iSpring 3-Stage 20" Big Blue Whole House Water Filter Sediment Carbon

• Durable construction with Solid Metal frame - Stands on itself
• Removes a wide range of contaminants, including Sediment, Chlorine and Organic chemicals
• 1" inlet/outlet with NEW ALL-METAL fittings and connections!!
• Pressure Release Button for fast release of the whole house water filter pressure
• Standard replacement cartridges 4.5" x 20" (one set of filters are included)

Received the system quickly. This is a heavy-duty whole house big blue filter systems. Unlike most other systems in the market, this system has a built-in frame which makes the installation much easier. The metal fittings are a big charm. Installation is quick and easy, and we are very happy with the quality of the system and its performance. The replacement filters are standard 4.5"x20" filters, which are very affordable. Recommend to every one who needs an affordable whole house filter. Love the System!

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ispring 3 stage 20" whole house water filter system.

I purchased the system after reading the reviews and researching more on their website. It arrived very quickly. The water in my area of North Chicagoland has about 50% worse water quality than the US average.

I wanted to get this whole house system along with a Reverse Osmosis system for the Kitchen. The whole house filter will help clean up water for the two bathrooms as well as the dishwasher, clothes washer and the showers. I can tell the difference in the shower the water feels smoother.

I like the 4.5" x 20" size as this is recommended for most houses. I bought the 1" port size even though I have ¾ inch pipes. It is supposed to help keep good water pressure. And I have not lost any water pressure at all. The shower has certainly improved. I can the difference in the feel of the water.

I have read that the chlorine filtration of your shower and bath water may be even more important than the water you drink. We also have a steam shower and I hate to think of all those chemicals we were also breathing in.

I was impressed with the sturdy metal frame. I mounted it on a concrete wall near the water inlet from the city water supply. It took considerably more than an hour to install but I had to replace one entire pipe and the put in three additional ball valves in order to bypass the filter system if need be.

I have uploaded a photo so you can see how I installed it as well as its size. One tick I learned was to install the filters from left to right. Otherwise the middle filter tube will hamper your wrench movement.

I did a simple water test and the Chlorine came out at zero and the PH level at 7.5. I am very happy with this system.

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Great whole-house filtration solution!

Very good price for a 3-stage big blue whole house system. The built-in frame made the installation much easier. The plumber was able to install within one hour and no leak! Love this whole-house system. Very affordable!

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We bought this system for our ranch house in southern California. We have pretty bad water here. Our plumber was able to install the system within an hour. He was impressed with the solid built system, and the metal fittings instead of the regular plastic fittings. The combination of sediment filter and carbon filter improves the water quality a lot. Now, we enjoy fresh laundry, shower, and cooking water. I will recommend ISPRING to everyone

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Cuisinart DCC-2000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

I have a perfectly good Cuisinart DCC-1200, but after spotting the 2000 at a local store I couldn''t stop fiddling with the floor model. Well, my wife was lurking as I was fiddling and with my birthday coming up and my affinity for coffee she thought she''d found the perfect gift. Boy was she was right!

Now let''s be honest, carafe-less designs have been around forever Farberware''s stainless steel coffee pots are staples in offices and at parties they just haven''t been this much fun. I''m not going to repeat everything that''s already been written, but suffice to say the 2000 is a unique coffee maker. Does it make coffee better than my 1200 did? No, not really. But it does keep it hot longer, without the bitter, burnt taste that would often accompany the coffee from my 1200 when left on the warming plate for over 30 minutes. I normally have two cups every morning (not the puny 5-ounce "cups" that every coffee maker seems to think is the norm for whatever reason), but I''ve found myself having about three (maybe not a good thing?) since getting the 2000 because that third cup, about 1-1/2 hours later still tastes great. That wasn''t happening with the 1200. Sometimes I''d try the third cup, but the burnt carafe taste made it unfortunate.

One of the complaints I''m reading here is that you need a separate container to fill the 2000. I can''t be the only owner that owns a Pyrex 2-cup (or more) measuring cup can I? I just fill it up once, twice gasp! three times and pour it in while watching the water level on the side. Honestly, it''s not that hard. Cleaning is no different from any model with a carafe. But instead of washing the outer carafe you remove the inner "carafe" to rinse it out or give it a thorough cleaning. That''s the only difference. The coffee gauge is kind of silly and inaccurate and I rarely ever look at it, but it adds to the allure of the 2000.

I''ll be keeping my 1200 at the ready for my sister to use when she comes over to make her dreadful flavored coffees so they don''t contaminate my new toy. But until the next great design advance comes along to which I can''t say "no," I''ll be enjoying the 2000 to the fullest. It''s neat, it''s fun and it makes great coffee.

This is really a great coffee maker. The negative reviews all seem to be fixated on the fact that you have to pour water into the reservoir, and the unit doesn''t come with a container for this purpose!! Is Cuisinart the Devil? Should I call my lawyer and file a class action suit? What is wrong with people today? Is is really that difficult to procure a plastic pitcher of some sort, fill it with water and then transfer that water into the coffee maker? I think not, and I do it one or two time a day myself without covering my kitchen counters with water. If you are not able to pour water from a pitcher into the reservoir of a coffee machine, I really do not think that you should be trusted with a hot cup of coffee either.

The coffee tastes great, never burnt. It is easy to program and clean and does not take up a whole lot of room. It also comes with one of those re-usable, permanent gold filters which many companies sell separately for about $20. My girlfriend can operate this thing easily, and she has a hard time figuring out the remote control for the TV. If she can program this unit, so can you. As to the other negative comments I have read which describe a powerless, malfunctioning unit, I have had no problems whatsoever with mine. Hope this review was useful, thanks for reading it.

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We just purchased this coffee maker. Very unique design in that it uses no carafe but a tank inside the coffee maker to store the brewed coffee. You then press a lever to dispense the coffee. My wife has a habit of breaking the glass carafes and so this should avoid this problem in the future. The plastic tank holds the brew basket as well as the coffee and both are removable for cleaning. Full featured with LCD clock, auto start, and adjustable warming time. The most expensive coffee maker we have ever bought but it is well built and most importantly it makes great coffee.

UPDATE

Have to downgrade my rating to 1 star. While it made great coffee, the coffee maker kept failing. After going through 2 units we gave up and bought a Cuisinart DCC 1200 (with a carafe). We''ve had it almost two years and so far so good.

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Cuisinart has known problem with this coffee maker. The lid builds up condensation and when you open it, it runs down the back and eventually your timer/brewing mechanism will go out. Multiple reviews have had the same problem. Granted, when I called Cuisinart, they are willing to replace it. (Immediately reached a customer service rep on a Sunday afternoon). But I have to pay the shipping out and include a $10 check for return shipping, and in the meantime, I am a month without a coffee maker.

