Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Save 55% Off

I''ve had the Cuisinart DCC-1200 for about a week now. I was hesitant to spend so much on a coffee maker but I''m happy to report it''s well worth it. Sure, you can get other brands of coffee makers for under $25 if economy is the most important feature, but I''ve had those machines and I decided that, this time, a good cup of coffee was most important for me. This unit makes the best coffee I''ve had in a home or office machine and better than most coffee I''ve had in restaurants.

This coffee tastes smooooooth! I suspect the charcoal water filter is the reason for that. I also like the "shower head" design of the water spout. The water actually runs up a track onto the underside of the lid and is sprinkled over the ground coffee like a rain shower.

It''s an attractive unit but it also looks like a serious coffee maker. This unit is no toy. It looks and feels solid. The carafe has a good solid feel and balance. The plastic parts (like the plastic carafe lid and handle) feel like good heavyweight plastic and are well molded. It''s not the lightweight crappy plastic that cracks and discolors easily in the cheap coffee makers.

I like the 5 beeps when the coffee is ready. Now I can leave the kitchen and go clean or whatever and I don''t have to keep running back to see if I can get a cup yet. I can hear the beeps. But if I really can''t wait and want a cup in mid-brew, I can just remove the pot and pour a cup you''ve got a full 30 seconds to reinsert the pot, before you risk an overflowing filter.

I like the permanent gold-tone filter too. I always thought paper filters were a pain. They''d fold over sometimes and there''d be grounds in my coffee. But you can use paper filters in this machine if you want to. I just prefer the convenience of the gold-tone filter (top rack machine washable too).

It has an indicator light for cleaning -it says it''s "self-cleaning" but really it''s just a light telling you when you need to pour in a pot of water/vinegar and run it through to decalcify the unit. (I never thought to do that with my other units. Probably another reason my coffee wasn''t as good as I wanted it to be.)

The low-medium-high setting on the hot plate is pretty nice too. And the auto-shutoff feature is great. I don''t have to worry about forgetting to turn the machine off.

The instruction booklet is very good and very thorough. Comes with a parts reordering form too.

What don''t I like about this machine? It requires maintenance in that you have to change the charcoal filters. But actually I don''t mind since I think they are the reason the coffee tastes so smooth, and they are very easy to change and not expensive

Also, the area in the top of the machine where you pour in the water is narrow but again this is just a minor inconvenience. Just have to pour a little carefully.

So really it''s almost all positives with a couple of very minor negatives. I highly recommend this coffee maker.

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) When my Braun FlavorSelect coffee maker unexpectedly stopped working, I had to scramble to find a new machine. I wanted another Braun, but unfortunately, they seem to have stopped making a 12 cup coffee maker. So I had to begin an intense search for a machine that had the features I wanted combined with good value. I finally found it with this Cuisinart model.

The advantages? For one, it makes excellent and HOT coffee. The carafe is solidly constructed and fits securely in square body so there''s no chance of someone accidentally knocking it loose. Because the lid fits tightly, the pour is precisely narrow and smooth, with no side leaks even when the pot is full. The basket fits inside the housing instead of swinging free like so many models which prevents a misalignment between the water and the filter; the conical (Krups/Braun style) basket accepts both paper filters and gold-tone, although I learned the hard way that not all gold filters fit. The timer is very easy to program, as is the clock. The carafe warmer can be set at low, medium, or high for the temperature that''s right for you. I found the "high" setting too hot since I drink my coffee black (I like my coffee hot but not scalding!), but those who add a lot of milk might appreciate it. The brewing is quick and efficient, with the process taking about a minute a cup, maybe less. The retro/stainless look complements most modern kitchen décors. There''s a 1-4 cup setting to make sure such small amounts stay hot, and you can select how long the warmer remains on. The pot beeps five times when brewing is complete and just before the warming plate shuts off. Parts are top rack dishwasher safe. It comes with a water filter system designed to improve the taste of the brew.

But the Cuisinart does have disadvantages. The water reservoir is located on the right side, in the back, which makes it a little challenging for lefties like me to dump the final bit of water inside even though the carafe pours very accurately. Although I haven''t yet missed the opening, I do struggle briefly with those last few drops unless I use my right hand. The housing is fairly tall, so if your counter space is only under the cabinets, you may not be able to lift the top in its entirety. (This is when the small rear reservoir becomes a major issue as you have to have room to completely lift the rather large top toward the back.) Clearance required: 7.5" wide by 8.5" deep of counter space with no overhead obstruction to pull out for filling OR 21.5" of overhead space to fully lift top. Without the top open, the coffee maker measures 7.5"w x 8.5"d x 14.25"h.

If you have the space for this coffee maker, you''ll love it. I can''t attest to how long it will last, but, as it comes with a three year warranty, I''m hoping for a good run.

Buy Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Now

Two weeks ago, I needed a new coffee maker. The Krups Aroma Control maker is in all the stores and catalogs, so I bought one in the local mall BEFORE reading the Amazon reviews. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson learned read the reviews many negative comments. I used it for 3 days, and readily understood the description (...) of "eye candy" (looks nice, but seems like cheap plastic) and weak coffee (what they describe as a feature allowing the coffee to steep is really a euphemism for a poorly designed system that is guaranteed to give you a weak cup of coffee). One redeeming feature the carafe is very nice.

Within 2 days of having the Krups, i was on Amazon looking for a replacement coffee maker (a good cup of coffee is critical in the morning!). I went out on the risk curve and ordered the new Cuisinart no reviews yet. The Cuisinart has a more classic brewing system (water goes through grinds via gravity), yields a delicious cup of HOT coffee, has a variable temperature hot place, and looks and feels solid. We happen to have stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, freezer, stove), and it matches beautifully. Best news excellent coffee!. I would highly recommend the Cuisinart.

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Here

Folks, this is one excellent coffee maker. I read the comments here and decided to get it even though some had complained of spillage when lifting the lid and also the coffee not being hot enough. Well I can tell you that when I lift the lid on mine, the water rolls to the back and then drips back into the machine on a nifty little lip attached to the back of the machine. It appears that Cuisinart has engineered a solution for the complaints of spilled water that some reviewers mention. Also, the coffee coming out of the carafe of my machine has steam drifting off of it, so it is plenty hot, another complaint that seems to have been remedied. There were also a couple of complaints about finger prints on the stainless and the small LED clock being hard to read, but let''s be for real, all brushed stainless appliances will fingerprint and this is a very stylish coffee maker, not a kitchen clock(that''s what your microwave is for! (wink)). Actually I think the Cuisinart guys intended the clock for autoprogramming functions and made it LED to match the stainless on the machine. And if you don''t like the water filter, you don''t have to use it. It is a nicety and can be readily found if you search the net for "dcc1200 water filter".

Enough defending complaints though. This machine makes superb coffee. It has the best carafe I have ever used(it will not spill a drop and it has a built-in plastic rim to keep you from busting it on the sink). It comes with a gold metal filter. Buy it and you will like it. And if for some strange reason you don''t, then take it back. All jabs aside, this is an outstanding machine in form as well as function, and the people at Cuisinart obviously care what their customers think of their products. That means alot to me. How about you???

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I recently decided that it was time to buy a new coffeemaker and wanted the BEST! I did my research thoroughly, online and by word-of-mouth, and decided on Cuisinart''s DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker. This terrific gadget arrived a week ago and I am thrilled with it.

I love my coffee and usually make time to have at least one, if not two, 12 oz. mugs of freshly brewed java before I leave the house in the AM. Although this is a 12 cup coffeemaker, the settings are geared for a 5 oz. cup. So, for those of you who think a 12 cup machine is too much, this factor should be considered. Coffee is 98% water and if the quality of water used is not good, your final result won''t be either. Cuisinart''s DCC-1200 has a charcoal water filter that removes chlorine, calcium, bad tastes and odors. The self-cleaning feature is terrific and a warning light will flash to notify when calcium buildup is interfering with the machine''s functioning mechanism. Programming for delayed brew time is a snap with the LCD digital clock. One of the features I like best is the heater plate control knob. I like my coffee steaming hot and this feature assures that I can control the temperature of the nonstick heating plate. The machine also looks great on my kitchen counter.

