Black & Decker CM1010B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

There MUST be two different carafes that can come with this model. The reviewers below that say that they have no problem with dribbling/spilling from the carafe absolutely do not have the same carafe that I and others have. Perhaps B&D fixed the problem somewhere along the line, and there are still older ones on the shelves? Don''t know. But the carafe I got with mine (purchased 11/07/09) is the worst I have ever seen! Here is the feedback I sent to B&D''s customer service today:

"I can''t believe that a coffee maker designed and sold in 2009 has a carafe lip that dribbles coffee down the pot onto the counter not just a little, a lot! I''ve seen plenty of carafes over the past 50 years that either pour perfectly or will dribble just a bit if you pour way too fast, but this carafe deserves an award. You can''t pour anywhere *near* a normal speed without getting coffee all over the carafe, the cup and the counter. How can this be? How could such a design ever get out of R&D? I challenge anyone at B&D to try this carafe and tell me I''m wrong. It is so bad that I have resorted to using a single-cup maker until I either replace this carafe or discard the whole maker and buy another. Question: Is there another carafe I can use with this model that pours properly? Thanks."

*If* I get a response, I''ll post it here.

I confess, I didn''t purchase this coffeemaker through Amazon. I bought it about a week ago from a local major chain store.

In the past 10 years, I''ve owned a number of much more expensive, popular, and respected name brand coffeemakers, which I''d researched well before buying, that have made quite good coffee...until they quit, all within 3 years or less. Most of them have had some frustrating issues of some sort, usually with poor pouring and spilling if you got in too big of a hurry. Most of them have had a permanent filter basket and water filters, of which I needed to buy rather expensive replacements for. I''ve had thermal pots, which I like, but which require "preheating" to be most effective, another step that some folks don''t seem to appreciate. In the end, after each of these "deluxe" models failed, I would fall back to an old standby coffeemaker that had been stored away on a shelf. I''ve been using this old machine for some months now, until I cracked the pot. I''ve read tons of reviews of other coffeemakers, which all seem to have many unhappy owners, and finally just brought this one home, figuring I''d only be out $30 if it didn''t last.

To my great surprise and in spite of all the negative reviews, I really like this coffeemaker! I don''t seem to have any of the problems that other reviewers have mentioned. I''ve only been using it for a week but, (knock on wood), it''s doing what it was designed to do, and well, I might add. Let me mention some of the features I think are worth noting.

First off, this is an attractive unit and rather tall, at about 14 inches. The top lifts up to access the water reservoir and filter basket, so you have to pull it out if you store it beneath most cupboards. I enjoy how easily accessible the basket and permanent filter are, which completely lift out for cleaning, either by hand or in the dishwasher, and the quite large, open area to pour water into. The charcoal water filter is located on the right in the back and is easy to change, at least with my average, woman-sized hands. There are cup markings on both the pot and the side of the water reservoir to verify the correct amount has been added.

Many (most) complaints I see here are with the pot and pouring. Before I used my coffeemaker the first time, I ran a vinegar and water solution through it, and then a few pots of plain water, to clean it. I had no problems with spilling, pouring into the reservoir, or out of the pot, or leaks anywhere. I did overfill the reservoir once, not paying attention to the cup markings and just pouring a full pot into it, but that is a clear user error and not a flaw in the design of the unit. After the cleaning was completed, I assembled and placed the charcoal water filter and successfully brewed my first pot, which took about 8-10 minutes.

The included manual has easy-to-follow instructions for setting the clock and timed brew. So far, it works great! There is no battery backup memory so if you unplug it or your power goes out, it all needs to be reset. There is a selection button on the front for brewing 1-4 cups, which slows brewing to extract extra flavor from the smaller amount of coffee. This unit also includes a standard "sneak-a-cup" feature and a keep warm function with a 2 hour automatic shut-off, which I appreciate after having returned home to a charcoal-caked pot too many times.

Of note, I measured the coffee temperature after brewing with my trusty candy thermometer and it was 165 degrees. After sitting on the warmer plate, it was 175 degrees. For me, this is hot enough, even after adding a bit of milk or cream. I don''t know if that suits everyone''s tastes or how consistent this is, but it''s info I have to share.

A new feature that I found interesting was a special cleaning cycle, using white vinegar, which is recommended every 60 brew cycles. The coffeemaker records the cycles and a "clean" light appears on the display to remind you. Conveniently, this is also the recommended time to change your water filter.

One "complaint" I have is that the front of my box claimed to have a "gold-tone" filter basket and I have a nylon mesh one. The gold tone ones I''ve had in the past seemed sturdier, but I''ll have to see how durable this one is with time. I normally use paper filters as well so can''t address the effectiveness of the filter basket related to extremely fine coffee grinds. Another concern is that this unit is not noted on the Black and Decker website so I don''t know if it''s specially made for the chain stores or an older unit, which has been replaced with a new number.

To summarize, I have to say I''m very happy with my purchase. For $30, I not only have a nice looking unit that is easy to use and brews a good cup of coffee. I feel that there are many desirable features that I would not expect at this price. Reassuringly, there is a two year warranty on defects in materials or workmanship. I need to locate a source for the correct water filters, but there is an 800 number in the manual for parts and service that I''ve not yet tried. I will edit my review if I have any other information to share, but, so far, so good.

UPDATEI''ve had this coffeemaker about a month now and I admit, I''ve had some drips. It seems to be most likely to occur when the pot is full, but is intermittent at other times. Pouring slowly seems to be the best way to avoid it, but this does not guarantee it to be drip free. I still like the coffeemaker and am happy with my purchase. I just don''t want to mislead anyone about the dripping. All other functions are performing as designed.

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This coffeemaker is a SCANDAL. The lip of the carafe had apparently NOT been fixed as of my purchase date of 12/29/09. My considerable respect for Black & Decker is GONE. The human race has been engineering the lip of a pouring vessel since AT LEAST 2000 BC (Mycenaean Greece). Yup! since 4000 years ago. And probably since much earlier (ancient Egyptian, Chinese?). The solutions to the problem that work are KNOWN. I guess B&D fired their engineers and hired a bunch of swishy "designers." They must have also fired their product test people and hired a few more marketing specialists. Hint: Try pouring out the side of the carafe, avoiding the lip. But remember to curse Black & Decker each time you do it. And it''s not exactly the perfect solution. These folks expect me to buy a POWER TOOL from them?? NOT ANY MORE! I am not "irritated." I am ANGRY!

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I purchased this product in June of 2010. We barely use it once a week and within two months the carafe would leak quite a bit while trying to pour a cup of coffee. After a couple frustrating months, I called B&D and was sent a replacement carafe, free of charge. This carafe also started to leak within a couple of months. So I called their warranty number, only to be told that this is not covered under warranty and they show no record of there being a problem with this model. I told them that their repair parts website has two reviews both with leaking carafes!! So I then called the parts & accessories number in my manual and this gal was much nicer. They are going to send a more expensive model, after I send to them a check (minimal) to cover the shipping and handling, and the plug cut off this defective coffee maker. I sure hope the replacement model works better than the CM1010B, or we will be changing brands and find one without a glass carafe.

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Dont buy this coffeemaker! The first one I recvd leaked from under the plastic rim. The 2nd drips no matter how you try to pour it. Unless you enjoy licking your coffee off of the counter or pouring it into a cup over a sink and wasting half the pot, buy a Mr. Coffee coffee maker. Black and Decker should recall all those made and replace them. Shame on Black and Decker for making such a piece of junk!Black & Decker CM1010B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe

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Brita Water Filtration System Kit: 1 Pitcher Save 12% Off

• Brita Vintage Pitcher with 2 Filters
• Eliminate unwanted lead, chlorine and mercury from your family''s drinking water with this water filtration system.

Just bought this package (pitcher+2 filters) and the first thing that struck me is its shape: stylish and elegant. As I began to use it (two adults and two older boys--we go through 1.5 gallons/day), I noticed how efficient and effortless it is: It fills easily, filters water quickly, and pours effortlessly, while keeping track of the filter via a digital progress bar located on the lid housing. Because of its shape, you can fill up even very small-diameter bottle openings quickly and easily.

