Culligan FM-15RA Level 3 Faucet Filter Replacement Cartridge Save 31% Off

• Quick and easy replacement
• Reduces unpleasant odor
• Improves water taste
• Reduces lead, chlorine taste and odor, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts
• Filter life of up to 2 months or 200-Gallons

The Brita faucet filter does an excellent job of filtering out impurities from tap water -that is, when it manages to stay attached to the faucet. However, in my experience with it (two years and two different models), a tremendous amount of my valuable time was wasted trying to reattach the filter after it would repeatedly fall off. Although I have no direct experience with the Pur faucet filter, my understanding (drawn from other reviews) is that it suffers from the same problem.

Happily, after purchasing the CULLIGAN Faucet Filter several months ago, I can now report with confidence that it is plagued by no such similar defect. In other words, once attached, it remains firmly in place, and works every bit as effectively as rival brands. So for anyone who has tried those other brands and encountered endless frustration in endeavoring to keep them attached to the faucet, my advice is: Don''t give up just yet! Try the Culligan model. It''s solidly built, competitively priced, and replacement cartridges are readily available from Amazon. For me, at least, the Culligan at last put an end to the gratuitous, time-wasting burden of having to continually reattach a recalcitrant water filter.

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At first, I did experience what a few of the other reviewers mentioned: after a short while the filter didn''t appear to have any affect on the taste of the water.

The problem, I discovered, is that if you run the water through the filter too quickly (by opening up the tap all the way) the charcoal filter just can''t do its job. As a rule of thumb, only allow enough flow through the filter so that it takes about 10-15 seconds to fill up a glass of water, and you''ll have great tasting water. So, if you have high water pressure, make sure you don''t open of the faucet all the way when filling a glass. There''s just no way a filter as small as this can do its job properly at the max flow rate of most faucets. You really need a large in-line filter for that.

Note that this only applies to the filter''s odor and taste removal properties, because this involves a chemical reaction of sorts where activated charcoal pulls chlorine (and other chemical) out of the water by binding to them. This is a completely different mechanism than what you normally associate with filtering, such as particles being caught in a mesh (which is essentially how the rest of the filter works in these, and so it''s really only the odor and taste that is affected by the rate at which you let water through the Cullgan).

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Buy one at a time, and not too far in advance. Filter works well, but Culligan only warrants for 30 days from date of purchase. If you buy several (as I did) and one is defective (spurting water all over kitchen!), no real way to obtain a replacement.

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I love the culligan water systems. The base that the cartridge goes into is made better than britas,With brita I was buying a new base with almost every cartridge change and culligan is superior in price ,quality and every other aspect.And I think the water also taste better than water that is filtered using brita.Try it and see for yourself

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The Culligan filter is more reliable and lasts longer than the Pur or the GE filters but it is also the slowest filter in terms of water flow.

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Cuisinart SS-300 Single Serve Brewing System Save 51% Off

I had wanted a Keurig coffee maker, but was not thrilled with the quality of the ''Keurig'' brand models available. They seem cheap, mostly made of plastic.

I was pleased to see that Keurig had made the K-cup design available for other manufacturers. Having trust in Cuisinart''s quality owning two other great appliances, i figured this compact model would be perfect. Unfortunately, the SS-300 was not available in stores when I purchased it from Amazon, so I was only able to try out the SS-700, the larger, more expensive model, in a local store. The build of the SS-700 is mostly metal and sturdy. Although the two models look like the same build quality in photos, sadly, the SS-300 is made of cheap plastic, just like the Keurig brand models I have seen.

I have used it to make several cups of coffee and it works perfectly. All of the features make it the best model for my 5 cups a week consumption. Although the plastic is BPA free, it is still plastic.

4 stars were given because I had compared it to the SS-700. Perhaps if I had never seen the larger, more durable model, I would be thrilled with this one. I thought the difference in price reflected the lack of a digital display and water reservoir, not the quality of the components.

UPDATE-

I have now made over 12 cups of coffee with this machine. So far so good!

The coffee is consitantly good. Cleaning the SS-300 is so easy. I do not regret this purchas at all and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a single serving coffee maker.

I wanted the convenience of the K-Cups but have friends who have had bad experiences with the Keurig model coffee makers. Decided on the Cuisinart and it worked great for 3 cups. Now it will not recognize that I have filled it with water and it will not brew. Since it is only 2 weeks old Cuisinart is waving their shipping fee and a new one is on the way.

Update

Looking more at the unit I noticed when I opened the filter compartment for the charcoal water filter, the entire plastic assembly melted down into boiler. Somehow the heating element ran with no water and melted everything. Since this is a fire hazard I am lowering my rating to one star.

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I originally had the very first Keurig single serve and although it made a decent cup of coffee my husband thought it was a bit weak. Since we use it only for ourselves we didnt need such a big resevoir for water. When Cuisinart came out with the small single server we thought we should give it a try and donated the big Keurig to a friend. My husband said it made much better coffee than the original keurig and it takes up alot less space on the counter. So far we are very happy with the item. Glad we bought it.

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Browsing the reviews, I have to say that some seem not to have read the instructions before use. The manner in which the machine is set up and the order in which you are to do stuff is not entirely intuitive, so best to carefully read the instructions first. I saw one review from a person who plainly was opening the charcoal filter holder and trying to pour the water down in there, then complaining that it was hard to open and close for each cup. Well...yeah. So, Step One is read the instructions; the thing is probably more likely to work properly if you do.

That said, this is a nice light-duty unit. I personally like the fact that you pour the water in for each cup. I don''t use the charcoal filter as I have filtered water at my sink. I put as much water as I want to the level that I want on my mug, then just open the flip-top and pour it in. I do check that the amount is between 6 and 10 ounces using the gauge, but that''s all I use the gauge for. Family members and visitors do the same, and then you know right up front how much liquid is going to come out and to what level in your cup.

To my mind, the unit is attractive, solid, and easy to operate. It has a smaller footprint that works well for us. It heats the water as hot as I would ever want my hot beverage to come out. It takes less than two minutes to heat the water.

Since Christmas, it has stood up to some significant use. A family member was recovering from an injury, so nurses, trainers, friends and family members were all trooping through the house and were offered hot beverages. We have burned through probably 30 cups of addictive Dunkin'' Donuts hot chocolate, 28 cups of Twinings Green Tea (that I bought on Amazon), 28 cups of Dunkin Donuts original coffee, and most of the 35-cup sampler that I bought here on Amazon, as well as the nice little selection of coffees that came in the box with the unit. We just wipe it off and it keeps going.

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I am an avid coffee drinker. We own a 12 cup coffee maker that we have had for years so I hoped this Cuisinart single serve would be as good -it far exceeded my hopes!

Let me tell you what I have been through these past 2 week after buying and returning 3 others. I wanted a Keurig because "everybody else has one". I wanted one that didn''t have a water reservoir because of the fact algae builds in standing water very quickly. I bought and tried the Keurig single serve. Every cup had a horrible taste like ''plastic''? I cannot describe how awful it was. I tried to clean out the reservoir where the water touches but that didnt work. The chemicals in the plastic housing that the hot water flows through must leach into the water masking even my most favorite coffee. RETURNED! I then bought the Hamilton Beach Scoop. A great pot--looked good, no taste from plastic. It was cool the way you fill the scoop and the hot water runs through this. It has a setting for regular and a setting for bold. When you use the bold, the water stays in the scoop for a longer time and flows slower and creates a Mess because it backs up into the top that covers the scoop. So you have to clean out the top, the scoop, the filter container, yadda yadda yadda. Horrible!!! I never could get the strength right even with the regular setting. I really tried to like this one because it was a very pretty well made brewer. RETURNED!!