I had thought about buying a combination coffeemaker/coffee grinder and decided against it. Apparently, many combination machines leave a sludgy residue and are a hassle to clean. I preferred using my own grinder, which is easy to clean, and this coffee maker also very easy to clean and maintain. This machine is a coffee lover''s dream!!

I bought the BEST! Very highly recommended!!

JANA

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Avanti WDP75 Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

While it took a while to get here, my husband agrees with me that the Avanti Hot and Cold Water Dispenser was well worth the wait.

After our old dispenser gave up the ghost after twenty plus years, we looked at each other and said, ''what do we do now?'' We tried shopping for another one locally but nobody had what we were looking for and we were, quite frankly, spoiled.

What do we like about the Avanti?

As the poet put it, let me count the ways.

First of all, because of its Energy Saver feature, the Avanti consumes less electricity than our old dispenser which ran constantly. It was also noisy. The Avanti, in contrast, is very quiet.

The Avanti features a neat little safety lock on the hot water faucet, which the old dispenser did not The storage space in the bottom, while it doesn''t keep anything cold, is quite handy.

The Avanti''s white plastic square design looks clean and nice. Our old brown metal dispenser did not. Also, unlike some of the round dispensers we looked at, the Avanti is not ''tippy''. Since it sits next to the kitchen doorway and a heavy traffic area, this was a real concern.

We also looked at dispensers that pumped from the bottom as well as the reviews and decided they were not for us.

The only CON was a chemical, almost musty, taste in the water for a few weeks after we got the Avanti, but that is now gone.

All in all, we are extremely pleased with the Avanti. It''s much, much better than our old dispenser and we definitely give it 5 stars.

Update 7/3/2012

Now there is a problem. (Another reviewer had the same thing happen to them in December 2010 and, in their case, it was a broken hot water line.).

When I changed the three gallon bottle for a fresh one yesterday, everything seemed fine.

As recommended, (and as usual), I left the unit unplugged, ran 4 cups of water out through the hot water faucet then plugged in the unit and turned it on.

My husband woke me at around 11 p.m. with the news that there was a huge puddle around the dispenser and what should he do? I unplugged the unit, removed the bottle and emptied the reservoir through the hot water faucet. A seam along the top of the bottom cabinet door was wet and the drip catcher under the faucets was full.

Not wanting to spend the rest of the night working on the problem, I unplugged the unit and removed the bottle altogether.

After carefully drying everything off this afternoon, I replaced the bottle, removed another 4 cups of water via the hot water faucet, plugged in the unit again and turned on the hot and cold water. At first everything seemed fine. Then an hour later, I found another puddle. This time it appeared to be the result of an overflow from the reservoir, and the water level, which I had carefully marked on the outside of the bottle, had gone down about 25%.

We have spent the rest of today trying this and that. Now the new bottle is empty, there is still a puddle of water on the floor, tomorrow is July 4th and it''s too late in the day to call Avanti''s Customer Service. However, first thing, Monday, I''m going to call them and see what they have to say.

Film at 11.

Update, Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I called Avanti''s Customer Service number yesterday. Once I reached a technician, she questioned me about the problem in detail and I listed all the steps I had followed.

She said, in her opinion, we needed a service call and gave the number of an authorized repair shop in our area.

The repairman arrived first thing this morning. After he checked out the entire unit and found no problem, he called Avanti''s Customer Service.

The Avanti technician suggested that he look at the water bottle. He did and, sure enough, there was our problem. We''d been using three gallon plastic molded bottles which we''d purchased from the same health food store where we get our distilled water.

The bottle has four seams around the top, which fits snugly into the collar above the reservoir. When we examined the last bottle we used, we noticed some extra material on a couple of the seams. This extra material is known in the plastic molding industry as ''flash'' and it''s supposed to be trimmed or buffed off as soon as the part comes out of the press. (More years ago than I care to count, I worked as a press operator in a plastic molding plant which made glasses for American Airlines. So I know all about ''flash''.)

The Avanti Customer Service technician said this is not an uncommon problem with these plastic bottles.

As the repairman explained, the Avanti dispenser''s operation depends on maintaining an intact vacuum seal between the bottle''s top and the reservoir. When a defective bottle is installed, the sheer weight of three gallons of water creates the necessary vacuum seal and it''ll stay that way with no leaks until a certain amount of water is removed from the dispenser. However, as the bottle''s level goes down, it weighs less and raises slightly. This, in turn, exposes the four seams around the bottle''s top. The space between the the extra seam material, or ''flash'', creates an air space between the bottle and the reservoir collar. When this happens, the vacuum seal is lost. The bottle level then starts gradually going down by itself for no apparent reason and, after an hour or so, there''s water all over the floor.

Because our dispenser is over two years old and out of warranty, we had to pay for the service call. However, it was worth it to us and I will still give the Avanti Water Dispenser an unequivocal five stars both for their Customer Service department''s helpful and courteous response and the excellence of the product itself.

December 9, 2012

Update: Our Avanti dispenser is still working fine and, to date, we''ve had no more problems. I will say though, for anyone who might be interested, we only use distilled water which we purchase at a local health food for .89c per gallon. It''s also very important to remove 4 cups of water from the dispenser via the hot water faucet immediately after replacing the bottle.

I spent a long time trying to find the best water dispenser in this lower-end price range, and I finally decided on the Avanti WDP75. I had two GE water dispensers for 8 years, one was a higher priced stainless model with digital features, mini frig, etc, and the other a white model similar in price and features to this Avanti. So my comparison is against the GE model that sells in Home Depot for about $120.

Pros:

Very Quiet operation.

Energy Star feature: this was important to me, but it''s hard to know for sure how much electricity it consumes. I do not use the hot water, so I keep that turned off. The unit shows when the chilling cycle goes on, and it is not constant, so I believe the unit is energy efficient. I was happy that the bottom is not a mini-frig, since that was a waste of electricity, and I found that the refrig area got a musty smell from moisture.

The cold water is a perfectly chilled temperature, not as ice-cold as the $300 digial GE model, and that is a plus for me. The lower priced GE model would freeze up every day, and I would have to turn off the cold, let it defrost, then try again for a few hours before it froze up again. I would never buy that GE model again for that reason, and I am so happy to say that after 2 months of use, the Avanti has never frozen up, and the cold water is a constant temperature all day. That is what I got the dispenser for.

The unit has seperate reservoirs for hot and cold water, so if you turn off either the hot or cold, that side will dispense room temperature water.

The press down area to dispense the water is easy and the water flows very quickly. I read reviews of other models which said it took a long time to fill a cup. That is not the case with this Avanti.

It''s a good height and very stable. Some dispensers seemed too low, but this is the standard height, with easy access to use.

Cons:

I followed the directions exactly, and also followed the optional step of using baking soda and water and let it sit overnight. It still had a metallic musty taste. I called Customer Service and they told me to put a half cup of bleach in a gallon of water and flush it through. I did that and it still had a bad taste. It took 3 days and many gallons of water, but it is good now. I wish they could do this before it gets to the customer.

I asked Customer Service if the reservoirs were accessible to clean, and was told no, there is no way to clean the reservoirs except by adding the bleach water to the top and flushing it through.

It''s ok looking, but not exactly stylish. But its a water cooler, so ok.

