Works excellent for removing fine debris from the water. Would recommend buying a second pad to double stack since a single pad requires regular cleaning. Single pad took only 1 day to remove the cloudiness from my 900 gallon pondSave 33% Off
Showing posts with label water pitcher filter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water pitcher filter. Show all posts
Filter Pad Replacement Save 33% Off
Works excellent for removing fine debris from the water. Would recommend buying a second pad to double stack since a single pad requires regular cleaning. Single pad took only 1 day to remove the cloudiness from my 900 gallon pond
BISSELL ProHeat 2X Upright Deep Carpet Cleaner Save 4% Off
This is the first machine I have owned; however, it is among many I have borrowed over many years.Assembling and acquainting myself with it took only 10 minutes.
I was very happy to buy this unit as the cleaning solution and water vessels are separate. So, I can rinse my carpets after cleaning them.
The heating unit works in just one minute after filling the water bladder and placing it back on the deep cleaner. Then...you are off and cleaning your carpets.
Using it on a 12'' x 12'' bedroom and a 14'' x 25'' great room was pretty easy and pleasureable. The result was perfection in a spotless carpet! Most importantly, a spotless carpet with little shampooing residue left behind compared to other cleaners.
Why not 5 stars as a rating from me?...Well, the following are the issues I have but am willing to deal with:
*** They say you can leave the cleaning solution in the tank until the next time you clean, which could be many months from now. I do not recommend this as the unit seemed to leak while the cleaning solution was left in the tank and the unit was merely sitting with the cord wrapped up. Simply dump the cleaning solution back into the bottle and rinse out the vessel.
*** Carpet fibers seem to adhere to the bottom of the unit behind the brushes. To avoid dislodging these fibers onto the carpet during cleaning, the bottom of the unit should be wiped down frequently.
*** To keep the unit in tip top shape, the rollers, sucking unit, water bladder, and cleaning solution vessel should be removed, rinsed, and allowed to dry thoroughly. Direction are given in the manual to remove all of these items properly; however, it requires 15 minutes of dismantling...then overnight to dry...then another 15 minutes to reassemble. Unscrewing screws is involved 4 screws...this was to access the front sucking nozzle and two rollers. To remove the water bladder and replace it seems to put a bit of wear on the bladder and I anticipate having to buy a replacement for this in the years to come. BUT...each piece that is rinsed off cleans up VERY easily and dries well.
*** The design of the water bladder-dirty water vessel is a bit odd. You fill a bladder (plastic) with hot tap water. The bladder is seated in a rigid plastic containment unit. It turns out this rigin plastic containment unit is the dirty water vessel. The water from the carpet is sucked in and resides on the outside of the clean water bladder. Clever design, but somewhat of a pain as the vacuum/ no vacuum trigger can be easily tripped if the unit bumps into furniture or you move it left or right to quickly. The reason seems to be the water sloshing around outside the bladder and inside the bladder flow and trigger the valve to prematurely open and stop the sucking. Not a huge issue, just an annoyance b/c you have to turn off the vacuum and jostle the unit a bit to get the valve to close again.
*** The placement of the accessory hose is awkward especially if you are a left-handed vacuumer. My leg would bump into the hose and the latch they have designed to secure it is not very good at keeping it secure. I had to reseat the hose 5 times during the cleaning of my two rooms... Again, an annoyance.
*** The wheels on the unit are large in diameter, which makes the unit very easy to maneuver even though it is heavy (I agree with a prior reviewer that heavy is good in a carpet cleaner). However, I question how well they are assembled to the machine as there seems to be some give left-to-right as you turn the unit...we''ll see about this in the long run.
All in all, I am still quite satisfied with the unit as it does all that I wanted it to do. I am not sure that you would not have other annoyances with other brands as well...in other words, I do not think there is a perfect carpet cleaner as I have been researching them for weeks now...all of them seem to have issues in some way or another. But the issues I describe here versus the result in clean carpets...has me very happy to own the Bissell ProHeat 2X.
I purchased the Hoover 914-900, but it leaked before even starting to use it, so I returned it and bought a Bissell Proheat 2x. I liked that it seemed easier to clean the machine than the Hoovers, and that it had a rinse option, although not conveniently located. I noticed immediately with first use that it wasn''t as good as even my old (trigger broken) Hoover. The Bissell didn''t extract water well at all, even though I went over and over an area trying to get the water up. It was obvious by looking that it also didn''t clean as well (probably as a result of leaving dirty water still in the carpets.) If it''d been my first carpet cleaner I might have thought it great since it did get dirt out, but I knew they didn''t look as clean as in the past and mostly they were WET. The next day, before returning it I bought ANOTHER Hoover 914-900 thinking the first leaky one was an anomaly. The 2nd one leaked initially also, but once I used it for a minute, pressed and released the trigger a few times and the seals got wet, it stopped leaking. Thus I had two new cleaners to try side-by-side. Where I used the Bissell after the Hoover, there was no difference, the Bissell didn''t get the carpet any cleaner. Where I used the Hoover on where I''d cleaned with the Bissell the night before -a BIG difference. The carpet was visibly cleaner; (it''s a very light carpet so it''s easy to see that) the dirty water collected confirms that it picked up dirt the Bissell left behind; and the carpet was drier. This was a return to what I expected based on my last 2 Hoovers -damp carpet, not WET carpet, and I think it''s why the Hoover cleaned better. The Hoover isn''t perfect -the tanks need to be bigger for fewer trips to the sink (if too heavy for some people, they wouldn''t have to fill as full), and there is no good way to clean it! I did like the idea behind the Bissell of having clean water with which to either mix with the detergent and spray, or to rinse with, and it would be a plus if Hoover would find a way to do that. (Especially if the "rinse" button was on the handle and easily accessible.) But Bissell''s technique of inserting a plastic bladder for clean water inside the dirty water tank means neither holds much water which makes for extremely frequent trips to the sink. Also, having to stop, bend over, and switch a dial on the base to "rinse" and the same to switch back to cleaning mode was highly inconvenient. Last, Bissell''s on-board water heater didn''t seem to make a difference. Leaving behind too much dirty water was its downfall, it didn''t matter that the water went in "heated." I used the hottest tap water I could in the Hoover and it worked just fine. The "proheat" seems to me to be just another unneeded gizmo that can break. Overall, I guess it depends on what''s most important to you. For me, clean carpets that dry in a couple of hours trumped ease of cleaning the machine.
Buy BISSELL ProHeat 2X Upright Deep Carpet Cleaner Now
Others have gone into very good detail about this machine so I won''t go over that again. What I will add, however, is that there are a couple weird things about this carpet cleaner that I didn''t expect.The first is that if you have pets you will have to go back and pick up clumps of hair even if you''ve just ran the vacuum cleaner. This is a good/bad situation as it''s good that it''s getting up all the hair that the vacuum cleaner missed but it''s also a pain in the back (literally) to have to bend over every minute or two to pick up clumps of hair or risk clogging up the carpet cleaner with hair. We''ve lived in this house for 2 1/2 years and have had 2 cats the whole time, 2 dogs for 2 of those years so we expected some pet hair. We''ve ran the vacuum cleaner twice a week on average ever sinced we moved in, however, so you may not have that problem if you don''t have as many animals as we have.
