Water Filter

After going on a search for a product that would deal effectively with hexavalent chromium-6 and discovering that reverse osmosis was the best choice, I started looking for the recommended standards for a good system--which included 5 stages (for filtering effectiveness and to extend the life of the membrane), among other things. The other really critical component was an alkaline post-filter to reinsert a healthy dose of minerals so that the final water was not overly acidic and closer to natural spring water (very few systems offer that). I was also hoping for a countertop model that was totally portable, since I''m living in a rental and didn''t want to deal with installing a spigot on the sink. This unit provides all that and more (leak detector, filter replacement indicator, etc.). My only small disappointment was an error in the original product description, indicating the unit had carbon block pre-filters (slightly better quality than the granular activated carbon filters that it actually has). However, the Healthy Water Supply distributor bent over backwards to offer compensation for the error once discovered (now corrected in the description). I was extremely impressed with his integrity as a businessman (itself very unusual these days!)--and have kept the unit because I am extremely impressed with it overall. I highly recommend it, and HWS.

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Hoover FloorMate Solution and Clean Water Tank

Fits the machine as described in the details provided and as detailed in the picture. Installed the tank on the the machine and it works fine

This product fits perfectly for my floor cleaner. It works great and no leaks like my other one did over time.

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So surprised and so happy to find this. Perfect for out Hoover floor cleaner that we''ve had a few years. The cleaner does a fine job, but was totally useless when the tank broke. Now, the unit is like new again!Hoover FloorMate Solution and Clean Water Tank For Models H3030, H3032, H3040, H3044, H3045, H3060, H3060-020

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Does exactly what it needs to do. No problems with compatibility. The only difference that I saw was the tank color, which was blue instead of aqua which was the color of our original tank.

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Brita Classic Water Filter Pitcher Save 4% Off

The description about the mini water bottle was vague. I was looking for the Brita mini water bottle with the filter. I will now have to purchase one of those.

I needed to get a new Brita water pitcher, since I gave my pitcher to my little brother. I''m very pleased this one came with a nalgene bottle, since I carry my nalgene everywhere to be more environmentally conscious. I like the pitcher design and the taste of the filtered water is great.

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I had a Brita pitcher for over 15 years that finally cracked. It gave me many good years of use. I debated on buying a faucet filter to replace it, but after reading the reviews, decided to go with this Brita pitcher. It has a nice fitting lid, is perfect size for two people. It helps our hard, well water to taste much better.

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I''ve been using the Classic Pitcher for a few weeks now. I refill it daily and have noticed that the clear plastic of the handle, where it joins the pitcher, has what appears to be a stress fracture. It appears that the pitcher may be too heavy, filled with water, to be supported by this new handle design.

I am trusting that I am getting good clean water though.

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10"x5" Carbon Block Water Filter Cartridge

I wondered if this filter would be able to handle the strong sulfur smell our water had, but I works great, no more sulfur taste. Great price, fast shipping

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AllerAir AAAir Tube With Metal Housing Save 24% Off

Of course we can''t know how things would be WITHOUT this air purifier, but it seems (to me) to be helping. I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and I''m doing better. Now, we''ve also recently moved out of a mold-infested home, BUT we now have attached neighbors who smoke, and it''s difficult to get away from plastic odors, etc. etc. I feel that this purifier helps. The science behind it also makes sense. I also like the feature where you can turn it down so it''s still working but it''s not as loud. Even at the highest "setting," it''s not obnoxious--like a very small fan noise, I think. It''s also very easy to move, etc., with its nice top handle and not-too-heavy design. The circular shape also makes sense to me (to circulate the air), and it''s reasonably "nice looking" in our living space.

Hello,

first off i have a different model Allerair,

the 500 Vocarb, so it''s twice as expensive and

twice as big, but i wanted to add a quick

comment related to the discussion here:

According to the instructions, that I read when

setting up my AllerAir it explains that the slowest

quietest speed is also the most effective.

This relates to the comment thread here about noise.

WHY would the slowest quietest speed be the most effective?

If I understood it correctly, it is because it causes the air

moving through the filter to "linger" (or move much slower) through

the carbon filter area (the most critical aspect of the entire machine,

is the carbon or charcoal as this works in gas masks in chemical warfare

even).... so it seemed to explain the SLOWER the air moved through the

machine the more absorption of pollutants by the charcoal/carbon whatever.