It does not have the feature which punctures the water bottle top. You have to peel off the sticker of the water bottle and push in the plastic center before turning the open 5 gallon bottle upside down into the dispenser. I really do not like this feature, and I don''t like the way the water bottle just sits in the top reservoir of water it doesn''t seem stable. The top of the 5 gallon water bottle should be cleaned with alcohol or bleach before inserting, because it literally sits in the water that is being dispensed. Despite all the other good features, I may not have bought this model if I saw this. The other models had a self-puncturing piece as part of a ring that supported the bottle. I thought all dispensers had this.

Compared to the similar priced GE dispenser, the Avanti is MUCH better because of the efficient cooling system. I also like the dispensing buttons and flow much better on the Avanti than the GE. In this price range, this model is fine. If the disadvantages are an issue, then it is necessary to go up in price to something with more features.

Quick update: I''m very satisfied with the dispenser. I don''t mind the bottle-top issue, and we can turn it over without any spillage. The bottle sits securely into the opening, so it is stable. I just clean off the top and neck of the water bottle with alcohol before inserting. Works great for nice chilled water!

Buy Avanti WDP75 Hot and Cold Water Dispenser Now

After reading the reviews I was not sure what to expect. But we are really happy with the water dispenser. It arrived in very good condition. No water leakage etc. We left it in upright position for 2 hours before the first use, and it worked ever since!

I agree with the previous reviews in all the positive aspects and to our biggest surprise, only the very first cups had the ''burned plastic'' taste. After the fist 5 gallon bottle, the taste was completely gone. Thumbs up!

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Pro: This water dispenser does exactly what we wanted it to. We turned off the cold and just have two temperatures: room temperature and hot. That allows me to drink endless hot drinks made from bottled water without constantly resorting to the microwave.

Con: There isn''t enough height under the dispensers to fit a small pitcher under them for making coffee. That is mildly inconvenient.

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This is our second Avanti water cooler. The first one we had for over 10 years and the cooling went on it. Loved it and this new one is just as good. It has been udated and looks great in our kitchen. Cold water is available all of the time. We do not use the hot dispenser often so keep it turned off.

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Whirlpool Whole House Water Replacement Filter

• Whirlpool Large Capacity Replacement Filter
• Item 149016 WHEF-WHPCBB

I use these filters regularly. We have high mineral content which leads to dirty toilet bowls quickly and cloudy water. These eliminate the problem. I had been getting them at LOWES, but these are cheaper (identical product) PLUS it saves me 6 gallons of gas!

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I have used these filters for several years. The work great and last significantly longer than the pleated type. Bought them at Lowe''s for years at nearly twice the price never again.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pentek EP-10 Carbon Block Filter Cartridge

• 5 Micron Carbon Briquette, combining the long filter life of carbon block with the dirt-hold capacit
• High porosity design helps prevent plugging
• Perfect for residential, food service, commercial and industrial applications
• Manufactured entirely from FDA-compliant materials

I had to find replacement for my filters and this is great product. Takes away the odor/ foul taste from the water.

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This is a good price and a good filter, cost more at local stores.. I change it every 6 months like it says .. my city water has contaminates in it and it takes care of that..

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Used this product in a Culligan HF-150A whole house housing but used it undersink. The whole house filter cartridges are cheaper and filter much faster than the "under sink" marketed products. This filter worked great, fit in the housing, and makes the water taste almost as good as our rainwater system with a 4 stage + UV filtration system at a different house but for a lot less. We don''t do a separate sediment step, just this one. I''ll update review if filter doesn''t do well in the future.

Update 1/10/2013 still have it installed under our sink, hasn''t leaked since the day we installed it, and the water has tasted perfectly filtered since then. We have it hooked to the cold side of the kitchen sink so ALL cold water passes through the filter. You can imagine how many gallons have been filtered through it by now and it still is like new. No way an undersink one would''ve lasted this long. Also, the undersink ones can''t pass water very quickly. Since this is a whole-house filter, it easily keeps up with the pressure. You can''t even tell a difference from before and after it was installed, and if someone didn''t tell you it was there you wouldn''t even know.

I will probably watch and buy several of these as replacements when they drop in price.

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I use this filter to remove sulfur smell in water at my cabin. It removes all the smell and lasts four months. I use it as a whole house filter.

I recently installed three different water filters all together under my kitchen sink:1) Culligan D-10A Level 1 Drinking Water Replacement Cartridge Carbon-Impregnated Cellulose (2 filters for $10); 2) Pentek EP-10 Carbon Block Filter Cartridge (9-3/4" x 2-7/8"), 5 Micron ($12.50) & 3) KX MATRIKX Pb1, Extruded Carbon Block -0.5 micron Water Filter Cartridge, 06-250-125-975 ($17). I used 3 inexpensive Culligan water filters housings to plumb my system. I used a simple PVC water valve to adjust (slow) the water through my last 2 drinking water filters. My plumbing has the cold water at sink tap going through 1st filter: The Culligan''s Carbon-Impregnated Cellulose filter. ... Then that filtered water is plumbed to also feed my drinking water facet through 2 additonal filter housings which had in line the Pentek EP-10 (5 micron) carbon block filter, then the better KX MATRIKX Pb1 (0.5 micron) carbon block filter.

I tested the hot water & cold water at sink tap, and then my drinking water at separate drinking water tap with a TDS water quality tester (HM Digital TDS-4 Total Dissolved Solids Pocket Size Meter). I was surprised to find my TDS (total devolved solids) was slightly higher at my drinking water tap (which is channeled through 2 additional carbon block filters) than the cold water sink tap going through just the cheaper Culligan filter. I measured 125 TDS on hot water side of facet that has no filtering; 90 TDS at cold water sink facet going through just the Culligan cellulose filter; and 92 or 93 TDS at drinking water tap running through the two additional carbon block filters. This was after flushing the filters for the recommended 5 minuets (I likely did 10 minutes, then used setup for a week). I wondered why the TDS test results would be higher after going through the two additional carbon block filters??? Testing some more: When I took the Pentek EP-10 (5 micron) carbon block filter out of the 2nd postion housing and left that housing empty, ... I got the results I wanted to see. The TDS then measured at 87 at drinking water tap. That was 3 less TDS than the cold water sink tap) going through only the Culligan Carbon-Impregnated Cellulose Filter. A later test produced a 10 points less TDS at drinking water tap.

While I have not done further tests or tried a different Pentek EP-10 carbon block filter, I suspect the Pentek is below par and somehow added TDS to my drinking water setup. These test results were on filters that were all replaced about one week earlier. I believe the KX MATRIKX Pb1 (0.5 micron) filter is worth the extra money. The cheaper Culligan certainly does some good filtering of TDS too. I would test these filters out more if I was getting paid for it. I won''t be buying the Pentek brand again unless they supply me with a new filter that gets better TDS test results. TDS tests might not represent the full picture. Update: Did second test under different sink: TDS results for aged Culligan filter to sink tap then drinking water through the additional Pentek filter (the one I removed for main kitchen setup described above). TDS results fluctuated a bit/ close to the same. ... The Water Tasted better going through 2nd filter (the Pentek). No other filters were used in that TDS test.

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Sprite HOC Replacement High Output Shower Filter Save 48% Off

• Sprite High Output Shower Head Replacement Chlorine Filter
• Replacement Filter for the Sprite High Output Massaging Shower housing
• New Clear Casing

I enjoy the product and it works! When I removed the last filter, and took a look at the gunk inside, I saw what I would have been showering with, I got the proof I needed.

I change the filter about every 3-4 months even though it states that you can change it less often. The head and the replacement filters are available at some Home Depots. They are about the same price everywhere from what I can see. If you order it on Amazon, sometimes you can save the shipping and tax which is a plus.

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I did plenty of research before the purchase and I''ve been very happy for 6 months now.

It reduces the chlorine considerably. How do I know? I don''t find my eyes all irritated and red after taking a long hot shower. It''s easy to replace and filter isn''t very expensive

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I would rate this filter 4.5 out of 5.