The second quirk and one that will effect everyone is the fact that it seems to leak. We have a "green machine" (portable hand held Bissell) that we have the same problem with so it seems to be a problem with all Bissell''s. After you turn off the carpet cleaner and wrap the cord up you''ll be surprised to see a mess of dirty water under where the carpet cleaner was. Tacks such as running a minute or so (continually moving it) before shutting it off doesn''t work either. We have to store the carpet cleaner in the garage as it will continue to leak out over the next few hours or so and leaves a puddle of water about 6 inches in diameter.
The final little quirk is that, even though it cleans well, be prepared for the carpet to be very wet when you''re done. The carpet cleaners that we''re all familiar with that we rented when we lived in an apartment (rug doctors) dry your carpet better I believe because they''re heavier. Bissell had to walk the fine line of making it light enough for the petite among us to use it while still cleaning the carept without doing damage to it. Like I said above, it cleans pretty good but the carpet is very wet afterwards. This quirk isn''t that bad as long as you plan ahead.
Overall I give it 4 stars because it does it''s job but the quirks keep it from being a must have product.
Read Best Reviews of BISSELL ProHeat 2X Upright Deep Carpet Cleaner Here
Positive:* Machine is easy to maneuver and is similar to a vacuum cleaner in that the machine can be operated
* 2 in 1 tank recovery tank with solution tank bladder
* Electronic circuit breaker reset (power off then on to reset)
* Dual brushes lift pile well and make carpet look nice after cleaning
* Simple float design
Negative:
* The machine does not pickup water well. Several passes are required after water is sprayed onto the floor.
* First operation resulted in no water spray due to loose connection of the tank to the base.
* Second operation resulted in no water pick up due to loose connection of the tank to the base. A better instruction manual would help.
* Float trips too easily especially if machine is moved from side to side.
* The accessory tool location is awkward I cut my knee on it
* The instruction manual requires the tips and brush to be removed after each use
* Debris (mainly long human hair and cat hair during this use) easily clogged the vac shoe and left wet spots on carpet.
* Also little "hairballs" occasionally were dislodged from the underside of the machine. The debris collected behind the brushes.
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I have never owned a carpet cleaner like this before. I used an upright Hoover a couple years ago that a friend owned but that''s my only experience with this type of machine.My wife and I have a large area rug approx. 12x16 and it needed cleaning bad. It had many stains from over 4 years of use. Most of the stains I had tried to remove with good''ol elbow grease but no luck. We decided to have it professionally cleaned but when we realized how expensive it was going to be ($300!!) we decided to buy our own. We purchased the Bissell Proheat 9200T from Target for $200 (Sorry Amazon!).
The unit was easy to assemble and use. Of course it took some getting use to but overall very easy. It ran out of clean water twice while I was cleaning and each time I didn''t realize it for a couple of strokes. I wish there was an easy way to know if it needed more water. Also, like the previous poster mentioned carpet gunk gets stuck under the machine behind the rollers and it needs to be wiped clean periodically while cleaning. You also have to dismantle the front roller assembly by removing 5 screws in order to properly clean the unit when finished. I wish this was easier but I don''t see it as a major problem as I don''t anticipate using this everyday.
Our carpet is now spotless! We are thrilled with the results. There were dark black stains on our light beige colored rug for years and they are all gone now. I was only expecting a minor improvement but this machine made the rug look new again!!
For only $200 we have a brand-new rug and a great machine that will hopefully last for years. I can''t recommend Bissell enough
.
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Big Berkey w/ 2 Black Berkey Filters Save 6% Off
I searched for the best water purification technique available primarily because I was shocked at the state of our drinking water and I couldn''t just go on blindly dumping chemicals into my body. My criterion was to remove all added chemicals from my drinking water including Fluoride and as an Engineer with a scientific background I needed scientific backing.Note: The usage of Fluoride in our water systems is controversial, but Ninety-seven percent of western Europe has eliminated fluoride from drinking water. goggle "Fluorosis" and "fluoride side effects", read the article on "about dot com" on "fluoride removal". Read the article on "livestrong dot com" on "side effects of fluoride ingestion". I quote, "Fluoride ingestion has been associated with adverse health effects such as IQ deficits in children, depression, weight gain and heart disease. The "Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics" reports that "high fluoride intake has a damaging effect on intellectual ability," and human studies from China, India, Iran and Mexico found that elevated levels of fluoride in children resulted in reduced performance and impaired development of intelligence. The U.S. National Research Council has also found that fluoride affects normal endocrine function, which may contribute to hypothyroidism, or reduced activity of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, hair loss, muscle pains and heart disease.
I started off with on a friends recommendation the Nikken Pi-Mag which i soon rejected because they independent lab results were not available, fluorine was not removed from the water and I could not trust a MLM companies claims'' that were not scientifically verifiable.
I looked at Aquasana and Multipure''s product line but I became obvious that the life expectancy was about a year and I would deal with leaks, and defective housing. The reviews for the New Wave were 10Stage Filter were promising on amazon and I bought it right away, but soon grew suspicious of their claims as there were no results posted on their website either. I called New Wave customer service which I must add was great and friendly and asked for the independent lab results, which they emailed. After analyzing the results I was disappointed to see that a company that makes water filters provided results from a lab called, Truesdale lab but back in 1995 (15yrs ago!). Surely they can get this tested recently since both regulations and water quality have changed since then and made this readily available to their customers via their website. Anyway the results they provided showed that it was tested for Cyst Removal (based on the 1988 NSF standard), Lead, Choloform and Lindane removal. Fluorine was not removed which for me was not good enough.
I returned the New Wave Environ and finally found the Berkey filter system which has an additinal fluoride filter as well. Although more expensive (about 250 inclusive of a set of flouride filters), the Berkey filters would be cheaper in the long run as they last between 3,400 gallons to 19,500 gallons depending on water quality, unlike the New Wave Filter''s 1500 gallons. Furthermore I liked openness and readily accessible lab results by independent labs such as the University of Arizona, LSU and Spectrum labs (google Berkey lab results). Furthermore they are used by emergency organizations like the Redcross and Unicef.
I must add that there is no perfect system, the fluoride filters usually use an activated alumina filter media and Aluminia has been associated with Alzheimers. I was concerned about any aluminum dust residue left in the water and a little more research revealed the residue to me negligible.
Here is a comparison:
Water boiled in an Aluminium pan for 5mins had: 2.791 ppm aluminum
Colgate toothpaste: 52.878 ppm aluminum.
The Berkey flouride filter after 10 cycles had .037 ppm aluminum and after 20 Cycles: .029 ppm aluminum which in my opinion was negligible and safe.
I hope this helps you and saves you time!
*****update 6 months into using it a filter cartilage just broke! i emailed the company for a replacement and am waiting to hear back! if you can get a RO machine. Dropping the product from 4stars to 3stars.