Why use the HIGHER SPEEDS THEN? As I understood it, they recommended

the higher (louder) speed settings when you need move a lot of air from

the room through the filter quickly, like a smoke filled room, or when you

first set it up in a really dusty or "chemically" room... so while it''s

moving faster through the filter and getting less effective absorption, it''s

still functional as the need in those situations is to get at "all the air in

the room asap"... and then, they recommend, you turn it down to the slowest

(and it so happens super quiet) setting.

anyway, i think that''s what i read and have been using the machine accordingly.

Again, i do not own this particular Tube model but i''m very interested in getting

one though for a smaller loft area.

The fact one reviewer said they put it in their car!!! while driving and used

the cigarette adapter, really caught my attention. If that reviewer sees this

and cares to add more, i''m VERY interested as i have Chemical Sensitivity Disorder

and it makes automobile travel a very sickening experience.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

By the way, the AllerAir 5000 Vocarb that i have seems to work awesome.

I''ve had it for years. Replacing the charcoal every number of years seems

expensive, but i think it''s well worth it as that''s what the entire thing is

about... the carbon or charcoal. the pre-filter and hepa filters components

of the AllerAirs are nice also... but not as radical as the carbon or charcoal which

is THE thing that removes chemicals... the prefilter and hepa filter

are for dust and particulates...

It''s very straightforward in that it''s just large amounts of activated charcoal/carbon

like in a gas mask. No gimmicks. Someone mentioned plastic smell, which is unusual (i hope),

especially as that''s another aspect, at least of my AllerAir Vocarb, (and i thought

ALL their units), is that it''s virtually ALL metal construction, and they specifically

boast on that regarding chemical sensitivity and the irony of many air filters made out of plastic.

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Water Sentinel WSG-1 Replacement Fridge Filter (2-Pack) Save 30% Off

• Economical alternative to expensive substitutes
• Delivers clean, clear water that looks and tastes great
• Will remove or reduce chlorine, tastes and odors that may be present in your drinking water
• Does not remove minerals which may be beneficial to health
• Designed to provide up to six months of life or 300 gallon

I was checking out these filters to replace the more expensive GE filters. According to Water Sentinel themselves, these filters are certified against ANSI/NSF Standard 42, and only Standard 42. That standard is soley for aesthetics; that is, the filter removes chlorine that makes the water taste bad. The GE filters are certified against ANSI/NSF Standards 42 and 53. Standard 53 is for the reduction of lead, mercury, Giardia and other cysts, asbestos, and many other chemicals. The Water Sentinel filters DO NOT remove these items. So, although the water tastes better than tap water, it is not any safer than tap water. If you''re buying filters only to improve the taste of the water, these are definitely less expensive than the GE filters. If you''re buying filters to improve the safety and quality of the water, stick with the GE filters.

From the ANSI website:

NSF/ANSI Standard 42: Drinking Water Treatment Units Aesthetic Effects

Overview: This standard covers point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specific aesthetic or non-health-related contaminants (chlorine, taste and odor, and particulates) that may be present in public or private drinking water.

NSF/ANSI Standard 53: Drinking Water Treatment Units Health Effects

Overview: Standard 53 addresses point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), that may be present in public or private drinking water.

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I almost bought the Brita brand filter again after reading about all the people experiencing leak problems, but I couldn''t resist the savings. I''ve used the original GE MWF filter in my GE fridge, then switched to the Brita brand and have replaced several of those. I just recently found the WaterSentinal brand and it''s about a third of the cost of the Brita. I went to install it in my fridge and like many others my fridge just sprayed water everywhere. It screwed in all the way like it was supposed to, but wouldn''t stay sealed. When I opened the box I noticed another o-ring in there with a note that stated if it leaked then use this o-ring, so I quickly swapped out the o-ring and I was in business. I ran it for 5 minutes as they say to clear all the crud out, and I''m pleased to say that this filter works just as well as either the GE or Brita filter ever did. The flow is also noticeably faster too. Water and ice from this filter tastes the same, and I saved a bunch of cash! I''ll be buying again for sure.

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Installation was a cinch. Does what it claims. Cheaper than the GE filter. However, I think it''s overpriced for what it is, but I guess they tailor their $ to GE''s cost which is just ridiculous.

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I purchased this for my GE refrig and it does NOT work properly. No matter how many times I tried to install it, it continuously sprays water inside the refrigerator. I will say, however that the Water Sentinel is a good company and admitted that they have had more than one complaint about it not working on some GEs. They are sending out a new one that "should work" at no cost to me even though I didn''t order directly from them. So -just be aware that you may get one that is defective or just not compatible.