Note: I''ve read several reviews on this and other Brita pitchers that snipe about the design of the lid/filter assembly, and that it can fall out....(?) I''ve tried to make that happen and have been unsuccessful. From my experience, you''d have to be pouring really aggressively with a full pitcher of water to make that happen, which doesn''t make much sense when you consider that you''d be discharging water through the filler lid. If you''ve pushed the filter in with sufficient force to create a proper seal, then you''ve seated the lid/filter assembly with enough pressure to keep it from coming loose -just pour normally!!!!

Now, as far as the economics go: Where I live a case of bottled spring water goes for $4-4.50/case. That breaks down to about $2.00/Gal of water. The Brita will make about 40 gallons of water for each $6.00 filter. Let''s see: 40x $2/gal = $80.00 for 40 gallons of the bottled stuff vs. $6.00 for the same amount with the Brita......I''m thinkin'' no-brainer here.

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I just dropped everything in the middle of cooking supper to come write this review.

I hate the lid design. It falls off 70% of the time when you''re pouring or trying to flip it open to fill it. There is no mechanism to hold it onsave gravity...now how do you think that works when pouring or applying pressure to flip it open?

Further, when you fill it even a drop too full, the overflow is directed through a dip in the lid to a hole in the hollow handle, which fills up and drains out the bottom of the handle. This also happens if you tip it while full (like carrying it to the fridge). Nice stream of water dribbling down your leg, etc...

I really think they didn''t test this in practical application. Execs should be forced to use them for a month before marketing them.

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I enjoy the water after it is filtered through this filter. It is clean and sparkling clear. I had a filter on my cold water line in the kitchen for many years, but it finally needed to be changed. Rather than replacing it, we bought this Brita. While it does claim some real estate in the fridge, we have learned to live with it, because the water tastes so good.

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Great looks. Pitcher holds a lot of water--larger than the least expensive versions of Brita pitcher. I haven''t had any problems with the top falling off, as I''ve seen in other reviews.

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I read the other reviews complaining about the lid on this pitcher, so I was expecting to have problems, but I have no problems at all. This pitcher is sleek and well designed and the lid works great. I couldn''t be happier. I am very glad I bought this pitcher.

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Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Pitcher Save 17% Off

Despite a classier design which really is quite nice looking, there is a flaw in the construction of this model of Brita pitcher.

When filled to an average level in the top containment area, the water finds its way down a channel between the plastic interior and exterior metal casing. The water leaks down the device and collects inside the container, but outside the plastic water containment area. It pools inside at the base where the metal meets the plastic foundation and leaks from there. The only solution is 1) when filling, to fill less than you''d imagine. 2) Fill as usually but be VERY careful to not tip the device at all so that the water doesn''t leak down this channel. or 3) just fill it up and leave it in the sink till the water leaks out the base.

Obviously this is a pretty serious design flaw that i''ve reported to Brita. I''ve also bought multiple versions of this same pitcher to diagnose whether or not the first one was a lemon. Unfortunately they''re all the same.

Beyond just being annoying, there is a high probability that mold will become a problem as the interior of the device is always getting soaked in a place you can''t access, clean, or wipe dry.

Whether or not this is a deal breaker is up to you, considering the pleasing design of the device even i kept my last one, but still it''s disappointing to always worry about the leaky pitcher.

I''ve reported it to Brita, and hopefully they''ll fix this issue in a future re-design.

I looked forward to trying a "stainless steel" pitcher but it''s not really that. It''s the same material as other pitchers (acrylic probably) with a decorative half-cover in stainless steel. This makes it heavier although it looks stylish. Also it is larger than my other pitchers so that makes it heavy too.

I prepared the pitcher as directed with three changes of water. When i first took it apart to wash, I had great difficulty because the basin on top was stuck and I wound up prying it apart with a screwdriver, very gradually so as to not damage it. After letting it drip-dry a bit, i reassembled it but had difficulty because it does not fit perfectly and the diagram is useless.

Now for the taste test: not good. To be fair, our water tastes awful and this is the third pitcher that has failed to clear up the bad taste. To me it is undrinkable, although our dogs have adjusted to it.

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This claims to be better than plastic pitchers due to plastic changing the property and flavor of water. I do prefer my beverages, especially water, to be contained in a glass or stainless steel container. This product is advertising that fact, yet the clear portion the pitcher that the water touches, as well as the filter holder the water runs through, are both made of plastic. Now tell me how that makes sense or is at all helpful? I am tempted to return this thing, but I have not seen one made from all glass or steel as of yet. Seriously Brita?! I thought you were better than that. I don''t like "trickeration".

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We''ve used a large refrigerator Brita filtration system for almost two decades now. I have no doubt that this pitcher will last a long time given the quality of the company and the materials it is made from. I measured and it holds just over eight cups of water in the lower reservoir after filtration. It is easy to hold and pour because while made of stainless steel it is light.

There is a battery in the top of the pitcher that is supposed to light up whenever you pour to show when you need to replace the filter. Just so you know, the light only goes on after you''ve pour and it blinks very quickly and then stops so you have to look carefully for it. It has a life of 640 pours or two months. I''d have to test that for two months and I may revise this review after I do so. I do know for certain one pitcher didn''t even supply one days worth of water for my household.

There is one frustration I have with it that I frankly have with every Brita filtration system: the filter itself. I had to toss out three entire pitchers of water after setting in the new filter. I live in a city where we is it illegal to water the outdoor plants with indoor water so the water just gets wasted. If you have indoor plants you could use that water here but this is not my biggest frustration with the filters. What do we do with these filters after they have been worn out? And you know when they wear out because the quality of the water decreases and it tastes much worse than tap water. While filters might create less trash than bottles of water, at least those bottles can be recycled. Any one know what we can do with these filters?

Over all I think this is a great pitcher for water filration on a small scale. I took mine to the office where I can have it sitting on my desk and thus readily available for me to use. So I can''t say this is great for your family, but it might be just what you need at work.

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Brita Stainless Steel Pitcher is another product offering from Brita, one of the chief names in home water filtering. The company makes many different water filter pitchers, faucet filters and more, but this is the first offering from Brita, as far as I know, that features a stainless steel finish.

I have used many different Brita products and even though I wasn''t in need of a new filtering pitcher, this one caught my attention due to its appearance. My kitchen is loaded with stainless steel appliances, both large and small, so the slick, attractive appearance of this pitcher fits in nicely. I prefer this to the clear, seethrough pictures which take on a more basic, utilitarian appearance.

As for the filtering, it works exactly the same way as other Brita pitchers and takes about the same amount of time. The water drains through the filter at a reasonable pace but it does require the exercise of patience as you wait for it to trickle down to the reservoir below. If you pick up the pitcher and start to pour while water is still filtering through, there is a chance that some of the water will pour out through the top opening and make a mess. You just have to sit back and give it a couple of minutes to filter through.

One other nice feature found on the Brita Stainless Steel Pitcher is the filter life indicator. It lets you know when the filter needs to be replaced and it is simple yet handy. I cannot speak for everyone, but I know that I am not going to remember when to replace my filter. With the builtin filter indicator, a push of the button lets you know when the filter needs to be changed. Other Brita pitchers offer the same thing, so this is nothing unique, but it is still a feature worth noting.

Brita pitchers and filters do produce clean, fresh tasting water and this pitcher is no different. Water does taste better and even though the filters cost a fair amount to replace, it is still cheaper in the long run than the price you would pay for buying bottled water. The base price of the pitcher is higher than others, but the filter cost is the same, so there is only a small extra price to pay to get this attractive product in your kitchen.

If I had to find a potential negative with this pitcher, it would be the lack of visibility of the water. Some will not care about this, but others will not like the limited view. As one can see from the image, the sides of the pitcher feature mostly the stainless steel finish. There is only a small section that is seethrough, so you cannot quickly, at a glance, always tell how much water is in the pitcher. In contrast, most other Brita pitchers allow you to see all of the water because they feature a completely clear base. Again, this won''t matter to some consumers but others may consider this a problem.

Filtering your tap water is a good idea and the Brita Stainless Steel Pitcher is a nice, attractive way to filter your water and keep it on display. The appearance is slick and handsome in any kitchen, but especially those that feature stainless steel appliances. It also produces very fresh tasting filtered water and while it does cost more than other Brita pitchers, the attractive appearance is enough to justify the extra cost.