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I decided against distillation, since there are many cons with that process: it produces acidic water (I used to buy distilled water from the store until I started noticing my gums were getting itchy from it), and recaptures chemicals with lower boiling points than water. This was unacceptable to me since California''s municipal water sources are heavily chlorinated. It''s so nasty, you can smell the chlorine coming out of the taps. I can''t stand the taste or smell of it. I decided against reverse osmosis because of its costs and the amount of waste water it produces. After much research, I settled on a gravity based microfilter, and Big Berkey came with lots of recommendations.So far, after nearly filtering 200 gallons, the Big Berkey is pulling all free chlorine out of the water. Here is a pic that demonstrates:The water on the right is tap water mixed with a chlorine/bromine indicator solution. The color indicates that the tap water in Monterey, CA has more chlorine than a healthy swimming pool. YUCK! The water on the right is from the Big Berkey. The indicator solution shows there is no detectable chlorine! SWEET!
Read Best Reviews of Big Berkey w/ 2 Black Berkey Filters Here
I''ve been using this for over a year now, and this water filter system is truly a pain in the arse. Before I was filtering and leaving the excess water in the Berkey, but then a mold problem formed with the filters. I started over with new filters and did not have that problem again, because I do not let water sit there overnight anymore. Basically, I filter about 6 jugs to last a few days and then empty the Berkey and let it dry. The filters are fickle, and I''ve gone through about 4 pairs in a year in a half. One thrown out from the mold problem, another set thrown out because it would just not filter, and another thrown out because after awhile the water started coming out so quickly, as if it wasn''t filtering out at all.I no longer filter it into the stainless steel container. Instead, I set the Berkey on top of 2 glass juice pitchers as seen here:
http://www.amazon.com/Luminarc-Quadro-2-Liter-Glass-Pitcher/dp/B0013Z9NY0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328550827&sr=8-2
When you do that, you can see which filter works slower or faster than the others. It''s eye opening.
I''m already looking for a new water filter and would never recommend this one. I also agree with others, on the ancient tests this company provides, and no longer believe in the product.
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After a lot of research on water filtration systems I finally purchased the Big Berkey with 2 Black Berkey Elements in December 2010 and while the water may taste great, it''s been nothing but trouble ever since.From day one the spout of the spigot (where the water actually comes out; not where it connects to the Berkey) would not stop dripping. I have to keep a bucket under it to catch the water (we''re not talking a few drips; more like a pint or more of excess water dripping out per fill up). I assumed maybe there was a bit of plastic or debris caught inside somewhere preventing the lever from fully closing and that it might work its way out and stop dripping at some point, Nope; it''s just gotten worse. (I have since reported this and a free replacement spigot is on its way).
Then in July 2011 I discovered both black elements had come loose from their bases. Fortunately they offered to replace them for free. But now in December 2011, just 5 months later, one of the new black elements has come loose from its base. AGAIN! Fortunately it happened within a 6 month period otherwise I would now have to PAY to have the faulty element replaced. Maybe it''s just me but it you send me something that''s faulty I should be entitled to a FREE replacement at least for the first couple of years. Just my humble opinion but at least it would encourage them to adhere to higher standards and stricter quality control.
In any case this water filtration system has left a sour taste in this user''s mouth.
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Amico 1 Pair 43cm 17" Square Chinese Manmade Silk Toss Throw Pillow Covers Red
- Product Name : Chinese Throw Pillow Cover;Material : Manmade Silk
- Size : 43 x 43cm / 17" x 17"(L*W)
- Main Color : Red, Yellow
- Weight : 167g
- Package Content : 2 x Throw Pillow Covers
Buy Amico 1 Pair 43cm 17" Square Chinese Manmade Silk Toss Throw Pillow Covers Red Now
For the price these pillows are a nice buy. Nicely made with secure working zippers. The fabric is rich and the embroidery secure. I''m quite pleased.You presented it as pillows but there was no stuffing inside and no opening to put stuffing in so it was useless to me.I don''t hv the receipt or anything to send it back so I threw my money away.
Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover
I don''t know why this stuff doesn''t have a clear monopoly on the carpet cleaning market. I grew up with the white fizzy stuff, and my wife and I have had some stains (from detergent, of all things) that we could NOT get out for the life of us. We were at Target looking at cleaning solutions discussing which one to buy when the lady next to us recommended Folex. We got it hoping for it to work a little better. I tried it when we got home and was honestly amazed as the stains disappeared before my eyes. I figured it had to have some terrible chemical in it, but all the ingredients were natural and the product is safer than the other carpet cleaners. Seriously, get this stuff, you won;t ever get anything else.
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I have two chihuahua dogs which I got as un-house trained puppies. I live in a rented apartment. After about 2 years in this apartment with one dog still un-trained I figured I would have to pay an unreal amount of money to replace all the carpet in the home. I had tried all the major and obscure brands of cleaner "guarenteed" to take out stains. I even started buying products from infomercials. I was walking through Home Depot and stumbled on this product. It was the only one in the cleaning section I hadn''t tried so far. Since it was so inexpensive I decided to give it a try. I didn''t expect much but much to my surprise it got out stains my steamcleaner and all those other products could not. I am AMAZED with this product. REALLY! It is the best. I highly recommend it. I only wish I had discovered it 2 years ago before I spent a small fortune on everything else!Read Best Reviews of Folex Co. FSR32 Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover Here
So I am super accident prone and have been addicted to Folex since it was recommended to me. This will get any stain out, at worst it will need a second dose.Huge blood stain from a lacerated ear, half a bottle of red wine I spilled and forgot about for a week, various stains from a mentally retarded cat who utilizes every spewable bodily function to jeopardize my security deposit, my gross ex''s many chewing tobacco spills, an entire bottle of black India ink, all the various alcoholic offerings my stupid drunk friends tend to leave for me in the night. All vanished completely. It even gets out really old stains that are years old.
Not only does this stuff rock, it''s very non-toxic--and cheap too! And pink. Doesn''t irritate the skin, doesn''t smell at all, and if you get it in your eyes simply flush it out with water. Stains won''t reappear afterward like with many products. It works on upholstery, clothing (thank god), and even wood and counters. It''s great in carpet cleaning machines. It''s biodegradable. It probably cures cancer.
When using it, you don''t want to scrub it in roughly as that can damage the carpet or work the stain further into the material. Just gently massage with your fingers, and blot it up with a rag. Also it may not work on everything... if the offending stain dyes or bleaches a susceptible material, Folex won''t work its magic as well so try and clean up stains while they are fresh.
I keep a spare gallon of this liquid miracle in my house at all times. I wish I could give it 20 stars--finally a product that actually works the way it''s supposed to, is affordable and safe to use, and doesn''t annoy me with a bunch of stupid advertisements.