Oh... and by the way, the customer service rep was immediately aware of the problem, so it is a known problem to Cuisinart as well. When I asked the customer service rep if I could replace this machine with a different machine since it is a known defect, she said no, you can only replace like machine for like machine. I guess your only hope is they will discontinue the product.

If you are unfortunate like me and only read this review after you have already purchased the product, my suggestion would be to open the lid just a small amount to hopefully prevent the condensation from running down the back and keeping it in the grinds basket. Then after the condensation has run off, open in the remainder of the way to remove the grinds or add water.

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It''s quick, quiet, clean, and looks good too.

Filling it up is EZ, especially if you have a sprayer hose thingy on your sink. Otherwise YES you will need another container (preferrably one with a spout) unless you''re very adept & not clumsy. If you pour around the top sloppily it WILL get the counter wet, as others have noticed. The tank that holds the finished coffee does come out & you could use this as well but I think it would be kinda awkward, haven''t tried it.

It does come with one water filter that supposedly is good for 2 months. Or just put your own filtered water in there & skip the filters all together.

The timer & clock is easily setup. It brews quietly with little gurgling and finishes with a few low non-obnoxious beeps. It''s weird how quickly it sets up, I find myself standing there a few seconds afterwards trying to figure out what I forgot to do because it''s that zippy of a process.

There are no swinging baskets to fiddle with the top lifts straight up to give you access to the water area, the inner "pot" that holds the brewed coffee, and the two baskets for grounds. The larger square one is for using paper filters this one must stay in the machine. The smaller gold filter fits in this one if you go paperless.

Coffee stays HOT but not stupidly dangerously hot like gas station coffee. The last cup is as good as the first I''ve grabbed some 3 hours after brewing & tho cooling at that point (heater is on for 2 hours) the coffee tasted fine not bitter or burned or evaporated down at all. As often as I''m up getting the last murky cup (roomie makes the pot at 5:30am) this makes me VERY happy. We use generic & Kroger brand coffees too, nothing gourmet except very rarely. I can''t wait to put some REAL coffee in this to see how it does. Well actually I did today I forgot about that! Decaff southern pecan. It had a distinctive chocolate flavor that I''ve never experienced before, bonus!

I''d been reviewing & compairing coffee pots for a few months now looking for a number of features: extra cups (12), carafe-less or no-spill thermos, timer/clock. As a bonus this coffee maker is sexy. I like the stainless shiny plate that you put your cup on (and it never gets a drop on it) and the brushed stainless sides that wipe up instantly with a damp washrag especially if it''s hot. The finger marks just evaporate as you wipe. And it doesn''t steam up the underside of the cabinets or walls either.

Serving is a breeze, just put your cup under & press the lever. Viola! For very tall cups the grill lifts out easily giving you an extra inch. For jumbo cups (like tall travel mugs) yeah you gonna have to pour in another cup & then dump into YOUR cup.

My only "EH!?" is the gold filter. The one that comes with it just feels a little flimsy to me, I have another one from an old pot I use instead. It''s probably fine but I''m just used to the weight of the one I''ve got.

EDIT 8/30/06 STILL loving this coffee pot!!!!!

We make an average of 3 pots a day, sometimes 4. Still going strong, no problems at all. I run 2 cups of vinegar thru the system (top the rest off with water) to clean and then another pot of clear water to rinse. This keeps everything sparkling.

It''s my favorite piece of kitchen equipment to say the least. I FINALLY have a tidy area around the coffee pot with no drips or sloshed coffee. HURRAH!!!!!

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CBTL Contata S03 Single Cup Brewer Save 19% Off

First, I am far from new to the single serve specialty coffee makers. I own 3 top of the line different brands of single serve machines; CBTL makes 4. The CBTL machine is well designed and manufactured. You can see the quality of this brewer when you are holding it in your hands. I find it very easy to keep clean and love the disposable waste bin hidden inside the machine. The brewer looks great on your cupboard or showcased on a cart in your kitchen. With a cart you can wheel your entire CBTL ensemble; capsules, frother, and of course, the Contata into your dining room or living room to serve guests. Out of all the specialty single serve brewers I own, my preference is the CBTL. Why? I can enjoy premium CBTL beverages while I live on the East Coast. You know what I mean. There is something to be said about brewing a quality premium brand of espresso, tea, and coffees. When you brew up an espresso, the crema is a reddish brown; good indication of a good espresso. These are not simulated espressos. My favorites are well, all of the caffientated CBTL espressos available. It depends on my mood which one I reach for. And this is the biggest pro, the CBTL Contata and Kaldi can brew those espressos and cremas at 15 bars of pressure; important for a true espresso. The Contata and Kaldi also have the ability to switch to the lower bars of pressure (3.5) needed to brew a good cup of joe. My favorite brews so far are the French Roast and the Viennese. I haven''t tried the House Brew yet. I will soon. You can brew a short shot, a long shot, or brew a regular 7 to 8 oz of coffee or tea. Speaking of teas, have fun and make your tea a Latte. Any tea from CBTL can be turned into a Latte. Yum. I love the Tropical Passion and the English Breakfast tea. The Morrocan Mint is superb. Mix in a little chocolate for Chocolate Mint tea Latte. Or stir in a little French Vanilla, for a Buttercream Mint Latte. So many people are worried about the lack of choices. CBTL is the new kid on the block, built on an open platform. Knowing Coffee Bean, the choices will be expanded. I''m hearing new drinks will be available during the holidays. Ok, that said. Any capsule made for a Caffitaly system can be used in any Caffitaly brewer. In Europe, there is Lofbergs, Ecaffe, and Dualit. Actually there are more brands of capsules than those mentioned. Which means those capsules would fit in a CBTL and vice versa. Will those capsules be sold in the USA, I''m reading yes eventually online coffee sites may bring the capsules across the sea. Even if that doesn''t happen, I''m very happy with the quality of drinks I get by using CBTL capsules. I''m hoping to see CBTL Kona, Blue Mountain, Creme Brulee, Hazelnut, and more. And I really think if any company will expand, it will be CBTL. Love my machine.

Edited to add on 10/30/11. I still love my Conata and CBTL frother. Wanted every one to know CBTL follows through on their promises. I walked into my local Bed, Bath, & Beyond today, and straight ahead when I walked through the door were several shelves of CBTL products and a great selection of CBTL Capsules. Not advertised any where on the net, not yet any way, I found 6 new CBTL coffees: 10% Kona, Costa Rica, Columbian, Butterscotch Toffee, Hazelnut, and French Vanilla. Yep, I did stock up!