Went to Bed Bath and Beyond and ordered this Cuisinart single-serve because they do not stock these single serve brewers. I have a 12-cup Cuisinart that I have used for the past several years. Never a problem. Awesome coffee. Well Cuisinart didn''t let me down again. I am so excited! Finally finally a great brewed cup of coffee. It took about 20 minutes of preparation to soak the filter and then run 10 ounce of water through. Then i put a Timothy''s K-cup decaf coffee in, poured in 10 ounces of water and ....OMG the best cup of coffee I have ever had. Then I tried using my own favorite coffee in the EZ-cup that I purchased from Amazon based on recommendations. The top of this cup fits securely, so as the water flows through you get a wonderful cup of coffee without a mess overflowing from the top. Finally my search is over!!!!

Although the housing of this coffee brewer has alot of cheaper ''plastic''. It still looks wonderful and the way it brews a cup of coffee is not compromised. Get one of these coffee brewers--you will not be disappointed. I will update in the future after I have used it for a while.

.

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BestAir H65-C Holmes HWF-65 Replacement Wick Filter Save 15% Off

I''ve been searching for a filter replacement for our humidifier for some time and finally found it. It fits like those made by the manufacturer (Holmes)and seems to work very well. All in all, a good value.

WE HAVE THE MACHINE AND WE DIDN''T HAVE A SPARE. WE DIDN''T THINK WE COULD FIND IT ANYWHERE ELSE AT THIS PRICE SO WE BOUGHT IT. THANKS.

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Ordering was easy and received quickly. This wick has metal around the outside keeping it from sagging inside the humidifier. I was able to find one unit locally but glad I ordered a second. Even with the metal to help them last longer, we still need to replace the wick.

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Very good product that does indeed have an extended life compared to other similar filters. I''ve ordered this particular brand/filter the last few years and have been extremely satisfied with each order. Highly recommend you give it a shot with your next filter purchase.

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I was very surprised to see the price on this filter, and was excited to try it out. I am glad I did because the filter works very well, just like the Holmes brand and much cheaper.

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Pentek EP-BB Carbon Block Filter Save 18% Off

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

We have a shallow spring fed well and use this filter in conjunction with a UV to clean our water.

I just wish our well inlet was a little cleaner so we didn''t have to change this filter as often as we do.

Water comes out crystal clear and NO foul taste. Couldn''t ask for much more!

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Works well, gives great pressure to the whole house. Its well made and Im happy with my purchase. Im going to get a few more as backups.

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Almost 50% cheaper then the local pump supply store... won''t be going back there again. It cracks me up how I can always find what I need on Amazon without wasting time driving somewhere to buy it.

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Amazon isn''t always on top of the details. Here they are as best I can tell.

Capacity >22,000 gal @ 2 gpm (>83,300 L @ 7.6 L/min)

Chlorine capacity based on >90% reduction of 2 ppm free chlorine

Max temperature 180°F (82.2°C)

Length (in.) 10

Pore size (µm) 5

Material Media: bonded AC

End caps / inner & outer wrap: polypropylene

Netting: polyethelene

Gaskets: Buna-N

Flow rate 2 GPM @ 1.6 psi (7.6 L/min @ 0.11 bar)

Brand Big Blue

Manufacturer number 155548-43(EP-BB)

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works fine,but clogs in less than two months,therefore is relativly expensive for my situation because of excessive

iron and sediment in my water.

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Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Pitcher Save 17% Off

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Save 28% Off

Like most who purchased this product, it was my first espresso maker. And I found out quickly that hunting for these things can be overwhelming! I purchased it at my local Target for $79.99 for convenience in case I had to return it -with all of the mixed reviews out there, I was incredibly weary of choosing one! However, I will most likely not need to do so. It is perfect for all of my needs!

PROS:

1. Incredibly easy to use! Directions and trouble-shooting pages in manual are simple and helpful.

2. Compact size, looks nice sitting on the counter.

3. Easy clean-up. All parts that need to be cleaned detach easily.

4. A standard sized coffee cup will fit under the spout -not so with many models!

5. The steam feature is simple, fairly powerful, and works well. No problems here.

6. As long as you get a good batch of coffee grounds, this machine can turn it into delicious espresso!

CONS:

1. I have been experiencing a small leak onto my counter after use. I haven''t caught it in the act yet, but if I return to the kitchen a few hours later, there is a wet spot near the machine. I read another review that mentioned the same thing, so it might be a universal issue with this product. However, it is a small leak, and not enought to cause a real problem in my opinion.

2. I would suggest making 2-3 cups before wasting any milk product on your first trial. This model does not have an automatic drip feature and you will need to manually tell it when to stop pouring. If you are not used to this, you might end up with a few nasty batches on your first try. No biggie. Just watch the color of the drip. It starts out as a medium brown, and changes to a much lighter brown if left alone. I would recommend shutting it off a second or so after it changes to the lighter brown. I have made perfect batches every time by this method. This all takes place over several seconds, so keep an eye out.

YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW:

It mentions this in the manual, but make sure to get the right size of grounds. About the consistency of salt. I would recommend griding your own either at home with a grinder or at the store at a grinding station. They taste better for one, and you won''t waste your money on a mystery bag that doesn''t work well with your machine.

Also, it does not come with a frothing pitcher. You will need to buy one separately. I purchased mine at Bed Bath and Beyond -a Krups one, stainless, about $10? It fits fine. Just make sure you don''t get one that is too deep, or the froth wand will not reach the milk. It is a countertop model after all. If you don''t want to use as much milk you can turn the pitcher at an angle.

That''s it! Definitely more pros than cons. I feel that for the price I paid, I could not have hoped for a better quality machine. I would highly recommend this model if you want something easy and you don''t require tons of frills. If you want something more frilly, go ahead and spend $300 to $3000 on one. But I purchased an espresso maker to SAVE time and money (so long, Starbucks!), and this one''s just right for me!

I received this for Christmas from my loving wife who noticed a slight cloud over my weekends since my espresso maker went out several months ago. I had the Mr. Coffee model previous to this one. It served me well for over a year with regular use before I learned the hard way about not overpacking the grounds.

After taking this one around the block a few times I have to say I''m extremely impressed with the design improvements they''ve made. Overall, this machine is a tremendous value for under $100 (mine was $75 on sale). You would really have to be a coffee snob (and have a lot of disposable income) not to love what you get for the money (I''m a poor coffee snob.)

To sing this machine''s praises, I''ll highlight the improvments they''ve made:

1) You no longer have to remove the water container to fill it up. It''s an awkward shape to try to fill from my refrigerator. So I just use my frothing pitcher and pour directly into it. This also chills the pitcher which is good for the frothing I''ll do soon.

2) I LOVE the top tray. I store my espresso cup, tamper (from the old machine the new one is the only downgrade I''ve noticed), brew basket, and espresso pitchers on it. Did I mention I love the tray? It''s a great design perk.

3) It still heats up quickly. A little faster than before for frothing.

4) They upgraded the design of the filters. Smaller holes that all converge into one hole on the bottom. Note: Don''t put these or the brew basket in the dishwasher you''ll tarnish them.

5) The bottom of the brew basket is really cool, the single hole from the filter drips onto a silicone (I''m assuming) cone in the basket which appears to guarantee an even drip between two cups of espresso. This only matters if you''re pulling separate shots. It may be overdesigned, but I think it''s cool.

6) There''s more clearance under the brew basket! You couldn''t fit a coffee mug under there before (which is why I have the two espresso pitchers). One (or two) fewer thing to clean!

7) The drip tray has two larger holes in the middle. When your espresso is done (and the machine is off) you can take out the brew basket (it''s bad for the valve to keep it there) and set it on the holes to drip and cool off before cleaning. It''s a brilliant improvement. Also, the drip tray has a spout on it to make it easy to pour out.

8) The frothing wand swings! Very cool.

Here are my tips (echoing other reviews).

-Read the directions first! It''ll last longer if you do.

-Make sure you use the correct roast and ground size and don''t overpack.

-Play with the brewer until you figure out how long you want to brew (I count to ten).

-Ditch the single filter. You''ll never use it.

-Get some demitasse cups.

-Get a frothing pitcher and use 1% milk.

-Ditch the rubber tip on the frothing wand. It''s useless unless you want to easily grow bacteria.

-After frothing, blow a little steam out the wand so no milk dries and clogs it. Wipe the wand with a damp towel shortly after steaming (it''s easier to clean when it''s hot).

