- Replacement for MXRC, FXRT, FXRC, WR97X10006 and 46-9905 when used with an adaptor
- Fits Hotpoint HWF
- Reduces cysts, sediment, lead, chlorine taste and odor
- For best performance replace your filter every 6 months
Showing posts with label water filter cartridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water filter cartridge. Show all posts
MWF Hotpoint Filter Cartridge
Farberware FSU236 36-Cup Coffee Urn
Farberware FSU236 Stainless-Steel 36-Cup Coffee UrnI purchased this urn for a party I was hosting a few weeks ago. I was totaling surprised at the quality for the price I paid . It is very elegant looking and could be used for any type of function, either casual or formal. I don''t like ordering on line because sometimes the item isn''t want it looks like, but this wasn''t the case.
I had a MirroMatic urn before this Farberware; I definitely got the burned odor/flavor in that one. I think it had to burn its element more and hotter because the walls of the urn were so thin and lost heat very quickly. This Farberware is much more substantial. Stand it next to a less expensive urn and you will see why it costs more. With this item, you indeed get what you pay for!
Buy Farberware FSU236 36-Cup Coffee Urn Now
I purchased this coffee pot a few weeks ago for my daughter''s graduation party. Not only did it look great (loved the contemporary shape rather than the old upright style), the coffee was perfect, not bitter and stayed hot for hours, not minutes. Also the stout shape made it easier to clean and fill than the traditional style. You can make as little as 12 cups in this coffee urn with no problem..the markings are clear. This is a pricier coffee urn but if you really want to make a good impression and need everything to be perfect I highly recommend this model. Also it is 100% stainless, no cheap plastic parts if this is an issue. This model also comes in a larger size if you need more than 36 cups.Read Best Reviews of Farberware FSU236 36-Cup Coffee Urn Here
I will not purchase another Farberware product.I have the FSU 236 urn, which has been used only at family gatherings. When last used, it switched to the warming mode prematurely so all we had was an urn full of tepid dark water. Things break, no big deal.
Well, it is a big deal because a replacement thermostat is not available for this unit. I could not get a hit when I googled the part number stamped on the thermostat and Farberware/Applica/Salton indicated it is not a "consumer replaceable item." Odd, since you can get a thermostat, heating element, warming element, and fuse link for older Farberware urns.
Fine customer no service, at least direct me to a repair shop that would have the part and can fix the urn. Nope.
Then please look in your UL file and tell me the approved thermostats. Nope, that information is "not available and cannot be supplied."
I could understand if this model was discontinued, but it is currently being sold new. No more Farberware for me!
On the bright side, at least I have a lovely pot to ... never mind.
Want Farberware FSU236 36-Cup Coffee Urn Discount?
Farberware Stainless Steel 36 cup coffee/water urn: I had originally purchased my first one of these about 30 years ago. I used it about once a week for 25 hours, as needed. It sprung a leak, and I called the company about the repair of this product. I learned that the Farberware company no longer fixes their products that breakdown after a year. So I donated it to the GoodWill Industries store, where they will fix it and resell it discounted. I purchased a new one from Amazon.com about two years ago. After using it for about three months, I noticed that the supposedly stainless steel washer or houser located on the bottom of the 36-cup pot, which connected to the outside spigot, had become corroded. It peeled away, with an interior colored metal showing through! I called up the Farberware company to let them know of this defect. After checking the numbers printed on the bottom underneath the urn, the company rep said that I could have a new urn sent to me, if I returned the urn before the year was up. However, they refused to send me a free mailing label and insisted that I return this item by UPS. UPS charged me over $23. to send it! (I also noticed printed on the bottom of the urn, "Made in China" and that was disappointing to see!) About six weeks later, I received a "reconditioned" 36-cup coffee/water urn, via UPS, from the Farberware co. I was disappointed that it wasn''t new, as was promised me, but I used it anyway as it was needed very much. After only one month, the supposedly stainless steel washer or houser located inside the bottom part of the urn, also peeled away and became corroded and the bottom part became rusty too. When dried out, I washed the insides with a wet, soft cloth which was rinsed with baking soda to remove the rust. It helped, but the defective washer could not be helped. With a wet cotton swab, I cleaned out the inside of the washer which connected to the spigot and found a great deal of rust inside of the hole! I had asked my doctor if there is any harm in drinking hot, rusty water, and she replied that for most people, there is no problem. But since I have a lot of allergies, she told me that drinking rusty water would not be good for my health! So now I just use the urn''s hot water for other purposes, other than for drinking. I am stuck with this urn! Why did I think only "my" urn had a peeling washer/houser? Obviously, it was cheaper to replace all of the manufactured stainless steel urns with washers that were of inferior quality ones! I sure miss the first urn I bought 30 years ago, which was made in the USA! [ASIN:B0000CFSGR Farberware FSU236 36-Cup Coffee Urn]
Jura ENA 9 One Touch Save 29% Off
Let me first state that I have only had this for two days and that this is my first espresso machine. I say this so readers will understand that this quick "review" is to point out a couple of details that may be overlooked when researching this machine, not as an indication of the quality of drink produced.I began doing research on home espresso machines several years ago after drinking coffee prepared by my dad on his Jura Cappresso E8. It was a revelation to drink such good quality coffee outside of a coffee shop. At the time my wife didn''t care for coffee so it was only me drinking a single cup in the morning with breakfast so I was put off by the high prices and ended up buying a grind and brew automatic drip coffee maker by Cuisinart. I bought it "open box" at a kitchen store for a hundred bucks and I was pleased enough with it. Fast forward a few years and now my wife enjoys cappuccinos and lattes and drinks coffee with me daily, albeit with a lot of cream and sweetener. She also stops at the local coffee bar for a flavored cappuccino with some regularity. So I started looking into a quality espresso machine for the home again.
I spent a lot of time educating myself on the various makers, such as Jura, DeLonghi, Gaggia, Saeco, etc. I knew that I wanted to get a superautomatic as we aren''t purists, nor do we have the time usually to pull our own shots, froth our own milk, etc. At the end of the day, it came down to the various Jura Onetouch models, the Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine, and the DeLonghi ESAM5500M Perfecta Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Metallic Blue. My research led me to have a little less confidence in the DeLonghi''s reliability, although I liked their milking system. The Gaggia was just too much for me to spend on my first machine (or last for that matter more than likely). My dad has never had the first problem with his Jura and it''s more than 5 years old and likely has not had much maintenance or cleaning I suspect so I feel it will hold up to the reasonably light use we will give a machine. The Jura-Capresso 13422 Impressa C9 One Touch Automatic Coffee-and-Espresso Center, Black and Jura-Capresso 13423 Impressa S9 One Touch Automatic Coffee-and-Espresso Center, Platinum are older models, larger and more expensive than the ENA series. So due to the features, the quality, and the fact that it was the least expensive, I decided to purchase this machine.
Now, to the machine. The first thing I should point out is that it is a unique design for Jura. The other one touch machines work differently, which I didn''t realize when I made my decision. The key point to this is that THERE IS NO EXTERNAL FROTHER. If you want to froth milk manually you can''t do it. And it is not equipped with their Connect System either, which would allow you to change out the external wand with a frothing wand. The wand on the ENA9 is only a hot water spout. I would have preferred to have the option for manual frothing, both for experience and as a backup. The other nice thing about manual frothers as they are easier to clean. I mention this in case you, like me, didn''t notice the lack of a frothing steam wand. The internal frother does microfroth, which is a pleasure. You can purchase a Capresso frothPRO for less than steam wand would cost if you really want to froth manually (but it''s a different method of frothing.
This machine is really designed to optimize the one touch functionality. It works best when you set your preferences and store them. The preferences you can store are water volume (up to 12 oz), strength of espresso, duration of milk froth and temperature. You set these for espresso, cappuccino and coffee individually. If you want more or less of any of these parameters I think you have to go in and change the preferences. I may be wrong about this as I''m still getting my preferences set but I haven''t found a way of pulling a one off variety yet. Honestly, I pretty much want the same thing every time anyway so it''s not that much of an issue.