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This product blows me away. Why it is so cheap, and so unknown, I just can''t fathom. We moved a house with carpeted bedrooms 3 years ago, with a toddler, a dog and a puppy. Some stains accumulated that I just figured were here to stay. Then one day at Lowes about 6 months ago I threw this in the cart, almost as an after thought. A few days later I remembered about the purchase and tried it on an old milk stain. Gone. Tried an old dirt spot. Gone. Walked around the entire place looking for spots like a kid in a candy store. There was not one spot that this cleaner didn''t eliminate effortlessly on my end.I have relaxed on the stain phobia since I know my Folex is here for me! (Some twisted side of me almost look forward to more stains) Well, 4 nights ago my now 5 year old woke us up from a nose bleed, had walked from her to our bedroom dripping blood. I only got to the stains tonight (yeah life has been that busy) gone, seriously, before my eyes.
I will never, ever, ever go without a bottle of that stuff in my house.
Omni RS1-SS Pleated Paper Whole House Replacement Water Filter Cartridge
- Reduces rust and sediment
- For use with the Whole House Water Filter OB1 (1653-7201)
- 20-Micron rating
- Pleated paper
- 3 months or 15,000-Gallon average cartridge life
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I have always used paper filters as the new style made with synthetics lets the sediments slide off and fill the bottom of the cup. They are hard to find and I hope they keep making them. They work great.Read Best Reviews of Omni RS1-SS Pleated Paper Whole House Replacement Water Filter Cartridge Here
I have a well, I bought this filter to eliminate sediment from the water. I installed it at the tank, on the discharge side, so it filters all of the water coming from the well. So far it works really well, I plan to renew it every three months.Want Omni RS1-SS Pleated Paper Whole House Replacement Water Filter Cartridge Discount?
I am pleased with the price and quality of these cartridges. I had difficulty finding filters locally that worked correctly with my Omni system. I am happy to have found them on Amazon.
Glass Collector Container Bottle - Waterwise 4000 Distiller Save 17% Off
I purchased a waterwise 4000 when it was supplied with the plastic collector. Later I discovered that theplastic collector had been replaced with one made of glass. I never really liked the plastic version
so I decided to purchase the glass for $60.00, which I thought was very expensive but I wanted the glass
so I bought it. What a waste of money! This is one of the most poorly designed products I have ever seen.
The handle being on the top makes no sense at all. When you pour the water out you have to grab the handle
and the bottom of the collector and pour slowly or the water will go in all directions due to the poorly
designed spout. The covers that go over the plastic lids spout and the collection hole do not fit properly.
Also, when you wash the container in the sink it is best to remove the handle or it''s in the way.
Waterwise has always had a good reputation for making quality products. I just don''t understand how they
could bring a product like this to market and charge $60.00 for it.
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Boought this as replacement. Original was purchased maybe 6-7 yrs ago. Love the waterwise but this is made so much cheaper. For the price which is Really high...really...a DYI handle and a very cheap handle at that! We are trying to make old lid fit on new container.Read Best Reviews of Glass Collector Container Bottle - Waterwise 4000 Distiller Here
The glass collector that came with my distiller was very fragil and broke after 3 months of use. Albeit very expensive, I reordered a replacement and the glass of this replacement container is far more substancial.In order to keep up with our families water comsumtion, I purchased another distiller as overall, I''m please with this product.
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Water Wise Distiller Model 8800 Save 20% Off
- Distiller
- Clean Water
- Purified Water
- Waterwise
- Water Wise
To comment on the previous reviewer''s statement that there''s no point in distilling water and then keeping it in a plastic container -the water doesn''t stay in the container for any significant length of time to contaminate it. If there is a concern, the water can be easily poured into a glass jug and stored that way. With water this pure, I''ve found we drink more than ever and feel great about the health advantages and cost savings. The pitcher holds a gallon and that amount is easily used by most people within a day, given the amount we drink and cook with (i.e. water added in cooking to make oatmeal, rice, etc.).
The main reason we purchased this unit to begin with was that we moved into a home that has a water softener unit which automatically deposits salt and chemicals into the main water system. I watered houseplants with that water and within a week the plants died!! We simply didn''t want to drink that water, but we like our water softener for other reasons (no hard water deposits) and didn''t want to remove it.
The cost to produce the water in this distiller has not made any significant difference in our electricity bill, and we''ve found it to be cheaper and much more convenient than purchasing bottled water (who even knows what impurities bottled water contains!).
One TIP that I would recommend which allows the water to distill a lot faster: FILL THE KETTLE WITH THE HOTTEST POSSIBLE TAP WATER INSTEAD OF COLD WATER. It will cut down on the time it takes to make a gallon, as the unit won''t have to work as long to bring the kettle to the boiling temperature required. This unit is easy to us -just fill the kettle with hot water and press a button.
I''ve found the Waterwise company to be very helpful with my questions, etc. over the phone. I would highly recommend this product. I can''t imagine a glass of any other kind of water now!
Buy Water Wise Distiller Model 8800 Now
I purchased this a few weeks ago for my girlfriend, who only drinks distilled water.Positives:
The water tastes great
Making distilled water at home is easy and SO convenient.
Easy to clean, design is nice and contemporary.
When you see what''s left in the kettle, you may never drink tap water again. There is about a teaspoon of chemicals (fluoride, chlorine, etc.) and salts left after each gallon I distill (Los Angeles city water...)
Negatives:
The carafe is annoying to pour from when full. Almost impossible to not spill a littleI have now gotten in the habit of immediately moving the distilled water into another jug and starting a new pot right away.
I would give this product 5 stars except for the carafe issue.
Note: I agree with other posters that suggest that you start with hot water in the kettle. This saves at least 20-30 minutes in the process.
Update: 2 years later. Steam pipe broken, small hairline cracks in base, kettle basically done and needing replacement. We run this about 2 times per day, so I''d say for a 300-400 distiller it should have held up better in less than 1000 uses. Rating changed to 3 stars...
I contacted Waterwise and asked about help. They told me that my warranty was good for 12 months and now it''s on me to replace parts as needed. This is true and understandable, but it got me heated anyway (no pun intended).
Read Best Reviews of Water Wise Distiller Model 8800 Here
I have wanted a water distiller for a long time, as it is the best drinking water available. Found this one on Amazon for a great price. I was interested in this one because of the water production in a gallon, not smaller quantities.Quick shipping, quality packaging. Just remove from box, insert filter, and you''re ready to operate. Makes 1 gallon of clean, odorless, drinkable water in 4 hours. I love it and wouldn''t trade it for anything!
I have previously written a review for this item. However, after reading the one comment that wasn''t so eloquently stated about the carafe being plastic and contaminating the water is rediculous. Had the rating customer read the information the carafe is made of #5 plastic which does not leach (break down and create toxins) when heated.
I use this distiller nearly ever day. I love it, it''s a great product for the size of production. The water is clean and the results are very clear when you reopen your stainless steel container and see the reminantes of what didn''t go into your drinking water after distilling!
I only give my dogs and cats distilled water now as well. I''m sure after seeing what''s left in the distiller there is no doubt that would contribute to a shorter life span for man and beast alike!
updated 7/22/08
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Waterwise 8800 Water Distiller Purifier (Water Wise) DistillThis very same product( Waterwise 8800 ) was marketed by Sears as their Kenmore Brand Water Distiller at $99.95 five years ago, and was an OK product at a fair price. Using it to make a gallon a day, it would last for 2-3 years, then break down. The most vulnerable part was and is the cooling coil tube above the distiller jug, which would begin to leak, also dust and debris collect outside and inside the cooling fan, which are impossible to remove. This is designed to be virtually or actually impossible for a mechanically apt person to dismantle and repair, necessitating upwards of or multiples of $80 to ship and repair.