That''s about it, folks. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this one. Even if it only lasted a year, I''d buy another one to replace it and I''d still save money over the more expensive models.

Enjoy!

UPDATE AFTER ONE YEAR: I use it off and on and it''s still working well. The frothing works as well as it did day one. The espresso function works, but I made the mistake of pregrinding some beans at the grocery store with the "Espresso" setting. The machine struggled to force water through even with minimal packing (Next time I''ll try the next largest size). It also seems like the seal isn''t as tight as a year ago. That said, it still pulls a decent shot. For the money, I''m still pleased.

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11 months ago, when I read the review of this product, I concluded that it was a great bargain that was likely to be defective when I received it or to fail a short time later. I trusted that the 12 month warranty would be protect me in that case, but I wondered if it would be worth the hassle if I had to use it.

Fast forward: I really like the product. I brewed probably 300 cups of espresso and it worked well. Then it blew a gasket. When I called Jarden, who now owns the Mr. Coffee Brand, the customer service rep assured me that the product was manufactured at least 3 years ago and was therefore not in warranty. He had no interest in my purchase receipt, dated 11 months early. When I refused the steam expresso machine that he offered me as a "one time courtesy" and because the comparable unit was "not in stock" I went to the Mr. Coffee website and confirmed that it was indeed in stock, for purchase. When I refused the replacement and insisted that because I had purchased the unit less than a year ago, that the company should honor the warranty. The response was that the unit was not in stock, and they encouraged me to check back with them in 4-6 weeks.

I''m sure many people give up at this point and the customer service objective of not paying warranty claim or paying them at a much reduced price is realized. I bought the product and the warranty. I didn''t realize until I needed it that the warranty was not actually included. When I asked for it, I was told that I didn''t really buy it. Interesting! I''m probably powerless to enforce the warranty. It''s certainly not worth any more of my time to try. But I can avoid buying another Mr. Coffee device and I can tell many, many people about my experience.

Caveat Emptor.

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Don''t listen to the coffee snobs who say you need to spend hundreds (or more) for a good cappuccino machine! I didn''t get a machine for a long time because I figured they would be too complicated to use, time-consuming to clean, and the inexpensive ones would make lousy cappuccino. But Starbucks gets expensive, so when I saw this one on sale for $59.99 I figured all it needed to do was make 20 decent drinks to pay for itself. It has done that in a couple of weeks! Following the instructions, it''s very easy to use, cleaning is also quick and easy, and the cappuccinos and lattees come out great. It''s a huge plus that you can use regular coffee mugs, so who cares that it doesn''t come with little espresso cups? The ONLY negative is that it really should have come with a milk frothing pitcher, but I picked up an 8-oz. one at the supermarket for $1.99 and it works fine. If you are on the fence about whether or not to take the plunge on an inexpensive espresso/cappuccino maker, buy this one.

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Okay, so there are a lot of mixed reviews on this product and if you are considering buying the Mr. Coffee ECMP-50, please give it a chance.

First of all I am no expert on this machine. I have just made my first Latte and am very relieved my machine works and the quality is what you make it as far as I''m concerned. Now understand this is my second machine! I just bought the ECMP-50 yesterday and upon setting it up, the machine only "flashed" it''s glaring lights at me and nothing more. I was a little disheartened but figured it was a lemon, and thankfully it was!

So today I exchanged my machine for a new one and yes it works just fine but lets'' look a little closer. So consider first off this is a low end espresso machine. $80... great price and honestly I don''t expect much out of this for this price range. I am just tired of going to Starbucks and spending $3 a pop on an espresso drink. So point #1...

1If you can get about 30 uses out of this machine... it just paid for itself. So if it breaks after that, who cares. Buy another one! It''s not a big deal.

The steamer is probably one of the better features of this machine in my opinion. To really have full control of it though your going to need to ditch the rubber tip and just get comfortable using the machine itself. The rubber end piece while a convenient way to help maintain cleanliness and create sub-par foam, is going to hinder the quality of your drinks... plus you lose that awesome "screaming" sound.

2-To properly steam your milk! GET A THERMOMETER! Yes you need this. Next you need COLD milk. Steam up to about 140-160 degrees depending on your preference and you should be good to go. To get quality foam you need not just cold milk but lift the steam wand to the top of your milk towards the end of your steaming cycle to just steam the surface.

I can''t comment on the leaking problem because I have not had this machine long enough but It sounds like a quick return to where you purchased it or sending it to Mr. Coffee should take care of this and all other structural/wear and tear defects. (hopefully)

So. Given my experience working at Starbucks for a few years I can tell you that after using this machine. Price does not matter. Starbucks espresso machines run from $5000+ easily and they break down a lot more than you think (also get used a lot more!) But think of this like a car. It''s a machine, it''s going to require maintenance and cleaning. Take care of it. Use clean filtered water to prevent build up. Run recommended cleaning solutions through your machine periodically to break down deposits. This is plastic, do not be aggressive or forceful with your machine. Treat it like a lady :)

What I don''t like?

-So far it''s just a minor inconvenience but turning the dial for the steamer setting with a required purge at the end is a little annoying. I''d rather be able to have a little more control over my steaming and be able to purge the wand myself afterwards. BUT the swivel on the wand is great, and I''m satisfied with the length and quality of it. My milk was the right temp (with thermometer) & did not take very long to do... and the foam was better than what I usually get handed at "the bucks".

-I don''t like that I cannot brew espresso & steam at the same time.

-I don''t like that the espresso will continue to brew until you turn the dial and make it stop. If your not paying attention you''ll overflow your shot glass and lose your crema :( very sad. Speaking of shot glasses? Get espresso shot glasses, they will indicate where you should stop the brewing process making sure you have the best quality espresso possible.

I know this is a bit long and I have a hard time reading long reviews but I hope this gives a little insight. This machine is worth the money and will be just as durable and reliable as machines that run in this price range up to $1,000. It''s frustrating getting a lemon but it happens. Don''t be discouraged.

Starbucks makes a great little home brew kit with 2 shot glasses, measuring scoop, clamps, steam pot, and thermometer for about $20 as well which is a great companion for this machine.

Oh one last thing. You can buy this at Target. So very convenient to not deal with all the mail-order delays if you have an issue.

Best of luck, and happy brewing!

Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/ Cappuccino Maker

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

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

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

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

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I love it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rush Hampton Fresh n Pure Bottled Water Maker Save 47% Off

I bought 2 of these from home.woot during a woot-off and am very pleased with it so far. The unit itself looks as good as any other "appliance" on my counter. The water flow is excellent and beats even the faucet mount filters (brita and pur). It was very easy to install and is easy enough for my 3 and 5 year olds to operate. The 1000 gallon/1 year filter life is excellent, and even better is that the unit comes with a second filter included! As long as the unit itself lasts that long it will be WELL WORTH THE MONEY compared to other faucet mount filters. Even for a full price purchase!

Both my friend and I have had no luck with several different Brita and Pur faucet mounts lasting more than 3-6 months without leaking so badly they were just useless. At about $25 each and $10 a filter for the Brita and Pur brands (which only last 100 gallons or about 2 months in my house) I was easily spending over $100/year on filtration systems AND adding quite a bit of trash to the landfills. Lately I''ve just stuck with the agonizingly slow pitcher filters. Now I''m thrilled to have the Fresh n Pure system. I should be set for 2 YEARS with a single filter replacement that comes with it.

My only CON would be the black tubing that comes with my black model. It is quite unsightly going from the diverter on the faucet to the unit on my counter. A transparent tubing would be much less noticeable against my chrome faucet. I must assume the white units come with white tubing, which would be only a slight improvement.

So long as it works as its supposed to I will be a very pleased customer! I will update in a few weeks/months on how it''s holding up.

First, about the person giving it 1 star because it doesn''t remove flouride. You shouldn''t give something a horrible review because it doesn''t do something you wanted it to, but clearly never said it would. Flouride is put in municipal water in areas *on purpose* (I''m not saying this is a good thing, but it is true), you should look for a filter specifically meant to remove it.