The one touch feature is nice. All you have to do is put the sialastic hose into your milk source, slip your cup under the nozzle and push the cappuccino button on top of the machine. A few minutes later, depending on your chosen froth duration, there is your cappuccino. Of course don''t bother with the milk for coffee or espresso.
There have been criticisms of the ENA series regarding the small capacity of the water tank and bean hopper. One of the compromises of having a smaller machine on your counter is that the capacities are smaller. My dad loves his large capacity water tank because he can drink coffee all day without refilling it. I personally like to have fresh water and beans so having to fill them up frequently doesn''t bother me in the least, but as I stated, we are not high volume drinkers either.
The last point I would make is that there is a fair amount of maintenance with this machine, IF YOU USE MILK. I don''t think it is unique to this machine but is typical of the superautomatics in general. My dad only drinks espresso or coffee which is probably why he can get by without cleaning his often. You are supposed to rinse or preferably clean the cappuccino portion after each brewing session. It is very simple to do but may get to be a pain on a daily basis. You just run the machine through it''s cappuccino cleaning cycle, using water or Jura''s proprietary cappuccino cleaning liquid Jura-Capresso 63801 Auto Cappuccino Concentrate, 250 ml and manually rinse the frothing tube and a few rubber pieces inside. It''s a small hassle but likely necessary as milk will cake on the internals and I''m sure halt the function of the frother if neglected like any other milk frother. Another reason for an external frothing option. Using filtered water, or the in tank Jura filter will cut down if not eliminate the need to descale the machine supposedly.
The ENA series boasts an energy efficient option of auto shut down, the timing of which you can customize. So, if you like to save energy, the machine will automatically turn off after a set period of time. This would not be an attractive feature if you are like my dad and enjoy walking up to the machine any time of day and pulling a cup of coffee. You would have to turn it on each time. It doesn''t take long to heat up again but it does prompt you to rinse on each start up. You don''t have to use the auto shut off but it''s there if you want.
All in all I believe this will be an excellent purchase. I got what I wanted but wish it had an optional external frother like the C9 and S9. The frothXpress system added to an ENA5 might be a little cheaper and a little more versatile but not as convenient and the frothing may not be as high quality. I hope this has helped you in your research of this high quality machine.
So I did a bit of research online before settling on this one and boy am I happy with it.
Not much to add to SpeadDeacon''s excellent review except that this machine is made mainly for use with whole Coffee Beans, with a light, medium and strong roast settings for the grinder.
Yes, it has a second opening on top for fine grounded coffee but only if you''re having black coffee. It seems Cappuccino and Macchiato only use coffee from the grinder source on top of the device.
As for the froth, it has to be seen to be believed. Its truly amazing, feather light and fine.
Cleaning is also fully automatic. It monitors what drinks you''ve been having and periodically (or on shutdown) applies the corresponding self cleaning mode.
Or it can be done manually with one-click. For example, any time milk frothing is used, just replace milk source with water and press C-clean. It cleans both the sialastic hose and rinses the milk nozzle.
The only gripe I have is that the water tank is a bit small (4-6 drinks depending on your settings for each drink) and the sialastic hose is attached to a black plastic thingy that plugs into the device (which is responsible for the fine froth) and it would have been nice if a spare plug was included just in case.
Overall a great, durable all-in-one-touch machine for home-use that''s well worth the price.
You can search for nTrk_7bd60s on YouTube for a demo.
Update: well I''ve happily had it for a year now and it still works just like it did on the first day. No regrets what so ever.Well, this is my second Super-Automatic machine and my first was the Delonghi ESAM3500. From owning these machines I noticed the following. Super-Automatic machines are a great convenience for making cappuccinos a simple process. Just put your cup under the spout, push a button, and one minute later you will have your drink. There is a downside that you must be aware of with this big purchase and that is the cappuccinos does not come out as hot as those served at Starbucks/McDonalds. This is a common complaint, check out the reviews for the ESAM3500. The reason for this is due to the automation of the steam/frothed milk not heating the milk to the correct serving temperature (150F). The ENA 9 steam/frothed milk comes out at 125F and the ESAM3500 is at 124F (with the milk starting at 40F and water at 72F). These temperatures lead to what many reviews describe as a warm, not hot, cappuccinos that require a trip to the microwave or the cappuccino will get cold on the way to work. To get an idea of the serving temperature of cappuccinos (espresso & milk), I measured the temperature of the drink from Starbucks and McDonalds and the temperature ranged from 142 to 150 F. The cappuccino from the ENA 9 is around 130F, while the ESAM3500 is 127F using room temperature water (72F). If I put cold filtered water from the refrigerator(42F) into the machine, the temperature of the cappuccino drops to 125F for the ENA and 118F for the ESAM3500. The reason the ENA 9 produces a slightly hotter drink is due to it''s 1450-Watt Thermoblock heating system vs the 1150-Watts in the ESAM3500. This makes the ENA 9 more tolerant to the water temperature you use. To give some credit to the machine, the espresso from the ENA 9 is around 169F and the ESAM3500 is 165F.
If you can overlook the temperature issue, ENA 9 is a great machine and makes delicious cappuccino with it''s thick frothed milk. Below are some pro/cons of the machine.
Pros
1. One touch button for cappuccinos / latte (just keep the bean and water container filled)
2. Wow, the foam on this machine is amazing compared to the ESAM3500. It is thick and micro foam like.
3. Programming the machine is straight forward and easy to do. You use the rotary dial to traverse through the menu and pushing the dial inwards for selection. You won''t need the manual after you read it once. The ESAM3500 requires the manual to be around to figure which buttons to hold down to program the machine.
4. Customizing your drinks is a step above the ESAM3500. For example with cappuccino, the amount of milk foam is selectable (3 to 120 seconds), the gap time between the output of the milk and espresso to allow the foam and hot milk separate (0 to 60 seconds), the coffee strength (mild, normal, or strong), amount of water (0.5 oz to 8.0 oz), and temperature (normal, high).
Cons
1. Warm cappuccino, just like the ESAM3500
2. The water and bean container is small. The ENA 9 holds 37 ounces of water vs. the 60 ounces on the ESAM3500. The ENA 9 is not meant to be used with large groups. It also has a glitch that it will requests the grounds to be dump after 3 beverages even though there is space available in the grounds tray.
3. Can''t output foam/steam milk by itself, the ESAM3500 has this capability
4. No cup warmer like the ESAM3500.
5. Both ENA9 and ESAM3500 have a max cup height of 5 inches, which means most travel coffee mugs will not fit under the spout.
6. The water container is located in the back and must be lifted up. This means that the ENA 9 requires around 22 inches of height clearance
Suggestions:
* Get the Bean vacuum canister to keep your beans fresh. Exceptional Designs Bean Vac Coffee Canister (ED150)
* Starbucks sells their coffee syrup for $10 (just asked the barista). "Cinnamon Dolce" is my favorite.
Read Best Reviews of Jura ENA 9 One Touch Here
I have a Rancilio Silvia, which I have been using every day for the last 8 years. Silvia produces a good espresso, but the steaming ability is quite weak. It is difficult, noisy, time consuming and requires clean up. I don''t do milk in my drinks, but my wife really wanted that option, so we agreed to buy a super automatic with one-touch capability. We looked at a range of machines, running from the the Jura Ena 9 to the Saeco Xelsis.We finally picked the Ena 9 on the basis of the small footprint, plus it is a Jura (excellent reliability), and the ease of use. We don''t need super-programmability, nor fancy touch screens or anything like that.
My major concerns were two fold: (i) the quality of the espresso relative to the Silvia, and (ii) the problems of cleaning out the milk frother.
I ordered through Amazon, and the machine arrived on time and in perfect condition (as is always the case with Amazon). After using the machine for three weeks, here is my bottom line assessment of the machine:
1. If you don''t need programmability, this machine is great.
2. The quality of espresso with the actual espresso button is not particularly great, even when you modify the strength of brew and the amount of water. But if you press the Aroma Boost button twice (double espresso), I find this produces a very good quality espresso. The intensity of the brew is not as great as the Silvia, but overall it is very good. So no complaints here.
