in contact with the mineral stones, the higher the pH. This does seem to be a slow process though. I wish it alkalized faster, as we have acid tap water.

--Features--

-It can be used with or without the base.

-The tap lever can be pushed back to dispense like a fountain drink dispenser, or flipped up to stay open.

-The magnetic tap that comes with the 4-gallon model is actually the nut that holds the tap on. It''s longer than the regular one and doesn''t leave room for the mineral stone case to sit neatly in the ring made for it. However, you can scatter the stones on the bottom, which actually looks nicer.

-The bottom tank is 3 gallons and the top tank is 1 gallon. (See website for tank sizes)

-Instructions say not to overfill, so I only fill top tank when bottom tank is one-third empty. It does take a while to filter but since it can hold so much it''s not so bad.

--Setup--

-Initial setup takes some time. The minerals stones need to be removed from plastic case, rinsed, boiled, and dried. The ceramic dome needs be be soaked and scrubbed. The filter needs water run through it until it comes out clear. The tanks need to be washed. Then you gotta put everything together.

But after that first setup, you just have to maintain different parts separately, and that doesn''t take as long.

-Instructions are clear and simple.

--Maintenance--

-Ceramic dome needs to soaked and scrubbed every few weeks or when filter process slows down. It should be replaced every 1 year or 1000 gallons.

-Filter needs no maintenance but needs replacing every 6 months or 500 gallons.

-Mineral stones should be boiled every 6 months, and replaced after 3-5 years or when worn down. They should still work but they''ll be less effective because of less surface area.

-Tanks should be washed every 3 months or as needed.

--Parts--

You CAN NOT get genuine parts from Amazon. Believe me, I''ve tried. They''re all sold by Purenex which makes cheap counterfeits. Even if it says it''s by Zen Water Online, it''s not sold by them. Go to their website and get genuine parts.

Read Best Reviews of 4 Gallon Countertop Water Filter Here

I''ve read many of the comments before I bought and I''m glad I did!! For anyone on the fence about this product let me say this, it ain''t a Brita!! What I mean by that is I''m used to the simple Brit/PUR/Zero cartidges systems. While those required a simple 19min soak this system requires all day prep work. I advise taking no shortcuts in the initial cleaning of the filters and the stones or you will be cursing and screaming when you have to start all over again. But if you put the time in the system works great and the water is better than any pitcher system out. Some key points about the product; it takes up A LOT of space so a dedicated spot would be best. With the cermanic dome use a double side scour/sponge and running cold water. If your unit spigot is leaking try placing the washer on the outside of the unit. Common complainant so thought I should mention it. First few times are slow but if you wash the dome after each cycle it should drip at a steady pace. After my 3rd cycle it takes about an hour. I suggest using the plastic container for the stones. Many other filter systems don''t even have this this but the design for it is very beneficial. Sometimes a stone can clog or even damage the system if left free.

So if you want peace of mind about the best filter that doesn''t use electricity (in the chaos we live in today anything that doesn''t need electricity is a plus especially a water filter) this is it. Just put the work in and you won''t be sorry

Want 4 Gallon Countertop Water Filter Discount?

We have had this unit almost 3 years and love it. WE lived in 1908 apartment building the amount of deposits it trapped was amazing. In review I mentioned the replaceable parts. They are easy to get and only need replacement occasionally. In September moved into a newer building with out lead pipes so get much fewer contaminates. After this period of time we have had no problems. If possible would give 6 stars. Proice, replacement part, recommended cleaning and taste of water has rewarded us many times.

We live in older building in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is city with supposedly great water.

I fully agree the instructions do challenge one. And the initial set is time consuming. The first filtered water takes some time to get. Our experience is that following the instructions is very important. Shorting the setup recommendations likely will lead to disappointment.

The unit ships with a 4 stage filter. We have had to change filter so wrote to Zen why a 5 stage filter. The answer was it was designed for extra hard water. We did not feel a need for this extra filter level.

The over all cost of parts is very reasonable. Friends have said water tastes as good as water from our local King Soopers (Kroger''s) is just as good. We are extremely pleased. I do agree that unit takes up a fair amount of space especially if put on a counter. We have on a stool on floor. It is a little inconvenient but worth the need to stoop to get water. We are exceptionally pleased with this unit if you did not notice.

Save 60% Off

Read More >>

Pentek ChlorPlus 10 Carbon Block Filter Cartridge Save 9% Off

• Reduces chlorine and chloramines in residential and commercial drinking water
• Nominal filtration rating of 1 micron
• Bonded PAC media with a polyolefin core and shell
• Initial pressure drop of 6 psi at a flow rate of 1 gpm
• Temperature range of 40 to 125 degrees F (4.4 to 51.7 degrees C)

These filters are a bit more expensive but they last longer. The chlorine taste is gone and my last filter lasted almost 3 years and was still working....even though it is recommended to change the filter every 3 months. I don''t know what the chloramine levels are after 3 years but there is no chlorine smell and water still tastes clean.

Save 9% Off

Read More >>

GE ADAPTER Refrigerator Water Filter Adapter Save 51% Off

• Genuine GE factory part
• Works with MWF and GSWF water filters

Consumers BEWARE! The GE Smartwater GWF filter is not a replacement for the old ''Culligan'' FXRC metal filter. Despite the available adapter, the new Smartwater GWF filter was designed for a newer ''high-pressure'' system installed in GE refrigerators manufactured after 2001. On the older models using normal water pressure [mine is a GE Performance Profile] these filters do not work. They will seem fine at first, only to run to a trickle in less than a month. I burned through several of these at @ $40.00 each until I discovered the problem.

With millions of wasted filters and dollars at stake, GE refuses to acknowledge the problem. I was told to find a technician at my expense. GE refused to replace the filters with a properly designed compatible model.

Buy GE ADAPTER Refrigerator Water Filter Adapter Now

This adapter should not really be needed and it is difficult to install, as you can not tell when the plastic part is correctly aligned with the metal threads in the refrig. If you don''t get it aligned just right, the thread bosses on this plastic adapter will be damaged and water will not flow. I found it was much easiest to pull the frosted horizontal bulb cover out, (just pull it towards you) so I could see when the the plasitc and metal threads were aligned. This made it was easy to install without damage.

Read Best Reviews of GE ADAPTER Refrigerator Water Filter Adapter Here

Have a Kenmore (Sears) branded fridge that needed a new filter. When ordering new filters from Sears it turns out they changed to a different type of fitting on new filter, and they didn''t state I needed the adapter now. Even their exploded diagrams on the parts list (even the updated online one) doesn''t reflect a need for this adapter. Finally figured it out and am now able to use the right filter (older type fitting no longer manufactured).

As a side note, if you need the filters that fit this adapter, DO NOT order from Sears! Shipping is wicked expensive and local storefront does not stock them. Found them locally at Lowe''s, and they are available online at Amazon as well.

Adapter is well built, durable, and works fine. Only gave 4 stars as (A) had to get the dang thing in the first place, and (B) it effectively lengthened the space needed to install the filter, so had to move shelf one slot down in the bracket holder.

Want GE ADAPTER Refrigerator Water Filter Adapter Discount?