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Easy-Off Oven Cleaner - Fume Free Oven Cleaner Save 36% Off

I''ve seen commercials for this stuff like forever. My entire life. That''s a really long time! I''ve always wondered if it worked. I''ve NEVER cleaned my oven. EVER. No matter where I lived, I NEVER cleaned the inside of the oven. Outside, sure you gotta LOOK at that part every day but the inside? Never ever.

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So I bought a can of this on a whim the other day. I don''t do a lot of baking, because I am a bachelor who would rather eat peanut butter and bread while standing over the sink instead of taking the time to whip up an entire pot roast. But the inside of my over looked pretty gross. The entire bottom surface was caked in thick black whatever-that-is. I sprayed the heck ouf of the inside of the oven with this stuff, and let it sit overnight.

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Next day, I couldn''t believe it it was as if the cleaner had melted all the goo inside my oven! I took a bunch of paper towels and wiped it all away. I didn''t have to use my bulging man-muscles at all! It''s totally gross to clean your oven it''s like liquid grease and goo and YECH. BUT it WORKS! It''s like on TV when they take a swipe at a gross surface and it''s gleaming underneath. This stuff does exactly that. It''s incredible. Amazing. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!

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I love it.

I have to confess I''ve never used this in the oven. I did use it on some shower stall walls. They were really really thickly soap scummed. So bad that I was actually using a wood chisel to scrape off the first layer. None of the chemicals I had on hand made much of a dent and I was fresh out of "Top Job" and couldn''t find it anymore. A bit of web searching revealed that maybe, just maybe, this stuff would do the job.

It did! It did a wonderful job! I used 2.5 cans of the stuff, but that shower is clean and it didn''t take much effort at all. Spray, wait, rinse-rinse-rinse. Some quick work with the scrub brush got the remaining bits off easy-off plus dissolved soap to go away. The wall surface itself looks to be either refinished tile or (more likely) tile painted with some pretty good paint.

But be warned... This stuff isn''t completely fume free. Using so much oven cleaner in a smallish space proves that. Be sure to keep the area well ventilated and/or use a respirator.

Also, web research indicates that the stronger easy-off with the yellow cap is a bit too aggressive for shower stalls especially those fiberglass ones.

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As of recently, I am extremely sensitive to smells, perfumes, and scents. Going down the laundry aisle I instantly get a headache, same with the Glade bathroom spray aisle. I have to be very careful what I buy for bath and cleaning products. When it came time to clean my 7 year old oven (I kinda let it go inside), I sought out a oven product that wouldn''t make me instantly get a headache or have difficultly breathing (I''m talking to you Mr. Clean and Fantastik!) I was so happy to find this product. It''s fume free and has a light lemon scent that doesn''t bother me. It cleans very nicely. Spray it on, close door, wait 2 hours, ding!, wipe clean without elbow grease and wipe clean with a damp rag. I just sprayed it on my brand new oven after our kitchen remodel. After making Thanksgiving turkey, I splattered a bit more than I realized. After 2 hours of waiting, the cleaner removed about 95% of it. I make sure to wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove residue.

My only concern is: when you heat up the oven after the first clean, some of the areas that you sprayed/wiped turn white and release a smell, even though I thoroughly wiped it. That confuses me.

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Between this and Woolite''s Heavy Traffic Carpet cleaner my house looks like I know how to keep it clean when realyl we destroy it daily and spray this fixes on hahahahaha!! I LOVE this for the oven surface and inside the oven but it''s also great for any grease stain. When greasy splatters show up behind the stove, or land on the floor, cabinets, inside the fridge sticky messes, or sometimes on the sink area! All solved quick with Easy Off. I most recently made the mistake of putting a brand new cupcake pan into the sink to soak with something SUPER greasy! I didn''t realize what I did until the new pan was covered in a waxy thick shellac of greasy fat-crisco like slick. I couldn''t wash it out then remembered I had the EasyOff. So as with most greasy surfaces, I dry them off as best I can then spray this let it sit, within 5-10 minutes I come back with a sponge or scrubbie and it comes off easy as butter! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Fume free is not as bad but especially with the fume (yellow) can be careful if you''re in an enclosed area (like an oven of corner of cabinets in your kitchen not to inhale unless you''re a huffer cause PHEW you will get a bit dizzy. I have noticed both the fume free and orginal to be just as effective and the only really difference is the scnet & fumes. LOVE LOVE LOVE go buy this and clean up your grasy messes!

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I used it in an oven which is full of grease and stains that I didn''t take care for almost 3 years. Some of the grease is really tough to get rid of, which seems to be burned in. I could not get them off by simply brushing the oven with dish cleaners nor bathroom cleaners.

I applied the Easy-Off and waited about 2 hours. 70% of the grease and stains can be easily wiped off by damped paper towel other than the places seems to be burned in.

For the part that did not work out, I applied it again and waited over night. This time almost 99% of the stains and grease can be wiped off.

On the downside, the product does have some smell and not 100% fume free. I would recommend turning on your venting system in the kitchen while applying it and also openning the windows in the surround area.

In short, this thing really works !! To get the best results, wait for overnight. If you don''t like the smell, you can apply it while you are out.

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Aqua-Pure AP5527 Reverse Osmosis Filter Replacement Cartridge Save 47% Off

• Pre and Post Filter Cartridges
• Scale/Corrosion Filters

Product exactly what I needed for my RO filter and at half the cost of other companies

I am very pleased. As it does not specify, I want to report that both the pre and post filters are in the box!

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Needed to replace my current cartridges. Received these, installed them and everything seems to work well. Haven''t noticed any odd problems.

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Crane Ee-8064 Crane Germ Defense Humidifier Save 20% Off

This is my 6th small humidifier. This time I was determined to find an ultrasonic model that featured an automatic shutoff, a rotating mist outlet & digital controls. While they are such practical features, you''d be surprised to learn how hard that combo is to find! I came across this one from Crane a big name in plumbing fixtures. As I hadn''t heard of them making humidifiers before, I was leery. You know how it can backfire when you buy something that isn''t a mainstream name or model? That won''t be the case with this machine.

I am totally & pleasantly surprised. It arrived on time, well-packed & was intuitive to get started. It''s SO quiet! The reason that I chose this one over a quite comparable Holmes or Honeywell is because it includes an ionizer a feature that one would normally need to purchase a separate air purifier to have. It also offers BOTH cool & warm mist. While I don''t expect to use the warm mist (cats,) it''s good to know that it''s there. This is by far the QUIETEST humidifier of the six that I have had!

Unless you''re independently wealthy & can afford to run it with distilled water, you will need the optional demineralization filter to avoid the white powder deposit left by hard water. So just go ahead & buy one.

This machine is a real winner in every way. And oh, btw, did I mention that is QUIET????????

This is my third small humidifier and my first ultrasonic one. The other two were evaporation style once using disposable filters and the other using a permanent filter which water was circulated over. The second is in the trash bin, didn''t last two years. The first is a Vornado and works ok but is loud and requires replacing the filters every year.

Now onto the Crane. Based on the great reviews I read about the Crane humidifiers, I was looking for the drop shape one, but could not find it anywhere locally. My local Frys had this one so I picked it up. It humidifies really well, there are three settings, the highest pumps a lot of moisture in the air. So much so that it will dampen the carpet and other objects around if the fan in the room is not on. I usually keep it on low or the second setting and keep the ceiling fan on low. I also like the adjustable nozzle on the top. It has two rotating sections that can be aimed independently, so you can aim it in two directions. The warm mist feature is not necessary steam, it warms the water prior to misting it. You can feel the warmth a few inches over the nozzle, but it''s cool after that. I usually use the warm feature and the ionizer all the time.

What I don''t care much for is the tank design. It must be flipped over to fill and there is no handle or any easy way to old it while flipped. Also, the handle on the top is not centered, so when holding the full tank it tilts forward a bit. When setting back in the unit, you need to level the tank before it will slide completely in. it''s not the biggest deal, just a minor annoyance.

I''m also not a big fan of the buttons on the front. They are completely flat and sense the heat from your finger. If your hands are cold or damp from just handling the tank, sometimes the buttons don''t register a press. Since they are completely flat, I can''t find the buttons by feel while trying to make adjustments in the dark. The display is also way too bright at night, I have a piece of index card taped up to cover it.