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Caution, the Water Sentinel WSG-1 product is not a direct replacement for GE MWF water filter. The WSG-1 meets only NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for aesthetic affects, while the MWF also meets Standard 53 for health effects, reducing substances including cysts, lead, and mercury.

Also, the WSG-1 did not fit in my GE Profile refrigerator. I returned the WSG-1 units I ordered.

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Shark Steam Pocket Multi-Purpose Portable Steamer Save 10% Off

I bought my Shark steamer on a whim. We had just purchased a bank owned home and it had been left with a rotting chicken in the refrigerator. The tile had a dried stream of "blech" from the refrigerator to the lowest part of the floor where it had pooled. I bought the steamer to sanitize the floor along this path. Something amazing happened when I used itthe grout changed color DRAMATICALLY! I posted photos so you can see for yourself. At first I thought it was somehow bleaching the grout, but then I noticed that the grout around the perimeter of the room was indeed a much lighter colormatching the tile color. EWWWWW! I had previously mopped this floor several times with a regular mop and bucket, a Swiffer wetjet, and even along this same path with a toothbrush and cleaner on my hands and knees. Nothing did what the steamer did with just water and the nylon brush attachment. I dragged the whole family in to show them because I could not believe what I was seeing! I hated the floor when we moved in. I hated the dark grout and how chopped up the tile looked with the dark grout lines. After cleaningthe grout blends into the tile and the floor has a completely different look! It''s truly amazingcheck out my photosyou HAVE to see it to believe. I haven''t tried any of the other attachments, but I have received a steam burn on my hand from working so close to the nozzle on the floor. It''s hot, just as they warn. My only complaint is that you must hold the trigger for continuous steam, and when using it continuouslyit runs out of water fairly fast. Don''t know how it does if you are pumping it and steaming in short bursts. Frankly, I don''t careit has done more for my floor than I had hoped.

Okay, well, I can''t speak to the longevity of this product since I''ve only had it for one day but as for it''s functionality I do NOT understand what all the complaints are about.

Maybe I''m just lucky too like the other reviewer but mine steams like crazy! The catch seems to be not that you have to wait for it to heat up but you seem to have to hold the trigger down for a while before it REALLY starts to steam. It''s kind of like buying a 2000 Toyota Echo. You can slam down the gas pedal but it''s still going to accelerate at it''s own pace. Once it gets up to speed though, it''ll get going at a good clip!

I started in the kitchen and ran the thing over my stainless fridge. It left what appeared to be streaks but after it dried it was as good as when I would use Twinkle stainless cleaner.

Then I decided to really put it through its paces and go for the microwave. I have an Advantium so it''s also an oven. The inside top has tons of holes in it that lead to the components so I''ve never been able to spray Easy Off on the top. The top of my microwave has always grossed me out because I can never get it clean.

Using the scrubber end and a little elbow grease this thing took it all right off. This is the first time since I had my microwave I''ve been able to get the top clean. I was sold at this point.

I moved on to the bathroom and even though the steamer produced a lot of steam, there was just too much dust and hair stuff in the bathroom. I mean, my bathroom is REALLY clean by most standards, but it''s hard to use something like this when the pads keep getting gunked up with debris. I think a cursory wiping down before the real cleaning with the steamer would be better.

Lastly (and mostly because all my ends were now in need of a washing) I remembered that a friend told me she uses her steam mop to clean her walls. Thats just freaky. I have red walls in my living room and any time I try to dust them or wash them it leaves streaks that are worse than the dust that covers them so I haven''t cleaned the walls in a LONG time.

I tossed on the dusting attachment and buzzed over the walls quickly. No streaks. No dust. It did exactly what I wanted it to do.

I am VERY surprised at how well this worked given the nasty reviews. I really though I''d be returning it by now.

If I have any complaints its that this thing comes with nothing to carry your attachments in. A basket or a bag would have been nice. Also, some ends do not attach to the hose. Everything should be able to attach to the hose to get wherever you need to. Lastly, and most importantly, this thing REALLY needs a locking feature on the trigger so you don''t have to constantly hold it down. Sometimes you need to clean with both hands. It should just run without having to hold down the trigger if I want it to.

I hope I don''t have to come back here in a few weeks to amend this and say it broke... I really don''t want to do that.

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I purchased this item from my local Walmart wanting something RIGHT NOW to get some heavy duty cleaning done. Does it work, yes, absolutely! Could it be improved upon, yes, absolutely!

First of all, for those reporting lack of actual steam, not only must you let the unit warm up for the 30 45 seconds first, you must also hold the trigger in until the steam comes out of whatever attachment you are using. Note that the trigger, as mentioned before, could stand to have a locking mechanism so you don''t need to hold it constantly while cleaning I found a large hair clip did the job nicely.