3. Cleaning: it turns out not to be as much of a hassle as I thought. I hand-rinse the milk components out every night which takes around 2 minutes. The machine also routinely self-cleans, which keeps the machine squeaky clean. I use the milk frother cleaning liquid to run it through the machine once a week, even though Jura recommends this be done once a day if you used milk on that day. I find this to be overkill, and one way that Jura can make money on cleaning products. If you clean out the components properly every night, you have nothing to worry about.
4. The convenience of the machine is just fantastic. I make an espresso or two every 90 minutes or so, and I can''t tell you how easy it is. It is a major step-up from my Silvia. I now have no intention of using Silvia unless the Ena breaks down sometime in the future.
5. The one-touch frothing is superb. The foam is just fabulous thick and luxurious. I don''t drink milk, but just playing around with that foam makes me want to put some into my drinks. My wife loves it, and even makes her own drinks in the mornings it''s that easy to use.
6. The down sides are the following:
the coffee bean hopper is a little small. You end up filling it once or twice a day, which is a pain.
the water reservoir is also way too small. I have to fill this at least three times per day. I am seriously thinking of constructing a tank above the machine which will auto-fill the built in reservoir.
The spent coffee grounds fall into a small container inside the machine which is also way too small. You need to empty the grounds after every 3-4 drinks. But sometimes, depending on how the spent puck falls into the container, the machine thinks the grounds container is full after just two drinks and will require that you empty it. This, for me, is the biggest hassle. Having to empty the grounds every 2-3 drinks is silly. And there is nothing you can do to fix this you just have to live with it.
You''ll notice that all of my complaints are related to the size of the machine the small footprint seems to cut on these conveniences, which I had not really considered.
Bottom line: I am absolutely happy with the machine. If I were to do it again, I *might* look at a larger machine, but the quality of the autofoaming is so good, and the price is fantastic, so I would definitely give this machine another chance. The time it saves me every day, plus the constant availability of top-quality espresso is most definitely worth the paltry $1500 this machine costs.
UPDATE: one year later, and I am still super happy with this machine. I have had no problems with it at all. The cleaning is easy, the coffee is good, and so no problems. I find that I use the auto-froth far less than I thought I would, so if I were to do it again I would get a machine without this function. But it''s nice to have when people are overthey always coo when it does it''s own frothing.
Want Jura ENA 9 One Touch Discount?
The following are comments I wrote my cousin when she asked about my experience with a Jura (Ena 9 which was purchased from a non-Amazon retailer about 17 months ago.) Here goes...So as for the espresso machine (Ena 9), I do apologize for doing that to you guys. It was a mean dirty rotten thing brandishing the sparkly appliance and forcing tasty espresso drinks on you... ;) That having been said, I believe we are both still glad to have it. It makes making good coffee so very simple. There are however some things that would be good to know before investing a small fortune in a coffee maker.
So THE most important thing you would need to know about a Jura (at least the 2 models I''ve been exposed to) is that there is a super secret manual cleaning process (and by that, I mean you use a paper towel to dislodge/wipe some coffee grounds) that is not documented at all in the manual. It is easy to do and I only do it about once every other week, but both I and a friend that has a Jura (prior Ena) were perturbed when after a month the machine seemed to have no pressure whatsoever. A quick call to Jura (which seems to have rather good service) cleared the matter up and prepared me for the biweekly manual hand/paper towel cleaning technique. They really should document the method because I believe it needs to be pretty much necessary/standard practice.
With respect to changing the beans, (that could be your deal breaker... my cousin''s concern was her drinking decaf and her husband drinking regular) I''m not exactly sure how to accomplish that. We pretty much dump the new beans on top of the old ones.
I did once try to get the beans out of the holding basket... I was somewhat successful using a vacuum, however I gave up trying to get the beans that had fallen (and there were still a few down there) past the guard which apparently was put there to prevent people like me sticking their hands down into the grinding mechanism. I''ve never been bold enough to turn the whole thing upside down as I''m sure there''s some kind of internal water holding tank which might make a mess.
There is however a bypass that allows you to put ground coffee in without having to bother changing the beans. It works pretty handily (although we use it somewhat infrequently), however according to the instructions, you must not put too many grounds in there or supposedly it could damage the machine. That being said, if I was using it regularly, I would probably have to pre grind (which obviously causes you to lose the "fresh ground" appeal of such a device) and pre measure the coffee for quick use... That whole process is somewhat more messy than most would like because the grinding and measuring means you''re inevitably getting grounds all over the place (especially if they''re still statically charged). You do however still get the benefit of having the grounds dumped into the easy to empty bin rather than having to dispose of or thoroughly clean filter/baskets.
Another thing that can be annoying... especially if you''re a clean freak... the used ground bin and the waste water catch/reservoir can get ugly looking (especially the reservoir underneath that tends to be a mixture of water and coffee grounds/mud. Whenever we first got the machine, I couldn''t take seeing it with all the wastewater/mud. Now it rarely gets emptied until its almost full and when it does it most often only receives the most cursory rinse... I believe we''ve pretty much decided the parts inside that catch the leftovers are destined to be messy... that''s why they are hidden away inside... You can clean em till they sparkle, but when you make your next cup, they''ll only be covered in coffee grounds/mud again.
So a couple other things I will mention for full disclosure... Although there appears to be a way to change the grind settings, we pretty much have to leave it on the largest grind... presumably according to Jura this is because the beans we use are oily and cause the machine to not work very well... We tend to make a "cup" of coffee rather than shots of espresso (a sin most coffee snobs will surely scoff at.. but hey this is a review for a fully auto machine after all.. a snob should not be reading such things)... we want plenty of water coming through. If you were making a shot, supposedly you''d only want about an ounce of water in about 12-18 seconds. If it is a double you''d want 2 ounces. We max the thing out... I think its only about 8 ounces.. That''s not a huge cup of coffee. If I was making a shot, presumably I''d put the grind to a smaller setting which (according to the instructions) must also be done while grinding is taking place or else it could potentially damage the machine (although i''m pretty sure I''ve changed that setting when it was not grinding and so far my machine seems to be fine.) Also for those that prefer a "cup" of coffee, the water reservoir is pretty much just the right size for the initial rinse, 2 people to have a cup in the morning and the pre-shut down rinse. The next morning you will have to refill the reservoir (probably a good practice anyway)... All that is to say that if you''re doing some entertaining and making large cups of coffee... you''re either refilling the reservoir several times or you''re running out in the middle of a cup (which can also be annoying.)
Next... if you''re trying to take your coffee with... it is somewhat difficult to find a mobile cup that fits under the spout (they are all usually too tall). I found one that is small (so I''ll make a smaller cup a bit stronger). My wife holds her travel mug tilted under the spout. Most mugs you use around the house won''t have that problem.
I''d probably speak more about the frother on our Jura except we don''t use it very often. It works very well, but we''re lazy and even though frothed milk is really nice, non-frothed half and half is pretty dern good also! There is also a bit of cleaning that is necessary when you''re putting milk through the machine (which is as mentioned... more work when what you really want is to walk away, sit and enjoy your coffee).
The manual also mentions using a water-filter to avoid having to periodically clean the machine due to build up from hard water (which as you might have guessed if you''ve noticed the trend... has the potential to damage the machine.... I have no idea how paranoid the product manual author was or how real these problems might be.) We started out using a Jura filter... eventually we ran into what I believe was a faulty filter which prevented the machine from taking in any water... and ever since have just filtered the water using the filter on our tap rather than the ones that sit in the water reservoir. The Jura filters aren''t free... the cleaning tablets necessary to clean up after a couple months of hard water use are far less expensive and the machine tells you when to do it (as it does for most other cleaning processes with the exception of the undocumented manual paper towel method) and what to do....
So after reading all of the ways you can permanently damage your brand new overpriced coffee filter, I should more than have made up for having tempted you with such a sparkly and tasty-beverage making device. On the other hand, if you''ve read all of this and I have not deterred you, I expect you may be pleased with a Jura. They make great coffee very easy. And this rather extensive essay does document most everything of importance regarding how to use it and what to expect.