Edited on 12/17/11. CBTL Contata and Kaldi are Caffitaly systems. Meaning, any Caffitaly capsule will fit in a Caffitaly system, which CBTL is. I recently bought Ecaffe caffitaly capsules from a store in Canada which ships to the states. Also, you can purchase Danesio caffitaly capsules in the states if you do a search. This expands on the inventory of coffees you can use and increases the utility of the brewer. I''m enjoying my CBTL more and more every day ; )

After much deliberation, I ended up choosing this machine over the Kaldi mostly because it looked like I would be able to fit a normal sized coffee cup under the spout with the Contata but not the Kaldi. A standard mug that is about 4.5 inches tall will fit with some room left.

I like espresso so it wasn''t a big deal for me but it would have been a deal breaker for my wife if she couldn''t use her favorite mugs.

It makes fantastic, consistent espresso and coffee. Have had it for about a week now and made about 40 cups of coffee without a problem. I am really glad I was able to find this. I was looking for a replacement for a broken Keurig (evidently a common occurrence) and was happy I found a machine that could make both coffee and espresso well.

So far no complaints and we are very happy with the purchase.

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I''m writing this as my way of thanking the others who reviewed this machine. If I hadn''t found their reviews here on Amazon, I would not have known about this really nice little espresso / coffee maker.

We had a Keurig machine. As so many others have experienced, it went on the blink shortly after the warranty expired, producing wacky and random amounts of coffee regardless of the size chosen. Descaling didn''t solve the problem, either. After reading how so many others suffered through the same experiences, I decided the Keurigs were just poorly designed and was not going to buy another. So I was reading people''s reviews about the Tassimo machines and found a few others recommending CBTL machines (which I had never heard of). They pointed out that the CBTL''s actually did real espressos (15 bar pressure) and produced superior tasting drinks, plus they also did the lower pressure coffees and teas. The reviews convinced me to give one a whirl. Am I ever glad I did!

We got it just before Christmas, along with the CBTL milk frother. Less than a month later, we''ve made a LOT of lattes, mochas and coffees and are really happy with the machine and the frother. My favorite is a latte made with the Italian espresso short shot. The coffees are really nice, too, with their own rich crema, thicker and richer than anything you can get out of a Keurig. Granted, there''s not a huge choice of coffees for this machine (about 8 or so), but they are nice and distinctive; there''s good variety in the taste of what they do provide. For me though, when combined with the milk frother, the highlight of this machine is the superb espresso drinks you can make quickly and easily.

I highly recommend this machine, and I thank my Keurig for being so flaky: if it had been better behaved, I might have gone years without experiencing this much higher-quality home coffee machine. The CBTL is so far one of the more pleasurable and satisfying purchases I have made in a long time. Thanks to the reviewers who helped me find it. Hope it works well for you, too!

Read Best Reviews of CBTL Contata S03 Single Cup Brewer Here

My fiance and I received this as a wedding present and HAD to open it before the wedding. It has proven to be an absolute dream machine.

Best Features:

sturdy construction, a manageable 8.8lbs

detailed manual (READ IT FIRST!) with lots of pictures

few, easy to read buttons

power save function

large water tank capacity

quiet, much quieter than my old espresso machine

pull length for each type of drink is adjustable/programmable to your own personal taste, this feature is THE BEST

Speaking of ESPRESSO... Yes, this machine does it. At 15 bars of pressure with a rich golden crema. The ONLY single serve beverage system that does espresso. Better espresso than my DeLonghi machine!

adjustable pour spout so your espresso doesn''t splatter into your cup

cartridges available at my local Coffee Bean shop, Bed Bath and Beyond stores, or online from CBTL or Amazon

will also take any Gaggia Caffitaly cartridge

Google "cbtl reusable capsules" and you''ll find a nice hack to make your cartridges reusable with your own coffee/tea ("official" reusable cup? No. Slightly ghetto? Maybe. Ingenious and money saving? You bet!)

Cautions:

IMPORTANT: You will need clearance over the top of the machine in order to pull and secure the lever while inserting/ejecting cartridges. So either use without a cabinet over it, or it will need to be pulled out for each use.

If you live out of the US, I would check the voltage requirements to make sure you don''t blow the unit.

Limited selection of beverage cartridge variety. CBTL has 4 espresso (inc decaf), 12 coffee (inc decaf), 4 tea, and a few flavored powder sachets. The company is planning on launching new flavors this holiday season.

Mug clearance. My Bodum double walled mugs do not fit under the spout without tilting. Fine for an espresso but not fine when the whole mug is full of hot coffee. However, that''s my own personal issue, being double walled they''re rather massive compared to normal coffee mugs. :)

Uses only filtered water (I just use my Brita) or bottled water

No official reusable cartridge YET (Google "cbtl reusable capsules" for a cool hack)

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What a machine! It''s small but mighty -you are able to brew every type of coffee or tea drink using this single unit and its companion, the CBTL LM-145P Milk Frother, Black. Are you a fan of specialty drinks such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, special roast coffee, hot chocolate and flavored or regular tea? If you can dream it, you can make it.

The machine isn''t heavy and takes up only the same area on your counter-top as a regular coffee maker or 4-slice toaster. When you first open and unpack the machine from the box, you will need to put the filter piece in the clear plastic water reservoir, fill it with water (I use cold filtered water holds about a quart), and prime the machine. The handy instruction card that''s included will walk you through the process and then you''re ready to try making your first beverage. Select one of the CBTL capsules from their private collection of roasts and blends and pull back the top lever, drop the capsule in the slot and push forward to close it. Then push the button to start the brewing process. There are three water level settings on the machine -the smallest one at the top for espresso (about 1.5 ounces), the middle for long tea or other specialty beverages (about 3 ounces), and the bottom for brewed coffee or tea (about 8 ounces). You can experiment with the various levels to get the strength desired. I like to use an espresso capsule with the brew setting and top it off with warmed milk. When the coffee cycle is complete, remove your cup and raise the lever to eject the used capsule into the pull out receptacle behind the drip pan and discard it. After you have used your unit and are ready to turn it off for the day, run a short water cycle through the machine without a capsule to clear the small tubes. Clean up is easy, just remove the receptacle and rinse it off in the sink. I empty the water reservoir as well.

After a week with the machine and with the various products offered by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf company, I''m a fan! The only drawback is that the capsules are not available in any local store and must be ordered online through the company -and each beverage serving will cost you about 60¢. When you go online to find out how to get the capsules you find the following information about the CBTL(tm) premium club:

What you need, when you need it!

Sign up for monthly shipments of your favorite CBTL(tm) Capsules and flavored powder sachets and you automatically become a member of our CBTL(tm) Premium Club. As a club member, you''ll receive:

* A low $5.95 fixed shipping & handling fee on monthly shipments.

* Free shipping with minimum monthly subscription of $40.

* Free CBTL(tm) Capsule Holder upon first-time sign up.