When Waterwise took over this product, they jacked up the price to $600 plus, with Waterwise themselves and secondary marketers selling it at "discounted" prices between $399.99 and $499.99. If you buy steam distilled water from the Water Store (in CA) @ 60c a gallon, and use 1-2 gallons a day, you still come out ahead if the $400 unit lasts the average of 2-3 years (not considering the cost of electricity or supplies see following:)
Instead of using slightly or moderately toxic descaling solutions, use distilled white vinegar (available for 99c a quart at discount stores)after every use, 1/8 cup left in the container after mild scrubbing with a green Scotchgard-type scrubber for 1 hr +, then scrubbed out and rinsed with tap water; fill with hot water before distilling. Before shelling out $35 for filters, use a $2 pack of Aquarium charcoal filter inserts (also contain pharmaceutical grade charcoal), or simmer the old filter in 2 cups of tapwater with 1 tablespoon of salt for 10 minutes, then rinse with 2 cups of distilled water before using.
The polycarbonate collecting jug is hard plastic which contains tiny amounts of Bisphenyl A plasticizer. This has a minimal androgen-mimic action, compared to the significant estrogen-mimic (''feminine-izing'') action of the dimethyl or methyl-ethyl phthalates used in most other softer plastics, not to speak of the cancer-inducing vinyl chloride leached from PVC containing plastics. The WW 9000 and newer models have glass collection containers. As regards the "plastic" taste, this comes from polyethylene or PVC storage containers. Distilled water is, well, tasteless: for drinking, this can be remedied by adding a tiny amount (a "pinch" or 100mg) of Calcium Carbonate or Sulfate, or Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt) food grade, or a pinch of baking soda, which in a gallon of distilled water adds a trivial amount of Sodium. The soda also alkalinizes the water as will a pinch of Calcium Hydroxide (lime). Of course, you may wish to pay $5000 for some highly touted "Kangaroo Water Maker" with which you can "dial-up to an alkaline pH" and obtain incredibly-hyped but scientifically dubious health benefits.
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I knew we needed to drink clean water. Our water has so many minerals in it and it took them all out. I had no idea the difference in taste. My coffee and tea taste a world of difference. I also use it for cooking. The food even tastes better. No more buying plastic tasting bottled water!!! I will never be without this machine. I am even taking it in our motorhome. One thing I learned, a rinse between distilling with vinegar keeps the unit just like new.
Philips 50987GPXM GoPure Automotive Purification System Save 25% Off
- Easy to install with 12 Volt plug
- Improves air quality
- Reduces bad odors and bacteria
- Boost mode with powerful motor to clean air at a higher speed
- Filter replacement indicator
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Great product, well made, looks great seems to do what it claims. probably would be more practical if a little smaller, does not turn off when ignition turned off so can be inconvenient.Read Best Reviews of Philips 50987GPXM GoPure Automotive Purification System Here
This is an excellent product to use. My wife has severe issues with chemical smells and wouldn''t use or get in my car unless it was absolutely necessary. Since getting the Philips GoPure filter, she has noticed a dramatic reduction in the smell and has started to use the vehicule. We''ll worth the price I paid for it.Want Philips 50987GPXM GoPure Automotive Purification System Discount?
My son has allergies and we took a long road trip with GoPure in our old Suburban. Definitely noticed cleaner air and less allergy problems. Using GoPure wherever we go.Save 25% Off
I am returning this product. I have significant pollen allergies. With this unit already on, within 5 minutes of turning the air conditioning on--even with the vents turned toward the floor and away from my face--I started sneezing, just like before. I live in Texas, and you have to use air conditioning if you don''t want to sweat ridiculously in your car. (March 11, 2013)
Youthwaters Stage 2! Portable Hydrogen
I got this for my wife, who absolutely swears by it. She insists it gives her energy and makes her skin more clear. She has a scar that has lightenend in colour since she started using this. She hasn''t had an ounce of untreated water since I gave her this.
Pentek GAC-BB Drinking Water Filter Save 23% Off
- Thoroughly reduces the harsh effects of chlorine taste and odor
- Designed for extended contact between water and carbon for maximum adsorption
- Easy to install, with a simple replacement schedule about every three months
- Best suited for specific point-of-use applications and NOT for whole house use
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I had no issues with using this product in place of the original equipment manufactures product. The cost saving was significant. Free shipping for buying 3, which we will need.Read Best Reviews of Pentek GAC-BB Drinking Water Filter Here
This is the data I''m guessing goes with this filter.Capacity >12,500 gal @ 2.0 gpm (>47,000 L @ 7.6 L/min)
Chlorine reduction is estimated capacity using 2 ppm free chlorine with greater than 90% reduction
Max temperature 125°F (51.7°C)
Length (in.) 10
Pore size (µm) 20
Material End caps: polystyrene
post-filter: spun polypropylene
outer casing: polystyrene
Flow rate 2.0 GPM @ 3.0 psi (7.6 L/min @ 0.2 bar)
Brand Big Blue
Manufacturer number 155153-43(GAC-BB)
Fiberlock Shockwave Save 40% Off
- 10 ounces of product to 5 Gallons of water, making them a cost effective solution for daily use,
- Fiberlock disinfectants and cleans
- Effective against more organisms and in more situations than any other disinfectants
- Kills mold and common organisms found in flooding or sewer back-up situations
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Rainbow Canister Bagless Pet SE Vacuum Cleaner w. tools and warranty NEW PARTS
Got one of these for $10 at a tool shop and blew the motor after 3 years. Bought a second off ebay for $160 and its been going for 2 years. Keeps going like the energizer bunny and a God-send in a house with small children and liquid spills on carpet! Great when the laundry tub overflows and cleaning carpets too! Best vacuum I''ll ever own!
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot 1000ml MCPN-14B Save 34% Off
The cold brew method will make the best coffee you''ve ever had. And this pot is just the ticket!Rather than quickly rushing hot water through the grounds, the cold brew method lets the grounds slowly steep in cold water. This results in a smoother, less bitter extraction of coffee. It also results in concentrated coffee.
Ok, this pot itself:
Glass and hard plastic. The actual pot is glass while the handle, top, and filter are hard, durable plastic. This is NOT some cheap & flimsy pot. You won''t wind up with plasticky tasting coffee. HOWEVER: be careful with the pot! It''s glass. Don''t go bumping it up against marble or granite!
The filter is a SUPER fine mesh. It looks like it''s solid, but it''s not. Totally reusable and easily washable.
Now, as other reviewers have noted, the instructions are in Japanese... but they helpfully include pictograms that should spell things out. If not, here''s a rundown:
Handling:
Caution. This is a glass coffee pot. Do not bump. Do not subject to direct flame or heat. Do not subject to extreme temperatures. Do use metal utensils with this pot. Do not use if pot becomes cracked or damaged.