Overall I like the humidifier and does a wonderful job of humidifying, but the design could be improved a bit.

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This Crane humidifier with touch controls works pretty well.

The Pros are:

Quite good humidity output that allows you to control how fast you change the humidity in your room. Also has timer so you can have it shut off after several hours, which is good if you don''t want it running all day or night.

The humidity level can be changed from 40% up to 60%. Mine seems pretty accurate, as I compared against a digital humidistat about 10 feet away and they typically run within 5% after you allow a couple of hours (I''m using it in a 500 sq ft. room).

The antimicrobial plastic polymer does seem to slow down the amount of bacteria that grows, so if the machine is cleaned once/week, it should be fine. It''s easy to clean

We fill it with water that was filtered by a good under the counter water filter, so not much white powder, even on the TV.

The Cons are:

Remembering to remove the nozzle prior to removing the tank to fill it. It usually goes flying somewhere on the floor.

It''s pretty quiet, but mine has an annoying high pitch hum from the ultrasonic transducer. It''s OK if you have the TV on or some other sound. I think to sleep with, it may not work for you. I can''t sleep with it on.

The tank is kind of a pain to fill since the handle is designed pretty poorly and is not centered so you will need two hands to handle it for sure.

As for reliability, ours is only about 2 months old, so far so good.

I hope this helps !

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This entire unit seems very fragile, and this fact is probably demonstrated best by the manufacturer''s repeated instructions in the manual of "DO NOT carry Water Tank by handle when it is filled with water." Why? Presumably because the handle is so weak and fragile that it will break off. Yes, it''s THAT flimsy.

The primary reason, though, why this unit is essentially unusable is that the humidity sensor on this one I''ve received is faulty. When I plugged it in, it stated that the "present" room humidity is "40%," and once during a 5-hour run, it registered "41%." However, at the time I started it running, my HygroSet Digital Hygrometer w/ Calibrating Kit, recently calibrated, read that the actual, in-room relative humidity was 34%. Hygrometers on humidifiers are notoriously inaccurate, so I simply assumed that this one on the Crane Ee-8064 read slightly high. I was wrong....

After 5 hours of running at the highest setting, the tank was nearly emptied, and my personal hygrometer read that the RH had risen to 53%. However, the readout on the humidifier itself still read 40%. Completely dysfunctional.

If you want a unit to run wide-open in a room to get it humidified quickly, this might be a fair choice, but, based on this experience, I don''t trust this unit''s sensor. It''s not one I''d trust to leave on overnight or to let run if I were to leave the room, for it can''t possibly self-regulate if the sensor can''t detect a 19-point change in relative humidity. I''d pass on this one.

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I ordered this Humidifier for my daughters bedroom but will be returning it. First I had to send it back to Crane to get the chiming sound mechanism removed because every time we used our tv remote (not even in the same room) it would make the unit chime! lol NOT good for a sleeping 10 month old! But that was fixable and had to ship it back and received back 2 weeks later. Then I set it all up in her room again and went in the room in the middle of the night when she woke up and omg... the smell was HORRIBLE!!! I''ve never experienced this with any warm mist humidifier before... I contacted Crane and they said that was normal for a new unit... all I needed to do was clean out the base and water tank with a vinegar solution and that should do the trick. I did that... 3 times and still no luck. I called them back and they advised that was just how it was for the warm mist setting.. and that if I would just run it on the cool mist I would not experience the smell. I''m sorry but I do not want to use the cool mist setting... I bought this because of the warm mist option and I expect there not to be a smell. She told me that it was because I was using in a small room with door shut and I advised her I was actually running it in our living room which is pretty large (we live in a 1200 sq ft apt) and the smell was still there. I ran it for a week in our living room hoping the smell would go away and no! My fiancée and everyone who comes over can not stand the smell... I would not recommend this product. I will be returning and ordering an Aeroswiss (this is what we use for our bedroom and is amazing!). Such a hassle.

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Whirlpool 8171434K Large Air Purifier Carbon Pre-Filters Save 45% Off

This product is not the genuine Whirlpool 8171434K Large Filters. They arrive in an unlabeled plastic bag not the Whirlpool box. Therefore, content and quality and manufacturer are unknown. They may function fine but I specifically purchased them because they advertised them as a known quantity the original Whirlpool filters which come in a Whirlpool branded box with a specific product number.

This filter is the exact same filter sold by Sears under the Kenmore brand. The equivalent Kenmore part number is 32-83378. Whirlpool pre-filter # 8171434K will fit Kenmore Progressive air purifiers for models 83200 and 83202. I bought this for my Kenmore Progressive air purifier and compared it to the Kenmore replacement pre-filters that I had previously bought from Sears. The filters are an exact match; even the box is the same except for what is printed on it. At the time of this writing Sears charges $10 more for the Kenmore part number than Whirlpool. If you own a Kenmore Progressive air purifier that takes Kenmore pre-filter 32-83378, I highly recommend purchasing this one to save yourself $10 and to discourage Sears from marking up there filters such a ridiculously high amount.

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We love our Whispure 510, have had it for over 5 years. These filters fit perfectly, same quality as originals, and the price is reasonable. Highly recommended.

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Got these for our Whispure.... the original that came with it removed odors really well, but eventually got too smelly and clogged.

These came in a box,...but not in a plastic bag,....no seal.... just stuffed in a box. Now, the box looks like it might be an original but I have a hard time believing the people at Whirlpool are not smart enough to protect these from humidity/odors/etc during transport and storage! As it turns out, ours smell disgusting, and once put in the Whispure emit a very strong insecticide smell probably from having been stored without protection! The job of active carbon is TO ABSORB ODORS....how can they not come sealed and protected?!?

Again,... horrible smell...can''t use them. Won''t return, as I don''t have the time.... but I wish I had listened to other reviewers about these not being the real thing! (or maybe even Whirlpool isn''t selling the real thing! maybe in this day and age we can''t even hope for the "real thing"!)

1 star because they made our home smell disgusting

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I purchased the Whirlpool 8171434K Large Air Purifier Carbon Pre-Filters to replace those in two Whispure AP51030K units that I am running. I only purchase items directly from Amazon, so I can''t speak to the other reviews complaining about 3rd party replacement filters being shipped instead of the OEM filters--the filters Amazon shipped to me are genuine Whirlpool filters.

The pre-filters have small slits pre-cut towards the top of the filter, which makes it very easy to position the new filter exactly where it needs to be on the grill. Once placed onto the front grill''s guide tabs, all that''s required is gently pushing the filter material into place and reattaching the grill to the air purifier.

I have been very impressed by the amount of dust and pet hair that these pre-filters are able to capture within their 3 month lifespan. The primary purpose of these filters is to capture the larger dust particles, thereby extending the life of the more expensive HEPA filter (which gets changed once per year). Despite the relatively small amount of activated carbon in these pre-filters, I have been impressed by their ability to quickly neutralize light cooking and catbox odors.

In my opinion, these filters are a great value and perform as expected.

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Replacement Filter Liners for Acme and Omega Centrifugal Juicers

If I juice without using these filters, my Acme juicer needs a labor-intensive cleaning to get the pulp out of the holes in the basket. The filters encircle the juicing compartment and adhere to the basket. After juicing, simply remove and discard the filter. Once, I ran out of filters and couldn''t find them in stores. I didn''t use my juicer for years until I found them at Amazon.

These filters, are not like the original. I got a package of filters with my Acme juicerator, and thought I was ordering the same thing when I ordered these "paper" filter replacements. The original lapped a little when installed, enough to completely cover the inside of the blade basket, and keep the pulp from sticking in the basket. These are 3/4" shorter, and barely meet, so there may still be some pulp that gets on the basket, and is a pain when it comes to cleanup. The other thing is these are NOT paper, like the old ones were. I put a match to one, just to prove it, and it did not burn like paper, but melted like plastic. Poor design, and poor quality.... and not an acceptable replacement for the original REAL paper filters. Disappointed here, but stuck with no other options for filters that I can find.

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These liners dramatically shorten cleanup time after juicing. They act much like a coffee filter, so ground pulp doesn''t get trapped in the metal mesh of the juicer.