* Eligible to receive free limited edition espresso, coffee and tea samples.

* Exclusive promotional offers.

There are 4 espresso flavors including a decaf version, 4 coffee brews including decaf, 4 different teas including chai, and 2 powder sachets -chocolate and vanilla -to make the latte and mocha drinks. I have now used them all! According to the literature included with the machine and on the website, you cannot use any other brand (Keurig or Tassimo) in this coffee maker. That makes it difficult as you have to order the capsules online and pay about $6.00 for a package of 10 capsules and the shipping and handling fee unless you become a premium member with a monthly subscription. I know that my local grocery store carries other single serve capsules and hope that CBTL can get its product in the supermarket venue as well to make it easier to get what you want without the hassle and price of subscribing to a coffee delivery service. Amazon.com does offer the capsules on its website.

I am enjoying my coffee and tea each day. I recommend this product to anyone who wants to try the single cup brewer method. It does make a perfect cup of coffee or tea.

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7" British Berkefeld Ceramic Water Filters for Big Berkey Save 39% Off

• Replacement ceramic filters for Big Berkey and British
• 7" in length.Includes rubber washer and wing nut.
• Super Sterasyl outer ceramic shell - Filters bacteria and cysts
• Activated carbon inside - Reduces chlorine and removes bad tastes and odors
• Filters are self steralizing and re-cleanable

My family use those filters since 2001. I think this is the best filters for my heavily mineralized well water. We use those filters in the Big Berkey body. I use only 2 filters at a time and this is enough for all our needs (and we drink a lot of water!) Top rating for this product!

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I was so happy to get these filters for our old Aqua Rain water filtration system which is very similar to the Berkey. The price was much better than Aqua Rain. The filter are a nicer design with a complete ceramic head for faster filtering. The company sent them quickly and packaged them very well. I will definately buy more of these from this seller. I am very satisfied with the product and company.

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I purchased (4) 7" British Berkefeld Ceramic Water Filters for Big Berkey from seller SpringClear Ltd. I have run approx 50 gallons of water through 2 of these filters using the Royal Berkey. I have yet to come up with a reading where these filters have lowered my PPM in fact they have increased it. The tester I used was the HM Digital TDS-4 Pocket Size TDS Tester Meter Without Digital Thermometer, 0-9990 ppm Measurement Range , 1 ppm Resolution, +/2% Readout Accuracy bought here on Amazon which had great reviews. I followed the instructions sent with the filter and even force fed water through the filter (as I had to do with the black Berkey filters). I also drained the Berkey after each test.

After approx 50 gallons run through the filters I did 3 tests for my Amazon review. The Berkey was again drained after each test and the meter was cleaned after each test. Here are the results.

TEST 1

Bottled water = 005

Tap water = 094

Tap Water w/ Berkefeld Ceramic = 128

TEST 2

Bottled water = 005

Tap water = 112

Tap Water w/ Berkefeld Ceramic = 116

TEST 3

Bottled water = 006

Tap water = 103

Tap Water w/ Berkefeld Ceramic = 113

When I demanded my money back from SpringClear Ltd I was told that it is not their fault it is mine and that they will not issue a refund. They also said it was possibly my tester. Not sure why the tester would pick the Berkey water to give high results and not the tap and bottled water. Here are some snippets from the email I received.

"If you wish to take this matter further I would recommend you seek a recognised Laboratory''s test results to back up your claims." So I assume it is now my job to get lab tests done. I just wanted to purify my water. Not become a water expert.

"The performance of these filters against disease causing bacteria and other contaminants such as cryptosporidium have been verified by independent laboratories. (Not members of the general public with an unverified and unspecified TDS meter which for all we know could be faulty.)" While I am by no means a digital water meter expert logic tells me even if the meter was faulty it would not add to the PPM of the Berkey water and not the Tap or Bottled.

"Notwithstanding that these filters, if properly installed are not likely to be adding anything to the water, as per the NSF certification, an increase in TDS is not necessarily an indication that the water is any way unsafe to drink. To leap to that conclusion and accuse Springclear Ltd or Fairey of supplying a product which is unfit for the purpose it is designed for is close to being defamatory." Sorry but if my meter shows the water coming out of the Berkey with a higher PPM than the water that I put in I am not going to drink it.

You decide.

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I recently purchased these to replace the filters I''ve had in my Travel Berkey since 2001, so this is a review of the British Berkefeld ceramic water filters over a long period of time. We''ve lived in multiple countries on several continents over the past 10+ years and used our Travel Berkey on a daily basis. We frequently cleaned the ceramic filters per the instructions. How frequently we needed to clean them depended on water quality and climate. The warmer the climate, the more often we needed to clean them. Over time, the constant cleaning visibly wore down the ceramic, but they lasted us ten years, which is an exceptionally long time for a water filter and far beyond their stated life span from the manufacturer.

So, yes, they are expensive, and they are fragile (if you drop them, they WILL break), but if you take care of them, I feel they are the most effective and economical water filters for long term use.

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This product definitely does what is it suppose to do. Its makes my tap water taste much better (not like bottle water though if that is what you are expecting. They have added minerals to give it that distinct taste). I used them in my personally built water purifier.

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Big Blue Water Filter Housing 10"

• Heavy Duty Construction
• Rated for pressures up to 100 PSI (6.90 bar)
• Rated for temperatures to 100°F (37.7°C)
• Tested and certified by NSF Internationalto NSF/ANSI Standard 42

This product was great quality but I had to send it back because it was bigger than the one we needed for our home. I was VERY happy with the service & refund process. I would purchase from them again.

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Bodum Assam Medium Tea Press with Plastic Filter

I bought this with the bodum tea warmer (the electic one they sell here) and use it every morning at work. It is WONDERFUL, as I can brew up tea or just have hot water on hand for teabags or my chai tea mixes. There''s a hot water tap at work from the coffee maker, so it''s simple to fill up. If I had this at home, I''d get a 4-cup pyrex cup so I could microwave that much water at once.

CLEANING:

You use a scrub brush every few days if needed. One of those yellow sponges with green scrubbies on them. The infuster does NOT hold on to flavor unless you are simply not washing it. The infuser is plastic, so if you don''t actually wash it off but just run water over it, yes it will retain odor/taste. You have to have a semi abrasive action to take off whatever hangs around. Really not an issue if you aren''t a completely lazy bum. Takes me about 30 seconds to run a scrubby sponge around the inside and outside and I only need to do that if I''ve left it sitting around for hours on end with strong tea leaves inside.

The plunger does NOT get stuck unless you are a complete weakling or have a defective product. There''s suction at work once you''ve pushed it all the way down, so of course it won''t glide up smoothly with a light tug. I probably use more strength opening a jar of jam than I do lifting the plunger.