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Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffeemakers Save 20% Off
I bought the Mr. Coffee 4-cup coffee maker a month and a half ago, and have no complaints thus far. I use the thing almost every day.Time involvement:
I am a college student and part time employee who wakes up a different time each morning of the week, and I also like to drink tea sometimes instead of coffee. Mostly I brew coffee in the morning, but sometimes I like to see if I can go all day without a caffeine dependence, only to find I need to brew a cup late in the evening to finish my day''s responsibilities. So far, this coffee maker has fit very well into my irregular coffee drinking schedule. It brews all four cups in about 5 minutes, and it only takes a few minutes to place in a filter, add coffee grounds, brew, then rinse the carafe and removable coffee filter basket. On days when I''m racing out the door, taking the small amount of time to prepare my coffee doesn''t impede my rush.
Taste:
I buy gourmet coffee, and I find that the coffee comes out tasting great. Sometimes I take my gourmet coffee to the brewer at work--which is a 12-cup, 2-carafe brewer--and the coffee isn''t nearly as good. Since these are the only brewers I''ve used regularly, I''m not sure if there are any brewers that brew "cleaner," but since I don''t notice any unusual tastes in my coffee, I''d say this one is pretty clean. To enhance taste, I use cold water from my Brita faucet filter--I''ve found that impurities in tap water are sometimes amplified when heated in coffee brewers. I use paper filters now, just because there weren''t any 4-cup permanent filters at the store when I bought this, but I hear permanent filters provide even cleaner of a taste.
Speaking of the filter, I''ve read a few reviews complaints about the filter folding over and allowing grounds to drain into the carafe. If this is the only problem, a permanent filter will certainly take care of this. However, I have not once had this problem.
Size:
If you have more than one coffee drinker in the house, or you are someone who likes a lot of coffee to get going, you may need the 12 cup brewer. 4 cups are enough for me to put in my thermos and sip on all day at work or college, and if I ever need more, I prefer a fresh brew anyway. There''s just something about the taste of reheated coffee that turns me off.
Carafe:
The 4-cup carafe is well built and easy to pour. I saw reviews about how hard it is to pour without spilling--I haven''t had a single spill yet. Just make sure you keep the lid from flopping open. If you need to, place your thumb next to the hinge when holding it to keep it closed (if you own this, you should know what I mean). The one complaint I do have about it, though--and it''s minor--is the extreme tapered shape. The taper at the top creates a little "shelf" where the last few drops of coffee get caught when pouring, and you almost have to invert the carafe completely upside down to get it out. However, the amount caught on this shelf is very small and not worth inverting to get out. I always rinse my carafe out after finishing the coffee, and it''s no problem to invert the carafe over the sink.
Timer:
At first, I was upset that the "delay brew" feature needed set every night. I was hoping for a brewer that you turned on once, and it would automatically brew every morning. Now I know why they built this brewer this way. There are times I''m just too busy to remember changing the filter and coffee, or I forget to replace the carafe on the heated plate after rinsing it. I''d hate to wake up the next morning and see twice brewed coffee in my carafe, or worse, all over my counter and floor! This feature is a blessing for busy and scatterbrained people. And since you need to change the coffee and filter each night to have automatic brew the next morning anyway, turning the "delay brew" button on each night isn''t any more of an inconvenience.
My brewer sits between my microwave and stove, both of which have clocks. I haven''t noticed the time being off on my brewer in the time I''ve had it, like others have experienced.
Other:
It''s small, light, and the filter basket comes out so you can rinse it after each brew. I think that''s important to the freshness of your coffee. I''ve also torn open tea bags and poured the ground leaves into the coffee filter so I could brew large batches of tea. This seems to work great and really maximizes the flavor of the tea, but since tea stains easier than coffee, I have to pay more attention when I rinse my filter basket and carafe so the tea taste doesn''t linger when I''m going to brew coffee.
Now, this coffee maker seems pretty solid. However, any appliance can break early, and since I''ve only had this coffee maker over a month, I can''t say how long these things last. But I''ve had no problems so far, and I recommend this coffee maker.
09/02/2010 Two year follow-up and the DRX5 is still working great. The clock gains maybe a minute per year if that. This is the best small coffee maker I''ve ever owned and has led to several other people in my office purchasing like model.
09/07/2008 I''ve been using my Mr. Coffee DRX5 coffee maker for eight months now and I really like it. I wanted a small coffee maker for my desk at work and this one has really fit the bill. It has a very small footprint so it works great on my desk, it has not leaked a drop which is also good, and it makes pretty good coffee. (I use a heaping 2 tablespoon scoop for four cups.) I chose the black color so it doesn''t show the stains. The unit has a removable filter basket so I don''t spill grounds when emptying and the water level sight "glass" (which is plastic) is really handy since I fill it out of a water bottle rather than using the carafe. The clock is a great feature as I don''t have one at my desk. (I notice that others have mentioned having problems with the clock but mine works just fine.) The output when I make a full pot fills my coffee cup about twice which I find is about the right amount of coffee for me.
I only have minor complains. You have to pour slowly so the carafe doesn''t spill and one hour shut off doesn''t give me enough time. (Some mornings I make coffee at 6:30 and don''t have a chance to touch it until after 8:00.) You can hit start again and it will warm up the carafe.
Overall, this is a great little unit and it has inspired others in my office to purchase this model as well. Making my own coffee is much cheaper than paying a $1.00 for a 16 oz. cup in the cafeteria and I love the smell when the coffee is brewing. Having this unit allows me to drink the specialized coffee I prefer. The small size means making a second pot isn''t so much of a chore on those days when one pot isn''t going to cut it. I recommend the Mr. Coffee DRX5 to people who like fresh coffee with a minimum of fuss, either at home or at work.
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We all know that too much coffee is terrible for the body in several ways. So, instead of using the 12-cup coffee maker, we decided to go with a smaller one to force me to drink less coffee. I love this product for a number of reasons.Pros:
Perfect size for a single coffee drinker.
Timer is great. Every other 4-cup maker that I found were switch based without a timer setting. Timer settings are really helpful when you want to just get your coffee and go.
Easy to clean. This product has a removeable filter cup for easy cleaning. Also, the auto-pause in brewing is helpful to both allow for quick removal and less spilling.
Cons:
It takes a little longer to brew 4 cups with this maker as it does in a larger maker. This may simply be due to the size of the product.
Summary:
I really like this product. It makes coffee perfectly. It is compact and takes up very little space. It is perfect for my coffee needs.
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If you are an infrequent coffee drinker, this coffee maker is a real bargain. At 20 bucks a pop, this is a cheap appliance that looks nice and makes great hot coffee.Even if you are not a coffee drinker, this is smart choice for those who host an occassional guest or two. It takes up little space on the counter and looks nice considering how inexpensive it is. I''ve noticed no problems with the clock keeping accurate time.
Cons:
1. Seems to take almost as long to brew as most larger capacity coffee makers. About 4 minutes.
2. The filters are hard to come by but are available on the Internet. Suggestion: purchase 1 or 2 permanent filters and your set.
3. This "4 cup" maker will produce 2.5 fluid cups of coffee. This equates to about 3-4 "small" coffee cupsor 1.5 jumbo coffee cups.
4. You may get addicted to coffee once you try itand then you will long for a larger capacity maker!
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My large coffee maker started to go bad (I thought) & being single, I thought a 4 cup machine would be perfect. After I ordered it I saw reviews saying it was "not a 4 cup", coffee "tasted like plastic", & filters were hard to find. I tried to cancel but it was too late--& I''m glad I couldn''t! Yes, it''s not what most of us would call 4 cups, unless you consider 5 oz. to be a cup. It makes 2 large cups or 3 more average size cups.I don''t know how people say the coffee has a plastic taste. Maybe they did not follow instructions to run it through a few brew cycles before using. I did like I normally do to clean a pot & ran it with some vinegar the 1st cycle--then clear water for a few more cycles. I get no hint at all of any plastic taste.
Filters that fit perfectly are easy to find & cheap. I buy "Brew Rite" filters that are made for 1-4 cup machines at a local chain drug store; 200 filters for $1.59. I''m sure they''d be even cheaper at larger discount stores. Just google "brew rite" to check them out.