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I bought a Waring Acme juicer, now sold as Acme juicer, decades ago. The filters which line the pulp collection chamber have saved me hours and hours of cleanup, and they are not expensive. I recently saw the Acme juicer for sale in a kitchen store and asked about the filters. They had never heard of them. Believe me, they are worth hearing about.

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Clear2O Filter (3 Pack)

Clear2O makes a decent pitcher, with a few design quirks. However, their filters do a much better job of removing impurities than Pur or Brita could ever hope to, and the taste difference is truly noticeable. The solid block carbon is the secret, but if you are looking for a "crisp" taste rather than a "dull" taste, go for the Brita.

The filters are supposed to be changed after 50 gallons, but I''ve read that the pitcher may show "red" before the 30 gallon point. I can say that Clear2O changed their filters about a year ago to last an extra 10 gallons (I called in about the slight change in filter model numbers). Unfortunately, the pitcher is not modified to accommodate this change, so you just have to run the pitcher until it''s back in the "green" area again if your pitcher is like mine (surely newer ones accommodate this change now).

I''ve found that the filters still seem to filter about the same until after the second full cycle of green-to-red. At that point, the taste starts to get a little different and you run the risk of some sort of bacterial floaters resting on the bottom of the pitcher (at least, if you do as we do and never refrigerate the pitcher). This behavior is probably why the Clear2O site says you should occasionally clean the inside of the pitcher with vinegar, because not doing this assures the bacterial film will eventually appear. If you always refill the pitcher before it ever runs out of water, you can almost assure in time a bacterial film, which can be dislodged by shaking the water around and then looking through the pitcher at a light source. It appears to be harmless, as I found out I''d been drinking the film for awhile.

This three-pack gives you the best price per filter, and it can be sent via Prime.

Why do I put up with the "dull" taste and the potential for a harmless film? Because both the laboratory test results and my tongue tell me there''s almost nothing left but pure water, and that is what I want for tea, coffee, and any other drink I may desire, and we go through a lot of filtered water in my home.

Had the Britta for a while. What I did not like was the fact that the sensor that told you when to change the filter worked on a time basis. Meaning that if you did not use the pitcher, even kept it empty, and a month went by it would tell you it was time to change the filter. On a side note I also discovered that Braun''s Pulsonic Electric Shaver Cleaning Station works on the same principle. Meaning that wether you use these products or not they will announce that a change of parts is in order (Baloney with a capital B). Enter the Clear2O Filter 3-pk. This system is by far the most efficient for it measures how many gallons of water you are consuming to determine when you need to replace the filter. Meaning, and I am sorry if I sound like I am lecturing because I am not, that if one doesn''t use the pitcher for a year and then started using it again it would continue to count the gallons. Fair is fair. The water tastes as viable as the one Britta delivered in the same kind of pitcher, the amount of time for the pitcher to filter the water much much quicker, so what is not too like? At first I was inconvenienced by the fact that you had to connect the pitcher''s hose to your faucet but once I climbed that hill I very much appreciate the performance, taste and durability. So look at me and my long winded effort! Surely a 4.5 more than 4 for the Clear2O Filter 3-pk.

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This is a difficult product to rate because the filters seem to do a good job of filtering our drinking water but it''s hard to know when to change them. When we first started using them, we went by the color indicator on the top of the Applica Clear 2O Water Pitcher #CWS100A but it seemed like it turned red very quickly. So I started keeping track of each time we filled it. We use a lot of filtered water in our household (more than I would have thought before I started keeping track) because the tap water has an unpleasant chlorine taste. We use the filtered water for our drinking water, coffee and cooking as well as for the pet''s water dishes, so filling it 6 or 7 times a day isn''t unusual. According to their website and the Amazon product page they are supposed to filter 50 gallons or over 88 pitchers of water. The indicator turned completely red after 45 pitchers.

I kept using the same filter and tasted the water each time, comparing it to the tap water. The filter definitely produced a glass of water that had no chlorine taste, almost like distilled water. We used the same filter until we were up to 85 pitchers full and then changed it. I''ve found that by lifting the used filter out and pushing it back in, you can make the indicator go back to green for another (presumably) 45 pitchers of filtered water. I''m keeping track again this time around and will update this review if that changes. I plan to put a sticker of some sort on top of the pitcher then next time it turns red so I know it''s the second time around and to change it when it turns red again.

So why am I going through all this trouble to stick with this filtration system? Because the water tastes better than any filtered water I''ve tried. We used Brita and Pur filters in the past that didn''t come close. This water tastes neutral, like a distilled water. Coffee and tea made with it tastes better. And the price of the filters is more reasonable than any others I''ve seen advertised and that''s a big factor for me.

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It''s fast. Less than a minute to fill a pitcure with filtered water compared to 10 minutes or so for Brita. The 40 gallon filtering capability is good and the color warning code helps you know when to change filters.

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Have owned the Clear2O pitcher for almost two years and was happy with product. Bought the 3 pack filters when needed for around $20.00 and now they have jumped to $38.40. I''ll be looking for another alternative. Won''t accept this price increase.

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Instapure F6Cc Faucet Mount Filter

• Instapure Brands, Inc. White Faucet Mount Water Filter F-6
• INSTAPURE BRANDS

I usually get Pur water filters for my faucet. The water tastes delicious (especially the 3-stage one), but I''ve had to replace two of them because they break after a few months. A hole will form usually on the red area that tells you when to replace the filter (water spews everywhere). I wanted to try a different brand that won''t break after a few months. This brand is more affordable and it was very easy to install. The water definitely tastes better than plain tap water and does its job to filter out bad things. I''m just honestly not used to the taste yet. To me, it doesn''t taste as good as Pur. However, it''s designed well and probably will last.

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Sturdy construction. Does not leak. Replacement filters are inexpensive. Fiiltered water flows faster than other devices.

I would recommend this faucet filter above the others.

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This filter really works... And the replacement filters cost wayyyy less than the Pur and Brita ones. I''ve had this exact one for years and it''s great! The water no longer has a metallic taste to it!

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Received the package on time and undamaged. The installation instruction in the box was clear, and the product was installed without any problem.

The packaging of the damaged product and open content, not finding part of parts such as: large black rubber and installation tool, reason by which it is difficult to install the product, please I would like to be solved this problem that the payment was cancelled in its entirety, which is why you should be very careful with products they offer that their products are damaged and incomplete.

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Kenmore PUR Ultimate II single pack Stage Filteration Replacement Water Filter

• Sorry no P.O. Boxes or AK & HI orders

Right after I installed it, the filter failed to filter. The water had a strong unfiltered chemical taste. I wondered if this was a return or used filter put back on the shelf and sold as a new filter. It is also a Sears ripoff as the price is too high. It is made by PUR so buy it elsewhere.

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I have owned a Sears Coldspot Model 106.56572400 fridge for the last seven years.

The filter which came with it was a Pur Ultimate II. Part number 9030.

This filter goes by various part numbers. e.g. Whirlpool, etc.

This is the BEST water filter which I have ever tried. You DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Yes, I have to admit, that I have shopped the stores/internet; and bought the cheaper filters

which are compatible with my fridge. I have (and more importantlythe wife) noticed the difference.

Now, I have a three year-old girl and a 1.5 year old boy. I don''t go cheap anymore.

Something about this filter JUST SIMPLY is better.

We don''t have crappy water, or iron/sulfur, or anything. I would call our municipal water ''just average''.

We do not soften our water.

The filter itself is of sturdy construction, has good end caps, and the screw ridges at the top (to accept the

grill beauty cap) have never failed. Installation is dead simple.

Per instructions, YOU MUST RUN AT LEAST five large tumbler glasses of water thru after installing. If you don''t,

you get shots of air which spurt out. However, this would be normal on any filter (as it is filling up with water).

Yes, there will be some discoloration (that''s the charcoal getting wet inside), etc. You certaintly don''t drink these five

glasses of water. I have never encountered a problem with my water/ice system in my fridge. This ''break-in'' is common for all fridge filters and your little Brita handheld as well.