Next, just having to tote the steamer jug around is a bit of a pain. It''s not terribly heavy, but it is a hindrance. A little longer length of hose could solve that issue, but I''m afraid the Euro-Pro people probably already tried that and found a great loss of steam power.

Now for the cleaning I used the large wedge for the job I chose to tackle which was the walls and ceiling of a 12'' X 12'' room. These surfaces had not been cleaned in a long time and had seen it all nicotine, heating oil residue, general grit and grime, etc. I was actually surprised at the amount of time I had to work between fill-ups and when the steamer needed to be refilled, I used that opportunity to rinse out the cloth cover for the wedge. I wrung out that cover and it worked just fine...even using it wet (which it eventually gets as you use it anyway), all surfaces dried quite quickly. I was working around shelving units and stuff piled up next to the walls so I didn''t exactly clean all of the walls, but I did get the entire ceiling and most of the wall surfaces done in about 20 minutes with 4 rinses of the cloth (these surfaces were dirty!!). The walls and ceiling are painted in a semi-gloss so I can not attest to how well it would work with a flat paint finish.

While you shouldn''t put anything but tap or distilled water into the steamer, I found that washing the cloth with a mild detergent before rinsing and wringing produced a nice deodorized, just cleaned scent.

September 24th addition to my review! Nine months later and my Shark Steam Pocket is still going strong! I have fixed the trigger issue by using a Velcro "cord keeper" strap I found at a hardware store so I no longer have to constantly hold that trigger in which is a huge help. I also sewed up some of my own pocket covers and use another Velcro cord keeper strap to keep them on the large steamer head, placing the cover over the head and using the strap as the elastic drawstring is used on the original covers. I was able to make some of fluffy terrycloth and made several using some cheap microfiber cleaning cloths that work well when I need a little elbow grease.

Since reviews are still mixed with people either loving or hating the Shark, I would highly recommend purchasing the unit either locally or at a good online retailer with free and easy returns in case you end up with a less than perfect unit.

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I bought this from a Bed Bath and Beyond because it was the only one I could find in a physical store that I could buy right away. I''d read so many unfavorable reviews about handheld steam cleaners that I didn''t expect much from this product. I made sure that I kept the receipt handy for the inevitable return. When I got home and opened the box, I was kinda freaked about by the number of accesories that came with it strange looking multi-pronged wand things.

So, after reading the instructions, I started in the bathroom. There was a mildew colony gaining ground in the shower that I wanted to obliterate. The cleaner started up after a few spurts and coughs, and eventually gave me a steady stream. The pressure was good, but as another reviewer mentioned, you have to get really close to the nozzle to get the kind of heat that''s going to make a difference. I was able to comfortably hold my hand in the steam stream six or seven inches from the nozzle. Any closer than that, and I would have been burnt (I actually did give myself a pretty smart burn in a moment of carelessness later on). The nice thing about the steamer was that is was able to clean out mildew from crevices that a brush could never reach, but again, you have to hold the nozzle very close to the area you want to clean for it to be effective. And if you''re expecting that using a steam cleaner is going to magically leave your shower sparkly clean with a few passes, I have to tell you that you''re going to be disappointed. I found that I still had to come around with a brush, a conventional spray cleaner, and some elbow grease to complete the job, although, it was not as much work as it would have been without the steam cleaner. It was very effective on the shower head blasting out more mildew from the crevices than I thought was actually there. Then I moved to the toilet bowl. Being a single man, there were a few ... um ... spills to deal with. The steamer was again very effective. I really felt that I was giving the bowl a thorough cleaning, although again, I had to follow up with some good old-fashioned wiping to finish the job.

Then I went to the kitchen, and tackled the filtiest appliance in everyone''s (or at least my) kitchen the microwave. I had to deal with a Tomato Cheddar Soup explosion that happened in there a while ago which I was turning a continuous blind eye to. The steamer was very effective in loosening up the old crud my microwave looked almost new after some follow up wiping off with a conventional spray cleaner, and a paper towel.

The one thing that I found when using the attachments (those strange looking wand things?) is that they significantly reduce the effectiveness/heat/pressure of the steam. As I mentioned before, I was able to comfortably hold my hand five inches from the nozzle without getting burned. Some of the attachment are more than a foot long. How effective could the cleaner be with those wand things added on? The stream that the cleaner produces just isn''t strong enough to support the use of those attachments. They simply put too much distance between the steam stream and the area you want to clean. I tried using the brush attachment (the smallest of the set) in the shower and it hindered far more than it helped. I basically paid for a lot of useless plastic. The one exception was the glass cleaner (looks like a small squeegee). It worked very well on the bathroom mirror, but it alone can''t justify all the other stuff they put in the box.