I only have a couple issues with the machine. 1)I have to hold the lid up, it just won''t seem to stay up on its own. Makes it a little hard to fill. 2) it''s a little hard to find the correct angle to fill it, using the carafe. The reservoir is just so little.
Summing up, I think it''s a very good choice for someone who wants just a couple of cups of good hot coffee. I dropped it to 4 stars because, IMO, Mr Coffee should NOT label & advertise it as a 4 cup machine.
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MistyMate Cool Patio 30 foot 16 nozzle professional grade misting system
I would give this 100 stars. It is the best product I have ever bought and the price was unbelievable. I am 59 years old, and female. I put the system up in about half an hour, turned it on and within fifteen minutes the temperature on my patio dropped at least 10 degrees!! It was during the hottest part of our summer and I would have done and paid anything to be able to survive the heat. I was really concerned about my Mother''s health in the heat. Not only were we able to go out on the patio during the day but my living room windows were open and it cooled my living room where it was more than just bareable! I have bought their umberellas with the cooling system built in for around the chairs under the gazebo for next year. We love our backyard and these systems make if possible for us to go out in the Summer. We cannot say enough good about the system, the cost or the durability of the product. Also I contacted the company with my gratitude for their product and met some very nice people who were also very happy that we enjoyed their product. My sincere thanks for this product.
I live in a large log home in the high desert mountains of the Southwest.
During the summer, the huge logs (over a foot thick) absorb sunlight to the point it makes it oppressively hot in the house, and, it stays hot until about five in the morning when the logs finally radiate all of the heat.
I installed this on a South facing porch with an almost flat roof. The porch gets over 100 in July and August because the sun beats down on the almost flat roof for the entire day.
This cools the porch by about 20 degrees. It cools the air by twenty degrees, and, cools the wood that heats up by seven or eight in the evening (instead of waiting for the heat to dissapate, by itself, around 5:00 in the morning).
It took a few hours to get it set up and working. I had to add a washer, with a strainer, to the connection with my garden hose. Then, the line kept popping off the hose connector. I was able to solve it with some thread tape Aa Thread Seal Tape Inc 01440161 Thread Seal Tape 1"x520" (Pack of 50) on the hose connector, and, by using a very small hose clamp I got at a local hardware store. 40 Pc Hose Clamp Assortment
CLOGGED NOZZLES: If you have hard water, or, water with a bunch of junk in it, then the nozzles may occasionally clog. Over a period of two years using this, I found that most of the nozzles will unclog by themselves within a day or two. If they don''t, all you have to do is remove the little nozzle and soak it in an ounce or two of white vinegar. The vinegar will dissolve the junk in the water from the nozzles within an hour or two.
I found that if the temperature is only in the 80''s or 90''s, you don''t need to use the full pressure from your hose. You can just use about half pressure, just enough to make the nozzles produce evaporative mist. This way you can save water until the temperatures get above 100. When they climb that high, just give this system full blast pressure and it will still cool the area around your house 20 30 degrees.
I also added other innovations to the South and West sides of my house. I planted grapevines so that their huge leaves would spread all over the South wall of the house. They love the full sun and the high heat on the South side. Not only are they pretty, they help shade and cool the whole area, and, they love the mist from this product.
I also use "shade sails" (an innovation from Australia) to shade the major portions of the walls that were absorbinb the sunshine in the winter. They are removeable, in the winter when you want the sun to heat the house, and they save me about $800 every summer in air conditioning expense by shading the house from the sun. Coolaroo Square Shade Sail 11 Feet 10 Inches with Hardware Kit, Desert Sand
Lastly, in the summer evenings, I usually only use the bedroom. I purchased a small (1200 watt (uses about as much electricity as a hair dryer)) portable commercial air conditioner just for the bedroom. This way I only have to use the small air conditioner for a few hours in the hot afternoon, before bedtime, without having to cool the whole house. Haier CPN12XH9 12K Portable Air Conditioner
Be cool! Chill! Work with nature instead of against it.
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I have used mine for 3 years now. I have added lines each year and now my home is a retreat for birds, dogs, frogs, and lizzards. All of us love the way the mister reduces the humidity/temps when in use. Last summer I draped one line across two trees for the party we had. They would drive thru on 4wheelers ...the mister to cool off in the 100+ degree weather. They are taken up at the end of the summer and stored until the following year. Dunno why people haven''t pickup on this product for heat relief.... geeeeze duh!!!!! Check out my photos of the mister/animals loving it... Now I have something for the brrrr cold winter IR heaters (see my review) and something for the hot texas heat (misters). Next on my list... automated robot vacuum cordless cleaner .... like the Jetsons!!!! check back soon ;o)Read Best Reviews of MistyMate Cool Patio 30 foot 16 nozzle professional grade misting system Here
Do not try to connect the unit directly to a garden hose without an thread adaptor. It looks like it will fit as the diameters of the connections are the same, but the threads per inch are different. The unit comes with a 3/4" plumbing thread, NOT a garden hose thread.You need an adaptor such as a Watts A-669 Hose Adaptor (3/4" Male Hose to 3/4" Female Pipe Adaptor) or similar. Without this adaptor the threads don''t match up and you''ll just end up with a stripped thread and a dripping connection.
For a dripless connection I would recommend using plumbing teflon tape as well.
Once I took a few minutes (and a trip to the hardware store) to get the threads matched up the unit has been flawless!
Stay cool!
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I think there''s some sandbagging going on here.The same product is getting slammed on Amazon.com. I purchased this item, received it today and attempted to install. Several of the nozzles were missing and at least 5 were cracked and unusable. The cheap plastic hose attachment leaks like a sieve.
This product is pure unadulterated Chinese crap. I wasted 40 minutes setting it up to find out it leaks, drips, sprays streams of water everywhere and generally is just crap.
It''s gonna be 100 degrees here this weekend and I was hoping this would take the edge off the heat and let me use my patio.
Not gonna happen.
Run, don''t walk away from this.
Oasis POU1CCTHS Onyx Countertop POU Hot Cold Water Dispenser Save 31% Off
This worked and looked great but leaked after 11 months. However we contacted Oasis and they are sending a new one to replace it. This is Grade A+ customer service and I wouldn''t hesitate to purchase one of their products again. We have had other water coolers at our office and when they went bad we got the "you''re out of luck" story from the manufacturers. Go Oasis!Stephen Weinman, MD
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The Sharper Image Ultrasonic Humidifier Demineralization Cartridges
If you have a sharper image humidifier, and you see white dust all over your room, then you need this. Mine came with one of these and it really does work. It basically floats around in the water tank and absorbs minerals. It lasts about four months which, where I live, is about one season. It is a bit overpriced. Its not much bigger than your thumb and yet it''s $20. But it''s worth it if it works.
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With our Texas hard water these simple filters will prolong the life of your humidifier. Just like the water filters in our refrigeraters. Depending on your water supply, these small cartridge filters (inside) will become black and inflat in about 30 days. Price is competitive with Bed, Bath and Beyond. Because of demand nation-wide these are in short supply..... except here on Amazon.Read Best Reviews of The Sharper Image Ultrasonic Humidifier Demineralization Cartridges Here
They seem to work well. But they leave or leak very small plastic beads when the internal mesh bag get too old.Want The Sharper Image Ultrasonic Humidifier Demineralization Cartridges Discount?
Cartridges lasted less than a week. Absolutely terrible. Wondered whether this was a defective product or a pirated product. Bought and used the appliance all last year and the cartiridges worked like a charm. These DON''T work and I have "white dust" all over. Never had any last year.
KitchenAid 12-Cup Glass Carafe Coffee Maker Save 20% Off
We bought this KitchenAid coffee maker to replace our beloved Cuisinart one that we''d had for about 4 years. I was hesitant to switch brands but we''ve always had good luck with KitchenAid and so far, this coffee maker doesn''t disappoint. I really like the removable water reservoir for cleaning purposes. It''s generally easy to set for morning brewing (though admittedly, it took me a few tries to get it right I did find the Cuisinart easier to set initially). I like the "bold" brewing feature. And I like the blue lit display.All in all this has proven to be a reliable, attractive, and overall solid coffee maker that I would recommend to others.