I was told by the service tech that a way to better judge the life of your filters is to ignore the computer lights which come on and tell you to replace your filter. This is just a computer counting six months on the clock. The way to judge when your filter needs changing is to watch the ice maker. When the ice maker starts to drop ice that has several cubes stuck together, (2-3-or 4) then you are getting close to needing a change. (Watch the edges of the cubes as well.) This will tell you better how your filter is doing and coming to the end of useful life. Some people use large amounts of water in six months, others not so much. My wife swears by the filtered water for her teaand right as clockwork, at 6.5 months we need a new filter.

When you shop for a water filter at the ''cheap discount stores''be careful that they don''t substitute a ''ultimate I'' for a ''ultimate II'' series filter. (That''s why the price is $25 cheaper per cartridge.) You REALLY have to watch the name. That ''II'' makes all the diference.

In short, the best filter you can find for your fridge. And yes, I grumble about the price, too.

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I am guessing the previous comments were because you must flush the first 3 gallons before drinking. The first 3 gallons do have a chemical to clean the line.

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We don''t exactly have the best water even though it is well water. These purifiers offer a little more comfort of knowing that we are drinking cleaner and healthier.

My water now has a funny smell. I can''t be sure it''s this filter, but my water didn''t smell until I got this filter. It smells pretty badly.

These fitlers are the same price as everywhere else listed. Buy somewhere else. Just incase.

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Waterpik SM 653 CG Original 6-Mode Massage Handheld Shower Save 22% Off

• Waterpik original shower massage 3-1/2-Inch round shower head
• 6 Mode hand held shower head with 5-Feet vinyl hose
• Has 5 spray modes--full body coverage, pulsating massage, concentrated center spray, full body/massage combination, full body/center spray combination and water saver
• Attractive chrome finish
• Utilizes advanced OptiFlow technology

Just bought a new house, needed a hand-held shower head, and wanted it to look nice. So I tried Moen (returned it), considered Delta, and visited several stores trying to find a shower head. I can''t stand that all of these shower heads now just sit in their holder by the tip of the handle... that was part of the problem with the Moen it was shaky, seemed like it would fall out at any moment. I''ve had the Waterpik before and liked it (in fact, had it in the house I just moved out of), so finally, after much searching and a couple of returns, I went back to old faithful. Why did I ever look anywhere else? It''s not the sleekest looking shower head (others look nicer, more polished, more stylish)... BUT, it works well, and absolutely gets the job done. The spray options are perfect, the hand held piece (like others) just sits in the holder by it''s tip (I was worried about this), but it fits better than most, kind of wedges in there, so it''s very stable having used it now for a while, I have no concerns about it falling out. If you want something that will just work well and give you the shower you want, look no further.

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For several years, we''ve used Delta handheld shower with Aquasana water filter Then, a few months ago, the Delta broke and it was time for a replacement. We did a thorough research on Amazon and decided to purchase this Waterpik. The design looked good and the handle was very light. Regrettably, there was too much cheap plastic all around. So why the three stars? First, the harsh smell of the new rubber shower hose. How can I enjoy a nice, peaceful shower when I am enveloped in a toxic cloud? After 4 weeks of daily use, the Waterpik hose still smells awful. I replaced the hose with a 72" stainless steel shower hose from local "BDF hardware" (got it?) store. (Item #44053, $19.95) Second, since Day One, the shower head has been leaking. I changed the water setting, but to no avail. As the water flows, you can hear the constant drip.. drip.. drip into the shower floor. This is yet another example of a cheaply made, low-quality foreign product. Waterpik decided to slash U.S. jobs and build the product in China. They got what they paid for. In the future, I will seriously reconsider when purchasing another Waterpik product.

5/30/09 Update:

Well, it''s been 9 months since we purchased this Waterpik Handheld Shower. At 5 months, the showerhead got clogged. Switching to another setting didn''t help: half of the (filtered) water was streaming down to the shower floor. We then replaced Waterpik showerhead with an identical model, under warranty. Now, that replacement is beginning to clog. In Ukraine we have a saying: "We are not so -richto buy -cheapitems!" Well, we got what we paid for.

4/11/11 Update:

Two years ago, we purchased Delta Faucet 75520 Five-Spray Hand Shower, Chrome from Amazon. It''s been working great since Day One. Highly recommended!

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In case you are thinking the "chrome finish" means metal parts, it is not so. The chrome finish is on all plastic parts. It seems that it might crack or break more easily that a metal product, of course. I thought it would be made like my sink faucet, out of metal. I will treat it with care to avoid dropping or tightening the parts so much that they crack. So far it works fine, no leaks, and the plastic does mean it is light weight in the hand. I have held metal ones that do cause some fatigue from holding the weight after a while. No complaints, but I was surprised by the all plastic, so I thought I''d post a warning! I give it 4 out of 5 because it works nicely, but it doesn''t do anything outstanding or unusual. Value for price is good, I am satisfied with the purchase.

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Its quality may have dropped some, but this is by far still the best multiple spray shower head available. I have used several major brands, and they just don''t work as well as the original showermassage. Particularly the pulse spray setting. Simply the best for the price and then some.

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Our original white 5 spray of many years developed a crack around the threads and liking the Waterpik, I bought this model. It leaks as you switch modes so bad that it will dump water in your face if you are too close to head. You have to center it just right not to leak. Move it all the way to each end and it will leak. Tried another one and same thing. It is going back as soon as the epoxy dries on my old one. I live 50 miles from Waterpik headquarters and am going to video the old good one and this leaky one, and the next time I''m up there, see if I can find any one who cares.

Update Feb 2 2011. Epoxy still holding great.

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Old Friend Men''s Adjustable Strap Slipper

I bought these for my Dad after reading about 150 slipper reviews (no joke). My Dad is a big man with big, wide feet AND diabetes, so I was taking this really seriously.

The slippers look like they do in the picture. My Dad said that they are really comfortable and he wears them inside the house and just outside (to pick up the paper, go in the garage, etc). He likes the back and the fact that they Velcro so they won''t slip off.

I don''t usually review stuff, but I felt I should write one for these slippers since the positive reviews of others helped me to decide on this purchase. While they might seem a bit expensive for men''s slippers, these are top-notch and totally worth it!

Couldn''t be better. It took two changes to get the right size--I''ve got very big feet. Best I''ve seen anywhere. Wear them all the time (now) in the house. Could even go out for mail or a short walk.

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Once you put these slipper on they will never leave your foot around the house. Don''t say I didn''t warn you.

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I got these awesome slippers for my elderly father. His feet are very swollen and all he can wear are socks which are very slippery. A great feature I didnt know about until I received the slippers is the fur lining in the sole of the slippers can be removed for cleaning or if it''s summer and too hot or even for a better fit. My dad loved them! My dad takes a size 10 but because of him being diabetic and his feet swollen I got an 11-5E which was still to small. The width was great but I reordered a larger size so he could slip them on easier himself as 11''s were a bit tight. Just a good tip if you have the same situation.

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With my wide diabetic feet, these slippers were just right. They were wide enough and soft enough and adjustable.

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Cuisinart EM-100 1000-Watt 15-Bar Espresso Maker Save 55% Off

I purchased this machine at a Kohl''s for roughly $220. I think it''s of an exceptional quality for the price.

Positives: #1 Well built (it''s actually quite heavy)

#2 easy to use, filters allow for a single or double shot to be made also comes with a pod filter but I''ve never used it

#3 large water reservoir that has allowed me to make 4 or 5 espressos and steam milk too

#4 comes with a DVD that teaches you how to use it (much easier than reading the booklet) this is especially helpeful if you''re new at making your own drinks

#5 easy to clean

#6 has a warming plate on top (good if you need to make more than one double shot cups or two single shot cups

#7 espresso has a good taste (although I think this has as much to do with the quality of the coffee you''re using) The machine actually does produce a good amount of crema for the price you pay

#8 Stainless steel frothing picture is just the right size for one latte or two cappucinos

#9 15 bar pump allows for more than enough pressure and for great taste.

#10 has a feature that allows you to get plain old hot water too if someone isn''t interested in the espresso and wants tea/cocoa/whatever

Negatives: #1 the steam nozzle is too long you kind of have to tilt the pitcher to get the nozzle out this isn''t a problem so long as you know so you can use less milk or you can place the machine so the nozzle can be used on a non-countered space. The nozzle has a good range of movement so this does help counteract.