The filter and adapter fit in my old GE fridge I have so I''m happy. Replaced filter FXRC. I could have bought a new FXRC or MXRC (replacement filter from GE b/c FXRC is discontinued) as some places must still have a stock of the old FXRC. The MWF (newest filter) and the adapter (needed to fit in the older GE model fridges) fits fine but the water flow rate is unbearably slow. It seemed to have made ice in short order though. I may try the MXRC the next time and see if the flow rate is any better but the MWF is a cheaper filter and I already have the adapter. We''ll make that decision when this filter is done. This is a second fridge in the garage anyway and we use it mostly for storage and extra ice making capacity. The water flow rate for my purposes are minimal but it''d be nice if it worked well enough to use.

Save 51% Off

Does the MXRC filter even fit the GE Profile fridge? According to the details under the Amazon listing for the MXRC, it may not. They stress a few times that the GE Profile will need the crappy MWF filters with adapter. I use the MWF filters with an adapter and I''m sick of trickling water and, twice, leaking from the water system of my fridge (which I swear is related to this fiasco with incompatible water pressure). I want to try the MXRC but don''t want to waste $50 if it doesn''t fit. Has anyone tried the MXRC on a GE Profile fridge?

Read More >>

Febreze AFFB1625 High Allergen Microparticle and Odor Reduction Air Furnace Filter Save 7% Off

• Electrostatic, high allergen microparticle reduction with febreze fresh fragrance control
• Reduces odors and freshens the air with febreze fresh scent option
• 3 stage odor reduction technology
• Captures pollen pet dander dust mites dust lint mold spores microscopic allergens odors smoke smog and volatile organic compounds
• Provides a hint of freshness throughout your entire home

I have pretty bad allergies and these filters help with that problem. Also, it''s hard to let your door''s open to let the air circulate to help the musty smell so the ''Fabreze'' helps with that problem.

Save 7% Off

Read More >>

Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover

I don''t know why this stuff doesn''t have a clear monopoly on the carpet cleaning market. I grew up with the white fizzy stuff, and my wife and I have had some stains (from detergent, of all things) that we could NOT get out for the life of us. We were at Target looking at cleaning solutions discussing which one to buy when the lady next to us recommended Folex. We got it hoping for it to work a little better. I tried it when we got home and was honestly amazed as the stains disappeared before my eyes. I figured it had to have some terrible chemical in it, but all the ingredients were natural and the product is safer than the other carpet cleaners. Seriously, get this stuff, you won;t ever get anything else.

i found this completely by accident YEARS ago when trying to figure out how to get animal stains out of my carpet (joy) and NONE of the ''fancy'' things were working... so went to the cheap shelf in the grocery and found this WOW!! this stuff will get out ANYTHING!! fantastic product!

Buy Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover Now

I have two chihuahua dogs which I got as un-house trained puppies. I live in a rented apartment. After about 2 years in this apartment with one dog still un-trained I figured I would have to pay an unreal amount of money to replace all the carpet in the home. I had tried all the major and obscure brands of cleaner "guarenteed" to take out stains. I even started buying products from infomercials. I was walking through Home Depot and stumbled on this product. It was the only one in the cleaning section I hadn''t tried so far. Since it was so inexpensive I decided to give it a try. I didn''t expect much but much to my surprise it got out stains my steamcleaner and all those other products could not. I am AMAZED with this product. REALLY! It is the best. I highly recommend it. I only wish I had discovered it 2 years ago before I spent a small fortune on everything else!

Read Best Reviews of Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover Here

So I am super accident prone and have been addicted to Folex since it was recommended to me. This will get any stain out, at worst it will need a second dose.

Huge blood stain from a lacerated ear, half a bottle of red wine I spilled and forgot about for a week, various stains from a mentally retarded cat who utilizes every spewable bodily function to jeopardize my security deposit, my gross ex''s many chewing tobacco spills, an entire bottle of black India ink, all the various alcoholic offerings my stupid drunk friends tend to leave for me in the night. All vanished completely. It even gets out really old stains that are years old.

Not only does this stuff rock, it''s very non-toxic--and cheap too! And pink. Doesn''t irritate the skin, doesn''t smell at all, and if you get it in your eyes simply flush it out with water. Stains won''t reappear afterward like with many products. It works on upholstery, clothing (thank god), and even wood and counters. It''s great in carpet cleaning machines. It''s biodegradable. It probably cures cancer.

When using it, you don''t want to scrub it in roughly as that can damage the carpet or work the stain further into the material. Just gently massage with your fingers, and blot it up with a rag. Also it may not work on everything... if the offending stain dyes or bleaches a susceptible material, Folex won''t work its magic as well so try and clean up stains while they are fresh.

I keep a spare gallon of this liquid miracle in my house at all times. I wish I could give it 20 stars--finally a product that actually works the way it''s supposed to, is affordable and safe to use, and doesn''t annoy me with a bunch of stupid advertisements.

Want Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover Discount?

This product blows me away. Why it is so cheap, and so unknown, I just can''t fathom. We moved a house with carpeted bedrooms 3 years ago, with a toddler, a dog and a puppy. Some stains accumulated that I just figured were here to stay. Then one day at Lowes about 6 months ago I threw this in the cart, almost as an after thought. A few days later I remembered about the purchase and tried it on an old milk stain. Gone. Tried an old dirt spot. Gone. Walked around the entire place looking for spots like a kid in a candy store. There was not one spot that this cleaner didn''t eliminate effortlessly on my end.

I have relaxed on the stain phobia since I know my Folex is here for me! (Some twisted side of me almost look forward to more stains) Well, 4 nights ago my now 5 year old woke us up from a nose bleed, had walked from her to our bedroom dripping blood. I only got to the stains tonight (yeah life has been that busy) gone, seriously, before my eyes.

I will never, ever, ever go without a bottle of that stuff in my house.

Read More >>

Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole Room Evaporative Humidifier

Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole-Room Evaporative Humidifier

After owning this for some 2+ years, I have updated this review and raised the rating. The following text is updated:

We have owned a number of humidifiers in the past. The last one we owned (& liked) was the now discontinued Vornado model (the ugly gray box w/ 2 water tanks and a fan that sat in the lid). This new version, solves some of the problems of the old design and creates new problems of its own. As another reviewer has noted, the beauty of the old system was its simplicity (read: fewer parts to clean). That simplicity, is somewhat gone.

The biggest improvement is the noise level. The old design made a loud gargling sound periodically as the air bubbled into the tanks. Further, the lid with the fan, sometimes did not sit right and made a buzzing vibration sound.

The other major improvement, that it has taken me sometime to appreciate, is that there is less water sitting around in a basin that can collect junk and grow nasty stuff. This ended up needing less cleaning than the orignal model. On the other hand, the black color also makes it harder to appreciate mold inside the unit.

The new tank now has a filling cap that locks into the tank. There is a separate fancier spring loaded drain for water to move into the basin. I had some concern abou the top of the tank not being flat and making the filling more difficult. However, it seems sturdy enough as long as you are careful and don''t use as much high pressure to fill it. There is no longer an option for two tanks, so more refill runs.

As for the rest of the design, there is now a physical separation between the evaporation chamber, and where the water tank is placed. This is mostly nice, since you don''t have to worry about bugs and other junk falling into the evaporation chamber. You have to be a little more vigilant about mold buildup inside the chamber since it is closed off and not visible on every refill.

On the plus side, the fan is more securely attached to the rest of the humidifier, thus reducing noise.