Combine this with the warmer and you''ve a GREAT product. You can have tea on hand for hours and sip your mornings away.

They also sell a 2 cup and a 6 cup model. Judge how much you might drink and then pick the one that suits you best. I sometimes wish I had the 6 cup one instead, as I find that if I have that much tea on hand at my desk, it''s very easy to drink and suddenly find it all gone without thinking about it. I love it.

I received this tea press as a present and I love it. It is easy to clean and easy to see the strength of the tea brewing. In the time it takes to heat the water, you can fill the basket with your favorite loose tea, take your cup and saucer from the cabinet and put some cookies on a plate. And did I say how easy it is to clean? I take my tea leaves and feed my plants with them, then I simply rinse and wash the parts.

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i have a collection of 2-4 cup tea pots which i use frequently. this is the one i use the most, because it''s the most convenient.

since it''s microwave safe, i can heat the warming water in the teapot. i like the press action, because i don''t have to worry about removing an infuser until i''m ready to wash the teapot. i don''t use gunpowder tea, so i have minimal problems with bits in the pot. yes, loose tea does sometimes get stuck in the strainer, but it''s not that hard to remove. the shape of the pot keeps any tea leaves from ending up in the cup.

i have put the strainer and the teapot through the dishwasher many many times over the four years i owned my original (i''m ordering a replacement--no matter how good the manufacturer, glass still breaks when dropped in the sink). all the parts look the way they did the day i opened the package.

i highly recommend this teapot.

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After I was introduced to the superiority and richness of loose-leaf tea over the much compromised and degraded tea bag format, I want on a quest to find the ultimate tea infuser. I tried a steel mesh ball, a mesh net that goes over the tea mug, and a French Press. I then opted for the glass and metal Bodum Assam 4-Cup Tea Press over the less expensive plastic one because the plastic might melt, might adversely affect flavor, and its filter holes were too big to filter all forms of loose tea. The Bodum Assam 4-Cup Press proved superior in terms of its filter (no loose tea particles floating in the water), its heavy-duty construction, its dishwater-safe feature, and its ease of use. You can forget all the other methods for infusing tea. Get the Bodum.

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This is a fine product. I''ve been using it for six months now without any problems, including the plunger. It works almost exactly like a French press for coffee. Regarding complaints form other users--I put it in the dishwasher once a week, which gets rid of odors. It''s much easier to use than a teaball or infuser...but you cannot leave the tea without being plunged any longer than you normally would or it will get bitter.

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Couristan 5714/0136 Urbane Gatesby/Tan/Terra-Cotta 2-Feet

I love the feel and design of this rug. Not much to say other than that, except I would definately suggest to a friend to purchase from the maker.

I was very satisfied with this purchase, it is indoor/outdoor but I use inside. The colors are true to online picture it''s very pretty.

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GE GFSFR02 Refrigerator Filter Fresh Pack

• GE GFSFR02 Refrigerator Filter Fresh Pack (2-Pack)

I was very surprised not to find this on GE''s website. I ordered it through Amazon and it shipped fast. I had it a few days later. Will definitely use them again for this product.

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These GE refrigerator filters are hard to find in the stores-even appliance stores have to order them so it was good to find them online and good that they come in a two pack so I have one extra and then can order again. They are expensive I feel so that is why I did not give them the top rating. Hard to imagine they cost so much to make.

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Very useful for my fridge.. Loved the fast shipping.. It came out a lot cheaper than other prices I had checked out! Thanks :)

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This was a good deal compared to all others I shopped around for. My only beef is that the fresh packs came with the holder which I didn''t need because they are already in the fridge. I consider it a waste and it defeats the purpose of recycling.

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Filtrete 4US-MAXL-S01 High Performance Drinking Water System Save 53% Off

• Maximum Plus Filtration
• 6 Month Filter
• Filters up to 750-Gallon/0.75-GPM flow rate
• Quick Change filter replacement

Now that it''s installed, I really like this system. I''ve used Pur faucet-mounted filters for several years, and I decided to give a dedicated faucet system a try. I''m glad that I did. The flow rate and water quality are similar to that of the Pur systems that I used, but I no longer have a bulky filter mounted on the end of my faucet. Ahhhh, so nice. :) I picked this Filtrete model instead of their lower-priced versions that connect diretly into the cold water supply for a kitchen faucet for two reasons: (1) I didn''t want to reduce the flow rate of my main faucet and (2) I wanted a filter that also reduces lead content.

Overall, I recommend it but I do have some installation tips below and in the video.

My video provides an overview of the system (including what comes in the box), some installation notes and tips, and a shot of the flow rate. Here''s a quick summary of the video:

0:00 1:40: Overview. I show what''s in the box and an installed faucet in action.

1:40 6:48: Installation Tips.

(-) 1:40 2:40: Notes on the faucet installation. The included faucet is different than what''s in the main instruction manual, but there is a separate set of instructions included in the bag with the faucet. The faucet is very easy to install once you have an available hole in your sink.

(-) 2:40 5:02: Notes on the plastic cold water fitting that comes with the system. This is the longest section because I had issues with mine leaking, so I went and bought a metal replacement at Home Depot. All parts cost under $10, and it works great. I show the metal parts and how it looks installed.

(-) 5:02 6:48: Notes on filter installation. After initially trying to mount mine with the supplied screws, I decided instead to simply wrap it in a towel and lay it down under my sink. Works great, and takes less than a minute to set up. :) Seriously, you might give it a try before going through the effort of drilling and screwing in the filter mount.

6:48 7:12: Showing off the water flow and how quickly a glass fills up. I''m very happy with the flow rate of this system.

Again, I recommend this system. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!

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Let me first start by saying I really do like this unit. It comes with everything you need to swap out a soap dispenser or sprayer on your sink and replace it with the included faucet to have fresh water at your finger tips. The only issue I had was with the installation parts.

Specifically, the plastic adapter that taps you into the cold water and runs the tubing from the filter and also from the faucet. The plastic adapter is supposed to twist on and in my case, it didn''t want to very easily. As a matter of fact, I was really worried I had stripped the threads, but after many attempts, it finally took and I screwed the adapter connector down as tight as it would go. Secondly, the mounting bracket for the filter requires 2 screws. Well once you get the screws in just the right length to slide the mounting bracket down in place, you still have to tighten the screws for the finishing touch. Well, guess what? The mounting bracket blocks the screw heads and I can''t get a good bite on them with a manual screw driver. So although it is attached, it''s not as tight as I would like.

When all was said and done, I had some slow drips that I''ve been watching from the plastic adapter which have appeared to slow down since installation. I''ll keep a close eye on it over the next couple of days and assess what I need to do, if anything.