#2 the distance between the portafilter (where the coffee comes out) and the drip tray is not very tall I''ve found that I have to use a smaller cup to brew and then dump it into a larger cup if I''m going to make a latte and want to fit in a decent amount of frothed milk.

#3 you have to be really careful to not overtamp your grounds or you''ll end out with coffee everywhere this machine is a little pickier than I expected (and pickier than the really cheap machine this replaced). But, with that said, the taste is 100x better. You can catch it if you overtamp too so long as you closely monitor and make sure the water is coming out of the portafilter at a decent rate. If you overtamp, barely anything drips out. After a while you figure out how much is too much.

#4 my biggest complaint, and this one is quite dangerous There''s not a great way of knowing that pressure has been released this means that once your espresso is made and you''re ready to clean out the coffee grounds you have to be really really careful or it''ll explode the hot coffee grinds all over you and your kitchen. I''ve been seriously burned a couple of times. It might not be a problem if you''re used to espresso machines (I wasn''t when I first bought this one) or you learn to be super extra careful always.

We had a Krups combo coffee pot/espresso machine and after several espresso calamities in a row, I gave up and got this Cuisinart. So far it has been great! It seems that there used to be only basic espresso makers or extremely expensive ones on the market, with nothing in between. But the Cuisinart satisfies the coffee connoisseur on a budget by making truly wonderful espresso and more.

One of my frustrations with our last model was the "perfect froth" tip, which was disastrous to say the least. I just need a basic steam wand and I can take it from there, and the Cuisinart fits the bill it steamed and frothed my milk easily and quickly. Just be careful to use less milk than you might think, because the volume doubles in no time. I''ll probably switch to a larger pitcher than the one that comes with the Cuisinart, though it''s fine to start out.

A couple tips to get started: the instructions say the heating light should come on right away, but it didn''t for me until I switched the small knob to the droplet icon (as opposed to the middle neutral position). I figured this out by watching the video, which I recommend as the instruction manual is pretty bare. It''s also good to see how much pressure one should use to tamp the grounds.

The only negative thing I can say is that the warming tray doesn''t seem to get very warm, but I do like being able to store my cups on top anyway (more space in the cabinets now, plus a certain café aesthetic is always nice), so I don''t mind. Positives are that it''s fast, it''s quiet, everything is sturdy and well designed (and clicks or locks solidly in place so you know things are seated correctly), and the espresso is truly café quality an enormous difference from the more basic espresso machines on the market.

UPDATE: Since this review I have had some experiences with clogging. Cuisinart customer service was totally unhelpful, but here''s what I do to remedy the situation:

1. As soon as you notice espresso isn''t coming out, turn off the machine, take off the basket (you may have to wait for the pressure to subside), rinse it out well, and fill the machine with water.

2. Scrub the underside of the metal grid that the filter basket attaches to with a damp cloth.

3. Reattach just the basket with no filter. Heat water and run that through to get any clogs in the upper part of the machine. I fill up a milk pitcher. Then turn the big black dial to neutral, add the empty filter to the basket, and repeat. As long as water starts running through that ok it should be all right. I hope it works for you!

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I like my coffee. In fact, I freely admit to being a coffee addict. And before I say anything else, let me say that this machine makes great coffee. With the right beans and a bit of practice, you can beat the taste of any coffee shop with this.

That said, I am glad, I still have my french press, because sometimes this machine decides to be difficult. It usually starts if you tamp your coffee too hard. The coffee maker is then unable to pass water through and ceases up completely. Make sure you watch what you are doing, so you can stop it from trying if necessary. Now, the real problem with this is, that you will have a very hard time removing the basket, as long as there is still pressure inside. It takes somewhere between 5-10 minutes at least, before the pressure has gone down enough, that you can pry the basket off (watch for exploding coffeegrounds, if you didn''t wait long enough).

To make matters worse, the machine seems to have a hard time recovering after an incident such as this. It seems to get even pickier, with what it will accept, and it will be easier to resort to the backup plan, and let the espresso machine recover.

I would rate the EM-100 a 5/5, if it weren''t for this problem. I hardly apply any strength, when I tamp my coffee, and I still run into trouble from time to time. In fact, the first one I had got so picky, that I took it back to the store and exchanged it.

To minimize my risk, I take great care to clean every bit of the coffee maker after each use. If you can live with this issue, the coffee that comes out of this machine really is to die for.

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Use it at least twice daily with both ESE pods and ground espresso. It really is a nice machine. If you are like some other reviewers and have problems with coffee grounds blowing out over the kitchen after you are done then you are likely tamping them too hard or using a grind that''s too fine. Easiest way for a first time user is to buy some coffee in ESE (easy serve espresso) pods from the internet and feel it to see how hard the coffee is tamped in the pod. Cut it open and see how finely it is ground. Go to the grocery store and grind a pound of your favorite roast to about the same grind. At my grocery store the second or the third finest setting works fine. You can use your own grinder but a good burr type grinder costs some money and the less expensive blade grinders are useless for espresso. Tamp it to about the same hardness as the pod was. It makes wonderful espresso with lots of crema on top. I''ve never had an issue with grounds or steam blowing out after I release the pot--even with the machine on and waiting just until the coffee stops dripping to detatch it. I don''t see how you could go wrong, but some obviously do.

This one looks nice. It works well. Has a self-priming pump (a good feature that alot don''t include). It comes with a tamper, a stainless-steel frothing cup, filter holders for pods, single, and double shots. It also includes 2 tolls to clean the little holes the espresso is pumped through. It comes with pretty much everything you would end up buying for it in the first year. I have a water softener so scale will never be a problem but you would want to descale it once in a while if you don''t use distilled water. The only thing I wish it had was a dial thermometer so I could watch the water temp more closely. I believe that it has an aluminum boiler. I would prefer brass but you just can''t get it at this price. The pump makes some noise but not more than any other I''ve used. Steam espresso machines are cheaper, much quieter but burn the coffee and it doesn''t taste nearly as good.

Overall, very good product, easy to use and the best value by far at this price.

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To start with, the machine leaked water out of the bottom from the beginning.

A couple of months before the 1-yr warranty was up, the plastic (!) piece holding he steaming wand broke and sent the wand shooting under pressure. Cuisinart agreed to replace the machine, but I had to pay return shipping AND new shipping. I believe they sent me a refurbished machine, as immediately the wand would barely release steam and no water stream through the wand at all. The front knob would get so hot under all of the pent-up pressure, that it was too hot to touch! A couple of times the wand came shooting off. I called back, but Cuisinart told me now the warranty was up, even though they just sent me a faulty machine! Told me they might make an exception, but again I would have to pay shipping both ways! What?!?

No more Cuisinart for me.

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DeLonghi ECO310BK 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine Save 29% Off

We were worried about purchasing this product after reading the previous review about the lukewarm results. However, we had read so many other reviews of similar machines that we thought it could easily have been user error. When we bought the machine, we actually read the manual very carefully before doing anything. (Not our typical style :) We followed the instructions. We did more than the minimum 5 recommended times of running the machine using water only; it needed about 10 times of this to get really hot -but only on the first time out of the box. The espresso itself can be pretty good, but probably only for a casual espresso drinker. Even for casual sippers such as ourselves, it is easy to pull a shot that is completely undrinkable. (Actually, my husband is less discerning, so we feed him the "bad" shots.) I know what a beautiful espresso tastes like since I work next to a famous Illy shop in DC, and this espresso is, sadly, not the same. But, it is still very wonderful and enjoyable. Very drinkable, if you take care. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase.

I would like to give another tip, which is that the first 10 or so times that you use the machine, the filter attachment (the thing with the handle) is extremely hard to get to its fully attached position. Fully attached is perpendicular to the machine; this is not indicated anywhere in the manual. So if your machine is LOUD, you may not have this fully attached. It gets easier after a few uses. The machine is not very loud when you use it properly.

Cheers!

I fell in love with this machine--both its looks and its espresso quality--after being introduced to it by a DeLonghi employee in a department store. He pulled a great shot for me in the store: dark, rich taste, very hot, with a lot of crema, and for the past week I''ve had similarly great results at home. I was leery buying this machine after reading the Amazon reviews, but I took a risk and I couldn''t be happier.