As far as humidification, it still works great. The fan is quieter and just as efficient (if not more). The fancy electronic humidification settings seem to work well and allow for less over-humidification (fewer refills). So in summary:

quiet

efficient

not as simple a design as the older model

more parts but seems to need less cleaning.

After having used other humidifier brands/types in the past, I decided to replace it due to electricity and cleaning (scrubbing) of the heating element.

This Vornado brand humidifier has been doing a great job of adding humidity into the air since my home has forced air heat. Ultrasonics did not raise the humidity that much, but this Vornado does and it maintains the humidity level throughout the day for my entire upstairs floor (about 900 sq feet). I checked it with a hydrometer to see if it was working. It works great and has a built in humidistat so when I come home I do not have to worry about getting shocked or my windows being fogged like when I had a warm steam. It seems fairly easy to clean, after about three-five weeks I just lift the fan hood up and pull out the wicks, dump em and replace them with new ones. I''d probably clean the base too, wipe clean or maybe run through dishwasher. In addition I use a protec antibacterial ball that you throw in the water tank to limit the possibility of bacteria growing. I would advise not buy any type of humidifier unless you can maintain it. Its like a car, you gotta change the oil and filter.

Bottom Line: Reliable, reasonably priced (shop around) Easy to use, very quiet, circulates/freshens air, fairly easy to clean/maintain, looks unobtrusive to the room, durable quality, 5 year warranty. The only other one I''d recommend if you don''t want an evaporator type is the Honeywell HWM 450 warm mist.

Buy Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole Room Evaporative Humidifier Now

First of all, there is no perfect humidifier. Some of us who rely on adding humidity to our houses/rooms for health reasons have been searching for at least a good humidifier for years. Ultrasonics are quiet but even the pricey ones still cause white dust. Steam is quiet but not suitable for bigger spaces. And evaporative, fan driven ones (such as this vornado) tend to be a bit noisey...regardless of what their manufacturers say. AND all types require regular cleaning. All that said this is a good choice for a medium sized room. I''m using it in a large living area well beyond it''s rated capacity and it still adds a good comfort level.

The three speed fan is very quiet on low. The medium and high settings, which are needed to really be effective, will probably bother light sleepers if used in a bedroom.

Maintenance is easy.

Jan 2010 update:

Based on my experience with this humidifier and other reviewers comments I have removed my last comment in this review which stated "recommended". Mine is in it''s second year of seasonal operation but has a noisey motor. Too bad Vornado skimped on this appliance.

March 2011 update: My Vornado humidifier is still working and a little squirt of WD 40 into the motor shaft quiets it down except for the normal fan noise. My adult son, also a allergy sufferer, bought a identical Vornado humidifier and is very happy with it. Recommended again...just be aware you may have to lubricate the motor/fan shaft occasionally.

Read Best Reviews of Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole Room Evaporative Humidifier Here

I spent a good amount of time researching my options before I purchase this over 1 year ago, and came to the conclusion that this was my best option.

Last week the motor suddenly stopped working last week when I put it into service for the first time this year (a short of some kind as it started smoking). However, it has a 5 year warrantee, so I am about to investigate getting it replaced.

While it worked, I liked enough that I bought a 2nd one for the kids'' room. That 2nd one made an awful racket when I first turned it on, however it was easy enough to get a quick exchange at BBB.

It is quiet enough for me to sleep to and loud enough to provide decent background noise for my wife and puts out plenty of moisture without creating wet spots or dust or difficult to clean residue. Replacement wicks are easy to obtain and all the minerals left behind are in the discarded wick and not cemented to the humidifyer (I hated cleaning our old hot mister evaporater).

I would recommend it, but be prepared to return it for another one.

Want Vornado HU1-0021-28 Whole Room Evaporative Humidifier Discount?

Read More >>

Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler Save 44% Off

Most problems with mugs I have tried in the past are solved in this product. This mug comes with a tight sealing lid so that you can put this mug with hot drink in a brief case upside down and run to a subway station. No spilling, and this product is better than a plain Saran Wrap solution. The sipping lid has a deeply recessed bottom where you have a hole for liquid to come out. That is, the spill risk is very low even in pitching and rolling Boston''s subway. So, you rarely need to use the sealing lid unless you want to brew tea in it or put the mug in a backpack. (See the other review to learn how to brew tea in it.) Also because of this deeply recessed sipping lid, this mug is easier to use spill-free while laying on a sofa or maybe even on a bed with a high pillow!

Lack of handle presents little inconvenience at any situation I''ve used this mug. A both handed person like myself needs not worry which way to put the mug, which way to put the sipping lid, and which hand to hold the mug. It''s very left hand friendly, more so than having two landles on each side.

If criticism is an obligatory part of the reiview, I offer a few. This mug''s tea leaf strainer is given enough space for most loose teas, but it is not enough for some herbal infusions, particularly whole dried preparation of chamomile flower. This mug''s advertised capacity is 11 ounces, but the line specifying the maximum fluid level is actually 275ml (10 ounces). I wonder if they could make it a bit taller for increased true drink capacity and enough space for chamomile to expand. The leakproof lids depend on silicon gaskets thus they should not be cleaned in a dishwasher, a convenience requirement.

Overall, this mug is slim, tall, leakproof, beautiful design, and very functional and compact. The quality of tea made in this mug is as good as ones made in tea pot as long as the leaf is of good quality (sentimental value not included). The diameter of the mug at its widest (around lid) is only 75mm (3in) so it will fit in most briefcases together with a book and couple manila folders. I just wish it was 8.5in tall and 350ml capacity. Unlike so many poorly designed products, you know this one was designed by designers and engineers who love tea and coffee.

* * *

I wrote this original review quite some time ago, but I thought to add that I now own three of this product, and I still use this product daily (home, office, travel) and I still think this mug is totally awesome for people who appreciate high quality tea. STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED in 2010.

Addendum May 2011.

Most common question I get is how best to clean the inside of the tea mug when it gets all browned. The answer: fill the tea mug with hot tap water, dissolve a teaspoon full of oxygen bleach powder (sodium percarbonate aka Oxyclean), attach the lid and the cap, gently shake a few times, and loosen the cap immediately. Leave it in the sink for 10 to 20 minutes. Make sure the lid is attached loosely, and never tightly. Dump the stuff, rinse it with water, and you''re done. Chlorine bleach (Chlorox) will do the job just as well, but you''ll have to deal with the bleach odor for a few days. Oxygen bleach leaves no odor, but it forms oxygen gas, which builds up the pressure inside and explode the lid, if left attached tightly (I''ve done that!). That''s why I emphasized to loosen the lid when leaving it in the sink.

This is how you brew tea:

(1) Remove outer cap and tea filter.

(2) Check all gaskets are properly seated.

(3) Twist tea filter onto the cup to seat tightly. Put tea leaves in the tea filter. Be sure the tea filter is seated correctly. You can also put tea leaves directly into your cup if that is your preference.

(4) Pour hot water up to middle of filter. Over fill may scald.

(5) Properly seal the outer cap tightly to prevent leaking when used for travel. Turn upside down for quick brew.

(6) Remove outer cap and tea filter after brewing and replace with slipping lid.

For Best Results

For maximum insulation efficiency: preheat or precool your cup just prior to use, fill with hot or cold tap water, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and empty.