As for the water itself...it tastes really good and is clear as can be. This is great addition to our coffee maker and pitchers. No more trying to fumble under the filter spout on the fridge, this beauty has a great stream of water that filled up a 2 quart pitcher in record time.

They say the filter lasts up to 6 months, so it will be interesting to track that.

All in all, it took me about an hour to install as the disposal blocked access to the soap dispenser I needed to remove. Not to mention the odd angles needed to tighten down the faucet to the sink once I got going under the sink. But, I still managed to do it and I think you can to.

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I hired my usual handyman to install this product. I have the correct sink design to use this product you *must* have a hole next to the faucet where a handheld sprayer or other device would normally be found, otherwise it involves too much expensive work to have a hole cut into your stainless steel sink.

The handyman realized there would be an additional $40-50 that would need to be spent at Home Depot buying extra parts in order for this filter to fit and work right underneath my sink. He also expressed concerns about drilling holes in the shared wall underneath my sink that connects my apartment with the one next door. So I opted not to complete the installation at that point, and the product sits in the opened box, unloved and completely unwanted. If I''m going to spend that much money making this filter system work right, I''d rather just invest in a more expensive filtration system in the first place. So why did I rate this a 4 out of possible 5 stars? I don''t think it''s fair to rate a product a 1-3 if the reviewer was unable to actually use the product as it was intended, but it wasn''t necessarily the mfg''s fault.

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It doesn''t matter if you''re using city water or well water, there will always be risks of contaminants getting into the water supply, and that''s why I choose to always filter my drinking water. With Filtrete I know I''m getting a quality water filtration unit that will help to keep my drinking water clean and my family protected from water-borne problems. This particular model is slim and easy to install underneath even the most crowded sinks. Placing it between the garbage disposal, drain pipes, and water lines for faucet and dishwasher wasn''t an issue at all. The cartridge is easy to install and replace as well, and is made in such a way that there is little chance of making a mess.

As for installing the slim faucet that comes with the filter, I didn''t want to sacrifice my sprayer hose, so I took the two minutes necessary to drill a hole next to it, so that I could have the convenience of both. I actually like this setup better than having the entire cold water supply to the kitchen faucet filtered, as the filter not only cuts down on water pressure (which is normal and to be expected), but it will significantly increase the filter''s life, since only water for drinking will go through the filtration process.

Overall it is a great solution from a trusted brand.

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Filtrete 4US-MAXL-S01 High Performance Drinking Water System, Maximum Plus Filtration

Note that this Filtrete under-sink filter system comes with a Maximum Plus filter, that has a 750 gallon / 6 month estimated lifespan but is capable of filtering out lead/cysts and not just sediment and chlorine. The drawback is that each filter is about 2-4 times the cost of a standard sediment/chlorine filter for under-sink units, but it is worth it for the added filtration benefits.

The installation kit is straight forward. I''d say that a homeowner with some intermediate experience with plumbing will be capable of performing the install. I read some other reviews complaining about the plastic water supply line adapter cracking. I''d recommend using only 1 layer of Teflon tape and not overtightening it! It is working perfectly in my kitchen sink, and I have another Sears under-sink filter that I''ve been using for over 10 years. The installation method and parts/quality for the Filtrete kit is substantially better than the Sears model.

The filter uses a quick-turn bayonet fitting, and it is very easy to remove/install and takes up hardly any space under my sink. Since there''s only 1 filter unit, it takes up even less space than a traditional 2-filter under-sink unit.

The filtered faucet spout is quite long, and has a long reach. The water pressure is exceptionally strong for this level of filtration. I was expecting mediocre water flow because it could filter out the smallest of particles like cysts and lead, but it was strong MUCH stronger than my Sears sink filter. The taste of the water is comparable to the water coming out of my Sears filter and this will be subjective because everyone''s palette is going to be slightly different. However, I''d say that the water out of the Filtrete tastes like the purified water I''d buy at the store under various brands like Dasani or Nestle (not to be confused with Spring water).

The overall build quality is superb, exactly what I expected from Filtrete / 3M, and it takes up hardly any space under your sink. About the only complaint I''d have is that the filters are expensive compared to the standard sediment/chlorine filters, but keep in mind that these Maximum Plus filters will get rid of a lot of nasty stuff like cysts and lead, so it is well worth the price.

Overall: 5/5 stars, this is a well-made filtration kit that hardly takes up any space under your sink. Just remember not to overtighten the fittings and use Teflon tape. If you''re not comfortable doing any work on plumbing, I''d recommend seeking the help of a friend who''s a plumber or a professional. If you feel adventurous, have the right tools, and are mechanically inclined, it''s not that difficult to do it yourself.

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Watts (WQC4RO11) 11'''' Elements 4 Filter Quick Change RO Unit Replacement Filter

• Watts (WQC4RO11) 11'''' Elements 4 Filter Quick Change RO Unit
• Includes (2) Sediment Filters (WQCSC11)
• Includes (2) Carbon Pre-Filters (WQCCC11) (Yellow)
• Includes (1) Carbon Post Filter GAC Filter (WQCGAC11) (Blue)

Over the years I''ve used many types of water filter systems and in my opinion not only is Watts the best in quality but also changing of the filters is a breeze no turning off water and especially no tools. All you have to do is turn each filter a quarter turn and pull it off then revers to install and Bam! You''re done. Now I have the Watts 4filter system with a water softener because I''m on a well but it''s all good. As always Amazon is good! As far as cost for the filters I won''t go there because no matter what the cost I''m not happy , my wife keeps telling me to stop comparing prices from the 70s.

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Crystal Quest Countertop Replaceable Triple Fluoride Water Filter System

• 3 advanced cartridges: Carbon block, Fluoride Removal Filter and a 6-stage Filter capable of removing hundreds of contaminants
• Fluoride removal filter with 11000 ppm capacity
• 0.5 - 1 gallon flow rate
• A diverter valve switches between filtered and unfiltered water.

This product required very little assembly and was a breeze to install. The water filtered through this product has a cleaner taste than the faucet mounted filter that it replaced. Unfortunately, the faucet mounted control valve started leaking soon after purchase and the product was returned for refund. I purchased a second filter assembly directly from the manufacturer and it is still working fine.

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CRYSTAL QUEST 8 STAGE COUNTER TOP FILTRATION SYSTEM

PROS:

* Works good enough to protect you from heavy metals and fluoride

* Easy to use

* Quick install fits almost anywhere

* Water is noticeably better

* Simple

* Multiple Filters provide convenient water filtration and peace of mind

CONS:

* Plastic leaches toxins into the water over time Purchase stainless steel unit

* Requires gentle usage Abusive handling will cause breakage rapidly

* For best results water requires additional filtration This is the case for any affordable filter however

* Not the best design to obtain surface area utilization it could be better for little to no additional cost.