I really do feel a difference. I had the sprite filter for about a year now and just replaced the cartridge.

I have tried a few other shower filters : Aquasana, VitaMaxTM Vitamin C inline filter. This is clearly the best.

My only issue is that it does not seem to last 1 year. For me it seems to last 7-8 months. Perhaps I should try switching the cartridge around after 6 months.

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I have been using a Sprite shower head filter for over a year now and they work great to reduce chlorine from the water we use to shower with.

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This is a wonderful filter if you opt for the meatal housing unit as the plastic unit is likely to spring a leak like mine did. I bought the unit in March 2011 and the unit sprang a leak in mid July 2011 of course it is a total hassle to return now. The filter works great just remember to opt for the metal housing from the start and save yourself from wasting time and money and from the irritation of the plastic unit springing a leak.

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Honeywell HC22E1003 Replacement Whole House Humidifier Pad Save 44% Off

• Superior to and replaces Aprilaire #10 water panel
• Fits Honeywell HE220 and HE225 series humidifiers
• Antimicrobial coating helps reduce microbe growth on pad
• This item contains to complete replacement pads
• Water panel design dramatically reduces bacteria growth

I ordered the wrong item but the seller quickly sent me the correct

item at no cost

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This product works as advertised, but ensure the filter fits your particular model. Due to construction, it is very hard to trim in case you made an ordering mistake.

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Estes Blast Off Flight Pak

4 Different set''s of estes rocket engines that will send your model rockets to varying heights. Great value vs. buying 3 packs of engines. Included is wadding as well as igniters and plugs.

If you have ever wanted to launch your rockets over and over again, this is the kit to buy. You can launch 24 different times at varying altitudes and different sizes and shapes of your rocket designs. If your a beginner this kit is a must for those love the 4th of July and cannot launch just one. I can consume an entire day worth of fun in this rocket pack kit alone. It comes with plenty of supplies that you will need with some extras left over. In over 20 years of using the Blast Off Flight pack, I have never had any engine failures or down range problems with any of my rocket builds. This Flight Pack not only saves you money, it allows you to choose just how high in the sky you want your rocket to go. Estes has always built the best products for rocketry science and this investment is well worth the price of the lessons you will get from them.

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3M Filtrete Water Pitcher Save 46% Off

• 12 Cup Pitcher
• Filters and fills 5X Faster than traditional filtering pitchers
• Holds more water in less space
• Filter lasts longer, filtering two and a half times more water than traditional pitcher filters (up to 100 gallons or for approximately three months)
• Reduces sediment, chlorine taste & odor

I just purchased this pitcher today at Walmart for $20 with an attached in store coupon for $5 off. Initially, I went to that aisle with the intentions of purchasing a new Brita filter but was attracted to the "5x faster" claim on the Filtrete box. I often forget to filter my water and Brita''s filtration process is so slow and annoying to me that sometimes when Im in a hurry I just drink tap. When comparing it to the Brita I own, I saw that not only was it 5x faster but the filter is good for 100 gallons to Brita''s 40 gallon capacity. It also holds a total of 12 cups to (my) Brita''s 8 cup capacity. I took this home skeptical and determined that if it didnt meet my expectations that it was going right back to the store and to my surprise it has exceeded them. Not only is there practically no wait with Filtrete but the overall filter design is more practical. It takes up less room leaving more room for water (hence the extra 4 cups) and stays in place while pouring, unlike Brita''s sometimes. It also has an automatic filter change indicator that you push to activate. This is much more convenient than the sticker that you must slide around to remember to change Brita''s filter. Annnnnd on top of all that it tastes great! I''m not sure if it''s better than Brita because I never did get that Brita filter. But it does have a clean, pure taste. If I had to list drawbacks which arent really drawbacks more than they are differences, it would be the fact that a new filter at Walmart is about $3 more expensive than Brita''s because of the extra 60 gallons. And the design of the pitcher has an awkward fit in the refrigerator but in my opinion is much more attractive. Overall... awesome product!

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I''ve never used a water filtering pitcher before, so I was happy to see it offered by the vine program (sent free to me in exchange for my writing a review). I washed the pitcher out and pre-rinsed the filter as directed, and then filled it from our kitchen tap.

It filled really fast, which is a good feature. It''s also very large 12 cups which is great for our large family. Our family drinks a lot of water and this pitcher would be suitable in size. We also have a large refrigerator so storing it there isn''t a problem. I would have to watch the smaller kids since it''s heavy and they''d need help using it.

The taste of the filtered water is good clear, clean and odorless. But we have great water already from our well, so it''s hard to tell if the pitcher actually improved it that way. I like that the pitcher is clear so you can see if there is anything floating around in the water.

What really threw me for a loop was reading that it *doesn''t* filter out heavy metals (copper, lead, mercury), or bacteria (coliforms, e coli), or parasites (giardia, cryptosporidium), or viruses (hepatitis). To me, the main reason to use a water pitcher is to remove these items and render the water safe to drink. It says in the literature that came with the pitcher that it is not for treating unsafe water, but I was surprised to find out that the only thing it does is filter out dirt and supposedly remove cholorine odor. I didn''t expect it to make pond water drinkable, but really it does very little. I could use a coffee filter and get the same results. A little research showed me that the replacement filters are $8-12 each.

I would not buy this filtering pitcher for my family. I was imagining using it in a public campground at the spigot, or maybe in hotels when traveling. But I''m afraid I''ll be donating it to someone who currently uses a water pitcher.

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We use a Brita pitcher at our house, but we''re always up for trying something that might be better -especially a faster filter. As most Brita users can attest, you could practically make a loaf of bread in the time it takes for the Brita to filter a half-gallon of water. So I was excited to try the Filtrete pitcher, as we generally like 3M (the parent company) and their innovative designs. My review is a comparison of the Filtrete pitcher versus the Brita pitcher.

Pros:

The Filtrete is super-fast. I mean, WOW: you can run water into this baby like there''s no tomorrow, and it passes right through into the basin.

The Filtrete filter lasts longer (3 months) and has a higher capacity (100 gallons) than a Brita filter (2 months/40 gallons).

Single Filtrete filters cost more than single Brita filters: it''s around 13 bucks for a Filtrete and 9 bucks for a Brita. However, simply taking their respective water capacities into account (and not the superior quality of the Brita filter; more on that just below), the Filtrete is cheaper per gallon.

Cons:

Filtrete''s biggest downside for me is that its filter isn''t even in the same ballpark as the Brita in terms of the contaminants it removes from the water. Filtrete''s filter removes only "chlorine and sediment," as noted on the package. On the other hand, the Brita filter removes lead, mercury, chlorine, copper, cadmium, and benzine. This might not be an issue for some people, but it''s a deal-breaker for us. (Why bother buying a filter if it doesn''t actually remove contaminants from the water?) I just can''t bring myself to use an inferior filter, no matter how fast it is, when I can get healthier, better-quality water just by using a different brand.

The Filtrete''s spout is totally open and uncovered. I don''t understand why 3M let this detail slip by them. We like to drink room-temperature water and thus keep our pitcher on top of the fridge; I don''t want dust particles floating down into my drinking water.

The shape and size of the Filtrete is cumbersome, awkward, ill-fitted to the door of a refrigerator, and, frankly, unattractive. It''s shaped like a frisbee on top of a flower pot. With a handle. That''s seriously the best way I can describe it. Granted, there''s not much the 3M/Filtrete designers could have done to make this pitcher fit in the fridge any better (or look any better), because the pitcher''s shape is dependent on the huge filter at the top.

The large, frisbee-sized lid doesn''t feel secure. Plus, it''s somewhat difficult to grip, as you can only attach/detach it by a tiny little knob. You can forget about removing the lid if your fingers are wet or oily.

I could never get the filter-change activator to work. I pressed it just like the directions said to, and it never "activated" (even after I went back and tried it again an hour later, and then again the next day, and the day after that), rendering itself totally useless.