Note that it comes with 3 lids: (1) Outer Cap (2) Tea Filter and (3) Sipping Lid.

Buy Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler Now

I love this thing. I''m in grad school, on campus from 9am-11pm every day but Saturday, and this traveler is perfect. Instead of repeating all the other glowing reviews, I''ll just add a few things others missed. In addition to its unmatched insulation abilities, the vacuum seal provides another benefit, and that is that it maximizes interior space. Other types of insulation require thick walls to insulate the contents, but with vacuum sealed steel construction, the insulating steel sandwich can be very thin, making the volume of the inside layer nearly equal to volume of the outside layer. It''s a small thermos that carries quite a bit of fluid.

One other thing to clarify is that this is not exactly a no-spill container. There are three tops: an inner top that is completely open but for a metal strainer/filter, an inner top that is covered but with a small drink hole in the cover, and an outer top that screws onto both of the previous and completely seals the cup. With the outer top on, the vessel is spill-proof. I carry it in my bookbag all day with nary a spill. But take the outer top off, which is necessary to actually drink out of it, and if you accidentally tip the cup over, liquid will spill out, even out of the sipping hole in the covered inner top. There is no button to push that opens and closes the sip-hole on the covered inner top, like for example on those plastic Starbucks coffee cups. However, the sip hole is recessed about 1 inch below the rim, so while it is not spill-proof, it is certainly splash-proof.

Excellent product, I might order a few more, for posterity.

Read Best Reviews of Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler Here

When I bought this mug about 6 years ago, I paid $30 for it. I almost walked away from it b/c it was $30, but a friend of mine asked, "How often do you drink coffee?" "Uhm, every day." "And how often do you spill it?" "Uhm, almost every day." This is seriously the best purchase I''ve ever made. I''ve left the mug in my bag for 6 or 7 hours and opened it to find hot coffee and no leaks... You can literally throw this mug upside down in your bag and it will not leak. Buy it if you drink coffee.

Want Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler Discount?

This little tea tumbler keeps the tea very very hot. Kept the tea steaming hot for 2 hours. I eventually had to put cold water in to cool off the tea so I would stop burning my tongue.

Once the tea was cool enough to drink, the problem was the awful plastic taste I got with the tea. I purchased this product because it was stainless steel. I didn''t think about the plastic drinking piece. I used it once, tasted the plastic, and couldn''t even finish the tea. Unfortunately the entire thing is headed for the garbage.

Save 44% Off

Read More >>

2.5"x12" Deionizing Mixed Bed Filter

Works perfect. Shipped Fast. This was a great replacement for my R.O. / D.I. unit. I would highly recommend this to anyone that does not have a canister style D.I. filter.

Read More >>

Watts Premier 560039 UF-3 Ultra Filtration 5-Filter Save 28% Off

• Sanitary "Push Button" fitter change
• Easy one-step filter change procedure (no tools needed)
• Superior Quality chemical reducing carbon block reduces herbicides, pesticide , insecticides and more VOC''s from your drinking water
• Advanced Ultra Filtration Technology for superior particulate reduction and removal of cysts
• WQA Certified

These are the correct replacement filters for Watts Premier 531130 Filter-Pure UF-3 3-Stage Water Filtration System. This set is designed to last 1 year. The filters were well packaged. They all have protective caps at the top. They were very easy to install.

Buy Watts Premier 560039 UF-3 Ultra Filtration 5-Filter Now

These are the exact replacement filters for my Watts Pemier Water Filter. Even though I am on City water, these filters make a marked improvement in taste quality. The City''s filters do not catch all the sediment and do add chlorine, however these filters remove that and I end up with very good drinking water. Buying through Amazon saved $$ over buying same product from Watts. Thank you.

Read Best Reviews of Watts Premier 560039 UF-3 Ultra Filtration 5-Filter Here

I had an older Watts 2 stage water filter system previously and was not impress with the design. The filters were large and cumbersome. When changing filters every half year it always result in a big mess. The O-ring always seat incorrectly the first time and cause it to leak. I had to fuss with it couple of times to get it right.

I purchase this Watts 5 stage filtration system to replace the old one and I am very satisfied with the new design. It is easy to change and replace. You do not even have to shut off the main water supply to change the filters. It is compact under the sink and it make a noticeable taste difference in the drinking water. But be aware this filter does not filter out biological pathogens, if you need that you have to look at different filter system.

Want Watts Premier 560039 UF-3 Ultra Filtration 5-Filter Discount?

The whole system is great and the filter change can''t be easier. Got it hooked up to the instant hot water system and the taste of tea is incredibly better with these filters.

Save 28% Off

Received the wrong filter set from Amazon. This was the first time I was changing the filters so fortunately I recognized the colors were different (as the filter size was the same and would have fit) I received the filters for the reverse osmosis machine Watts Premier 531105 (ASIN: B002YOQ0C2) and not the UF-3 Ultra. Pack was actually labeled wrong with a sticker on the outside of the clear plastic wrap. Was able to return it, just make sure you check carefully (and match product numbers) before installing.

Read More >>

Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier

I previously owned a Vicks cool mist humidifier, Vicks 1.0 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier. I bought the other one about two years ago and loved it but it had a lot of wear. I put this humidifier on a wish list and it was purchased for me. The thing that is great, it takes the same filters as my other humidifier which I still had left over, Protec WF2 Extended Life Replacement Humidifier Filter.

My older humidifier was very loud. You could not talk on the phone without the person hearing a very loud hum. I actually got used to it because I live next to an interstate and it was great white noise. This model you can barely hear on the two settings. One you can not even hear that it is on, the other you literally have to be standing right next to it to hear it. It is very silent which to some will be a pro not a con.

I have a newborn and she sleeps in a cradle next to my bed and I love to turn on the lights for her. It is a separate switch so you do not have to have it on while running the humidifier. In fact you can run it alone. I will warn you I find it rather bright. Also, most humidifier I have owned sit on a dresser of some sort so the lights are very close to the edge of the ceiling. I have to pull it out a bit so it can show more on the ceiling. I think that is a poor design flaw. I again think it is bright but turn it on for my little one. Sometimes I get up and turn it off since it can be annoying to see the lights if you are a light sleeper.

My biggest complaint right now is the fan. It does not make any noise but in winter you have to make sure it is not facing the baby or your bed. It blows a lot of air and in the winter it is cold! My bed is about 20 feet from the unit and I have to turn it completely to the side to avoid freezing in winter. I might like it come summer but right now it is very annoying.

I cannot speak for the added Vicks vapors since I have not needed them and they are not approved for newborn use. However, when she is sleeping in her crib and I feel congested I guarantee you I will use it. I have always used Vicks vapor rub or even Vicks Advanced Soothing Vapors Waterless Vaporizer on my night stand and they never fail.

Last, you can place ProTec PC-1 Humidifier Tank Cleaning Cartridge (Pack of 2) in the tank. I did so with my previous humidifier. However, it does scratch the heck out of the tank and makes it look very aged. It did seem to make the filters last longer, by about a week. However, I just use cold filtered water from my kitchen sink and I have not had any issues. Also, the lid is easy to remove and place on the base without any leaking.

As my second Vicks humidifier and for having a newborn you can''t go wrong with this unit. I am very pleased and hope to get a few years out of it.