* Filtration is inferior to PROPURE* gravity system still, those are more expensive

TIPS:

* Use the added pre-filter made by crystal quest ASK for it Additional PRE and or POST filtration suggested.

* Ozonate the water after filtration Please study ozone generator usage for your personal water

* Prime the filter before using use high flow for 10 minutes then let drain with medium-fast drip for 2 days.

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Works great but I think it could use a shut off at the outlet. After you fill your glass or whatever it continues to flow for quite some time emptying the canisters? The peace of mind is worth it knowing the fluoride is removed.

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I installed this Countertop system in my house in N.J. Before Warrant expired I called in service for rust build up and water taste problem. The Sale-man never admitted any fault with their system but made me buy another filter for the better taste water. He told me that I must run the water very little. The way he recommand is open faucet so little that it takes 2 minutes to fill one drinking cup. It was no use the water still tasted awful. I also complained rust inside facet from water filter unit. He told me it''s normal and it''s not rust. He asked me to research the chemistry so I asked my friend who has master degree in Chemistry. She said that it was rust. Today I removed Crystal Quest Counter top and I installed another brand. I don''t recommend this unit. Another thing be-aware if you complain water taste to Tech guy in Crystal Quest Company. The Tech person is Sales-person he knows how to talk and sell extra filter which is still under warranty. He complained about N.J. water system. They said my system is 30,000 gallons (3-5 years)filtration capacity but After 6 months use a black mold build up inside 1st part of filter. I don''t recommand this.

Flouride''s other use is rat poison and this is a good filter to remove it. I have used mine for a year or so and it works great. I''m purchasing another one for my daughter.

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KYK Genesis Water Ionizer 7 Platinum Plates Save 11% Off

• 7 Platinum Titanium Plates made by Japan''s Top Metal Manufacturer
• 9 Preset pH Levels, Customizable to 76
• Two .1 Micron Multi-stage Medical Grade Filter
• 7 Color LCD Screen with pH and ORP Display
• KFDA Approved as Medical Device, FDA Listed

I''ve been waiting for the KYK Co. to produce a 7 plate model. Its finally here! With the extra plates it is very powerful and half the price of the other 7 plate models out there. I feel better and healthier than ever and I strongly recommend this machine for a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

Save 11% Off

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Water Filter Cartridge KDF GAC For Undercounter Units Standard Housings

KDF/GAC filters have been around a long time. They are vastly superior to other filters. I have, in addition to the under the counter water filter with a KDF/GAC cartridge, a whole house sediment filter using a 10 micron pleated filter. The sediment filter keeps material from ending up in the KDF/GAF filter and thereby extending the KDG/GAC filter''s useful life.

The current KDF/GAC filter now in use was installed in 1999. It is rated at 20,000 gallons. (This filter can easily do twice that amount and still be 93% to 99% efficient depending on what substances are being removed.) At 20,000 gallons, that would mean 4,000 days at 5 gallons per day for drinking and cooking purposes. That is just short of 11 years. We don''t use 5 gallons per day for making coffee, cooking food and drinking purposes and this filter is still going strong and doing an excellent job. You may use tap water to rinse food for preparation, just don''t cook with it.

You will know when the KDF/GAC filter''s life is coming to an end when the water flow becomes weak. Even then it is still working, but time to replace the filter.

Was much lighter than the KDF filter it replaced, but that''s to be expected since it was about half the cost. I think it''s good value. There was a mixup with the order and I was initially sent the wrong item. They told me to discard the wrong item and the order was corrected with no fuss.

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Seems fine. It works fine doing whatever these things do. These filters offer a significant degree of detoxification that could lead to much better health and lifestyle.

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I don''t have ''bad'' water, but don''t like the subtle chlorine flavor/smell, which this takes care of.

Most other filters need to be replaced every three to six months or so; not because they are ''used up'', but because the bacteria that survives until it gets inside a carbon filter (the part that removes the chlorine, that kills the bugs) starts colonizing it.

Theoretically the copper/zinc portion protects the rest of the filter from growing the bacterial slime that forces you to throw out other kinds of filters. I can''t really attest to that, short of cutting open the filter and feeling for slimy ''ick''.

This kind of filter is a great money saver on rentals with in-sink filters and/or ice makers inline before the fridge (check your refrigerator manual most of them allow you to completely remove or to install a ''dummy'' filter, so you can use a cheaper filter inline with the input water supply). You know the tenants won''t ever change a filter, so the inline version of this will take care of the fridge for years.

After about two years of this being on the cold water side of the kitchen tap, it still tastes OK and has good flow for everything. Filling water bottles, coffee, kettle, pots, etc.

The filter somewhat reduces (but does not eliminate) the scaly build-up on things like hot water kettles and coffee makers. The kind of stuff a little vinegar knocks right out.

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Straw Cleaning Brush - for reusable straws

Does what it says very, very well. However this is the same exact brush you can buy at your local dollar store. I realized this as soon as I opened the box. The packaging was all in Chinese with little drawings of how to use the brush....very dollar store-esque.

Anyhow. The brush works....I guess I was expecting some officially sanctioned starbucks product for $10. My fault.

In conclusion.....check your local dollar store first....chances are they have the same exact item...for nine dollars less.

I have a two year old that loves smoothies and collects cups with straws from restaurants, zoo, etc. This cleaner has fit and worked on every straw we have. It''s been great! The bristle section is a little short so on some of the longer straws I have had to clean from both ends but that hasn''t been a big deal.

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I can''t believe I ever thought I was actually cleaning my straw before I got this brush! If you drink anything besides water through your straw you NEED this brush to clean the inside! The dishwasher will not get everything that this brush does, such great product!

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This may be cheap and comparable to a dollar store item, as another reviewer pointed out, but it fits the bill for me. I use it to clean sippy cup straws and rubber parts that are otherwise impossible to get truly clean.

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This Parts Brush for cleaning ADULT length 11-12" straws is exactly what I was looking for to clean metal SLURPEE reusable straws. The length and diameter of the bristles and the overall length and tensile strength of the twisted metal brush itself are perfect and it stores conveniently in a drawer or dish drying rack. Other brushes on the market are either not long enough and or way too long. This product has made my life easier and cleaner, and even though the price was a little high at $11.98 per brush, they''re now down to $5.98 don''t know why but I''ll be buying more now as gifts for my protein shake customers.Straw Cleaning Brush for reusable straws, baby sippy cup, tea pot spout etc.

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Gaggia 102534 Espresso-Color Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine Save 40% Off

I had a Breville Cafe Roma, a good machine, but one that I would regard as entry level. Although the Breville had no trouble making espressos with a nice layer of crema, the (recently upgraded) steaming wand was still a weak spot. Also, there''s no hot water dispenser on that model.