Do not poke or puncture the filter or filter assembly.
Cleaning:
Hand wash only. Use only soft sponges and cool soapy water. Use mild liquid detergent only. Use no abrasive materials nor scrub pads. NOT dishwasher safe.
Before first use:
Hand wash the pot and all components in cool soapy water. Rinse well and allow to air dry.
Making your coffee:
Before starting: Use coarse or "French Press" ground coffee in your Hario Cold Brew system.
Pro Tip: Use your favorite coffee. You''ll be surprised at how much better it tastes!
1. Fill your Hario glass pot to the 800 ml line with quality cool water. Remember: coffee is 99% water. Using icky-tasting water will result in icky-tasting coffee.
2. Fill the filter assembly with ground coffee just until the filter mesh is totally covered. (directions say 80ml, but meh)
3. Place the filter assembly into the glass pot.
4. Pour additional water through the grounds until the glass pot is completely full and grounds are wet.
Optional: give the grounds a stir with a plastic straw or chopstick. (I never bother)
5. Place the pot cover onto the pot. It will click into place.
6. Let the pot rest! You can keep it on your kitchen counter for up to 12 hours. If you''d like a stronger steep, place the pot in the fridge and allow to chill for up to 24 hours. (I go 12 hours on the counter. No more than 75 degrees F, though. So, hot nights, put it in the fridge)
7. Remove the filter and enjoy your coffee concentrate!
For hot coffee, I mix 1 part coffee concentrate to 1 part boiling water.
For iced coffee, I fill a glass with ice and mix in 2 parts coffee concentrate to 1 part milk.
I recommend storing your cold brew in a resealable glass container in the refrigerator. I use an old french milk bottle with a rubber seal. Your cold brew will store in the fridge for up to a week... but it won''t last that long. Trust me.
Yes, this brew method uses more coffee than traditional drip, but: you''re getting concentrate (so it goes further than you''d think) and you''re gaining far superior taste.
I have no use for my automatic drip nor French Press coffee makers any more. If I want piping hot coffee, I place the concentrate and water into an old Pyrex stovetop coffee pot and heat until nearly boiling.
If you''re going to go cold brew, buy the right pot and don''t give in to the hype. (No special coffee needed. Just coarse grind!)
I could not be happier with my Hario!
This gizmo is sleek.
Made my first batch last night. Added hot water to my concentrate this morning. While I hadn''t actually waited enough time for it to "brew" 24 hours rather than 9 It was still delicious. I can''t wait to have another cup of the final product when I get home from work.
The coffee is smoother. More flavorful. And that''s based off a weak version of the concentrate!
Buy Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot 1000ml MCPN-14B Now
I went looking for a simple cold coffee maker that wasn''t unatractive and wasn''t going to cost an arm and a leg.All I can say is that I am very pleased to have stumbled across this beauty. This cold brew pot turned out to be absolutely perfect in every way, it was exactly what I was looking for.
I also really like how very little space this takes up in my fridge and I love that it''s made of glass it makes the pot look nicer than a lot of the other plastic ones out there. The mesh filter works perfectly and the results taste amazing.
I pity the people who sent theirs back as they will not get to enjoy what I am enjoying right now. I would definately recommend this to everyone looking for a simple and elegant option for brewing cold coffee.
Read Best Reviews of Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot 1000ml MCPN-14B Here
I bought this after reading the reviews. some reviewers noted that all instructions are in Japanese. there is a worthwhile YouTube that shows how to use the same model. It''s easy to use and fits well in the fridge. I previously had the toddy-maker. I would not recommend that. it relies on a wool type filter. after it inevitably gets clogged, it won''t drain. It also sits precariously on your counter and if it goes over you have a giant mess. (Don''t ask how I know.)this thing is basically a giant filter that sits in the pot. the water soaks through it and you get coffee. IT TAKES A LOT OF COFFEE. I have only used it for ice coffee and the quality is very good. I don''t know how it would be diluted, though.
they also say you can''t put it in the dishwasher. i don''t see why you can''t top shelf it. it''s plastic and glass. the filter rinses easily by hand and i probably wouldn''t put it in the dishwasher.
the only real negative about this thing is that you have to carefully re-stir in the filter. otherwise the coffee seems to get hard. maybe it doesn''t matter, but the water seems to get in better if you do. it also seemed to work better on the the counter than in the fridge. they tell you not to leave it out for more than 8 hours. i did, with no ill effects. (you leave the toddy-maker out the whole time too. you have to because it won''t fit in the fridge.)
all in all, a good coffee gadget.
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OK, so this pot truly does what the description says it should. I bought it as a gift and my friends are very pleased with it, the Mizudashi pot makes wonderful coffee and it is nice looking as well. The coffee brewed this way is great tasting, the glowing reviews are right.However, I would not buy it for myself, since we have too many coffee tools, from a fancy Nespresso machine, to a french press, to an Aerobie AeroPress, to travel filters, filtering mugs and so forth. We do love our coffee, we like the taste and need the caffeine.
We truly enjoy the taste of cold-brewed coffee, and, since we have an inclination to experiment and a will to stay away from "uni-taskers", we tried to find an alternative to this pot and I think we have a great one. A one litre mason jar and a "FORLIFE Brew-in-Mug Extra-Fine Tea Infuser with Lid" (our camping coffee and tea filter) that fits right on top of the jar will do the trick for us. When the coffee is done, I can leave it in the jar with a nice fitting lid, or I can transfer it to a carafe, and put the filter in the dishwasher (it''s stainless steel).
The cold-brewed coffee is nice and smooth and I could be compelled to purchase the Mizudashi coffee pot itself, but I cannot foresee washing it by hand (which my friends say is strongly recommended). My clumsy hands have broken countless french presses, and we now own the Frieling Stainless one. This would probably be be the time to mention that we adore our dishwasher as well as our coffee.
If you have the will and ability to wash this by hand, I strongly recommend this pot, it is pretty and does the job well. My two cents are added for an alternative that is not as pretty, but it is functional and can be washed in a dishwasher (a strong inducement in our family).
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Oreck Rinse-A-Matic Steamer Ultra Floor Cleaner Save 2% Off
I have tried 2 other steam cleaners, the Bissel Heat pro and the Hoover (not sure which one). Of the three, the oreck has the best suction. Since it pulls up more water, the floors dry more quickly. As far as getting the floor cleaner, they are pretty close in performance but the Oreck comes out a little ahead. The best part of the oreck to me is that it is the easiest to fill with water and the easiest and cleanest to empty. It is all in one tank that is quick and easy to remove. I find I clean the floors more frequently because it is so quick and easy to use. Also, I didn''t like being stuck with using Orecks cleaning liquid. There is a very easy way around that. Set the unit to RINSE mode and add the detergent directly to the clean water. That way you bypass using the Oreck brand cleaner in the little bottles. I have been using Resolve carpet cleaning soap with excellent results. It is cheaper that way and cleans just as good as the Oreck detergent. I would definitely recommend the Oreck steam cleaner.