We got this because our air conditioner was de-humidifying the air and we have acoustic guitars. When the humidity hit 30%, off we went to a local store for a cool humidifier. This was the only one they carried, so it''s what we got. If you have a very small room, or don''t need much humidity, this could be a useful item. Unfortunately that wasn''t our situation. Having water sitting in our sink literally raised the room humidity more than this Vicks humidifier, and running the shower for 2 minutes does a better job of raising the humidity in our apartment. As far as I can tell, unlike other humidifiers with ultra sonic motors, this one just blows air across the water. If you hold a piece of paper in front of where the fan blows for a couple minutes, it doesn''t get even slightly damp. I gather it puts out a max of just over a gallon a day half of what those cute animal humidifiers from Crane do.

The stars it shone on our ceiling we really liked, btw. They change color and look pretty and relaxing.

If you need only a little bit of moisture, this might do the trick. For us, it''ll have to go back.

Buy Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier Now

My son loves this humidifier. We use it in the bedroom and it works great. It has 2 features that really set it apart. First, it projects stars on the ceiling which continuously change color. This is the fun part. Second, there is a slot inside where you can add a vicks mentol stick to help with congestion. It fills up the room with the menthol scent. You can turn any of these features off too. The only thing that would make it better would be if the stars could be set on a timer.

Read Best Reviews of Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier Here

Product worked relatively well. Powerful stream of air, easy operation, easy load/reloading water, nice starry night option. The problem is after my 3rd reload of water into the tank, 3 of the 4 tank cap''s holding tab subsequently broke, however the tank cap stayed in place giving me the false impression that everything was fine. The directions clearly state, "Once the filled water tank has been placed on the unit do not move humidifier. Doing so could cause leakage and spills." Thus, I place the filled water tank onto the unit which was already on top of my coffee table. An entire gallon of water leaked all over my table, rug, hardwood floors, picture books, etc...destroying some of them. Just a terrible terrible design. The clunky humidifier I used in the 80''s was more secure than this thing.

Want Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier Discount?

When I bought this product my nose was bleeding every night due to the dryness of AZ, a week after I bought it the bleeding completely stopped. It does its job, does it silently and the night lite is a plus.

Read More >>

Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B Save 17% Off

First of all, this is the ONLY pouring kettle I could find that is also an electric kettle, which is a great combination if you are in the market for both. The price ($50) seems fair as the competing pouring kettles cost about the same or more, all of which are non-electric.

The kettle seems to be well built and looks nice. I got this kettle for making coffee in a Hario v60 manual pour-over brewer, and it does the job well: the thin gooseneck spout lets you do a steady controlled pour. It''s not as big as the picture makes it look, I think it''s just the right size.

So at this point I can recommend this kettle. It remains to be seen how durable it is, I am going to update my review in a couple of months to reflect that aspect.

Update 01/12/12

So, another point I would like to mention is that the bottom of the kettle is flat, the heating element is hidden, so it is quite easy to clean. Also, I have found that it is very convenient to use this kettle with a needle-type thermometer to control the temperature. This can be done by inserting the thermometer into one of the three vents at the top (the manual does not recommend that, but it works great for me).

Update 03/27/12

...3 months later, this kettle works just fine. No issues at all.

Update 03/20/13

So I''ve had it for more than a year now and continue to use daily as my do-it-all kettle, not just for coffee. It''s still going strong, haven''t had a single problem with it, it''s just great.

I really didn''t think that how you pour water into a coffee maker such as a Chemex, or other manual funnel method, would make a difference. Well, I was wrong. I had been using a tea kettle to both heat and pour water, but the pour-rate was hard to control. With the Bonavita, that is no longer the case.

Just this morning, I made a Chemex pot of some freshly roasted Guatemalan Finca la Providencia (Taraccino Coffee in Minneapolis... cool place to get some great coffee), and with the Bonavita, a steady stream of water was EASY to do. And the result was an incredible brewed coffee. Though the flavor profile has much to do with the brewing method, that brewing method is greatly affected by the pour. The Guat has never had the depth it did this morning. Amazing cup that really did surprise me. The body rivaled that of my vac-pot brewer. I''m a convert to this style of pouring spout. Really makes the slow-pour that much easier to do, and control.

Now for another important aspect of this kettle the actual heating of the water. Quick! 30 ounces of water took maybe four minutes. While there isn''t a whistle like on the tea kettle, boiling water makes a very recognizable sound. First it gets louder and louder, then quieter as it goes to a true boil. Then, the kettle''s heater automatically turns off. I listen, and have gotten quite good at knowing when to start my grinder so that it finishes right before the water is ready to pour.

Finally, the quality of the kettle is quite satisfactory. Nice materials and good build-quality. My guess is that I will be using this kettle for years to come.

Buy Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B Now

The thing that sets this kettle apart from most electric kettles is the spout. The slim spout allows for accurate, steady pouring for tea, coffee, etc.

I wasn''t sure I''d like the handle, but it is actually designed really well for ergonomics. The weight of the water is balanced properly when holding the handle, so it''s functionally great. I still don''t like the look of the handle, and it is plastic as opposed to stainless steel. But they''re putting the money where it needs to go, so at the price, this kettle is great!

The kettle does heat up quickly (3-4 minutes) which compares well to other kettles. For manually brewing pourover coffee, this kettle is fantastic. If you''re a coffee shop doing manual pourovers, the size will be a limiting factor.

The lid fits securely (unlike its Hario competitor).

The base is simple with a cord wrap and about a 3 foot cord.

The metal is appropriately thick (it''s not heavy duty, but it is sturdy and solid).

The on/off switch has been accurately shutting off at the right temperature so far even at different water levels.

It has cleaned up nicely and has felt very safe to use. Has held up to regular use for a few months so far with no damage. Between the electric Hario (which is very nice) and this model, I''d take the Bonavita every day (except on the day when aesthetics means more than functionality) .

Read Best Reviews of Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B Here

I was looking for an alternative to the Hario kettle, which is the gold standard, but you have to heat up your water separately. This kettle is great because you just heat and pour...but, it claims to be made of stainless steel, but after about a year of use I can see rust forming in the bottom of the kettle. Kinda scary as stainless steel shouldn''t rust right? I guess being made in China keeps the cost down for the manufacturer, but where does that leave the customer?

Want Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B Discount?

I bought this kettle for the spout! My vintage glass teapot is great for boiling water, but I was having trouble slowing down the pour using it with my Chemex. After doing some research I bought this, and so far I love it. You can pour at at trickle or faster if you want; this greatly improves the pour over brewing process.

This is my first electric kettle and it is very simple to use. It takes around 6 minutes to boil a full pot (1 liter) of cold filtered water. Some reviewers have said this is slow but it doesn''t bother me. It has a 1000W heater, while other electric kettles are 1500W, so the slower boil makes sense.

The workmanship seems solid; the brushed stainless steel is attractive and feels heavy enough to last. The plastic handle is easy to grip and stays cool to touch. There is no plastic inside the kettle except at the very top so your boiling water will not come in contact with plastic if that concerns you. Also, this product boasts a 2 year warranty which is longer than most small appliances these days.

This is the only electric kettle available (that I have found) with a gooseneck spout, so if you prefer manual brewing get this kettle. It really makes a difference!