*** ok, two week update... it is still awesome. the carafe pours without putting coffee on the countertop, which is awesome. when i sneak a cup while it is brewing there is no leakage, which is awesome, the temperature is extremely hot, i cut my coffee with milk so after getting the ingredients mixed the temperature is perfect. after brewing when you open the lid to clean out the old grounds it does have condensation go onto the lid for the water resevoir, but to me that is no big deal. the bold setting on the coffee gets the full flavor out of the beans. the removable water resevoir, as of this date shows no sign of leaking. so as of this update, two weeks out, i''m still on the "i recommend this coffee maker to everybody who drinks coffee, it is awesome" oh i see a guy gave this thing 3 stars, this is his only review, which to me sounds kind of odd, maybe he works for the competition. so if you are in the market for a new coffee maker, i highly recommend this one. oh and btw, i drink two pots of coffee every day, so my coffee pot gets well used. will update later on down the road if i remember
***** 9 MONTH UPDATE ***** still awesome, still glad i have it, and i still recommend it and confirm everything i have said up to this point. this is my last update on this unless something really wierd happens.
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This is a good coffee maker with a very pleasing design. It is, however, the most water retaining coffee maker I have ever had. I love that the water tank is removable, and it''s a good thing that it is because there''s always a little puddle of water left in it that needs to be drained. The carafe is a nice weight and does not leak coffee as you pour. But it also retains liquid because the heavy black lip around the top allows liquid to seep underneath. This measns when you pour the coffee or when you rinse it out with water, there is no way the last bit will be removed. That darn seal will hold on to some every time you tilt to pour. The top of the coffee maker has two lids which can''t be opened at the same time. One lid reveals the coffee filter. The inside of this lid puddles up so much that it needs to be wiped dry if you are one who likes to set the coffee maker the night before. Otherwise it will leak down on to your dry coffee grounds. The other lid is the top of the water tank. This is the only coffee maker I''ve had that will not allow both areas to be opened at the same time for air drying purposes. Since the water tank is removable, this is not a major issue. I like KitchenAid products and this machine makes a good cup of coffee. If dealing with left over water is of no concern, I would recommend this product.Read Best Reviews of KitchenAid 12-Cup Glass Carafe Coffee Maker Here
I bought this coffee pot as a temporary replacement (while I wait on a part for my Cuisinart Grind/Brew so I can go back to that one). It was the least expensive "decent" coffeepot that was available in the store for immediate purchase at BB & B. I was intrigued by the KitchenAid brand, as I know their large kitchen appliances are good (my mom has used them forever), but I had never seen a coffee pot by them. We have had several Cuisinart coffee makers over the years and they are good, but most have needed replacement after about 2-3 years. So, anyway, I got this machine home and went online to see the reviews (this was the one machine that I had NOT already read the reviews on before going to the store) and was worried after reading all the horror stories about the leaking and mess. But, hubby needed his coffee at 4:30 this morning, so I went ahead and opened it up to give it a shot. I read the manual and took it out of the box, removed the packaging stuff and set it on the counter. I washed the stuff you are supposed to and when I went to rinse the carafe, I think I stumbled on something that might be causing some of those other reviewers a problem. I filled the carafe at the sink just as if the machine were dripping coffee into the top of the carafe lid. (A medium/small drizzle of water directly onto the "bubble" top of the carafe.) It was an interesting experiment that demonstrated that if the carafe was not almost perfectly level, or the water didn''t flow almost directly straight onto the middle of the bubble top, then it ran off the sides of the carafe lid. So I wonder... if perhaps some of those folks have a countertop that is slightly less than level. I know in our first home, I had countertops that were not level. Not noticeable most of the time, but it would have probably been enough to cause this issue with this pot. Also, after paying careful attention to that, and seeing that the depressed area around the "bubble" of the lid is rather small and that the REST of the lid is completely flat I set the carafe into the coffee maker. And noticed that if you don''t have the handle oriented to the direct front of the machine (if it is turned to either side) it pushes the pot out just slightly enough that the proper angle is not achieved with the bubble top and the bottom of the brew basket.... in other words, the coffee will end up dripping off to the side of the bubble enough that it will run off the lid (because it will flow outside the little depression around the bubble). If the handle is to the front, then the coffee flows straight down onto the top of the bubble thingee and it works perfectly.I also practiced (can''t believe I am even typing this) pouring from the carafe over the sink with just water as I was washing/rinsing the carafe. There was not one single drip. No matter how fast or slowly I poured. So I don''t understand the problem others are having. Maybe after some use the carafe seal will become damaged or something, but for now, I couldn''t ask for anything more!
I ran the original water only cycle to rinse/clean the machine for first time use. Then set it up for a pot of coffee. Hubby turned it on this morning in the wee hours (like 5 a.m.) and then after making his cup, poured the rest into the thermal carafe (from our Cuisinart) so it would stay warm for me, since I wasn''t going to be up until closer to 8:00 a.m. He didn''t leave it on the warmer at all... just straight into the carafe. I poured my first cup around 8:45 a.m. this morning and it was still hot. :)) And tasted pretty good... I will have to tweak it a little, but that is the amount of grounds to use, not an issue with the coffee pot itself. Anyone who says it isn''t hot, must have a different machine that what was inside our box.
As for dripping/leaks from the carafe... I guess only time will tell. But I had NO water or coffee anywhere except in the carafe where it belongs.
So, make sure your counter is level, and make sure you orient the carafe into the machine with the handle in the front (not to the sides) and I don''t think you should have any problems. I think it works great! And was certainly worth the $68 I paid for it (after the BB&B 20% off coupon).
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I''ve read all the comments here and think some people may have missed the point: It Brews Great Coffee! Much better than any other maker I''ve found (except maybe for a worn out Krups I found at a vacation rental unit at the beach). Yes, it has a wide carafe so if you pour too fast the coffee comes out in a wider stream than the cup can catch. Yes, the condensation that occurs on the bottom of the lid means that when you lift the lid to put in a new filter you get some water dribbled onto the top at the back. Yes, it drips slow on the "BOLD" setting, because that allows the water to pick up more flavor out of the grounds as it passes through. Yes, it leaves some water in the bottom of the reservoir. I''ve always assumed that is probably because it has a charcoal filter at the bottom in a little well, and it needs to stay moist. But since the reservoir is removable, if you don''t like this then pour it out. This KitchenAid brews really great coffee! So my advice is: pour slower; wipe up the condensation; don''t worry about the water at the bottom, and be more patient while you wait for the Bold coffee to brew. I turn it on then go out to get the paper off the driveway. It will be done when I get back. I have had one of these machines for more than a year, and I''m now buying another one for my second home because while I''m here I miss not having really great coffee. The maker that I have here now doesn''t drip, pour funny, or leave water in the bottom, but neither does it make the kind of coffee I''ve become accustomed to with my KitchenAid. Did I mention it brews really great coffee?Save 20% Off
Aquasana EQ-300R Main Filter Rhino Replacement Save 26% Off
- Replaces the main filter in Aquasana Rhino EQ-300 systems
- Whole house replacement filter lasts 3 years or 300,000 gallons
Hayward Pro-Grid Pool Filter Clamp Assembly Brass Sleeve Nut Only
This sleeve nut is exactly what I needed. The old one has been stripped to nothing because we used a crescent wrench for far too long and it just ate away the soft brass. This one takes a 3/4" socket which makes taking this thing on and off way easier. I will say it is a pain to get the spring off the old one, but if you have access to a vice it would be quite easy. So glad this is available, if not Hayward want $250 for a whole new clamp set.
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Great product, worked our perfectly. My pool is 17 years old and this product was exactly what I needed. I ordered 2 and they were delivered in just 4 days. Advice, clean the screw thoroughly and use car wheel bearing grease for smoother fitting and this will also prevent rust.Read Best Reviews of Hayward Pro-Grid Pool Filter Clamp Assembly Brass Sleeve Nut Only Here
I desperately needed to replace the clamp bolt on my Hayward DE filter and this did the trick very nicely. Price was very high, otherwise it would be a 5 stars. Since Hayward discontinued this part (??!!??) which baffles me, I guess you gotta pay what you gotta pay when the existing part breaks... just don''t go crazy tightening this thing is all I can say, it is only brass after all.Want Hayward Pro-Grid Pool Filter Clamp Assembly Brass Sleeve Nut Only Discount?