Neutral:

Neither of us could taste a difference between the Filtrete-filtered water and the Brita-filtered water.

Bottom line: With a Filtrete, you get a faster, lower-quality filter that may not fit in your fridge, with an uncovered spout, costing less money per gallon than a Brita. However, with a Brita, you get a slower, better-quality filter that will likely fit in your fridge, with a covered spout, costing more money per gallon than a Filtrete.

Honestly, I''d only recommend the Filtrete if you need a lot of "filtered" water very quickly. For us, the benefits of the Brita outweigh those of the Filtrete, so we''re sticking with our Brita for now.

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I live in an area where the tap water tastes good, so I''ve never looked to filtration to improve the taste. What I want from a filter is to remove the things in water that might be harmful -heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, etc. Imagine my surprise when I read the instructions to this filtered water pitcher and learned it doesn''t filter out ANY of those things. What''s it good for, then?

On top of that, the pitcher is incredibly top-heavy. It takes up a HUGE amount of room in the fridge, and is very difficult for children to use because it''s so awkwardly designed. Finally, because the filtered lid doesn''t actually cover the spout, the thing sloshes water around in the fridge any time it gets knocked around by an over-eager rummager.

Sorry, 3M. I usually adore your products but this one needs to go back to the drawing board!

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This pitcher has gotten some use in our house! We go thru about a gallon a day and well it was getting expensive. This has paid for itself in less than a week!

The filter lasts 3 months and the replacements are priced around $10-12. The water filters very fast, in less than 2 minutes. It removes alot of stuff. We cannot drink our faucet water because it just tastes bad. With this filter and pitcher, it tastes like bottled water.

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Moen 1248 Two-Handle Replacement Cartridge Save 23% Off

• Fits all Moen Roman tub faucets

If you''re buying this for Moen''s roman tub faucet, get ready for some fun. The Moen roman tub faucet has an extra deep socket for this cartridge. This means that the standard cartridge puller will not be long enough. Here''s what I did:

1. First remove the handle

2. Remove the extension piece. It just pulls out

3. With a pipe wrench (with duct tape of the cleats), remove the decorator bezel

4. Remove the cartridge retainer cylinder nut. It''s plastic and is screwed out from the inside. They have a special tool for this but I just used some pliers to get it started and then it screwed out by hand.

5. The cartridge is now free and can be pulled. It''s a tight fit and a standard puller is not deep enough. I used a piece of perforated plumbers banding. Just bend the metal into a long U with a perforation at the base. Attach the screw through the bracket and into the cartridge. Use a screw driver for leverage with some perforations at the top of the U and pull up with a lot of force. With enough force, the cartridge will come out.

Install New Cartridge:

Coat the new o rings with plumbers silicone grease and jam the new cartridge into the socket. There is a notched part in the cartridge that will align with into socket. Screw the retainer piece back in and rebuild the handle in the same manner you disassembled.

Google Moen 1248 or see the insert that comes with the part for more detailed info. It''s just not quite written for a roman tub so it''s a little tough to follow.

Only 3 stars to Moen since the new cartridge smashed apart the first time I installed it. They don''t emphasize or even mention the grease. In my case it was a must. In general, the cartridge could be better built. Moen was very kind to send me a new part. Good luck finding this locally. Amazon is the best for items like this.

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Gaggia 90851 Platinum Swing Automatic Espresso Machine

My parents have had a Gaggia Titanium for several years. It has been going strong for 4+ years. I finally decided to make the switch from a Keurig to a superautomatic and so far I am glad I did.

The machine makes great espressos and the milk island is suprisingly useful. Setup didn''t take long. Just make sure to "activate" the water filter. There is a setting in the menu to activate the water filter. The machine will pump water through the steam wand and then you are good to go.

This machine is much quieter than the Titanium model and I like the design better. Small footprint for a superautomatic and nice modern display screen.

You have three drink programs espresso, coffee, and long coffee. You set how much water you want to brew in each cycle when you setup the machine and then choose one of the three when you want to brew. You can adjust the amount of coffee used in each cycle by using the bean button (mild, medium, and strong). You can also adjust how fast the water flows through the beans on the front of the dispenser.

I was surprised at how quickly the machine heats up. Within a minute of turning on it is ready to brew.

Things to know need to empty the drip tray often; need to use distilled water or a filter (filter comes with it); cup warmer is passive (swing up has an active); Gaggia and Saeco are owned by the same company and this model is really similar to some of the Saecos, but has, in my opinion, a better interface.

Downsides power button doesn''t feel to sturdy; have to buy more milk because my wife is drinking lots of lattes and cappacinos now.

Reliability remains to be seen.

I had a problem with the first machine I received. It didn''t work, and had to go back. The second machine worked but then gave me false error messages along the way. I sent that one back as well.

The machine looks better in the picture, but when you get it out of the box, it''s made almost entirely of plastic. Although there are settings to change the way it makes your coffee, I found all of them to do very little with the final cup. I came away thinking it was too much money for an automated machine that could break very easily. The coffee itself was fine, and the frothing was average (the Milk Island was a total waste of timeif you can''t hold up a pitcher to the steam nozzle, why bother having a cappuccino machine?)

Don''t buy an automatic espresso machine. Too much to go wrong for a very average cup of Joe. Do a little work with a semi-automatic and you''ll be much happier.

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I''ve had my Gaggia Platinum Swing for several years now. It''s been a minor nightmare.

The good: With some work and luck, you can get a very good shot of espresso.

The bad: This is one finicky machine. Sometimes it suffers a "Brew Failure" with no obvious reason and trying again succeeds but it''s just thrown out the coffee. Sometimes it fails completely because a water hose inside it is clogged (I''m guessing based on the pump noises) an air compressor can help with that, but this is a huge mess. REGULARLY the machine says it''s out of beans and needs more, even though the hopper is full and it''s not jammed at which point all you have to do is open the cover for 10 seconds and close it again so that it THINKS you refilled it but again it''s thrown out the beans it did grind by that point.

Service is useless. The best way to get maximum performance (which is still Italian-grade unreliable) is to clean it well beyond the manual, including inside the tube from the pre-ground input to the brewgroup.

And it''s now obsolete. You can''t get the Aqua Prima filters anymore. (Which are pricey anyhow.) So they''re selling a unit that they don''t even pretend to support. Which is a refreshing change from when they did pretend to support it.

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I am a degreed Mechanical Engineer and these machines are very poorly designed!

Mine broke...and I had had to pay shipping and insurance.

GAGGIA will not stand behind their warranty, because it''s the money and not the qualityGaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless SteelGaggia 90851 Platinum Swing Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Island, Silver and BlackGaggia 90901 Platinum Swing Up Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Island, PlatinumGaggia 102498 Platinum Swing Automatic Espresso Machine, Titanium with Black AccentsGaggia Platinum Swing w/Milk Island!

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Philips Saeco RI9828/47 Talea Touch Plus Automatic Espresso Machine Save 41% Off

I am so frustrated with this very expensive machine. When it works, it works okay. It pushes through the espresso and then adds water to each level of coffee drink (espresso, coffee, long coffee). The problem is (and I have called my retailer twice) that sometimes is pushes the after-espresso water through and sometimes it takes forever to push it through. I tried the machine with both the water filter and without the filter, but that made no difference. The retailer suggested that the grind was too fine, so I set it on the coarsest grind. That did absolutely nothing. On the second phone call the retail service rep said if the filter/strainer in the brew group felt "burry" then it might be plugged with grounds and unable to pass water. I was so excited to find that was the case, and it worked great for two more cups. I have been embarrassed every time we have had company. It knows when there are guests and malfunctions every time. I have used different roasts of espresso from a medium to a darker roast and it really doesn''t make any difference. To warn you, Saeco or at least the retailer, (I don''t see it in the user''s manual) does not recommend using a darker espresso because the oilier beans jam up the machine. In truth, whatever bean I use the machine has trouble putting water through. I have had it take so long that the coffee is cold by the time the cup is filled.