Save 17% Off

Read More >>

Essick Air #7D6100 4SPD Room SZ Humidifier Save 25% Off

• Essick Air #7D6100 4SPD Room SZ Humidifier
• ESSICK AIR PRODUCTS

Yes, the handle does mean the resevoir will not sit flat while you fill it. Honestly, this has been ZERO issue for me. It is easy to fill and easy to carry and set into it''s base with the built in handle.

More importantly, this machine does a tremendous job creating humidity. It will indeed go through three gallons of water in a 24 hour period on the high setting.

The various fan speeds and automatic humidity level are great features in a $50 humidifier. Can''t go wrong at this price IMO.

Buy Essick Air #7D6100 4SPD Room SZ Humidifier Now

I bought this humidifier and realized very quickly that it was going to be extremely difficult to fill the water tank. As others have mentioned, the top has a spoon shape that acts as a carry handle, but when you turn the tank upside down to fill it, you can''t rest it on it''s top! Holding the tank while filling it is awkward much less trying to hold it with one hand while screwing the fill cap on. This would be a nightmare for anyone that lacks upper body strength. Operationally the unit seems to run okay. I wish I would have bought one of the tower models instead.

Read Best Reviews of Essick Air #7D6100 4SPD Room SZ Humidifier Here

I used to have an Essick Air 336-500 that was just perfect--quiet, easily humidified my bedroom at the lowest setting, no problems with the filter, adjustable analog humidistat. Naturally, that no longer appears available.

This Essick 7D6 100 was a disaster. There''s an electronic humidity gauge that can only set the humidity in 10% intervals (from 25%), so you can''t fine adjust. That might be ok, but for the fact that there''s virtually no relationship between the machine''s humidity gauge and the actual humidity of the room, as measured by a separate instrument (and, frankly, the correct instrument according to my sinuses).

Even for my quite small bedroom, this machine was unable to adequately humidify my air. After running it continuously all night, the humidity reached 33% after many hours. I was running it at its lowest setting because even that setting is too loud not to interfere with my sleep.

The lights from the electronics on this machine are bright enough to light up your bedroom at night.

After 3 weeks, the water wick inside the machine literally fell apart, even though I never touched it. The wick also had a number of black mold spots on it. Granted, they tell you to use an anti-microbial with the machine, which I had not done. On the other hand, with the 336-500 model, I had simply used water filtered through a WaterPik carbon block filter and never had any bacterial or mold growth. I did the same with this machine and ended up with an allergy nightmare. There most likely wasn''t enough black mold on the filter to account for why it fell apart.

When I contacted Essick and asked them to replace the filter, they asked for a copy of my receipt and a picture of the filter. I sent them both almost a month ago and have not heard from them nor received anything in the mail.

Want Essick Air #7D6100 4SPD Room SZ Humidifier Discount?

Although it was somewhat difficult to fill as the other reviewers have mentioned, that really didn''t bother me. I had more of an issue with the bottle that the anti-bacterial liquid came in, which I found was nearly impossible to add to the water tank without getting it on my hands and you are supposed to avoid contact with skin. My sister has the same unit and poured the liquid into a pump bottle which worked much better.

Unfortunately, I never got to try that because by the time she gave me the helpful hint, my unit had quit working. I got it for Christmas and it lasted the rest of that winter plus half of the next winter for a total of about 13 months, only 5 months of which it was actually in use.

The unit still turns on but the fan will not run, making it worthless.

Save 25% Off

I have used this unit lightly for two years and it just went dead. No power reading, fan doesn''t run. Before this I found it a bit awkward to fill the tank and placing it back in the unit. This might be a bigger deal for older people or those with gripping issues with their hands. My biggest issue is that there is no trouble shoot for this issue. I am not going to simply guess on what part to order. I will just order a unit from a different manufacturer.

Read More >>

Rainshowr Green Knight Hydroponic Dechlorinator

• Designed to reduce Free Available Chlorine (FAC) in tap water and depending on the pH reduce chloramine compounds
• This is a non-cartridge filter which attaches to your hose bib with the specially designed 3 ft vinyl reinforced hose saver
• Contains 2 lbs of KDF-55 atomized brass, 2 oz of energized crystal to reduce water cluster size and .6oz of KDF formula 73 brass filament for destabilizing the bond between chlorine and ammonia
• Do not allow the filter to freeze
• The Green Knight is designed for the garden, not as a drinking water filter

These need to be replaced about every year. My garden really thrives and I believe the Green Knight plays an important role in this. So this was a replacement of a familiar well-liked item.

Buy Rainshowr Green Knight Hydroponic Dechlorinator Now

This is a very good water de-chlorinator and makes a noticeable difference on the plants and grass it is used on

Read More >>

Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria Save $0.04 Off

I purchased Bio Clean based on the recommendation of the plumber. The instructions say that the use of the product might lead to an initial clog. The reason being is that the bacteria is loosing up the build-up on the pipe walls and pieces can come off and then clog. Bio-Clean then suggests plunging to push through. So, the frustration one poster is having is actually reflecting that Bio-Clean is working and the pipes must have been caked with lots of build-up. Once the build-up is gone then Bio-Clean seems to work as a maintenance strategy to not allow for the build-up. Another thing I read on the instructions is to start the product in the basement FIRST and then move upstairs. This is to clear way for upstairs build-up to come through. I am wondering if the frustrated poster did this. I have noticed a better flow in the drains by following instructions.

Hi, I''m chiming in because I have struggled with slow drains for 18 years at my house and I am liking bioclean. Here''s my story, I live in a 100 year old house with very old galvanized tub and sink drain pipes that drain very slow because the inside of the pipes are caked with years of built-up sludge. About 2 years ago, I had a plumber cut out a 5 foot section of a 2" sink drain pipe and replace it because the galvanize pipe developed a leak (a small hole) from rot. When I did this, I personally saw that the passageway for water to drain in this pipe was about the size of a dime because of build-up inside of this 2" pipe. Snaking DOES NOT remove this sludge, the head of the snake just goes down the dime size path. Anyhow... I can''t replace all the piping because 75% of my piping is hidden in walls and ceilings, so I decided to start using one of these products. I chose bioclean and I''ve been using bioclean for 2 years now and I finally see it working. The first year, the Bioclean creates a few blockages because it loosens the sludge and hair and that debris gets stuck in those dime size canals. Just like the directions say, a plunger usually forces the loosened debris through, sometimes I used a snake in that first year. However, it''s been two years and I never snake anymore, so I am becoming a believer now too. it takes a long time (2 years!) for this good bacteria to really start eating through and loosen years of built-up sludge. I treat once a month. here''s how I do it... I pour warm water into that cup they give you, and I stir in the dry bioclean and I let that warm cup with Bioclean sit on my counter for 20-25 minutes so these little critters can COME TO LIFE, then I pour the mix down the drain and try not to use that sink or tub for at least overnight (if not longer!) so the little critters can really build up their population and dig into the built up sludge and live within the sludge inside of the pipes. Whenever I go on vacation I do a treatment so it can REALLY build up in the pipes, while I am away. Unfortunately, liquid drain cleaners, bleach and things like mouthwash can kill the living bio-clean that are in your pipes so you have to keep that in mind and read all the paperwork they provide when you buy this stuff. This stuff does work, it''s all about patience, using a plunger every once in a while during that first year and building up the population as well as doing it monthly and not killing the bacteria with household chemicals. Additionally, I think putting bioclean in a toilet is probably just wasting the product as you are simply flushing it down the drain at high speed into the sewer, you want to focus on sink and tub drains and for the bioclean to live and work (feast) within your sink and tub lines. It''s been 2 Years and I''m finally starting to see results!