Water Infuser
I like water but sometimes I need a little bit of flavor diversity. This is a great option for infusing your water with flavor.Originally, I was thinking about purchasing the Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher. It is a pitcher with a built-in infuser. While most of the reviews for the Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher were positive, the negative reviews complained of cracking. As I thought more about the potential purchase of the Prodyne pitcher, I realized that I had four pitchers in my house and I had no interest in another, especially one that might be prone to cracking.
I came upon the Jokari water infuser and it is great. Yes, a person could slice some individual pieces of lemon or lime in a glass. I do that a lot but I use the Jokari water infuser when I want to have a larger quantity of infused water waiting and ready for me as I become thirsty throughout the day. It is easy to mix a combination of fruit and herbs and place them in the ball to infuse water. The infuser is quite ample; I''d say it is about the size of a softball.
I will note that the slits on the infuser are fairly large so if you choose herbs, they themselves need to be larger. For example, If you use mint, the leaves should be relatively whole (even though a few leaves in your water will not harm you). Additionally, the clasp on the infusing ball appears like it could become unhinged, but I have never had the infuser open on its own.
I think this is a good product. If you want to drink more water, try infusing your water with the flavors of different fruits and herbs. If you have pitchers lying around in your kitchen, don''t buy another one. Just get an infuser, like the Jokari water infuser, to use with the pitchers you have.
This product is made in China.
4 4.5 stars
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This works just as advertised. Fruit flavored water without the added chemicals or sugar. I thought that the fruit flavor might be too subtle, but that has proven to not be the case. Now I have fruit flavored water that is all natural readily available all the time. It is a great substitute for more chemically laden waters or more sugary options.This is such a great idea!! My mother loves lemon water, but no one else does. She can now have a whole pitcher of water without having fruit float around in her water!
Philips Saeco Syntia Focus Automatic Espresso Machine Save 44% Off
This is the first espresso machine I have owned, so I won''t be comparing it to other machines. I''ve had the machine for about 5-6 months now, using it once or twice nearly every day with no problems.I have been drinking espresso for a long time and I appreciate a well-balanced, properly extracted, silky crema and rich cup of gold. This machine is quick and consistent with every cup. With the touch of a button, you can go from bean to drinking within seconds. I prefer heavy thick espresso, so I keep it at it''s finest setting for a powerful cup. There are two methods to set the potency: one to adjust the coarseness of the grind and one to adjust how much to brew in each cup. You can use pre-ground as well, however, I have not tried it.
The steamer works fantastically and takes mere seconds to warm up. The design makes a great foam on top for a perfect cappuccino or latte.
It''s easy to keep clean and it is very easy to set up right out of the box. The brushed finish leaves no fingerprints and the steam wand wipes clean with a damp rag very easily.
The machine is built sturdy and is very low profile, which is great for smaller kitchens lacking counter-space. You can adjust the height of the spout for different sized cups. The full operation (grinding, tamping, brewing, and disposing) is not loud at all compared to some machines I have heard.
Since the machine is relatively small in size, it does not hold a massive quantity of beans, the water tank does have to be filled often (but it is very easy to fill), and the waste bucket needs to be emptied after 4-5 uses (easy to dump).
I have nothing bad to say about the design, operation, interfacing, or maintenance of this machine. I highly recommend it to anyone and wouldn''t return it for anything. It truly is the best part of waking up!
--Salud!
It costs a little more than some of the others, but the issue I saw again and again with cheaper models was that they just didn''t hold up. There were very few reviews outlining any problems with the Syntia.
So far everything is great. The documentation with the machine is just OK. I strongly recommend viewing the how-to videos on You-Tube by Saeco; they were very helpful.
The machine is much smaller than I thought it would be and fits very nice on our kitchen counter taking up just a little more space than a coffee maker. For the savings in space, the size of the water tank is sacrificed; we need to fill it every day. This is the only complaint thus far. We are very happy with the performance.
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We previously owned a Talea Touch that the display started acting up after almost 4 years of a LOT of use. I decided to pull the trigger on this unit instead of re-buying that one I love the way this looks. It''s small height fits nicely under our counter and allows easy access to the bean hopper without having to move the unit around. The coffee (and we rarely drink espresso...use this mostly for coffee) is great tastes very good and although I read that it might taste different due to the lack of the SBS (Saeco brewing system) that my Talea had, I find the taste to be very close. I doubt seriously I could taste test a difference in a blind test.For those that want to use this as a pure coffee maker, please note that the most you can get out of this unit is 8oz. We use 12oz coffee cups and were hoping to get some menu adjustments to add a few more oz of water to the cup, but it''s not possible. Now, in fairness, the Talea does allow you to make this adjustment but essentially it just waters down the coffee a little more (which I felt I always noticed in taste but didn''t know exactly how the Talea worked and assumed that it was making the adjustments via pre-brewing, etc... but it doesn''t...it just adds more water).
Overall, had this unit a few days and really happy with it. Good build, nice looking, easy to use and the coffee is noticeably hotter out of the unit than my Talea ever was. Several people used to put their cup in the microwave after just to get it hotter. Not so with the Syntia. It also allows you with the dial on the front to dispense hot water as well, so great if you want a cup of tea, etc...
If I had one big complaint it''s that the water hopper is really small smaller even than my Talea. I didn''t measure, but if you''re doing all espresso it''s probably not a huge deal. When you''re doing all coffee the water runs out fast...maybe 3-4 glasses tops and you are re-filling the water.
Highly recommend though my wife has people coming to our house just to drink coffee with her. Everyone loves this thing the quality is SOOOO much better than anything else we''ve tried. My sister bought us a Keurig unit to keep in our guest suite and we had to use that for a few days waiting on this unit from Amazon. It''s not even close. And, the best part of a unit like this is that you can use whatever beans you like best you''re not tied to a companies product to keep making coffee. Personally, we love the Dunkin Donuts blend. Soooo good. :)
Read Best Reviews of Philips Saeco Syntia Focus Automatic Espresso Machine Here
Years ago, I worked part-time at Starbucks as a barista. Even before my Starbucks days, I managed an espresso bar in college. I know my coffee/espresso drinks and I''ve worked with some hardcore machines. After I left my barista jobs, I figured getting the same quality of espresso drinks at home would be hard to do. The machines I''ve purchased to replicate what I used on the job fell pretty short in terms of power, speed and quality. I then resorted to purchasing my coffee/espresso drinks instead so I could continue enjoying espresso with the same expectations.When I tried out the Syntia Focus for the first time, I was impressed. It really yielded a great quality with perfect ''crema'' {or espresso foam}which is telling of a good machine. Crema is achieved when everything from the water temperature, pressure, tamping and timing is perfect and where it needs to be to put out the best espresso. Who would have thought a home espresso machine would really deliver like this?! I was hooked and I liked the product so much I taught a ''Barista Basics'' class to a handful of coffee/espresso loving students.
Using the Syntia Focus Automatic Espresso Machine, I taught folks how to create the perfect cup of espresso and a myriad of espresso drinks from cappuccinos, lattés, mochas, breves, mistos, etc. Needless to say, we were all pretty wired by the end of the class! Since the holidays are just around the corner, if you''re looking for a great gift to give a fellow coffee/espresso lover, I highly recommend this espresso machine. But honestly, don''t wait until the holidays to purchase one. This is great even for yourself so you can have fun making your favorite coffeehouse drinks and be a master barista in your own kitchen!
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The Syntia is the first espresso machine that I have ever used. It has a sleek, sophisticated, and elegant black exterior that is quite modern and stylish. I am impressed by the chrome finish, which elevates the design. Its compact size makes it easy to store on the kitchen counter, without having to rearrange existing appliances.The machine is operational right out of the box, and is not difficult to use. The product manual contains both graphics, and text. The company provides videos on its website, which is also a great resource.
The control panel, with its LED display was incredibly intuitive. Adjusting the coffee length is a matter of touching the appropriate button. There is also a convenient hot water and steam selector switch.