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I just purchased my rinse a matic from goodwill for 9.99 and its like new. They say it sat there forever and it was reduced. I planned on selling it on here but my girlfriend won''t part with it. I mix resolve in the canister and it works perfectly. This is by far one of the best if not the best on the market.Read Best Reviews of Oreck Rinse-A-Matic Steamer Ultra Floor Cleaner Here
This carpet cleaner has been around for many years. There''s even a newer version that, from what I understand, is basically the same machine with a different colored plastic exterior. So if you''re reading this review you are probably considering a used one from craigslist or somewhere else.I got my Rinse-A-Matic at a neighborhood garage sale. It had been sitting in this guys garage for years. I was told it didn''t work. In fact it had never worked. --the machine had never been used- Since I''m a handy person, and the price was right (free), I thought I''d give it a try. I took it apart, fixed the problem (a piece of plastic lodged in one of the tubes) and voila'' it worked. I will say that under the cheap plastic exterior are some quality parts. A strong vacuum motor, a quality ''Italian made'' pump, etc.
Anyway... I put the thing back together, gave it a try, and it worked great. Because of all the plastic, it''s relatively light and easy to maneuver. Much easier to use than a rug doctor I once rented.
CONS: The water tank is small. It''s a pain to constantly stop cleaning to refill the tank. At least you''ll always be cleaning with hot water because it runs out before the water cools.
The Oreck cleaning solution comes in small cartridges that are relatively expensive. You must have a cartridge plugged into the machine for it to work. You will go through a lot of cleaner. My solution: (a tip from another review) I bought a 48 oz bottle of Resolve Steam carpet cleaner ($10) at my local grocery store (Ralphs) and refilled the Oreck bottles. It worked as well as the Oreck shampoo at a much cheaper price. Just take a knife and pop off the top of the Oreck bottle and refill. I used Resolve but I''m sure other carpet cleaners would work as well.
SUGGESTIONS: Practice on a small area before the real thing. I used some floor mats made from carpet remnants.
Spray and brush the stains with a carpet spot remover before you shampoo. I used Folex. You could probably get many of the stains out with the Oreck machine by going back and forth several time from different angles. But if you do it like that, you''ll go through a lot of carpet cleaner and overly saturate the carpet.
I followed these directions. "Shampoo-Dry-Rinse-Dry" ...Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Rinsing does more than just remove the soap residue. You''ll be surprised at how dirty the water is in the recovery tank after you rinse. Take your time on the final dry. Several slow passes. You''ll be glad you did when the carpet is dry the next morning.
CONCLUSSION: This machine cleans very well and is easy to use, once you get the hang of it. I gave it 4 stars not 5 because I''m a little concerned about the quality control. The fact that my machine obviously didn''t work when it left the factory. With my machine it takes a lot of force to close the latch that hold the water tank in place. I pull the tank up firmly with one hand while pulling the latch with the other, to be sure I don''t break the latch. My cleaner leaks water/shampoo out of the back. It doesn''t affect anything and I think it will be an easy fix, but I''ll have to take it apart again.
I like this cleaner. I hope it lasts.
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This has been one of my favorite household appliances. There is no real steam involved, hence the name "steemer," but that doesn''t matter. I''ve cleaned every carpet in our home--from synthetic to wool, and the results are incredible. I work in small sections, and it''s very simple and quick. The extracted water is always absolutely filthy, and the carpets immediately look brighter and smell fresh; and they don''t take very long to dry. It is important to start with a well-vacuumed carpet, because pet hair will cause clogs. Do not get annoyed if your "steemer" stops working. It happened to me today, so I called the Oreck customer service number that is printed on my rug cleaner (800-989-3535) and a very helpful, polite lady answered immediately. I explained that the water was not moving through the unit and she said that the water tubes can get clogged with crystalized shampoo. She recommended using extremely hot tap water and holding the button down to release water for a long time. She said it might even take more than five minutes, and she was right. After that, it worked perfectly. Some people might not like having to buy the special Oreck shampoo that is needed. To avoid that, you could probably just pry the lid off the empty shampoo bottle and use your own mixture. I like to use their shampoo, though, and I don''t recall it being too expensive. I only use the "steemer" a few times a year, so it seems like a worthy investment to use the proper rug shampoo. With children and pets, this Oreck rug cleaner has been invaluable. It''s held up really well, so I expect to get at least another five years out of it.Save 2% Off
Van Houtte Swiss Water Decaf K-cup Coffee 24 Count
Love this convenient way to take decaf to work with me. Tastes pretty good too. The best is that it is fair trade!!
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I usually love Van Houtte coffees but this one is not good at all. It was very weak and tasteless. I threw them away.Read Best Reviews of Van Houtte Swiss Water Decaf K-cup Coffee 24 Count Here
Unbelievable! Ink-Out
This is my first review, but I was so blown away by the effectiveness of this product. I''ve never seen a stain remover work like this before, and I hate to throw out stuff in this economy.My dogs chewed up a red ballpoint pen, and blobs of ink leaked out onto my living room carpet. Its a short nap, 100% polypropylene area carpet. $500 at Home Depot for 8 by 10 Persian knock-off, or something like that.
Anyways, two blobs of RED ballpoint ink that started to settle in before I found them became the size of 2 quarters after trying to clean them up; in the middle of a light blue carpet.
Hairspray did not do very well, other spot cleaners, not so much. The Hoover carpet cleaner, no change. My son went over the red stain with blue pen, since the carpet is blue, so it looked marginally better, but we were resigned to eventually getting a new carpet, so I started searching the web.
This Unbelievable Ink-Out immediately started melting the stain away. It practically faded with each squirt. Now its gone! The red and the blue ink. We used the hoover to remove the residual cleaning fluid as it contains some strong smelling chemicals that smell like pepto-bismal. My wife says they are not the healthiest to smell, but I have the fan on and a couple of air purifiers.
Now I will go hunt down some pen stained shirts, so I may be able to re-purpose some weekend shirts back to the weekly rotation.
This stuff chewed through the stain. I''m very impressed. I should have taken pictures, but who knew it would work so well.
MultiPure MP1200EL NEWEST MODEL Capacity-Metered Under-Sink Water Filter Save 3% Off
It''s only been a little over a month since I''ve been using it. So far, my wife and I are definitely extremely-happy with it. Living where we do in Japan, tap water is drinkable and is not bad taste wise but at times smells a little too much for us. It took us a while to decide on which filter system to get but after research decided on the Multi-Pure MP1200EL. After installing, we noticed immediately that there was no smell and the water tasted even better than before.Installation was real easy! It took me less than two hours to install. The most difficult part for me was drilling the hole in the sink counter for the faucet to fit in. The thread attachments fit with no problem. I was expecting a difference in metric and inch threads but apparently is universal. Also, the kit came with thread seal tape so no need to go out and buy.
Even though we thought it was pricey, we feel it was well worth it.