With that said, I am very pleased with this item. It immediately took that nasty chlorine taste out of my water, I wanted my water to taste good and now it does. A year of clean water and bpa-free bottles to drink it from.

Mine was leaking when I first used it, so I looked it up on the internet to find there was no advice on how to fix it. I couldn''t seem to get the "filter removal tool" to work and didn''t want to force (and break) it. I called the company and got a very nice woman on the phone who went out of her way and explained to me in detail how to fix it.

I''m going to post this information here so that others can find it.

To remove the filter: Lay the unit on its right side on a counter with a towel on it.

Insert the filter wrench to the groves on the bottom of the cannister. (after taking the base off)

Turn counter-clockwise to remove.

Inside you will find a rubber o-ring. (mine was not laid flat during installation)

Coat the o-ring with some cooking oil, just a tiny bit.

Slide the o-ring over the threaded end of the cannister, making sure it lies flat against the lip.

(not inside the cover)

Put the cannister cover back on snug, put the base of the unit back on.

Done! It was easy and no longer leaks! I hope this helps someone.

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This was a replacement unit for the same unit I purchased 2 years ago as part of regular household maintenance. The unit filters the taste of the water wonderfully. And while it may not remove all the impurities in water, for the price + the assurance of the local water company regarding water quality, it does the job for me. Also, saves on plastic water bottles where in many cases, the water is drawn from a tap and run through some filter. Size is also a plus. And it''s good looking. It is easy to work in on a small counter area. Great purchase.

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Easy to use product supply me with clean water which is very good for my health. 1000 gallons of clean water before changing filter.

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I DON''T EVEN MIND THE TUBING THAT WRAPS AROUND THE FAUCET, THE QUALITY & CONCEPT OF THE PRODUCT IS SO GOOD! THE FILTERS LAST A LONG TIME & THE FLOW OF WATER IS PERFECT! WISH I WOULD''VE SEEN THIS PRODUCT LONG AGO!

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Hansgrohe 28496001 Clubmaster Shower Head Save 47% Off

• 3 spray modes: full, pulsating massage and soft aerated
• 72 no-clog spray channels
• 3-1/2-Inch face diameter
• Features Quiclean cleaning system
• Requires arm and flange - not included; Includes rubber boot

I first saw this showerhead in Four Seasons Hotel in NYC. I installed one at my home and the water pressure did not seem so great. After removing (unscrewing) the small black particle filter, I removed and discarded the white flow restrictor, then replaced the black particle filter. Aha! Great water pressure as expected.

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I love this shower head. I purchased it after using one in a Marriot Hotel (wentworth by the sea) in Newcastle NH. It does work a bit better if you have fairly strong water pressure, but is still good with moderate pressure. It was better at the hotel, because their water pressure was a bit stronger than the pressure I have at home.

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FWIW

Found one of these shower heads on sale as a ''warehouse deal'' at a very low price.

It turned out to be a real high-quality brass head with deep chrome plating. Excellent water flow, nice design, easy adjustment. Built like a tank. What''s not to like? Highly recommended.

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I expected the shower-head to be about half this size based on the photos. The shower head is amazing, my wife and I love it. We have the weakest water pressure I have ever lived with and this still provides a pleasurable showering experience.

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Nice, heavy chrome head. Love the self cleaning feature, although the "soft" is pretty useless, unless you''re trying to stand directly below it, like a small rainshower head. I did remove the limiter, which helped a bit.

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Pentek WS-20BB Softening Filter Save 4% Off

• Manufactured with FDADA grade softener resin
• Capacity (Grains) 4500
• Screen Size (US Std. Mesh) 20-40

no more spots on glasses or scale on the fixtures...and we have EXTREME hardness +240, also PPM in water is less with this filter 288 ppm than with my previous carbon block filter 298 ppm, normal tap here is 360 ppm...wierd as this is only advertised as a softening filter, but it seems to filter as well! $20 cheaper than the carbon block

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Culligan Water Pitcher Filter PR-1 Save 9% Off

• This conveniently, easy-to-use water filtration system provides exceptionally clear, fresh-tasting water for drinking and cooking
• Clear plastic pitcher has an oval slimline design that fits in most refrigerator doors
• Provides 2 quarts of water
• Built-in and easy-to-replace filter offers advanced contaminant reduction for pennies a gallon
• Filter is designed to achieve 98% Lead Removal, 90% Mercury Removal, 99% Copper & Zinc Removal, 96% Chlorine Removal, 94% Particulate & Sediment Removal and significantly reduces bad taste and odors

Nice filter design. When the pitcher is half empty, fill it from the tap. This way you always have at least 1 quart of filtered water ready. You can still pour from the filtered water at the bottom, as the top half with the tap water trickles through the filter.

The pitcher must be used. The filter cannot dry out, nor can the water be left to sit for more than "3-4 days" without replacement.

I like this filter, but I also need to get a water filter that fits directly on my faucet, because there are too many occasions where it is inconvenient to get and use the pitcher from the refrigerator.

Knowing when to replace the filter and where to get it from are problems. They suggest replacing it every 160 quarts (80 pitchers); or two months ...

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OK.

I''d been a longtime user of the Brita pitcher, and was very satisfied with the results. Water tasted much better, and Kool-Aid was even more healthy without all the crap and bad afterstate of the water. I moved from the place I was and forgot the pitcher, and now I''m in a small studio and needed another filter pitcher. Unfortunately, it hurt me paying $40 for the Brita the first time, and I didn''t want to repeat it. I saw this Culligan for sale down at Albertsons, they wanted $20 for it. Well, you get what you pay for.

First off, its good points. Its slim design is great when you have a small or minimum room fridge. The filter is easy to load. There''s a pour spout on top that keeps particles from getting in, and there''s a small switch at the very top where you can set the month in which to replace it.

Now, the bad.

The instructions say to soak the filter for 15 minutes (to loosen any stray carbon). My first complaint is that Brita does not have this requirement. My second complaint is that it doesn''t work. I soaked mine for 2 hours, then when I ran water through it, I still saw particles. This is from already clear water fresh from a bottle. So it came from the filter. I shook the filter, thinking maybe I could dislodge the rest of it. I was shaking for 30 minutes and particles still came out. Bad. And of course, without the filter, it defeats the whole purpose of having the pitcher. You get what you pay for sometimes. It''s sad that we Americans have to pay almost 100% more in order to get a quality product, instead of our business just making quality and charging a fair price. C''est la vie. Brita Mae, I''ve learned my lesson, I''m coming home.

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

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

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

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

5/30/09 Update:

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

4/11/11 Update:

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

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

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

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

Update Feb 2 2011. Epoxy still holding great.

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Jura-Capresso 13204 Impressa E9 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

I''ve had this coffee maker for almost one month now and I absolutely love it. My parents have owned the same machine for years and it''s still going strong. The only difference that I could decipher between the E8 and the E9 is that the E9 is painted silver instead of black. Amazon was selling them for the same price, and silver fit better with the rest of my kitchen accessories, so I opted for this model.

The question of whether or not to buy such an expensive machine came down to a number of factors for me: 1) quality of coffee, 2) ease of use, 3) durability & build quality.

As far as quality of coffee goes, I find what this machine produces to be wonderful. I use dark roast Starbucks beans and I''ve had no issues. I read that the Starbucks beans can be a little too oily and cause jams; I''ve had no such issues, at least so far. The manual recommends "airing out" the beans for a few hours before putting them in the machine, so I do this.

Ease of use is wonderful. It even comes with a DVD just in case you find reading too laborious. I opted for the DVD and it taught me everything I needed to know to get this thing up and running, and properly maintained.

Build quality & durability remain to be seen, though I know 3 people who have owned these machines without major issues. The most regular complaint of the Jura-Capresso line, at least in my experience reading reviews, is that the service people are very unfriendly. I wonder if this is a function of the ego of the average purchaser of a $1,000 coffee maker, or if the support people truly are a cantankerous bunch. I''ll probably find out one way or the other, but snippiness on the phone isn''t enough to deter me, if in fact that is the case. I love this machine too much. RECOMMENDED!