Buy Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria Now

We purchased bio-clean almost 6 months ago. We followed the directions and our drains are now running freely and there is no more odor from the septic system can''t begin to tell you how much we appreciate that. This product has done the job for my family.

Initially, we left the bio-clean in our slow-running drains for 15 hours and it opened them up and they are still free flowing.

Read Best Reviews of Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria Here

This is the kind of product you can''t really tell if it''s working for a long, long time, but I didn''t use it for about a year and my drains started to flow very slowly. I had been using it regularly for about two or three years and had no problems, but kept forgetting to re-order and things slowed down.

I would not recommend it to open a drain unless you can wait a couple of weeks for the little bugs to do their job, but as a safe way to keep drains behaving it seems to be a good alternative.

Want Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria Discount?

After having a recurrent sewage smell from our master bathroom shower drain, my mom suggested this product to me. I followed the directions of using it once a day for five consecutive days and then once a month thereafter. I am so pleased with the results and am, therefore, so glad to know about this product. It worked wonders, and I plan to keep up with using it once a month as a way of maintaining the cleanliness of our shower drain. Thankfully, after two years of having that sewage smell, we have not smelled it again since using this product.

Save $0.04 Off

Read More >>

Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machine Save 20% Off

I almost didn''t buy this machine because I was worried about some of the negative reveiws I''ve read about it from users. However, it was the only machine its price range that really caught our eye, so we went ahead and purchased it and have been using it for about six months. It is hands down the best machine I''ve ever owned. It has great features, and the espresso is the best espresso I''ve made at home, and better than most espresso I can buy in american coffee shops. A quick rundown of the great features.

1. It looks great. It heats up quickly, and it is very simple to use.

2. The size of the water resevoir is pretty generous. It holds enough water for about 24 shots. You can expect to get a little less if you are steaming a lot of milk, but if you are steaming at the recommended temperature, the machine is very water efficient, and you shouldn''t see a dramatic drop. We use it every day to make at least two drinks (at leeast 4 shots), a lot more on the weekends, and we refill only about once a week, roughly. The design also makes it quite easy to refill, I''ve been in the middle of steaming or pulling a shot when I realized the reservoir was low, and refilled whiled pulling the shot. This is awfully convenient.

3. The machine comes with a disc you can put inside the porta filter to make a sort of fake crema by whipping the coffee, which is popular on upper-end machines these days. However, if you are using good coffee, and grind your beans fresh, and brew the coffee at the recommended temperature, the machine produces a wonderful genuine crema without the disc. I never get an espresso in a coffee house with a crema as good. (crema has more to do with the the quality of the coffee than the machine, but cheaper machines that pull the coffee way too hot never produce good cremas because of the crazy temperatures.)

4. The steam wand does a great job of genlty steaming and frothing without scalding the daylights out of your milk. I''ve heard a lot of complaints about the steamer, but in my experience it works perfectly, and easily.

5. It does come with an adaption for pods, if you''re into pods (blech.)

6, I love that the machine has a temperature gague that allows you to control the temperature of your steam and coffee, and not just indicator lights. It allows you to have a lot more control over the quality of your espresso.

A few things that are so so, the included tamp is flimsy and useless, get yourself a nice heavy one. The drip tray does feel a little light and cheap compared to the rest of the machine, but it is perfectly functional. The Cup warmer isn''t very successful at warming cups. But these are minor quibbles I have with it.

I''m sure if I were willing to pay 4 or 5 times as much, I''d get a better espresso, but for the price, I couldn''t be happier with this machine. It beats any of the little starter machines you get, and makes better espresso than machines that cost twice the price, in my experience. I''m very happy with this machine.

I wanted to share with others what I wish I had known before I bought this machine. If I had known these things, I wouldn''t have bought it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake reviews out there, which I read before buying, so beware!

1.There is only one boiler for both espresso and steam. Espresso and steam require two different temperatures. To get a latte, you have to switch between temperatures, and either way the delay to make the temperature switch is unacceptable. I make my espresso first, then switch to steam, wait two to three minutes, then make the froth. Repeat this for each latte you make.

2.The water reservoir is small and requires frequent refilling. However, I use a measuring cup with a spout, to refill the water without removing the reservoir. You just pull the tank out enough to pour the water in. Then push the tank back in.

3.The porta filter comes apart. There is a basket inside the porta filter that has three little bumps. The basket slides into the porta filter with the bumps lined up with notches, then you twist the basket so that it stays in the porta filter. The problem is that the twising motion of removing the porta filter from the espresso machine causes the basket to shift, and the result is that you often lose the basket when you go to bang out your grounds. The basket is very hot, so to retrieve it is an issue.

4.After making the first espresso, the porta filter remains filled with soupy grounds. It is very messy. If you''re making a series of shots, this is a very big disadvantage. You have to carefully clean it. Usually involves rinsing under the sink. Then you have to heat the porta filter again for the next shot.

5.It is advertised that it has a "pull-out knock box ". It doesn''t. It has a flimsy plastic drip tray with a metal face, and if you banged your grounds out on this, I''m sure you''d break it.

6.It drips a lot. There is a tray under the unit that pulls out for pouring out drippings. It comes out all at once, so it may spill if you have a lot of drippings in there. It drips after you''ve pulled a shot. It drips even more when you steam. I put a cup under the porta filter to catch drips. It can be a little tricky to align the drip tray when putting it back in, but not a big deal.

7.The tamper is a flimsy plastic thing. When I bought it I pictured a metal one with weight for tamping.

8.It is hard to get the steam bucket (not included) up under the steam wand. It is not flexible, though it does rotate. It is awkward.

In summary, I would not have bought it if I knew all these things, but I live with it now that I have it. I wouldn''t return it. It is very good looking, makes decent espresso, and is tolerable for occasional use. I use it about once a week.

Buy Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machine Now

First of all, this is a very attractive machine sitting on the counter, but that is pretty much all. The water container holds just barely enough to brew four shots before it needs to be refilled. Speaking of which, refilling is a pain because the container is in the back of the machine, so I actually had to pull the machine out to the edge of the counter to get to it. With this one, you need as much water as you can possibly get, because it drips water everywhere. The first pull of the steam handle will give you about 2 oz. of water along with your steam, just what I DO NOT want in my milk. In the mean time, the brew head will happily drip another 2+ oz. while you''re steaming away. Finally, there is the brew it''s self. Inconsistent doesn''t even begin to describe it. You never know what you''re going to get out of that brew head, but you can bet you''ll end up with a soupy mess of grounds after. Let''s see, what else... the drip tray is difficult to remove without sloshing a mess of stuff on the counter, the cup warmer is useless, the machine is VERY noisey, and just a piece of junk in general. No, this machine is definately not a keeper.

So, before returning it, I did give Espressione a shot at making it right. I sent an email to the warranty address, as well as copying several others within the Espressione group. 13 days later I got tired of waiting for a response and called. Apparently there is 1 tech in the US to work on this thing, and he is VERY busy. Wonder why! So, I told the lady that I was pretty displeased with the machine, and their warranty service. She responded that she understood, and another brand might be better suited for me. Hmmmm... at least she is honest.