Lukewarm shots seem to be a common complaint for machines like this. They happen for a variety of reasons, but this 15-bar pump definitely produces all the heat you need. Problems occur, rather, when the filter (the scoop-like handle) and your espresso cups aren''t hot enough. First, run the machine with just water at least once before you make a shot, every time. I also run the filter and my cup(s) under hot water just before using, and as a result my coffee both tastes rich and is very hot. You also, without a doubt, need coffee that''s been ground with an excellent conical burr grinder to get a fine and consistent grind, which is crucial for the way machines like this work. Most grinders that do a great espresso grind unfortunately cost as much as this machine, but as a substitute you can certainly get it ground professionally at your local coffee shop, and use that coffee for a few days. Not as fresh, but the grind is more crucial. Keep in mind these two things (good grind + warm cups & filter) and you will produce fantastic shots with this machine. And its style definitely classes up your kitchen!

Buy DeLonghi ECO310BK 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine Now

I had the same leaking problem with the DeLonghi 270 that so many others seemed to have. I had it fixed, but decided to give up when the frothing nozzle melted onto the unit and could not be removed for cleaning (right after the one year warranty expired). The DeLonghi ECO 310 seems to be a much better design. It has a larger water tank, easy to remove frothing cover and nozzle, makes a large cup of espresso fairly quickly, and doesn''t look chintzy. Hopefully, it''s built for the long term. The only drawback I found was that there is only 3.5 inches between the cup tray and the filter holder, so most large mugs don''t fit. That seems to be common with these machines, however. Also, I would like to mention that the measurements in the product description are slightly off. It is 10 3/4 inches deep x 9 3/4 inches wide x 12 3/4 inches high (to the top of the steam knob).

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Purchased to fit the look and size of my small European kitchen, I use it with the little Deca Premium pads easily available here in Belgium for a reasonable price. Haven''t yet tried tamping my own cup with ready-made, or grinding & using my own beans, but when I do, it''ll be Illy or Lavazza, or Douwe Eggberts coffee, that I try. The coffee itself, and fineness of the grind, is 9/10ths of the equation when it comes to filter coffee or espresso, in my opinion.

Haven''t had a bad cup yet using the Deca pads, and the temp has been just fine, every time, so no reason to go crazy trying everything under the sun. Around the corner, there are 8 caffes I can use for that, anyway! What I wanted was a way to get my caffiene fix, quick, here at home, without needing a degree in avionics or engineering to learn the ins and outs of the machine.

It was simple to use using the "quick card" pictures included to set up and get going, and in a few minutes--voila! Hot, delicious espresso.

The machine is brand new to me, so maybe over time I''ll come to find some things I don''t like about it. For now, it''s exactly what we wanted at a price we didn''t mind paying.

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I have to say that I love that I got this espresso machine. It has been a lot of fun making tasty espresso at home. This is my first espresso machine and before this I had never pulled a shot of espresso before. After only half an hour of explanation I learned how to easily pull a very tasty shot from this machine. There is a lot of good stuff about this machine, but also a few things I wish were improved upon.

The best thing about this machine is that it is easy to pull a delicious shot of espresso with this machine, if you do it right you won''t fail. I like that the machine looks really good on my countertop. It has a larger water reservoir and a nice cup warming tray, although the warming tray won''t heat up your cups but will keep them warm if you have already heated them up with hot water. Its really great that I can use either a prepacked coffee packet or tamp my own grounds for the espresso. The two spouts pour very evenly and it produces a lot of great creama.

There are a few things I wish were improved upon. One of which is the button interface, its nonintuitive if you are using it for the first time. I will go into detail later on how to properly use this machine. Another big annoyance is that frother wand only swivels side to side and doesn''t rotate front to back like most machines have. The whole thing is made of plastic which gives it a slightly cheaper feel and makes it less sturdy when you are knocking the thing around. Another big annoyance is that the size of tamper you need is a really uncommon size, 52cm, and the tamper provided that is attached to the machine is awkward to use and you never really get a good tamp with it.

Here is how I have learned to make a cappuccino with this machine. If you have any other tips or recommendations, please comment below as I am still learning too.

1) Fill the water reservoir at least a quarter of the way full with water.

2) Turn on the machine by pressing the top button. The top red light should turn on. Press the bottom button to heat the water for steaming (disregard if you are not going to steam any milk). The bottom red light should turn on.

3) Grind your beans using a burr grinder on the espresso setting

4) Put a filter basket into the handle filter holder and fill the filter with one or two scoops of ground coffee using the provided scoop. (1 scoop if using the one cup filter, 2 scoops if using the two cup filter)

5) Using the handle of the scoop, level off the coffee grounds with the top of the filter. You can push the excess grounds off the filter

6) Tamp down your grounds with ~20 lbs of force. You will get a feel for how hard you need to tamp it after you see a few results

7) Turn the filter holder over and lightly shake out any loose coffee grounds. Make sure to hold the filter lock up so that the filter doesn''t fall out

8) Put your filter holder back in your machine

9) Fill a cup or frothing pitcher with however much milk you want. I pour in about half a cup of milk.

10) Once the middle green light turns on, you are good to go. Open the steam, using the knob on the top of the machine, for just a few seconds to let any water out. It is good to have a cup under the nozzle to collect the water.

11) Now put your steam nozzle into your milk and open the steam. If you put the nozzle at the bottom of you milk you will make less foam, like a latte and if you keep your nozzle near the top of the milk you will make more foam, like a cappuccino. Steam your milk until you have the amount of foam that you like and the milk is just slightly too hot to the touch (140-160 F)

12) Close the steam and take the nozzle out of the milk. Now lightly tap the bottom your pitcher and swirl the milk to make the foam just right

13) Turn the steam function off by pressing the bottom button. The bottom red light should turn off.

14) IMPORTANT. Now you want to surf the temperature back down to the proper coffee pouring temperature. To do this you want to have an empty cup ready under the steam nozzle. I use the cup that I will drink my coffee out of to heat it up, afterwards I place it on the heating trip. Open the steam knob all the way and after this press the middle button (the coffee button). You should get all the steam out of the wand at first and then the hot water will start pouring out. Do this until the middle green light turns off. Now unpress the middle button and then close the steam knob. This will help prevent your machine from burning out its heating elements.

15) Once the middle green light turns on, place your shots under the filter and press the middle button. Espresso should start pouring out in a few seconds.

16) Once you have the right amount of espresso unpress the middle button.

17) Pour your espresso into your warm cup and then pour in your steamed milk slowly adding in your foam at the end.

18) Enjoy you delicious espresso.

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Crane Demineralization Filter Cartridge for Crane Spongebob Save 29% Off

We have the "Hello Kitty" humidifier and I bought this filter in the hopes of reducing the white dust from the humidifier, but all that ended up happening was that the water in the humidifier turned a dingy yellow-brown color and my daughter''s room FILLED with white dust. We had to open the windows and turn on the attic fan just to clear it all out. I''m not sure why this happened. I followed the directions on the box (although it''s 100% fool proof, all you have to do is place the filter in the base of the unit). We''re actually better off without a filter and I''ll be returning this for a refund.

What a horrible product! I thought that some of the negative reviews could have been a bad batch of filters. Well, that wasn''t the case. I used the filter in the humidifier, rinsed it out before use, and in the morning, the water turned brown. It was awful. Not only was the water brown in the bottom of the humidifier, but the mist was brown too (saw the droplets on the stand). Don''t even bother with this product. AWFUL!

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We have the Hello Kitty humidifier and this has made a tremendous difference. Very easy to install and off you go!!! No more white film on everything. Will continue to buy these in the future!

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I bought the Hello Kitty humidifier for my daughter before I realized that it used a different filter than the Crane Duck humidifier I bought my son. It was frustrating that they didn''t match, but I like the way the Hello Kitty filter works much better and the next humidifier I purchase will be compatible with this type of filter. It takes a minute to get the water flowing through the filter, but it seems to catch any "white dust" that would otherwise come out. And when i take it out of the humidifier and set it by the sink, it seems to dry out nicer than the other filter. Added bonus: my 2 year old likes to help set up the humidifers and can insert this one by himself.

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I have very hard water. This cuts down the amount of ''white dust'' that I used to see with this humidifier.

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