We we wondering if we had gone overboard spending about $1,000 on a coffee machine but after 200 cups we are sure we did the right thing. The machine has had a lot of use over the past few weeks with family and friends visiting. The comments have been uniformly outstanding.

The machine is idiot-proof and the result is great.

I figure I will pay for it in 5 years with reduced spending in Starbucks :)

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I have been using the Jura Capresso for the past 3 years. The coffee has decent crema, but I am not happy with it''s inability to make a very strong espresso. Setting the cup size is supposed to accomplish this, but the cup size is variable even when a single setting is maintained.

My bigest gripe is that 2 years ago the machine malfunctioned and again this year. There is a flat fee of $275 to fix it including mailing (find your own box) which I find extremely excessive for a delicate machine that seems to break down every 2 years. The customer service person did confirm that this happens to a number of customers, but it is not excessive in the company''s point of view. Also the turn around time to fix the machine is 3 weeks.

I will switch to another product the next time it breaks down.

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Just got this yesterday, so these are initial impressions. So far I''m very happy with this though. After just a few tries I''ve got pretty good espresso coming out, using a bean that probably isn''t ideal. The frother seems plenty powerful too it took about 150 seconds to steam 8-10 oz of milk, but it only takes about 45 seconds to steam 2-3 oz of milk right in the cappuccino cup, as they show in the instructional video.

I will agree with another poster that the frother doesn''t seem ideal for producing micro-foam, although I read at CoffeeGeek that it can be done with some practice. It satisfies me at this point though, and I''d be willing to work with it to see what more it can do.

The ease of use is the best part. I''ve had the traditional burr grinder/semi-automatic machine combination, and it was just too much work to be worth using as much as I''d like. This reduces an espresso to a few button pushes, and a cappuccino to not much more. Cleanup is great too a wipedown of the frother, run some water through the frother, and let the machine rinse itself out. Now the problem will be not drinking espresso all the time.

Durability is my only potential concern, but from what I''ve been able to find out on the web, this brand should be about as good as I can get in the home market. Hopefully it lives up to that.

I didn''t give 5 stars only because it''s a bit noisier than I''d like. The grinder is pretty quiet, but the pump is louder than other machines I''ve used. It''s hardly a problem, but if that sort of thing matters to you, it''s there. For me, I''m very happy with the machine so far and expect to be for quite a while.

UPDATE July 6, 2009:

We''ve used this pretty heavily since buying it, and I only like it better. The cleaning tablets seem to do a good job of removing any gunk that might build up inside. It still is working flawlessly. Keeping it clean is easy too the trays all slide out from the front and can be quickly washed and reinstalled. I''ve looked inside, and don''t see any coffee grounds, so I think it''s staying clean inside.

The ground coffee hopper is really handy too, when we have guests and they want a flavored coffee instead of the standard beans. We can entertain a pretty good crowd with this machine.

I''m very satisfied with this, and will get another Jura-Capresso when this one has brewed its last.

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I used to work in a kitchen store that had one of these coffee centers on demo, and that''s how I got hooked on the Jura machines. I bought one for home use, and while yes, they are expensive,if you drink as much coffee as I do the per-cup price goes down quickly. Even using bottled water (my local water is 15 grains of hardness) and organic beans, my per-cup cost for espresso drinks is now about 25 cents.

Re the comments on coffee strength: I''d have to say that I don''t think other reviewers read the instructions thoroughly. The built-in grinder has adjustable coarseness settings and each cup of coffee can be made in either mild, regular, or strong, which corresponds to how much coffee goes into the shot. I have had no problems with this, although when switching types of coffee (light to dark roast, say) one may have to play around with the settings a bit to get it perfect. That said, there''s a lot of settings to play with on this machine.

The frothing/hot water functions have given me no problems, either. The hot water comes out at about 170 F on my machine, so it''s not perfect for some types of loose tea but works well for instant oatmeal. :) I would definitely buy another, and my only regret is that I didn''t buy one sooner.

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CRYSTAL QUEST Mega Undersink Replaceable Double Fluoride Water Filter System Save 8% Off

• Eagle Redox Alloy® is a major advancement in water treatment technology that works on the electro-chemical and spontaneous-oxidation-reduction (REDOX) principles. Chlorine is instantaneously and almost inexhaustibly oxidized.
• Easy to use and install on most sinks.
• Please note: When considering installation, if current under sink plumbing is hard copper tubing the saddle valve would be used; for flex tubing the T-valve would be required. Saddle valve is sent with order unless T-valve is specified.
• Dimensions: 10"L x 14"H (10"+4" to change cartridge) x 5"W

I installed the 7 stage under sink fluoride, lead, arsenic filter last weekend and I am very impressed so far.

The installation was easy, but the instructions state that you must be a licensed plumber to do the install or the warranty is void. The system uses a saddle-valve to tap into the existing water line. This type of valve can be risky and are against code in some areas.

The overall quality is great. The faucet we received is different than the one pictured...for the better. It has an actual lever with a variable flow setting...instead of the cheasy-older black levers that you have to hold down.

I live in Minnesota where we have VERY hard water and the city does add fluoride. Please note that our city supplied water goes through a whole house carbon/sediment filter before it reaches the Crystal Quest unit. Nonetheless Our water was slimy and somewhat bitter before the filter was installed..After it tastes great. It tastes exactly like good bottled water. BUT NOT LIKE RO. I recommend against RO due to its lack of minerals and once you get used to it all other water tastes gross.

Overall, very pleased with the purchase.

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Didn''t come with all the parts it needed. My son ended up buying parts to install it. Then it started to leak.

The water tasted better with this hooked up. That was the big plus.

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Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System Save 7% Off

• Reduces Sediment, Dirt, & Rust
• Built in By-Pass Valve
• Includes 3 filters and Wrench
• Stainless Steel inserts for easy installation
• NSF Tested & Certified

I previously purchased a Culligan whole house filter for a rental unit, and although there was nothing wrong with it, the Watts unit is superior. The threaded fittings have metal inserts for strength, the filter has a bypass mode, as well as "off", and the general level of quality appears superior to the Culligan.

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I purhased this to replace another filter. Installation was easy and the results have been good. I recommend it. Removing the lower part of the filter to replace the media is a bit difficult as the bottom does''nt turn easily however this is not unusual to this type design.

Read Best Reviews of Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System Here

I bought this filter to replace an older filter that had a leaking pressure relief valve. The install was easy and the filter works great. The filter wrench is not shown correctly in Amazon''s picture. The actual wrench is a full circle the goes around the filter cup which is better than the C shaped wrench shown. The shutoff/bypass valve is easy to turn even under pressure. The clear filter cup is very usefull. I have well water and I''ve always known my filters don''t last long. Now with the clear filter cup I can see how bad the incoming water is.

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I installed a watts WH filter as above to replace a Sears WH filter. After 6 cartridge changes the "O" ring at the inlet port in the head failed, rendering the filter useless. I contacted Watts Premier and was told taking apart the head would render the warranty void. Since it was inoperative I thought this was a bit of information I didnt need. Taking the head apart , which involved removal of one phillips head screw , is not exactly rocket science. Watts told me the "O" rings were not available from them and they did not manufacture the unit. I was not able to find an exact replacement " O" but was able to make one out of 3/16" round Neoprene stock. If anyone has experienced this problem and can tell me where to get a replacement "O" ring I would appreciate hearing from you. Also Watts failed to tell me the name of the manufacture so I could contact them for parts.

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I have city water.

After all the planning and sweating copper and valves together,

I finally got to the easy part; installation of the filter assembly.

Forget the teflon tape; use pipe dope liberally and select big pipe wrenches. DON''T wrench the housing.

Oh my gosh, the cartidge went orange with rust within just a few seconds!!

I left that cartridge in for a week and upped the frequency of recharges on my seemingly dead water softener.

Without the oily rust in the system, my water softener has been resurected!

If you don''t have one, you need one!