Read Best Reviews of Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machine Here

Espressione 1385O Cafe Retro Espresso Machine, Red

Summary, (to quote 50''s Poison Ivy) you can look, but don''t touch

I received this as a birthday present two years ago. It is beauty to look at, and at it first it worked well. However, within a year I began having problems, same as other reviewers. I had to replace the filter holder because it fell apart after 15 months ($30, not a huge deal). I had the same problem with frequent refills, a lot of mess, and the older it got, the more things began to drip and fall apart.

It no longer brews espresso. The pump is probably broken, not worth repairing, and not a Do It YourSelf. If I had unlimited counter space, I might leave it out to use as a steamer, but it is messy, and takes almost 3 minutes to get up to 150 degrees F. I have replaced it with a new machine (Breville Venezia), about the same price, looks beautiful, more features, and we''ll see how well it works after the 1-year warranty is over.

Want Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machine Discount?

First off, this machine LOOKS great. But unfortunately, that''s where the attraction ends. You see, I too used a little Krups $45 espresso machine for years. But it was a heck of a lot easier to use, and made consistently better espresso/cappucinno than this dog. Here''s a brief synopsis.

The reservoir holds enough water for just a couple of days. I''m constantly refilling it. After making an espresso, the thing leaks out coffee drippings for minutes on end, making a mess of the whole machine. The steamer seems to spurt out as much water as it does steam. The lever that dispenses the steam does not move in a fluid fashion. And positioning the coffee holder pod thingy is downright cumbersome.

Did I mention the thing leaks? Now you might forgive the little bugger if it made amazing capuccino............... it doesn''t.

Save 20% Off

Read More >>

CRYSTAL QUEST® Whole House Triple 20" x 5.0" Water Filter System

I got this a few weeks ago. At first I was very displeased as the water tasted funny. I had to use a britta to drink my pure water. Butttt after a couple of weeks the bad taste was gone. so now I do have clean clean water. I did loose some water pressure but if you saw my unfiltered water you would say it was a good swap.

We have the unit installed while we built our cabin. We also bought ultraviolet sterlizer 6 GPM from Health Faucet Services. We only have to replace the UV lamp once a year. We''re very happy with the water quality delivered.

Buy CRYSTAL QUEST® Whole House Triple 20" x 5.0" Water Filter System Now

Read More >>

Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow showerhead

• Corrosion-resistant, high-impact ABS thermoplastic body
• Adjustable 9-jet turbo massage
• Consistent flow rate, regardless of water pressure
• ?Self-cleaning, non-aerated spray, making it maintenance free
• 1.25 gpm saves you up to 30% more energy and water

I''m not the kind of person who needs to be hit with water from 14 different angles to say I had an adequate shower, and I don''t have a pathological need to feel every square inch of my skin deluged in water simultaneously (uh... take a bath?). I''ve never fallen in love with a shower head, and when I''ve had shower heads available that did the swirlies or the pulsies or the steam or what-not, I never used those features.

To me, most of the plain jane shower heads I''ve experienced in my life provided perfectly adequate showers.

However, a few years ago, I got interested in saving water, and since then I''ve bought and installed on my own homes several different low-flow shower heads, including the Oxygenics Skin Care 1.5 gpm showerhead, Oxygenics Body Spa 2.0 gpm handheld, the no-name hardware store 2.0 gpm showerheads, and this Niagara Earth Massage 1.25 gpm showerhead.

This Niagara 1.25 gpm showerhead is the best of the bunch, and better than most plain jane shower heads. When we swapped out the shower head in my last house (your average 2.5 gpm model) for this 1.25 gpm head, my kids actually thought I''d put in a HIGHER-flow shower head, because the spray felt more forceful. But looking at how much less water was puddling around my feet with the Niagara shower head, it was very clear to me that there was a LOT LESS water going down the drain.

In the two years we used it, it never leaked, it never broke, and it never clogged. Considering its low price, I have to say that it''s a very high-value shower head. Next I would like to try the Bricor UltraMax in this new house we just moved into, but since it seems to be unavailable from the manufacturer, I''ll be ordering another Niagara 1.25gpm now. What happened to my old one? I never move a low flow shower head with me... I always leave it where I install it, for the next person to benefit from!

Buy Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow showerhead Now

I needed to reduce the flow of my water in an effort to put off replacing the hot water heater that I''d already adjusted the temperature on...and still couldn''t get a hot shower for longer than 10 minutes. This does the trick. It was easy to install and no tape/special tools required aside from the correct size wrench. The three settings are nice, but I like a high pressure shower so really only one works for me. I wouldn''t say the water pressure is amazing, as some other reviews say, but it is decent. (That may vary from location to location though.) I wouldn''t mind it a bit stronger. I''ve had a nice long 20 minute shower this morning and couldn''t be happier about that so mission accomplished. One note--this showerhead may be good for small children just starting to take their own showers. Some children are afraid of the shower/used to baths and on one of the settings it is basically like a sprinkle so that may help get them used to it.

Read Best Reviews of Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow showerhead Here

I started out with the Niagara 1.5gpm showerhead, at the time i wasn''t aware they had a 1.25gpm head as well. Out of curiosity i ordered the 1.25 head to see if i can save a bit more while still having a comfortable shower experience. I figured i''d save 2.5 gallons on each 10 min long shower, which if you factor in a family household; can add up to a savings of a few hundred gallons a year. Compared to the 1.5gpm head, i actually like this new one better. The stream is a bit more thinner and it feels like there''s more pressure behind it. I find it wakes me up in the morning, with a refreshing sting like feeling on the skin. The ring of water does leave a large gap in the middle, more so then the 1.5 head version. But it really isn''t all that bad, and far from a deal breaker. I also found that this shower head rinses out my hair better, because of the more pressurized stream.

At the price and gpm rating, this showerhead can''t be beat. Even from switching from the 1.5 to the 1.25. I figure it''ll pay back for it''s self in a month and a half.

Want Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow showerhead Discount?

I bought a house with a recently renovated bath. The previous owner had installed an oversized rainfall showerhead in a very small shower stall. This meant that anyone under six feet tall could not avoid getting a face full of water or a shampoo (whether intended or not) when showering. To make matters worse, the water flow was so weak that it took a long time to rinse my hair, so that the water would be cold by the end of the shower.

I installed the Niagara Earth Massage 1.25 GPM shower head, and it was instant gratification: a directed flow, good force behind the water, and I have not since run out of hot water! Showers are faster, less aggravating, and (theoretically, at least) cheaper! Considering the low price of this shower head and the returns in personal comfort, it is an excellent bargain!

I do have one gripe, though. The shower is only forceful in its two extreme settings "Shower" or "Massage". When set between the two, the flow reduces to a feeble trickle. (I wonder if the reviews complaining about the force of the water flow were due to the owners not adjusting the setting.)

Well my package arrived today with this shower head. The goal of this purchase was simple, lower my water bill. Although I have yet to take my first shower, I had this thing installed in less than 10 minutes. With the exception of the fact that I needed a wrench to get the old head off, I would not have needed any tools or teflon.

After running the water for a minute or so, I a struggling to tell the difference between the 2.5g per minute head I removed. Hard to believe that i''m using 1 gal less per minute. Considering that my girlfriends daughter take 15 minute shower, that''s a lot of water.

I''ll update this after a shower..

Read More >>