Hence, three stars. I would have given it 2.5 if that were an option. My recommendation to Shark: put less junk in the box and lower the price.

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So I ordered both the Shark Pocket mop and the Shark Portable Pocket steamer from the Shark web-site. The portable cleaner is complete garbage! I plugged it in ready to put it to the test and it smelled like it was burning AND it didn''t even steam properly. The directions very clearly say do not put your hand in front of the steam as it is very hot and will burn you, I put my hand less than 1/2 inch from the nozzle and it STILL wasn''t hot. I''ve been trying to return this product for over a week, the first time I called customer service I landed up overseas somewhere they didn''t speak English very well and was yelled at! I told this man to send me to someone I could understand so I was given a number in Canada, which is fine but the three times I''ve called they''ve kept me on hold for over 20 minutes! A waste of time and money!

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Saeco Easy Fill 10-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker Save 53% Off

I really wanted to like this coffee maker. We''ve tried several and thought this one was the answer but unfortunately, we need to keep looking.

The problems are:

1. Coffee produced is not that hot. I expected more, especially with a pre-heated carafe.

2. As someone else noted, the carafe will pour even in the "closed" position. This indicates an air leak-something that will chill the coffee much more quickly.

3. Pour spout is not good and a lip overhang means that the last drop is virtually impossible to get out.

4. The indicator for the timer is very hard to see.

5. The water holder, while convenient to remove, is very hard to level. And, there is a hole in the tank to prevent over filling. Unfortunately, it means clean up of spilled water.

6. The handle was crooked (not a major issue but annoying to look at on a $129 coffee maker).

Made good coffee, especially in small batches, but lots of machines will do that. Shame it had too many flaws to overcome.

i bought this coffee maker as i wanted a thermal model that also had front loading of water. never liked those models that you have to pull out so you can load water in the back. unfortunately, most are like that. anyway with this one, after using for several weeks now, i have discovered several deficiencies. first was to remove the water drawer and coffee grinds basket, you need to depress a button on the handle and pull it out. with mine, when you do that, the lever doesn''t pull down enough and you can''t get the drawer out. it gets stuck. i have to keep wrestling with it to get it out. then, as other posters have noted, it frequently leaks all over the counter when brewing. still can''t figure that out. pot and drawer are in proper position, but it happens anyway. also, the way the lid to the pot screws on is such that it is kind of difficult to align it exactly level so it can screw on. if you don''t get it in just the right position, one edge screws down to the pot, the other sticks up a 1/4 or so. pouring is poor like the other posters said as the interior of the pot has a big lip. can''t get all the coffee out unless you practically turn the pot upside down. Last problem started in the past few days. if you fill it up to make a full pot and press the brew button, it will go about half way through the cycle and stop leaving half the water in the machine. i can''t figure that out either. the machine will beep indicating the brew is complete, but in reality its stops brewing about half way through the cycle. it seems the only way to get it to brew to completion is to turn it off and then press the brew cycle again. then it will normally finish brewing the coffee.

the other thing is this company has no US phone number listed in the manual for customer service. they have a phone number to italy. so you can''t reach them for assistance. but to anyone thinking of buying this coffee maker, i''d keep looking. Its made in china and has all the low quality of a typical product made in china. that coupled with the fact there is zero customer support from the company, if you get it and it has problems, which is highly likely, your going to be stuck.

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After reading the reviews of others I was hoping to be among the few who had a good experience with the Saeco Easy Fill coffee maker. Sadly, this was not the case. Water leaked from the tank at approx. 1 cup per minute(my husband called it the "Saeco Easy Drain" coffee maker)!!!

This is a beautiful looking machine but I would advise shoppers to heed the negative reviews....

On a positive note: Amazon''s amazing return policy was the best part of this shopping experience.