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Watts 500113 4-Stage 50GPD Manifold Reverse Osmosis Residential System Save 29% Off

• Reduces Chlorine taste and odor, Arsenic, Lead, Perchlorate, Cysts, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Entamoeba and more
• Nitrate Reduction
• 4 Stages of Filtration
• NSF Certified
• High production 50GPD membrane

What can I say, I love this Reverse Osmosis Water treatment system, I admit after reading some bad reviews of this product, I was very skeptical of this brand, customers seemed to complain about water leaks, have had no problems with the system it makes great tasting water and there is no maintenance or upkeep whatsoever, like I had with my last reverse osmosis brand system that this one replaced, and the water was not as good tasting water as this system makes, even though my last system was very old and was a two stage whereas this one is four stage, more cleaning and filtering with this system than my other system, my father in law has the same brand of reverse osmosis and is very happy with it, his is much older of course, but still very happy with it, The Watts premiere however does do alot of running due to refilling the tank and cleaning the system all at once, but does not last very long, only until the tank is filled with clean fresh water, I am very happy and delighted with this purchase.

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So far I have been unable to use the unit because it leaks. Out of the box the unit was mostly assembled, that was good. The instructions could have been less confusing but I got it fully assembled. Time to turn water on to the unit, after taking a will to fill I started finding leaks. Thinking surely it was something I had done, I called an expert to straiten out what I had done. He found two of the quick connects, that were part of the main body to be defective. He said that I had two choices, either return the unit or drill out the connection and tap the hole to recieve a differant type of connection.................... If you are not a plumber or a handyman, buy a nicer RO system..................

Read Best Reviews of Watts 500113 4-Stage 50GPD Manifold Reverse Osmosis Residential System Here

I purchased the WP5-50 and went through three months of hell before throwing it in the trash! First, the hissing noise had to be solved by Watts sending me a bypass for the system. Thirty days later, the system quit. I paid someone to test my water pressure. I had Watts to send me a replacement shut off valve. Finally, I paid $18 to have it shipped back to Watts to be repaired and was told that I needed to replace all of the filters and the membraine because something in my water or the water pressure had clogged up the filters (it had only been in use 60 days). I am now waiting for the system to be mailed back to me so that I can put it in the trash. I will never buy a Watts product again in my life. $235 down the drain! (no pun intended)

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The filters in this system are great, 2 carbon stages, one sediment stage and the reverse osmosis membrane are all you need for a water-filter system at home. The housing is sturdy, the hoses are standard HDPE and the fittings should work just fine. The pressure range at which the system works is yet to be determined however. Water keeps leaking from the housing sealed joints (not the hose fittings) consistently, at any operating pressure.

The manual I received was for a different system, though I was able to download the actual instructions for mine off the web.

I installed the system and observed leaks from both the faucet outlet and the tank hose. I cut the hoses again in case they were not flat-ended and tightened everything in the system. Same outcome. I then disassembled the entire system and cleaned every filter and housing, then used water soluble lubricant for the large o-rings and inspected every small gasket in the inlets/outlets. Still leaking form the same places.

I called the technical support and waited for 40 minutes listening to the repetitive "your call is important to us..." then decided it is much faster to return the filter back. Amazon even scheduled a pickup for the package!

I recommend you not to buy this system and consider other similarly-capable but different brand water filter setup for your home.

Kudos to Amazon, and a big, fat boo for Watts -I''ve heard their filters are great when they actually work. Definitely disappointing.

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I''ve been using this unit for about 3 months and there is no way it will produce 50 gallons per day, 1 gallon per hour at best !!! Water tastes great. Hooked up the ice maker to it, had to adjust the ice cube size because it''s low pressure now. Now I have mostly clear ice cubes.

I told the attorney general'' office and they said "this is clearly false advertising and they should remedy the situation, tell them to. If we get a few more complaints, we''ll start a class action law suit!"

Well Watts, what are you going to do about it ?

It seems to me like you owe me another unit !

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Keurig 2700 Keurig® Vue® V700 Single serve coffee system Save 22% Off

(TOP 10 REVIEWER)(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)The VUE is a totally different unit than current K-Cup Keurigs. I''m comparing it to the OfficePro that we use at work. The VUE is newer, sleeker, has more choices for brewing, and it''s very attractive in design (if a bit larger.) It is definitely versatile. However, there are a number of differences between the VUE and the older Keurig models and these are SO SIGNIFICANT, you should read up before you decide which model you want. For one thing, VUE cups are NOT K cups. That''s right. This coffee maker uses a different type of single-serve unit.

I will say, this is a beautifully-designed unit--very high end in appearance. The touch screen is incredibly easy to use and allows you to customize your brew more than on the standard K cup models. The temperature IS hotter, perfect for drinking. The brew is a bit better--I was able to make a "donut shop" brew at 6 oz and strong, which tastes terrific. The unit apparently pre-wets the grounds (which is why it grunts like a guy lifting 100 pound Olympic plates) and why it takes longer to brew.

**Another update--Jan 2013: I''m finding that the variety and availability of the Vue cups (which are NOT K-cups) is still limited and they are often sold out at big box stores. The price continues higher than for K cups. Solofill now has a Vue refillable cup available at Kohls. Consider that as you read this review.

FINDINGS:

1. First and FOREMOST: The VUE does not take standard K-CUPS. Oh yes, that''s right. You need a totally different sized single pack to use this machine. So if you buy your own supplies for home AND office, it would be best if you have the same models at both locales. ( There is at present, no refillable VUE cup, but I assume someone will craft one sooner or later.

I ran test brews using Barista Cappuccino variety, a 2-part cup system that makes cappuccino with milky froth, not a clone of International Coffees instant in a single-pack as in the current K-cups. I also ran a test of "Donut Shop", "Gloria Jean''s Hazelnut", Celestial Seasoning''s Southern Iced Tea, and Green Mountain Nantucket Blend Iced (brewing both over ice as directed.)

2. You have to be able to buy VUE cups where you buy coffee. Our grocery store has no VUE cups. The selection, from what I can tell surfing around, is not as diverse as for K-cups.

3. READ THIS>>>>>>> The unit is billed as being capable of filling insulated tall travel mugs. BUT...I have several travel mugs, mostly tall steel insulated models. NOT ONE of them fits under the unit EVEN WITH THE BASE REMOVED (you pull the entire black and silver plastic base forward, It comes off easily) . The tallest mug I could get under the unit was a fatter mug that holds 18 oz. If you have a collection of those stainless steel mugs that are often business gifts or sold at coffee stores, yours might not fit under the Vue. So to fill your fave travel mug, you need to measure it under the Vue without the platform to see if it will fit. NOT ALL MUGS WILL FIT. MANY DO. MANY DO NOT.

4. Says "brews hotter." Have not observed any hotter than 184 degrees, a good brewing and drinking temperature but by no means the hottest. Anyway, you can''t expect boiling water to issue forth from such a device. My pump hot water dispenser delivers hotter water, but it simply pumps boiled water out of a steel boiler, it doesn''t have to push it through a filter and past a lot of plumbing and plastic.

5. VUE cups may be hard to find at the moment at your stores, and they are not as inexpensive as the K-cups have become.

6. The drain platform is a bit clunky. You have to make sure you push your mug all the way back as far as you can, or it drips behind the mug. The mug rest, a black plastic insert that fits inside the mug platform, has a slight lip around it and if you are not paying attention, you can miss pushing the mug far enough back. To use a travel mug, assuming it will fit, the entire bottom has to come off. (Pull it off.) Most of my steel insulated mugs still didn''t fit, however. 18 oz seems to be tops. If the mug is tall to make a slimmer part to fit your automobile drink holder, it may not fit, 18 or 20 oz. You have to test it out. Buying the VUE? Take your fave mug along to test out at the store.

7. It takes about twice as long to brew and it''s noisier than the OfficePro model (similar to a B60 model.) Maybe that results in better coffee (more time to hit the grounds) but you won''t be grabbing a cup and running. Took me about 2 minutes.