After extensive research, I decided to purchase the Gaggia Espresso Color. Although no reviews of this model were available, I really liked the price, the color, the overall design, and the favorable reviews I had seen for other machines in the Gaggia line. This machine is compact, stylish, and includes elements found on higher end machines like a commercial portafilter, a stainless steel boiler, and a Pannarello attachment for the steaming wand. Also, I kept coming across the same brand names over and over again with a sterling reputation in the espresso world, and Gaggia is one of those names.

I am very happy with my Gaggia. I really feel that it is a cut above my old Breville. The insides of the machine (the boiler, the heating elements, the valves) are top notch. It is a very efficient machine which does a great job and is worth every penny.

There is a learning curve with this machine because the commercial portafilter does not contain a pressure mechanism like the filters in thermablock systems. The requisite pressure for properly extracted espresso is very dependent on the fineness and consistency of the grind and the pressure used to tamp the coffee. This machine is all about the ritual of making espresso, meaning you need to pay attention to details like prepping and preheating the machine, and minding the coffee grind and the tamp. The reward, however, is an excellent espresso that trumps what is sold at the typical coffee shop. The Pannarello attachment to the steaming wand removes a lot of the guesswork for making steamed milk and foam. The foam I have had from this machine is dense and luscious and makes my latte feel like a mini-vacation;-). The espressos and lattes I have had from this machine far exceed what I had from the Breville. They''re also a lot better than what I (used to) get from Starbucks. Thanks to my Gaggia, I can now get my espresso fix at home (and save beaucoup bucks at the same time)!

We own this machine for 2 years now, and, just like other reviewers noted, it was fast to develop a leak. Gaggia customer support convinced me that it is not their fault, as the gaskets wear out over time. They made me pay excessive fees for the gasket and shipping, and, to my surprise, it did not even fix the problem. However, here is a cheap 25 cent fix... The problem, actually, is in the way they design their product it has cheap plastic parts that support the portafilter on the group head, and they fail pretty fast. At the point of the failure it is not worth fixing it. However, you can take the basket (the metal part that you put your coffee beans into) out, and put a rubber band on it, so that it goes between the edge of the portafilter and the top of the basket. You might have to be careful when choosing the size of the rubber band, and make sure you choose something that is meant to withstand the heat and won''t release any harmful materials into your drink (it has no contact with coffee, so it should not.... but still...) You could also look for some rubber ring. The rubber ring should go into the narrow groove on top of the basket as if it belongs there... This will lift the basket a little bit, and make it seal with the gasket. And here it goes great espresso, with lots of crema. Of course, seeing the failures of the engineers to properly test the device before putting it on sale, I would not recommend anyone this product. However, if you have it already, this might extend the life of the useless coffee maker and remind you of the potential that this machine has...

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I live in seattle, Wa, and I live for coffee. I received this Gaggia Espresso Color for christmas this last year (2009) and there is definitely a learning curve... especially going from your regular drip coffee to espresso :-) After reading reviews and tutorials on ''''how to pull a perfect shot'''' I went to the store, bought a few bags of coffee and got to work. Lets back up a few steps though.

The machine: the machine is beautiful. Its heavy and sturdy, its made with quality parts-the portafilter is heavy like it should be-definitely not a chincy machine. The only quaff I have is the red outer shell is plastic. I would have preferred a metal casing, but thats my only issue. The drip tray is removable and easy to clean. The steaming wand does a wonderful job with heating things relatively quickly-not starbucks fast, but it does the job! The on/off button is in the back of the machine. A little weird, but not difficult to find. This machine is pretty quiet except for the actual brewing part-luckily that takes less than a minute. you get multiple baskets for the portafilter-double, single, and "pod". The seal does NOT leak-the only time it ever has, was when I filled the portafilter with entirely too much coffee and screwed it on too tight. That was operator error, not a faulty machine. You also get a plastic scoop and a plastic tamp-both work well for being plastic. I''ve never had issues! You will have to buy your own shot glasses, frothing pitcher, and frothing thermometer though.

Review: I noticed that the grind of the coffee needs to be pretty fine to make it pull a good shot-I actually have a cheap Black and Decker blade grinder and it works just fine. You just have to really grind it fine! I also noticed that the roast needs to be Medium-more Brown than Black. I was using a DARK roast and all my shots came out like Tea or Tar. When using Tulley''s Medium Breakfast roast, I get a perfect shot-lots of crema and all! tamping isnt too difficult. fill up the portafilter almost all the way with coffee, tamp it down till its packed pretty firmly (not using like ALL your weight, but make sure its solid.). This is an easy machine to use after you practice a while... i''m so so happy with it!

step by step:

1. make sure there is water in the machine.

2. turn on the machine with empty portafilter in place.

3. start grinding your coffee

4. wait for both green lights to be lit

5. place 2 shot glasses under portafilter, and push BREW button to fill with clean, hot water.

6. take portafilter out, and fill with coffee fine coffee grinds. Tamp. Replace portafilter onto machine to keep warm.

7. steam your milk-fill the frothing pitcher halfway with milk, make sure the brew button is OFF! (it its on when you twist the brewing knob, hot water will come out instead of steam!) twist the steam knob with the wand IN the milk. Heat. when finished, put a towel over the end of the wand, twist the knob once more to get a short blast of steam to clear the lines.

8. get your cup or mug and put some flavorings in there if you want.

9. dump the hot water out of the shot glasses from earlier. replace them under the machine, and push "Brew" (make sure the steam knob is OFF!).

10. after shot is done brewing, dump it into mug with flavorings and mix! add your milk, and wahhlahh! Coffee!

make sure you clean your portafilter completely and turn off the machine :-)

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I''d agree with Kaden22 This is a great machine but you have must preheat it according to the instructions, use a quality bean grinder, and get a correct tamp.

I too thought the machine had bad seals as water came pouring out every time I used it. It was very frustrating the first few times I tried it. Yet, I learned other espresso experts that you need a good conical burr grinder. So don''t waste your time unless have a decent grinder. Equally important, you need to get the right temperature prior making a shot. If you follow the manufacturers lead, you will you let some water through the pump and then let it preheat for about 8-10 minutes. One more step is to run a tad more H2o to preheat through the filterthen you are ready to tamp your coffee into the filter. Now run the machine et voilayou have a great cup of espresso.

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The first six months were heaven...no more expensive latte''s at Starbucks. Then the filter gasket began leaking. I had been cleaning the area after every use. Finally, I ordered another gasket. It was a difficult installation. It worked but the leaks began after one month. They suggest that you clean excess coffee grounds from the filter gasket and I did so religously. I have given up. Do not purchase this machine unless you want a leaker. The water cascades into your latte container along with the brewed coffee, diluting the product to the point you must discard.

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