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I have had this coffee maker for 1-month now, great easy fill and front load feature, but poor design with the pouring spout and not hot enough. I still have to put my coffee cup into the microwave to make it hotter. Do not recommend this product. However, our previous Saeco 8-cup white/stainless and porcelin pot we bought at Starbuck a few years ago, great coffee pot lasted us a good two years, simple with great features, user friendly. I am asking for return label and refund on the Saeco Easy Fill. Dissatisfied and Disappointed Saeco Easy Fill 10-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe, Stainless Steel

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The only thing I like about this coffee maker is the pull-out feature. Now for the negatives: The filter basket handle will occasionally pop up while the hopper is inserted in the machine, making it difficult to pull the hopper back out. It''s difficult to avoid hitting the hopper handle when putting the carafe into the machine. The display panel is lit only when the machine is on and is difficult to read. The timer icon is smaller than a pencil eraser and is very difficult to see. The carafe lid is cumbersome to open and close and, for reasons I don''t fully understand, sometimes leaks coffee all over the counter while I''m pouring.

I''ve used it for a week. It''s going back today.

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Honeywell HWM-950 Filter Free Warm Moisture Humidifier Save 30% Off

I spent an entire day researching humidifiers and I would like to share my results while they are fresh in my mind. Spoiler... I ended up purchasing the Honeywell HWM-950 Warm Mist.

If you have have spent any time looking at reviews you will notice that there are several different types of humidifiers and they all have pros and cons. When a possible con is mold I believe it pays to be diligent. Here are the results of my research. Please note, this review only covers single room humidifiers, not house humidifiers. Note: All humidifiers will grow mold, some more than others. Make sure to follow the manufactures guidelines for cleaning.

I found that there are 4 main types:

1. Warm mist

2. Cool mist (Ultrasonic)

3a. Evaporative (Wick)

3b. Recirculating Evaporative (Wick)

Pros and Cons of each style

1. Warm Mist

"These humidifiers actually boil the water which causes a distilled steam to be expelled into the room. About.com

Pros:

No filters needed

Medication can be evaporated with the steam heat in some models

It feels best in a cool room in the winter. (Evaporative actually creates a breeze which will make a cold room feel colder)

Cons:

RISK OF FIRE: Take this very seriously. Warm mist units should never be left operating when nobody is in the house. Yes, they all have a low water automatic shut off, but if that fails these units can cause a fire.

Risk of burn: This unit boils the water, so there is a hot element that can burn if touched. This is not safe around small children.

2. Cool Mist (Ultrasonic)

"An ultrasonic humidifier is one that uses high-frequency sound vibrations to produce an extra fine water mist that is then expelled to add moisture to the room" About.com

If I were to buy a cool mist humidifier, I would buy this one:

Crane 2.3 Gallon COOL Mist humidifier, White and Blue

Pros:

No wick needed.

No hot element

The moister may spread more evenly through the room because it is not heated

Cons:

Since water is not boiled, bacteria present in the water may be dispersed into the air.

Mineral deposits in the water will be expelled with the mist causing a white dust to appear in the room around the humidifier. Reports say that filtered or distilled water will take care of this problem.

3a. Evaporative (Wick)

Air is pushed through a wick that is sitting in water. The air collects moister as it moves through the wick.

Pros:

No hot element.

These seem to distribute moister the best.

Cons:

Needs filters.

Mold will grow on the filter.

Will cause airflow in the room, which will make a cool room feel colder.

3b. Recirculating Evaporative (Wick)

Same as above air is pushed through a wick that is sitting in water. The air collects moister as it moves through the wick. However as the name implies water is recirculated throughout the unit with a small pump. This reduces the chance of bacteria and mold growing. It will also move more moisture into the air. With the Recirculating Evaporative humidifier water is dropped on the filter from the top rather than being absorbed from the bottom as a standard Evaporative humidifier.

If I were to buy this type, I would buy this one:

Lasko 1128 9-Gallon Evaporative Recirculating Humidifier

Pros:

Moves more moister than a standard Evaporative hunidifier.

Reduces build up of mold and bacteria because water is constantly moving.

Cons:

Needs filters.

More moving parts means more can break.

More parts means more to clean.

Will cause airflow in the room, which will make a cool room feel colder.

Conclusion:

Since I live in a cool space I decided that the best solution for me would be a warm mist humidifier. I purchased the Honeywell HWM-950 for the following reasons

Warm mist feels better in the cold.

Good price $29 shipped.

Easy to clean. (There is a large enough opening in the water tank to place my hand in.

Moves a lot of water (1.25 gallon tank is evaporated in about 8 hours)

I have been running it every night for a several of weeks and I can sleep much better now. The unit is working as expected so far with no problems.

My second choice would be Lasko 1128 because it evaporates a tremendous amount of water and recirculates the water.

The Honeywell HWM-950 is a great little humidifier. I bought one several weeks ago and have ran it continuously since. To use the unit: Fill container, secure lid, place on machine, turn on (high or low), after it empties it will auto shutoff/dial turns red, shut it off for a minute to reset it, refill the container, turn it on. I''m buying another in case they discontinue.