8. There is some good news: one of the criticisms of the wildly popular Keurig is that it makes more landfill waste. This is true. K-cups are the least ecological of all the single-serve coffee methods, yet K-cups took over the market by storm. This is because the coffee was better (Green Mountain) and because the sealed cup is delightful to use (not messy on the hands) and seals in the fresh taste. No wonder it took the number one spot. But the K-cups apparently can not easily be made recyclable, so I am assuming that Keurig developed the VUE to make a more "green" disposable.

But to recycle the VUE cup, you need to pull out the papery insert filled with wet coffee and throw it and the foil away separately from the recyclable plastic cup. So, back to messy tasks and this is not as easy as a toss into the trash. You need two trash containers (garbage and recycle) and you have to do some peeling away --which I find a fiddly task indeed. How many people are actually going to bother to do this recycling?

9. The touch screen is beautiful, it is my favorite thing on the unit, though I find the icons very small. Still, it''s easy to use and I love its looks and it says "ENJOY!" at the end of the brew cycle. Very slick.

10. The operation is fine, though I think it is a heck of a lot noisier and slower than my OfficePro.

ISSUES and CONSIDERATIONS

1. What will happen to K-Cups? Do we have a dual "razor blade" world with two types of cups for sale on the shelves?

2. What were the designers drinking when they made too little clearance under the brewing spout to hold standard travel mugs?

3. If the new K-cups are designed to be recyclable, then must they have to have an insert for the coffee, and why then extra step is involved to recycle used cups? I presume, this is the best the designers could do....or....is it that K-cups are going off patent this year. Is the consumer going to embrace this? And will there be a self-filling VUE cup? Because many of use like those for home use.

4. This unit is billed as being deluxe, high-end, a "better" Keurig. But...is it really THAT much better, aside from recyclable cups, which I admit is good thing, despite the fiddliness of the procedure. But because this is not an inexpensive unit, and it uses new cups less widely available and with a smaller selection of coffees, is this really high-end or is it just high-price?

5. Predictable, after the Keurig took first place in the single-shot coffee world, landfills reported a deluge of the little white cups. It''s well that Keurig made a "greener" cup but the way you recycle it is not simple and I fear that many people will just toss these in the trash rather than pull apart a used coffee pod, so will it really result in fewer cups in the landfill?

5. One more small issue: you may have trouble seeing tiny icons and numbers--even with reading glasses. The touch screen display displays very small print and is a tad annoying (but I am tall and wear bifocals, so you see the issue. I''m looking down from my 6 foot height onto the counter. You may not have any trouble seeing the display.)

CONCLUSIONS:

PROS:

YES, HOTTER COFFEE, IF YOU WANT, AT JUST THE RIGHT DRINKING TEMP.

A MUCH BETTER BREW, GROUNDS ARE PRE-WETTED

CAN ADJUST FROM 4-18 OZ AND CHOOSE STRENGTH

TEMPERATURE CHOICES

TOUCH SCREEN IS SLICK AND EASY TO USE

GORGEOUS UNIT--VERY HIGH END APPEARANCE

CAN DO TRAVEL MUGS IF YOU TAKE OUT ALL THE BASE PART AND ONLY GO UP TO 18 OZ (TEST YOUR MUG)

CONS:

NOISIER

SLOWER

MORE EXPENSIVE, CUPS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE TOO

LIMITED SELECTION OF COFFEE (FOR NOW)

LIMITED AVAILABILITY CUPS, DIFFERENT CUP than STANDARD

NO SELF-FILL CUP AVAILABLE

NEED TO FIDDLE WITH VUE CUP TO RECYCLE IT

DOESN''T HOLD SOME TRAVEL MUGS (despite saying it does) YOURS MAY NOT FIT

*UPDATE: After a full weekend of putting this beast through its paces, I have to say, it''s fantastic. I did all kinds of brewing, comparing it to my office Keurig and it is undeniably slick, fun to use and flexible. I love the lighted reservoir that lets you know that the tank needs filling (this happens at 1/4 full) and I love the touch screen and the ability to customize volume, strength and temperature for brewing. Only the cost of the cups has me concerned, and the lack of a self-fill cup.

*UPDATE 2: When you purchase Vue Cups, BE CAREFUL. Some of the cocoa, teas, coffee-milk drinks have both sugar AND artificial sweeteners. If you avoid sucralose or other artificial sweeteners, then you have to read the entire ingredients of the Vue Cup very carefully. Some have stevia, which I don''t mind as much, but I do not like a mix of sugar and non-sugar. I think it''s deceptive. You may think "sugar" ok, no artificial sweetener, but it CAN be in there as well, to add more sweetness with lower volume of powder in the cup. OR to reduce the overall calorie count of a single serving to look less fattening. Be careful!

I had my trusty Keurig B60 for 5 years. Never had a problem though I''d heard it didn''t work so well for other people. I generally drink 1 cup of coffee in the morning, though during winter I might have 2-3 throughout the day. I love STRONG coffee and so, when Keurig first hit the market, there weren''t many choices, though now, there are PLENTY.

Anyway, after 5 years (I used filtered tap water)of a wonderful relationship, my Keurig started to say DESCALE every few weeks. Before this happened, I would usually descale twice a year, and don''t recall it ever telling me to until January of 2012. Suddenly, also, it wouldn''t brew and was just really acting up. I was going to try and baby my old Keurig and squeeze every bit of life out of it but then...I had no idea the VUE even existed until someone mentioned it on a social media site. I had just received a 20% coupon from a store that sells stuff for the bed, bath and other rooms, and since it was selling for less there and I had a coupon, I decided to take the plunge even after reading the negative reviews here.

So. Glad. I. Did.

First things first: Flavor seems much better not that the old Keurig brewed bad coffeebut this just seems...fresher? Also, as I mentioned, I love strong coffee. While there are now many K-Cups on the market that are really bold, finding flavored bold coffee was zilch. And I love flavored coffee every now and then. When I purchased the VUE it came with a sample of V-cups and there was a Gloria Jeans Hazlenut (medium roast), so I tried it and pressed the Strong button. It was perfect. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical that it could actually brew stronger, but it did!!! Then I tried a Breakfast Blend (light roast) Green Mountain travel mug, used Strong, and used the 12 oz button, and was very pleased! Now, they say for the larger sizes (12-14-18) you should but a "travel mug" coffee. I haven''t tried using a regular V-cup with a higher oz cup, so I don''t know if it would taste okay or not, but for me this is such a fabulous feature (the Strong button) because now I can drink flavor coffee and it''s more robust using the strong button.

I have turned up the temp to the max it will go (love a HOT cup of coffee). My first cup was not so hot but after that initial cup, the rest of the time, it is piping hot! I say this because I don''t want anyone to panic after brewing their first cup (like I did!).

I love the touchscreen. And after it''s done brewing it reads "Enjoy!" I know this is silly, but I feel like it''s "talking to me" and I smile at it every time. Just a simple silly little thing, but I love simple silly little things!

I haven''t tried the cocoa or the tea or the ice coffee/tea so I can''t comment on that. I never used the cocoa k-cups with my old Keurig and probably won''t with this.

I don''t know if the Amazon Vue comes with a variety pack like the one that was included in the one I bought at the store, but I would **think** it would the variety pack I had included one of: Green Mountain Nantucket Blend, Breakfast Blend travel mug, Tullys French Roast, Barista Prima French Roast, Cafe Escapes cocoa, Timothy''s Decafe Colombian, Gloria Jeans Hazlenut, Coffee People Donut House, Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea and Southern Sweet Perfect Iced Tea.

I also love the design. I keep my Keurig on the counter in the kitchen. It sits under cabinets and anytime I wanted to add water or put in a K-cup, I would need to pull it out because it was so tall. The Vue is shorter and I don''t need to pull it out at all when putting in a V-cup or filling the water. Also, to fill the reservoir, you can take off the whole top OR lift part of it (Keeping it on) and pouring in your water.

OH! Also, you can raise the platform so if you''re using a small cup, it won''t spatter a vast improvement from my old Keurig.

This is the first day I''ve used it, so, if I have any problems or anything changes, I will update. If I don''t update, I''m still really happy!!!!!!