I attempted to return the machine to the retailer, but they have a 30 day return policy and I have had it for two months (the first month I was out of town so it never got tested) and the retailer will not take the machine back. I will be calling Saeco tomorrow and seeing if they will take it back or have some novel idea for repair. I do not have high hopes. I probably will try to ebay it as scrap with a bold print caveat emptor and no returns warning.

I do not recommend this machine and consider it to be a failed $1000 dollar experiment. If after calling Saeco tomorrow, there is a wonder fix, I will gladly revise my review. I want it to work. I enjoy it when it does work.

I drop 900$ on an item and I expect it to work, and work flawlessly right out of the box. There was no damage to the exterior or anything to that extent...it just straight up wouldn''t work internally. I called Saeco''s customer service and we decided that it wasn''t user error and the machine was truly broken. Thank goodness Amazon has a no questions return policy.

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I owned a Saeco Vienna digital before this, and it worked wonderfully for over 6 years. When it broke down, I figured I''d stick with Saeco but decided to move up to a more expensive model. The Talea Touch Plus had most of the features I was looking for. It''s a good looking machine that produces decent espresso on a consistent basis (but not great), at least when it works properly. Therein lies the rub! It functioned fine for 3 days before the frothing & steaming unit completely broke down. Saeco service was attentive and speedy and paid for the shipping both ways. I had it back in one week. The repair facility stated that the panarello steam system was assembled incorrectly and they fixed it.

It functioned fine for another 4 weeks, until the brew system crapped out and the unit wouldn''t brew any coffee. I only use the unit to make about 2 cappuccinos daily, and an occasional tall coffee. Once again, Saeco paid for shipping and I got it back in 1 week. This time the pump system had to be replaced. It now functions ok and makes the coffee and steams milk, but whatever pump they put in there is over twice as loud as the original (it''s very noisy), plus the steam wand drips continuously until I brew the first coffee. There is also some dripping from the coffee dispensing spout.

I was ready to send it back for a total replacement, but figured at least this is now working, and Saeco extended my warranty for an extra year. I didn''t want to chance going through this again on a new unit.

Overall, based on my machine as it is now, I can say that the coffee is decent to good on a consistent basis, and the unit is very easy to operate. However, the water tank empties fast, and steaming milk may be a tad awkward due to the steam wand unable to swivel left or right it does swing in and out though. The automatic clean cycle is a convenient feature, as is the descaling cycle. One really needs to clean this (and all automatic units) regularly.

I would not recommend this unit to others due to the apparent lack of quality control at the factory (incorrectly assembled parts and bad pump). I would recommend one consider other models and/or other brands. If I needed a replacement, I would consider going back to the Vienna model.

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I am extremely happy with this machine! I use it often, and make cappuccinos with it daily. I am not a "coffee connoisseur", I just know what I like. When making cappuccinos, I can make them to suit me much more like the European style, and much less like the chain coffee bars in the U.S. This is the second Saeco Talea machine that I have owned, and both have worked perfectly. My sister-in-law has one as well, with no complaints.

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I thought this would be the machine of my dreams, (at this price it should be!), it is not. My machine will not "wake up" from standby mode or put itself into standby mode, so I have to wait in the morning for it to heat up. Which completely eliminates why I bought the $$$ machine rather than the $ machine. I will be returning it, but here is the lowdown on how it works.

This machine will grind up to 10ish grams of coffee and dispense that into a maximum of 18ish ounces of water (you get less coffee though b/c the puck absorbs some of that water). You can set each of the three icons to dispense whatever custom combination of temperature(a,b,c), preinfusion time (a,b, off), grind volume (a,b,c, preground) and water volume (slider on 1.5" bar adjustable by roughly 1/20th of an ounce) you would like and there is a dial on the front to additionally control how long the water takes to pass through the puck which affects the "Strength" of the coffee.

Rather than using the somewhat inscrutable "coffee volume" slider you can manually do a beverage and hit the "stop" button when you want it to stop flowing, and then save that setting. So for me to get my morning thermos of 16oz of strong crema coffee I had to program "Long Coffee" to be preinfusion=strong, aroma(amount of beans ground)=strong, turn the front dial all the way to the right and I had to hit "Stop" when it filled my measuring cup with 8oz coffee and save it, which meant that when I hit "Long Coffee" twice (it will do twice in a row if you hit it twice but no more than that) it would spew out 16oz of coffee.

So theoretically (were it to wake itself up in the morning) all I would have to do is hit that button twice and put my cup (thermos is too tall) under there to catch it, it would take about 3 minutes or more to fill that cup. As it is I have to wait for it to "Rinse" (put a cup under the spout to catch the "Rinse"), and then warm up before I can have coffee. It doesn''t take long, but it seems long when you are walking out the door, like more than 5 minutes for coffee, when I could just pour it out from a regular automatic grind_n_brew pot and be on my way.

I have additionally programmed the "Coffee" icon to make me a 12oz mug when pressed twice and my "Espresso" button to make me a long espresso, which when I press twice gives me a nice amount for my latte.

Ugh, my latte, the frothing on this thing is vexing. I can froth and latte art pretty well with a regular one hole steam wand, and always prided myself on my microfoam. I can barely steam milk with this thing. The steam wand on the left moves about two inches fore or aft but does not move up or down or swing out in any way. So my milk pitcher is always smacking into the spouts on the front. The rubber handle on the steam wand (so you don''t get burned moving it) is so close to the bottom of the wand that once your milk starts frothing you can''t push the wand back to the bottom of the milk container or it will come up over the handle. Once you are done steaming you can''t just rest your milk under the steam wand (to catch the drips) because the drip tray is curved and the steam wand is over the narrow part, so your jug of milk would just fall off the tray.

The drip tray is electric which is stupid, small and flimsy. It is bound to fail and doesn''t hold your full cup without bending almost enough that your cup is going to slide right onto the floor. I would just leave it at the bottom setting unless you are really pulling shots into two tiny espresso cups.

How''s the coffee you ask. It''s decent. You wouldn''t be disappointed if you paid $2.50 for it, but it is not the best espresso you''ve ever had, or even close to the espresso I can make on my semi-automatic machine. But it''s faster and I can do it with less effort. The grind seems fine enough and the temperature seems hot enough to do a good extraction, no sourness or bitterness (left temp on medium as it came set on). It is crema coffee, not drip, so don''t expect it to taste like your coffee maker. Some of the crema is fake and white due to the dial being turned all the way to the right and creating that extra sort-of fake back pressure on the puck, so it can seem floamy, but dialing it back a notch fixes that without affecting strength.

It''s prompts you to fill the water tank when it is 3/4 empty and dump the pucks when there are maybe 6 of them in there, so you might as well just make it a habit to do them both at the same time anyway b/c it will stop your coffee and prompt you to do so and if you take too long it will cancel your coffee and dump your puck even if you didn''t get all the way done.

The bypass doser only accepts one scoop of preground coffee at a time so don''t think you will be making anything other than decaf single small pucks and then pulling your desired quantity of water through them.

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Watts 500032 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Save 22% Off

• Reduces chlorine taste and odor, Arsenic, Lead, Perchlorate, Cysts, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Entamoeba and more
• High quality lead free faucet
• 5 Stages of Filtration
• NSF Certified
• Meets all plumbing codes

Those of us who live in areas with hard water or iffy public water systems are generally aware of the benefits of filtration. A reverse osmosis system can do a good job of removing sediments, many toxic chemicals and a reasonable assortment of creepy-crawlies. Over the last several years, prices have come down sufficiently that these systems are moving into more homes than ever. If you''ve got room under the sink (and such a system takes a good chunk of room) it''s worth considering. Installation in a reasonably new plumbing system is generally simple. If you''re naturally the home handy-person, you won''t have too much trouble. Older systems might pose a little more challenge, but the kit comes with a fair assortment of adapters and such. I have to add here that the kit shorted me a few small parts that I had to find at the local hardware store. A little better QC on the kit-packing phase would have been appreciated. This is the reason for four stars instead of five. The important thing about installation is to know your skill level. If you think you can do it, you probably can. If you''re not sure, the best choice might be to call the plumber.