Pros:

Warm Mist Kills bacteria and only requires periodic cleaning.

No Filters.

High and Low setting.

Auto-Off feature turning dial red easy to understand.

Easy to use

Medicine Cup on Top.

Cons: Only available in this ~1 gallon size

WARNING: NEVER leave your home with an appliance on that has a heating element as it is a fire hazard and no "auto-off" is fault less! Sister had a kitchen fire after when her dishwashers heating element solenoid locked on melting plastic eventually igniting it.

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Even on high setting it''s quieter than other warm humidifiers. It''s a small humidifier so it''s good for a small to medium size room only. Easy to clean and fill... The only con is I don''t understand why they made the water tank dark brown. It makes it hard to see the water level. BUT if it runs out of water it has an auto shut-off.

All in all it''s a good well made humidifier at a good price.. Well worth the money.

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For this price, the product is more decent than others I have used. The design is simple, easy to use, and good for a bed room size. I especially like the large tank opening for refilling and cleaning. Cleaning and maintenance would be the same like any others. It really depends on the minenal level in your water. But I rather have to clean it more often than having that white dust flying in the air you breath in. I made a mistake spending way too much on another expensive model (AOS U650 Digital Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic), which does tiny bit better but cost 8 times more than this HWM-950. I would definitely recommend this product for those who live in cold Winter like Minnesota. It does the job for much less.

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Unlike other reviewers, I had no problems with the noise level of this humidifier, and it worked just fine to make the air more pleasant. However, this think leaks like crazy! The base, under where the tank sits, is divided into multiple sections, and the water is supposed to come out of the tank into one of the sections and flow through to where the heating element is (at the bottom of the tall black plastic part). What actually happens is, over the course of a few hours, the flow of water from the tank is too fast so the area where water is supposed to be slowly overflows into the other areas where water is not supposed to be. The other sections of the base fill up with water, and eventually water starts seeping out of the crack between the bottom of the tank and the top of the base. This happens consistently whether the humidifier is left off with a full tank or run on high from the moment it''s filled until the tank is empty.

Depending on what kind of surface you put the humidifier on, this might only ruin the surface (best case) or might actually create a dangerous situation where the power cord (which comes out of the base very close to the bottom) is sitting in a pool of water. I''m returning this immediately and I recommend that no one else buys it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

#5 easy to clean

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No more Cuisinart for me.

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Bobble Jug Replacement Filter (3-pack)

This product is a amazing, just be sure to read the usage instructions before and during usage. The initial cleaning time may take a while but the product is amazing to use afterwards. Each filter lasts about 2 months.

This is crazy! We''ve had a Bobble jug for about a year; it works well, and the replacement filter lasts about 3 months (we use it for 4, because we only use it for coffee). But these replacements are about $8 at Target. Even with the bottle and the free bobble that comes with it you''d never pay this much. Maybe the price is in Italian lira and they are using the dollar sign by mistake.

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BestAir 3BT-6 Original BT Humidifier Bacteriostatic Water Treatment 32 oz.

I''ve had a problem with the vornado humidifier wicks/water growing orange algae and becoming quite stale and brown on high humidity days in the winter. I was replacing filters a number of times through the winter and cleaning out the humidifier pan. This has been great at solving that problem, I use about 1/2 the recommended amount. I was previously using a drop or two of bleach to try to keep the water clean but that was not so effective.

I have used this product now for several months. As the father of twin toddlers, having humid, bacterial free, air in our house is important to me. We use this at each refil of our numerous Vornado humidifiers. There have been no problems or side effects. It does what it does, and seems to do it well.

The supplier shipped the product quickly, in a well packaged box. I would continue to use their services.

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I have a number of Vornado humidifiers in my home. With two toddler twin daughters, keeping the air as free of bacteria is important to me. This product seems to be doing a very good job. I have noticed an improvement in the wicks that draw up the water: no signs of bacterial aging. While I am not a biologist, nor have run any scientific tests, it seems to work with no side effects.

The supplier promptly shipped the water treatment as described. There was no communications, as none was necesary. The purchase just went through as it should, with no hitches.

I will buy this product again.

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I just finished my first bottle of this stuff.

I was a little shocked at the toxic labelling. But then realised that is in the concentrated form straight out of the bottle. Like chlorine used in pools and drinking water. Chlorine is highly corrosive and deadly in the concentrated forms used in pools. Don''t eat it, don''t touch it, and try not to breath it. BUT, you dilute it with water and when controlled as directed, it''s fine.