Also note, I''m really careful with my money. Mostly all of my clothes shopping is done at a consignment store, I drive a used car, etc...that''s also one of the reasons I wanted to baby the old Keurig as long as possible...however, since I am a huge Keurig fan and rarely splurge on anything else...LOL, I decided with the coupon and price at the store (was selling for the price listed on the Keurig online store)to just go for it. Well worth it, in my opinion.

Buy Keurig 2700 Keurig® Vue® V700 Single serve coffee system Now

I got the Vue about 1 week ago from BB&B for $199 (look for the 20% off coupon) and I love the machine. The noise described by some reviewers isn''t an issue to me since my old coffee pot was just as loud and it is only on for at most 45 seconds when you brew. I feel like the touchscreen is easy to use and mine worked just fine the first try. The Vue cups are nice because you can get strong coffee in an 18 oz travel mug. I do wish it was 2-4 inches taller to fit some taller cups but that isn''t going to make me give it 1 star; I use a 32 oz ''Bucee''s Cup'' and it fit fine but my tumblers are too tall.

I read some folks complaining about the temperatures being reported as ''well under advertised'' which caused me to break out my Thermapen to check mine. Mine was coming out around 184-186 with the brewer running directly where it comes out. I have mine set to 190 degrees so that is pretty close; some heat will dissipate in the Vue cup as it brews so I have no reason to believe it is that far off. At 174 in the cup after it finished even that will burn the skin off of your lips so it is plenty hot for me.

I do wish someone would hurry up and release a refillable Vue cup so we can use our own grounds and cut back on the cost of buying the Vue packs but I am sure someone will get one out soon.

I didn''t give it 5 stars because of 1 bug I am experiencing with the water tank. Mine will brew down to 1/4 left in the tank then stop brewing until more water is added (it prompts you on the screen). Yesterday it had 1/2 a tank left and did it again; I refilled it but it didn''t detect it until I power cycled the machine. I will call Keurig to report it and see what they say about it; it might be something I did or it might just be a sensor.

Read Best Reviews of Keurig 2700 Keurig® Vue® V700 Single serve coffee system Here

First I want to start off saying I was almost disuaded in buying this item because of all the bad reviews. It seems like people are only likely to write reivews when they have a bad experience. So here I am writing a good review because I love the Keurig Vue.

First I''ll start off with the good. The new keurig comes with a button to make a stronger cup of coffee. I personally can taste a difference and I do like the option for a stronger cup. The next thing that sold me was the increase in cup size options, before you had preset options, now you as the user can decided on how big you want your coffee. The cups are limited as of now which is obvious since this is a new item but I have my favorites, and they are already out for the vue, some people are probably not as lucky as I am. The touch screen is so cool, unnecessary? Yes maybe, but very nice touch to the all over aesthetic look of the machine. As for the options available on this keurig its amazing. Theres options for almost every kind of drink. I specifically like the iced coffee feature. I was very skeptical and assumed that it would just make a luke warm cup of watered down coffee but I was so shocked. It tasted great.

Now onto the bad. The noise can be a problem. It is way louder than my old B70 model, but unlike other people it wasn''t exactly a deal breaker. There is also the issue of the tank asking you to add water. Mine does this when its about 1/3 full, is it annoying? Sometimes, but I have a pitcher of filtered water in my fridge at all times, so filling it up in a flash is a breeze. Another downside is the launch flavors available. I said earlier my favorites are already out, but I am sure some of your favorites might not be. The new keurig does brew at a higher temp. I have read and will agree it isn''t 100 percent accurate. When i tested a cup at 192 degrees, it came up around 185.6, that was close enough for me and I didnt mind.

All in all I think this is a great buy. All the negative reviews almost disuaded me but I decided to give it a try anyway. I have had it now for over a month and I enjoy it very much. It''s got a great new look, and the new design of the k-cup is so much better, in my opinion at least. Oh and for those of you green people out there, the vue cups are recyclable.

So in conclusion, I completely recommend this product. I had my old Keurig for 3 years without any problems, and so far none with my current new model. If your considering upgrading, or moving from a standard drip coffee maker to a single cup I say go for it!!!!!!

Please leave comments if you have any questions and I would be happy to answer them.

Want Keurig 2700 Keurig® Vue® V700 Single serve coffee system Discount?

I purchased my original Vue from BB&B online and immediately had a problem with the "two streams" from the brew head (see this video posted by another purchaser: go to YouTube and search for "Keurig Vue Problem"). Each time I got the second stream of clear water in addition to the coffee stream, the coffee produced was very weak. (I should note that I have never used a powdered or milk style V-cup in the machine. I only use the standard ground coffee V-cups.) As this problem was causing me to waste a lot of coffee, I contacted Keurig for assistance. They had me run three water-only cycles through the system to "calibrate it" and the next cup I produced was perfect (only a single coffee stream from the front hole in the brew head). Unfortunately, the problem returned almost immediately and, once again, more than half of my subsequent brewing attempts were plagued by the "two streams" problem. I tried rinsing the brew head before each cup and running more water-only cycles, but nothing helped. I finally called Keurig again and they sent me a brand new replacement brewer. This one was only slightly better. I frequently still experienced the "two streams" problem. I believe the second hole (where the clear water exits) is not only designed for water-only cycles, but also to catch any owerflow from a standard brewing cycle. I think what is happening is that the upper (center) piercing unit is not sealing properly and the leakage from the poor seal is what is causing the second stream of clear water. In looking at a used V-cup, I can see a deep indentation in the foil lid between the center piercing and the lower piercing. My hunch is that the foil is not stiff enough to make a good seal between the piercing units at least part of the time. After using the replacement brewer for about two weeks with little success, I contacted Keurig support again and informed them of my continuing problem. I did note to them that I was in a high-altitude area (around 6000 ft) and that I had tried pre-piercing the center of the V-cup and it didn''t help. Keurig support did state that they are aware of the "two streams" issue and that replacing the brewer has usually solved the problem. They recommended that I lower the brew temp to 187 degrees and try again. I did so without success. So I called Keurig support back and the rep stated that she would consult with their engineering department and call me back. I heard back from Keurig the next day and was told, per their Engineering Department, the "two streams" problem will occur at high altitudes (6000+ feet) due to low ambient pressure. Further, there is NO FIX for this issue. As such, I had to return my Vue brewer.

I have posted my experiences here, at BB&B and on another message board to inform prospective purchasers who live in higher altitude areas NOT to purchase the Vue so they can avoid the problems I have experienced.

I am giving the Vue two stars because of Keurig''s excellent customer service (even though they could not resolve my issue). Also, on the occasions when the Vue worked properly for me, it produced great coffee.

5/16/12 Update:

After reading posts here and elsewhere from people with similar problems, I decided to purchase another V700 (my third) and give it one more try. I set up the new unit and immediately started pre-piercing the V-packs in the center with a push-pin and flattening the foil prior to brewing. Using this technique, I have not experienced a single "two stream" problem with the new unit! I did try to brew a V-pack without piercing it and it worked much better than my earlier units, but did leak a few drops of clear water through the second hole in the brew head.

I tried pre-piercing the V-packs with my earlier units, but I used a pocket knife to make a small slit in the center rather than the pinpoint hole made by the push-pin. I also did not flatten out the foil.

With or without pre-piercing, this new machine functions much better than my earlier ones. I still believe that my altitude is a factor, but it pertains to the pressurized V-packs and not the "low ambient pressure" not allowing the machine to function properly as told to me by Keurig Engineering.

To sum it up, I believe Keurig does have a hardware problem with some new V700 units my current unit brews much better than my first two which were returned. That, combined with the pre-piercing technique described above, has allowed me to enjoy the latest Keuring technology despite my altitude and I will be keeping my new V700. I am not changing my original rating at this time due to the difficulties I experienced prior to getting a working setup. (I will provide another update if anything changes.)

To those in high-altitude areas: I would now recommend that you try the new Vue, but be sure to purchase it from a vendor with a good return policy. If you are fortunate enough to get a good unit on the first try and use the technique described above, you will enjoy an excellent machine that produces quality beverages.

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