I purchased this system to replace an older R.O. system which could no longer be serviced. In such a case, there are already holes drilled and positions chosen. They don''t always match the ideal layout for this system. But I found ways to integrate old and new and had the basic installation done in about 3 hours of work. It then takes a full day to charge and flush the system. The final water flow is strong and copious and the water carries no taste--a far cry from the calcium and sediment-laden water that went in.

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Anxiously purchasing this time and could not wait for great tasting water. The water lines leaked terribly. Went to local hardware store hoping for a fix. Still had problems. No enough connectors in bag. Water line not long enough. Drain hose trickles water into drain and is quite noisy. Would not purchase if I had a second chance.

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Pretty good reverse osmosis system. Easy setup, just follow the colored tubes. No leaks after setup. Just make sure you use teflon tape for the parts required only (instructions will tell you where) After 2 full tank flushes, water tester read 23-25ppm. My other RO system (different brand) in other house reads 15''ish ppm, but thats had its filter changed a few months ago. Hopefully after more usage or another flush, it''ll go down a little more.

One complaint i had with this RO system was that the included faucet is pretty annoying as the air gap goes through it. So whenever the RO system is working, it''ll make a whirring/ whining noise and i could hear the water going through. So i just went to home depot and bought a T adapter, by passed that and went straight into the drain and used the air gap for the disoposal /dishwasher. So one star off for that.

Other than that, water tastes like drinking water.

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This RO system is of top quality. I replaced my older unit, with this one, and am very satisfied. I had a small issue when installing. I contacted support, and they got back to me right away. It is very easy to install. The RO system that I replaced cost 3 times as much as the Watts, and was of less quality. I highly recommended this RO system.

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A very high quality unit. Robust construction, all the hardware and plumbing pieces you could possibly need.The instructions are easy to follow and complete.I tested my water before installing the unit at 192ppm of dissolved solids and again after a few days usage it was 9ppm and taste marvelous.

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Black & Decker CM1050W 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

This is my 1st B&D coffee-maker. I recently purchased locally for an exceptionally low price (Amazon has been alerted). I like this coffemaker so far. It was well packaged. Unit is quite tall, so placement under cabinets may be problematic ( water-filling, steam, etc.. ).

This unit has identical features and is a very similar in design to B&D''s DLX1050W (or B) models ( check out those reviews ). Only visible difference that I notice is in the shape of the control-buttons.

The coffeemaker features I like are : the bright-LED time display, programmable brew-time, steal-a-cup, 2hr shut-off and the water reservoir (easy access to refill & removeable parts for easy cleaning).

The features I don''t like : View port for water-reservoir (on right side only & difficult to read). Control buttons seem fragile (prone to early failure). Carafe glass seems thin & fragile. Steal-a-cup mechanics seem failure prone ( as in ... brewing-coffee overflowing from filter ).

Coffemaker quickly makes a nice hot pot of great smelling & tasting coffee.

Note: Before brewing the 1st pot of coffee, I suggest you first run a vinegar-water solution through the unit, followed by a plain tap water brew-cycle to remove any manufacturing residues, smells or tastes.

It has been reported that the 2-yr B&D warranty is "sketchy", but I read that some retailers insist that the mfr. honor stated warranty w/o charge to consumer (imagine that?).

Like most coffemakers in this price range/class, they are not built to last long (i.e. planned obsolescence). I hope this one suprises me. My last coffee maker (P-S 43571) lasted only 10 months and nearly started a fire.

I bought this for my husband to keep in his home office. It has all the basic features of more expensive coffee makers. The clock can be set to allow for programming a brew time, though we may or may not put that to much use. For the price, it''s nice to have the option. It is easy to set the clock time and brew time. The buttons are almost flush with the front surface, just slightly raised. This makes for easy cleaning with a rag. Brew time and noise level are average. The carafe spout makes for adequate pouring, though we have owned a B&D coffee maker in the past that had a large square lip that made pouring super easy with virtually no dripping. Can''t say that about this one, but then virtually all other coffee maker carafes drip while you pour them. Sure wish they would start designing them better. I found that filling the carafe with water and then pouring it in the water tank was a bit messy, so I now use a large plastic cup for filling it. Much neater.

This coffee maker has the sneak-a-cup feature that allows you to remove the carafe briefly during brewing to pour yourself a cup if you can''t wait. The little lever makes contact with the carafe lid and stops the dripping. I have had coffee makers in the past with this feature, and I will tell you the problem you might have with it. If you don''t have the carafe set perfectly in place on the heat plate, the lid does not make contact with the little lever it does not engage. The water fills up the coffee filter and then overflows all over your kitchen counter and floor. For this reason, we have always removed that little lever and decided we could live without the sneak-a-cup feature. After you have to clean up that mess a couple of times, you might like this handy hint about removing the lever. It serves no other purpose than to allow for removal of the carafe during brewing.

The other concern I have with this style of coffee maker is the fact that the "controls" or buttons are on the very front of the unit. Most of them are designed this way, so I''m not pointing out a unique design flaw here. Unfortunately, after you have dripped or spilled water and/or coffee on electrical controls enough times, they will short out. You have to spend a lot more money for a coffee maker that has its controls in a different location, so just plan on occasionally having to buy a new one from time to time if you opt for this design.

Now for the flaw: For the price, I think this is a good coffee maker, and I would have given it 5 stars except for one design flaw that I feel is unique to this one. Even though there is a 2-hour auto-off feature, we tend to go through a pot before the 2 hours are up. We also occasionally pour the coffee into a thermos to take on the road. In this case, we need to remember to turn off the coffee pot to prevent the last bit of coffee sitting there scorching in the bottom. This particular model has a very tiny green light that is the ONLY indicator that the hot plate is still turned on. It looks much like the tiny green light that tells you the time/alarm is set to "PM". It is really easy to not realize that you have left the coffee maker on. Thank goodness for the 2-hour auto-off, but that doesn''t change the fact that most coffee makers have a large, bold red or green light.

Overall, however, I would still have to say that this is a very good, inexpensive coffee maker for your basic needs.

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I got this for a great price at a local retailer, it is essentially the same as the DLX1050B which a certain magazine rated as 77/100. It is the only coffee pot rated so high for less than 3-5 times the price I paid. It is 975 watts, this fact is never included in any product description for some reason. It brews hot. I have it in a trailer where it is making 8-12 pots a day in a work environment. I swear I''ll update this in 2 weeks when our project is over and let you know how it has held up. It looks great and is easy to use. If you aren''t a wingnut, it pours without dripping, just be patient with it and don''t expect it to fill your travel mug in 3.8 milliseconds or less.

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You cannot beat the price and it works fantastic. Timer and all. Very easy to clean too. Makes a pot of coffee really quickly.

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I bought this a week ago @ walmart for a great price! I wanted to get a well made coffee maker and wanted to spend a decent amount for one since my fiance uses them a lot but needed white and there were only 2 white ones to choose from out of many! I got this one since it was a higher price than the other but still was under $20! I was kinda bummed because for the first time I actually wanted to spend a pretty penny for something and well, there wasn''t anything I wanted above $20! BUT... now I''m VERY happy this was my only choice! Coffee comes out super hot right away! And I like how it''s programmable especially for the price! Another thing I like is how the filter basket is BLACK! They tend to get stained up over time & the black masks it! It also has a sneak a cup feature which is nice! It really seems like a good product for how inexpensive it is! I recommend it to anyone wanting to get a low price coffee maker!