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Mavea Elemaris XL Water Filtration Pitcher Save 21% Off
We replaced the Brita pitcher that we have used for several years with this one. One thing that bothers me about the Brita filters is how the carbon particles keep escaping into the top compartment of the pitcher. It doesn''t hurt anything, but it looks bad to me. Mavea''s filters haven''t had that problem so far. However, their claim that you don''t have to soak the filter is not quite true: you have to run two pitchers of water through a new filter to activate it. This is even more trouble than soaking.The self-opening and closing lid works well. You never have to remove the lid or flip it up. The only catch is that you have to stop pouring water in when it first starts to close. If you keep filling until it closes completely, water leaks out the top of the lid down the handle and interior sides of the pitcher.
We wanted a larger capacity pitcher than the 40 ounce Brita slim pitcher we were replacing. The 3.5 liter Elemaris XL size fits the bill. Be forewarned that the fully filled pitcher is quite heavy at 9 pounds. The contoured, rubberized grip makes it easier to deal with.
I''ve now used both ZeroWater vs. Mavea and here are my thoughts about the two filtration pitchers and how they compare to one another.
Water Quality: The ZeroWater wins hands down. There''s no comparison in my mind. Here in San Diego, our tap water is quite hard and metallic. Using ZeroWater''s measuring device, our tap water measures somewhere around 440 PPM of solids.
I thoroughly cleaned both filtration pitchers per the respective manufacturer''s instructions, ran and disgarded several cycles of water and then measured the results. ZeroWater claims that I should be able to produce water that measures 000 PPM of solids. I couldn''t quite get that reading, but I did get 006. ZeroWater actually recommends that you change the filter at 006, but even at that level, the water tastes great, pretty much just like fresh rainwater.
Conversely, Mavea''s filtered water produced a reading of 349 PPM of solids. While that''s about 100 points lower than my tap water, it''s not really a major improvement, in my view. It''s not even in the ballpark of what ZeroWater can do. I can definitely taste a big difference too. To me, Mavea tastes just a bit better than unfiltered tap water where ZeroWater tastes extremely fresh and clean.
Ergonomics: Mavea is made in Germany and has a nice, European design to it. It''s definitely more pleasing to my eyes. It''s also quite a bit smaller and probably a lot easier to handle. It doesn''t have the push spout like ZeroWater does, but it''s easier to handle than ZeroWater.
Cost: The cost of these units are similar. Frankly, it appears to me that it''s cheaper to order bottled water versus using these units and purchasing replacement filters. I measured the PPM of the purified bottled water that I get from Pure Flo water of San Diego and not only was the quality the best at 001 PPM, but it was also the cheapest when the cost of the filters was factored in. I will say that Mavea''s filters are much cheaper than ZeroWater''s, but they aren''t nearly as good in my view.
Bear in mind that you can probably use these filters effectively well after the manufacturer suggests that you change them, so that potentially improves the cost factor. This is especially the case with ZeroWater. Even though I couldn''t obtain the advertised 000 PPM reading, the water''s still great at 006 and a huge improvement over my city water. I would probably not replace the filter until well after the manufacturer''s suggested interval.
Recommendations: My first recommendation is to look into the cost of bottled water delivered to your home. It''s more convenient and if the cost is cheaper, I''d go that route. However, if you have a need for a water purification pitcher, there is no question that ZeroWater provides cleaner and fresher water. Do be aware that the filtration process is relatively slow, but the ZeroWater filter is pretty massive, so it''s probably to be expected.
I like the look of Mavea and the better ergonomics, but ZeroWater is the knockout winner here. I doubt you''ll find a way to produce more pure water on your own. Mavea has its merits, but it doesn''t come close in terms of performance.
Buy Mavea Elemaris XL Water Filtration Pitcher Now
Like the other commenters I think this filter is great. It feels sturdy, the plastic is hard, but the handle gives it a good grip. It was pretty easy to put together and take apart so cleaning is a sinch. I also love the fact that you don''t need to open anything to fill it, just start pouring in the water. Our other brita pitcher''s split cap approach was so dumb compared to this. I am relieved to have received the product as advertised and all seems to be functioning without a problem.P.S> wife said that the water tastes way better than our previous Brita and that there are no more black carbon pieces floating around everywhere.
Read Best Reviews of Mavea Elemaris XL Water Filtration Pitcher Here
I bought it because it is BPA free. Replaced an old, cracking Brita pitcher. It looks great, is easy to use, water tastes great (no taste at all). The pitcher is dishwasher safe which adds convenience to an already useful item. Very happy with the purchase, recommending to other family members.Pros: BPA free, self-closing water intake, filter-replacement indicator, rubber feet preventing slips, nice modern styling
Cons: non really, except not sure how the filter sensor gets its measurements
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We have had this pitcher for 18 months and use it several times per day. It holds the only water we drink or cook with in the house and we drink and cook with a LOT of water (average refill: 7 times per day, every day {unless away}). It is very durable and good looking. We have the black one and it goes very nicely with black appliances. It is easy to fill (just aim for the self-opening and closing flap) and easy to pour from. The little rubberized feet keep it steady on the countertop. The handle is perfectly balanced. We like that it is made from BPA-free plastic (glass would be even better, though).Keep in mind that if you have hard or especially mineralized water, a "ring" of deposits will form on the top where the refill flap is. It is minor and can be prevented/cleaned (or might not be an issue, depending on minerals in your water source), but it can look icky, especially on glossy black. This is not the fault of the pitcher, though.
FILTER INFO (included because of the inherent "partnership" between the two products):
The filters are great in that I have read they are NSF-certified (yay!), remove more than a Brita or PUR, have silver-infusion to help prevent bacterial growth (we keep ours on the countertop, so this is more needed than if we kept it in the fridge), do NOT release little black carbon particles (ick!), and we''re happy they are recyclable. For further eco-savings, buy the three-pack (reduces carbon footprint of transportation in shipping); and, when they''re used up, keep a stock of spent filters, to reduce the carbon footprint of sending just one back at a time. Or, better yet, find a store in your area (walking distance is best, of course) that will take yours and send them to be recycled along with others'' filters.
Refilling the pitcher:
The top capacity is less than the bottom capacity, so if you refill until the flap "closes", the bottom will only fill to be about 2/3 full. You would need to wait until it filters that water, before adding more to the top. So most of the time, you don''t have a "full" pitcher from each refill. Unless you refill, wait, and then "top off". If you sit the pitcher in the sink and let the tap flow slowly, you can stretch the per-refill filtered amount a bit, since it begins filtering immediately. With our use, refilling pitchers to about 2/3 full, about 7 times per day, almost every day, we average about a filter per month, having bought and used 18 in the last 18 months. I do wish they came in a 6-pack, or more.
Our drinking water tasted pretty bad before this filter. It''s quite delicious now that we use this filter. No scientific tests yet (ordering a test kit soon), just a very picky palette and infamously sensitive nose. We''re not quite sure how the "meter" measures hardness, volume, and length in use, but it lasts a reasonable amount of time for us (about a month), and we can taste the difference a few days after it gets to the 25% "line", so replacing the filter seems to come at an appropriate time. Since the meter uses three factors to determine filter "usedness", your mileage may vary.
With how great this pitcher/filter combination performs for us, it''s difficult to drink tap water without it. So, I also wish they made a travel-sized version. :)
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