One of my favorite features is the aroma preference. So far I''m still on the one bean setting, but each new brew has presented a deeper and more flavorful result than I ever would have imagined. There is a manual button to modify the coffee to either a coarse or fine grind. I''ve also used pre-ground coffee, but prefer using the whole beans, because of the bolder taste. However, I also enjoy hearing the gentle whirl of the grinder prior to the brewing cycle, because it makes for a more complete espresso experience.
I made my first cappuccino with this machine. The Pannarello wand was not difficult to use, and made rich, frothy milk with ease. The result was an incredibly flavorful cappuccino that tasted even better, because I made it myself!
The front loading water tank was a huge plus. I have low kitchen cabinet clearance, so this was an excellent feature.
The machine is easy to clean and maintain. Overall, I highly recommend the Syntia for its ability to provide a delicious espresso, without ever leaving the comfort of home.
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Reduce Vision Filter (3-Pack) Save 8% Off
These filters do what they are supposed to do: filter water. I use a Reduce stainless steel water filter pitcher and these filters do their job for a lesser price than the expensive filters.Save 8% Off
Copco 16-Ounce Capacity Acadia Reusable To Go Mug
Got 6 of these in brown to handle the morning coffee commute. Kids and wife use them for everything, even cold drinks. Microwave reheating is fine. The lid goes on with a secure quarter turn and works fine. For the first week or so it had a bit of a plastic smell as whatever wonder material outgassed its yummy petroleum products...if you are one of those people who take more than 3min to describe to the barrista what kind of coffee you want, well you may want to run these through the washer about 10x before using.The real beauty of these is when you lose a lid etc, it is no big thing...it is a cheap plastic mug and there are more where that one came from. This gets rid of the usual "where is the lid to my travel mug" argument that foreshadows my morning commute. 2 pieces of wisdom to offer here:
1. Do not slam them down on a counter. Your coffee will jet up in a beautiful brown geyser of joy. I suppose if mug slamming is an important part of your morning routine, you could alter your move by putting the thumb over the hole when you do it. You can also get the coffee geyser going if you grab it by the lid and power walk it with an arm swinging, centrifuge like motion. If you put it in that little drink webbing on your backpack, you will have brown sloshy stains on your back. These are not sealed like other mugs and treat accordingly.
2. Don''t get brown. I got brown. Everyone else has brown. They look like Starbucks. So when you set your brown mug down next to someone elses brown mug, only later when you have wandered off and swigged that vile super sugared swill your friend calls coffee do you realize you picked up the wrong one. Get some flamboyant color nobody else will be caught dead with...this will avoid the confusion entirely.
I only have one complaint, and that is that the air intake hole (what allows the beverage to flow out when you''re drinking) is in the center of the lid, rather than on the opposite side, and my nose seems to hit it when I''m drinking and block the flow. It''s kind of annoying. Otherwise, the cup is well made and seems to be a good choice.
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Great mug. Does not leak. The first couple of times I used it it took two tries to get the lid on right but then I got the hang of it. The green sleeve is a little greener in color than this photo shows. It is very sleek looking.Read Best Reviews of Copco 16-Ounce Capacity Acadia Reusable To Go Mug Here
At first I loved this Copco 16 ounce cup. It was perfect for the largest cup setting on my kureig plus some creamer. However over time I began to notice that it began to retain flavors and odors.The first time this was a problem was about 2 weeks of near daily use. I sometimes drink tea other times coffee. The day I noticed it I was drinking tea and noticed it tased more like stale old dunkin donuts coffee. I washed it twice in the dishwasher and it still smelled, then let it sit with lemon juice and hot water over night. It was then good for a couple of days. So I decided to only use it for coffee.
Unfortunately, about a month later it started to smell and taste like rancid coffee no matter what I did. I never let the coffee sit in the cup and I wash it daily, and despite that it still retains odors and flavors. So this cup does not work for me.
if I started with tea and only used if for tea, it is possible I would never have had a problem with the cup. Therefore I give it 3 stars. Because as far as cups go-it holds a lot, it stays warm & it does not leak.
I will probably wash it again and this time use a bleach and water solution and see if I can start over with just tea.
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This travel coffee mug is a great size, the perfect height to fit in my Keurig coffee maker. It''s also really easy to clean and doesn''t seem to hold smells like some other mugs I''ve had. My only complaint is that there''s no way to seal it so that it won''t spill, but I knew about that when I bought the mug. Overall, a great product!
Slim Line Sprite Shower Filter
These filters work fine to take chlorine out of your water. You screw them onto a standard shower pipe and your showerhead goes onto them in front. The threads on this filter are plastic, so you need to be careful not to booger them up. It''s not possible to see how the pipe is going into the rear threads, so you need to feel it out and get it on tight. Some teflon tape is included -this should be wrapped clockwise around the shower pipe threads.I rate it 4/5 stars due to the plastic threads. These aren''t so cheap at $40 and put a lot of plastic in the landfill if you change them every 6 months. You might want to take a look at more solidly built alternatives that use small replacement cartridges and cost less in the long run. The same company, Sprite Industries, also makes a Universal Shower Filter in nickel that takes small $15 cartridges.
DeLonghi PAC700T Pinguino Portable Air Conditioner
I purchased the PAC600T (one step below this unit) from Amazon one year ago. When it arrived, I filled the tank with water, inserted it in the unit and my floor was covered with water less than a minute later. Turns out the unit''s plastic base housing was cracked during shipment. Amazon replaced the unit, with the same results for the second unit. At that same time, there must have been lots of returns because Amazon stopped selling the unit. I stepped up to this unit with its slightly higher BTUs and hefty price.The unit arrived fine, no leaks after filling with water, and I used it most of last summer (in a 14'' x 20'' room with average height ceiling). The unit puts out cool, definitely not cold, air. The only way to really use the unit is to get it started when the temperature isn''t too high, then keep it running. I don''t think it would be able to cool a warm room. It simply isn''t overly powerful. That may have to do with the fact that it operates at 110 volt, rather than 220 like many AC units that are built into apartment walls.
The unit has been sitting behind my couch all winter. When I went to use it this year, the removable plastic water tank was cracked. It was emptied at the end of the season and not exposed to excessive temperatures, so I don''t know what that''s about.
I assumed that with the high BTU (and price tag), this would be the unit to use. But I''m going to try one of the less expensive units this year and check out its performance.
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This product,DeLonghi 700T,was about the worst purchase that I have ever made.The unit ran for 10 mins and then shut off.After several attempts,we finally found the service center that replaced the fan motor--after a 4 month wait for the part.But that did not fix the problem--the unit shuts down after a short run.Because all of this has taken so long,Delonghi says that the warranty is now limited and that I have to take the unit to a service center 50 miles away.It has been close to 2 years and I still do not have a functioning air conditioner.Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi PAC700T Pinguino Portable Air Conditioner Here
I purchased a Pinguino PAC 700T 3 years ago. Rated at 12,000 BTUs, it cools about as well as a 6000 BTU in-window unit. However, at the beginning of this summer season, I find that it no longer cools or dehumidifies air. I found DeLonghi''s central service number (800-322-3848 in case you need it) and asked for my nearest service/repair center. They informed me that they no longer have any repair centers in Massachusetts. They suggested that I take the unit to Hartford, CT, about 2 hours from Boston where I live. Having paid $1300 for this unit just 3 years ago, I expected better service than this. It appears that DeLonghi maybe doesn''t care too much about supporting their products after the sale. This will be my last DeLonghi product of any kind.Want DeLonghi PAC700T Pinguino Portable Air Conditioner Discount?
I bought the 700 Pinquino A/C unit because of its excellent energy efficiency and quiet operation. I liked the looks too, so many others look so ugly that I would not have them in my livingroom. I have had the unit for two years now, and so far no problems at all. It works great, and is very quiet, and cools my 700sqft room well, although it takes a while when above 90F. The water reservoir lasts about a day before needing refilling. My only complaint is a minor one: The plastic finish is of good quality, but it scratches easily when moving the unit around and you bump into something. If it had some color matching bumper strips or something around its middle section, that might help. I am happy with this unit.