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Frigidaire Professional 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker Save 12% Off

We''d switched to a Breville BKC700XL Gourmet Single-Serve Coffeemaker with Iced-Beverage Function (which I was fortunate to review for Amazon Vine) because it seems like every drip coffee maker we buy quits on us within a few months. But we just can''t afford the K-cups, and using our own coffee with the My K-cup setup has been really messy and time-consuming. (Don''t get me wrong: I love coffee made with the Breville, but sometimes you just want decent coffee fast and lots of it. There''s a little more bitterness with a drip maker than with K-cups, but that just makes the coffee seem stronger.)

Out of the box, it''s clear that the Frigidaire Professional 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is of a higher class than your typical plastic drip coffee makers. Its appearance is solid, sleek, and industrial-looking. This is the kind of coffee maker I''d expect to see in a small office setting. It''s tall, so be sure to measure your cabinets if you think you''re going to want to slide it under them. (It doesn''t fit under mine, but my cabinets are set too low even for a shorter coffee maker.) The entire top lifts up to pour in the water and access the filter, so keep that in mind.

One thing I love about this coffee maker is that you can set it to brew at high temperature, which will extract the coffee better than your usual drip makers. [UPDATE: The coffee maker brews with "superheated water"; as pointed out in the comments, this temperature is not adjustable. I misunderstood the manual and just left it at what I thought was the default highest temp for my testing.] You can also set it to brew regular strength or strong, and we''ve been using strong. It''s definitely stronger than coffee from our Breville. We''ve been using the included reuseable gold filter so far, which does allow some fine dregs through, so next time we''re at the grocery store we''ll be getting some cone filters to use with it. I''m thinking the coffee is going to taste fabulous when filtered through a paper filter. (Users are cautioned not to use the gold filter and a paper cone filter simultaneously to avoid major overflow accidents, so if you''re one of those who ignores the requisite "read before using" instructions, tuck this caveat into the back of your mind.)

After brewing, you have a (programmable) maximum of 120 minutes of warming before the bottom burner shuts off automatically. The lighted LED window shows you how much warming time is remaining and also the strength of your coffee and its brewed temperature. You can set the pot for autobrew, but we typically don''t bother with that. It takes about 12 minutes to brew a full pot, which is less time than it used to take for two of us to individually load up and brew one cup each with the Breville/My K-cup setup. We''re in a routine now of me pouring water into our Berkey (Big Berkey w/ 2 Black Berkey) before we go to bed at night and DH getting up before me to start the pot.

Which leads to the filter. The Frigidaire has a charcoal filter to filter your tap water for best taste. We''re using it now as I test the product, but once it''s past its use date, we''ll probably not replace it. The coffee maker is smart enough to tell you when it''s time to change the filter. It will work without it, but those who don''t filter their tap water separately may wish to use filters, and the change filter notification feature is really quite nice.

Great looking coffee maker, and the brews taste good, too. For those of you wondering about replacement water filters, which appear to be unobtainable, the Cuisinart charcoal filters Cuisinart DCC-RWF *Triple Pack* Charcoal Water Filters; 1 Year Supply (6 total) are the same shape and size as the one that comes with the Frigidaire coffee maker. I just bought the coffee maker so I haven''t used the replacement filters yet, but I ordered the Cuisinarts and compared them in-person, and they appear to be identical.

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This makes great cups of coffee! I love my coffee, and it is my little morning indulgence. This coffee pot delivers better than any of the various coffee pots that I have used over the years. From the moment you pull it out of the box, you know you have just received a very well made product.

It has all sorts of convenience factors, as well. It beeps when the pot is done brewing, so there is no guesswork in knowing if the brewing process is over. One thing I experimented on, because I was running low on my favorite coffee was to try adjusting the strength to be able to use less ground coffee with it. I set it on strong, and used enough ground coffee for 8 cups, and the water for a full pot (12 cups). I didn''t notice any weakness in the brew, and because of this feature I can now use 1/3 less ground coffee than before!

The gold filter is a nice touch, and the removable filter basket makes for easy cleaning. One thing you will notice when cleaning this unit, is that it is actually made of metal, and not just plastic made to look like metal. This may look similar to other coffee makers out there (I used to have a Gevalia that was very similar at first glance), but this one is much more sturdily made, has more features and just simply makes better coffee in the end.

I plan to use the carbon filters, as it does make a noticeable difference in the flavor of the coffee, when used. If they are not economical, I guess I will have to get one of those brita pitcher filter things. I have looked around and can''t seem to find these filters on the market though, so that is currently somewhat of a concern. After searching on the web for the filters, that seems to be the only thing people are worried about with these, and I didn''t see anyone that does not like these units for any reason.

If you love coffee (and you wouldn''t be here reading this, if you didn''t), you can''t go wrong with this product. :)

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This is one of the nicer coffee makers I''ve used. I had given up drinking drip coffee and was using the French Press, however, this coffee maker extracts good flavor from coffee.

The things I liked:

Auto feature Nothing like getting your coffee made by itself in the morning

Coffee Strength Strong or Regular can be selected which helps extract more flavor from coffee on Strong setting

Water filter The cartridge filter improves taste of coffee

Gold Mesh filter It''s easy to clean and helps extract good flavor from coffee without any sediment

Option to set plate temperature for warming and set time to stay warm You can keep your coffee warm upto 120 min and the plate temperature can be set to medium, high or low so that your coffee does not get that burnt taste

Beeps after coffee is done brewing so there is no guess work involved

Water level indicator and provided coffee scoop

Easy to use, and fits under counter

Solid build, stainless finish

The negative:

The carafe leaks as the joint between glass and plastic rim had a little crack. I called customer service but since this is a new product they did not have any replacement parts. The leaky carafe is an annoyance as I have to clean up messes every time.

What would be nice to have:

An integrated grinder available in some coffee machines like Cuisinart, although that can get messy too.

A pause function so I can pour coffee mid-brew. If there is one I haven''t found it.

Overall, a nice coffee maker but on the pricey side. The leaking carafe was a big disappointment. They''ve asked me to call back in a month to check for part availability. Hope I can get a replacement carafe soon!

Update July 2012It took a while but I got a new carafe shipped to me for free by customer service. I did not have to send the old one back. I have been using this coffee maker 2-3 times a day every day for past 7 months. It has held up well to all the coffee making and has handled various brands of coffee pretty well. I use a burr grinder to grind my coffee and if the grind is too fine it can create sediment if you use the included mesh filter. I just choose to leave the sediment in the cup. Also regular strength coffee setting works best to extract flavor from finely ground coffee. Strong coffee setting can produce a bitter taste from most coffees, especially the dark and robust roasts. In my opinion, it makes better coffee that some cheaper auto drip machines. I used to go to Starbucks more often before this machine almost everyday on the way to work but now I set the machine at night and prefer to have coffee at home made the way I like it, that has saved me quite a few $$. I am also using my coffee presses and other machines less and less as this machine is very convenient to use and makes pretty decent coffee.

I would now upgrade my rating to 4 stars, considering it has performed well with daily use.

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I bought this last December. Worked very well. Tasty coffee with good control of strength and temperature (and the coffee got as hot as with any coffee maker I have used.) After using it daily, it died last week. (Front panel lights up and the clock still works. But no brewing or heating.)

I really experienced none of the problems cited by others. And I did not see any other reviews here reporting the premature death that mine suffered. So I won''t rate it one star since mine was probably a very rare bad one. But, of course, it is disappointing to have it last only 4 months.

August 11, 2012 REVISION: I decided in May to buy this model again, figuring that my bad one was a fluke. This time it lasted 3 months, suffering the same failure as the last one. I now believe this is a design defect and will stay away from it.... and I lowered my rating to a single star.

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