After using a full bottle, I feel confident the diluted form in the water and then the ever more diluted form that is in the air seems safe. But what do I know. Also, different liquids evaporate at different temperatures. So I wonder how much of the diluted chemicals even make it into the evaporated water.

Either way, after 1 winter down, I didn''t notice any breathing issues, smells or other affects from the use of this product. And I even do cardio in my home where the humidifier works on the whole house.

I did notice that if you add this before filling with water, it gets very foamy. So I fill with water first and then add this solution. No foaming.

We also have a water softener for our home, so I don''t know if that has affected the efficiency or use of this product. I don''t have any proof, but the water seems clean and the tanks seem to stay clean longer and without build up. And my wicks seem to last a long time without build up. And no foul or chemical smells for me.

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I have a Vornado evaporation humidifier, and I''ve always had issues trying to keep the wicks clean. I bought this on a whim and it seems to be doing great so far! My only concern was what chemicals were in it, but you use a tiny amount (maybe 1tbsp) in 2 gallons of water. All in all great to add if you are having issues with mildew/buildup on your evaporation wicks!

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West Bend 53783 1-3/4-Quart Cordless Water Kettle Save 25% Off

If your an expat or just an anglophile and you are left wondering, "Why doesn''t America embrace the electric kettle?!" then this is the item for you. Sleek and aptly priced.

I don''t know why you''d pay around $50 for something that just heats water... brand loyalty? I wouldn''t pay the extra $15-$30 just for the flat metal plate that the Braun or Philips has. (The West Bend kettle has a metal coil to heat up the water: Yes, you have to clean the coiled versions, but it''s exactly the same as cleaning out a coffee maker... white vinegar once in a blue moon. Hey, the Brits and the Irish don''t mind the coil, why should I?)

The stouter version of this I think is too small, unless you live alone and don''t drink that much tea/coffee/cocoa. Between us, my brother and I drink six to eight cups of tea a day, plus hot cereal on top of that and this kettle is more than sufficient (1.7 liters).

Some more good things:

It turns of automatically after it comes to a roaring boil.

See-through panel lets you see the water level.

So quiet, you wouldn''t know it''s on...

That''s why it has a little red light that goes on.

Has a locking top so as to avoid spills.

The black fits in with my kitchen''s decor.

It also comes in handy for when I''m cooking, using up all the burners and need just a bit of hot water, quickly. Or even if I am cooking rice or pasta, it''s easier to heat up the water in the electric kettle and then pour it into the pot on the stove.

Two complaints: The cord is thick and not very flexible (the cord itself is about two feet). I have this plugged into the same outlet as my microwave and cannot use the two at the same time or else I''ll have a circuit short... but then again, whoever remodeled the kitchen did a bad job on the electicity.

Makes a great present for any hot beverage lover or college student.

Given the price this Kettle works ok, but:

it fails to shut off quite frequently, when boiling point is reached (which is why I ditched my old el. kettle)

it doesn''t shut off, when you take it off the base (so you put it back empty and it''s trying to boil the little water left inside)

you have to fit it onto the base (better models can be put on 360 degrees).

If you wanna use this a lot, get a better one.

Update: Yesterday I started boiling a quart of water and went to do something else in the mean time. Of course I forgot about my water. When I returned to the kitchen, the kettle had shut off but only after a full quart of water had evaporated :(

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I was recently traveling in New Zealand and every where you went (hotels, RV''s, etc) had an electric water kettle. This was great and I really appreciated the automatic shut off, because my boyfriend keeps burning up our tea kettles. So I saw this one, read the reviews and decided to get it. I am so disspointed. The kettle heats water great, BUT the automatic shut off doesn''t work at all. This is something that a few other reviews mentioned, so I am sending it back. I do not recommend getting this model.

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I had to return this item. It only shut itself off one time, and the remaining times boiled itself dry. Also, takes quite a while to heat the water. I''ll buy another brand this time.

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It was great while it lasted but it only lasted three months. I was thrilled with how fast and convenient it was until the heating element stopped working. I did use it almost daily so if you are looking for something for minimal use it may last you longer. I''m now caught in the exchange fun of Amazon says return to manufacturer and West Bend says return to original place of purchase. I don''t expect either will be worth the effort for a $20 piece of equiptment.

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EHM 929 Alkaline Water Ionizer Combo Save 56% Off

I really like the machine. looks fancy and works great. Customer service staff is really helpful if you have troubles with installation. Believe me there is no need to buy so expensive alkaline machines, what you just need is alkaline water and this machine do really good job.

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