Showing posts with label countertop water filter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label countertop water filter. Show all posts

KRUPS Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine Save 45% Off

KRUPS EA8255001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine with Built-in Conical Burr Grinder, RedI just received this Krups Espresseria automatic machine. I have a Jura ENA 4 at my work so I will try to make some comparisons to them. The Jura is about the same price and they both have very similar features. I was so excited when I found out I would be receiving this Krups machine so that I can make my cappuccino at home too! I am a coffee fool so I make alot. With winter coming up this will be well used. Ok I have been using the Jura for some time at my work and it has been a very nice machine and is easy to setup, clean, and use. The Krups is no exception here as it is very easy to setup. Just fill the water container, bean hopper, set language, ML or OZ for liquid measurement, water hardness and ready to go. I use beans I buy here on Amazon. They are eight Oclock brand 50 % decaf. I chose the fine grind setting and brewed my first Cappuccio in less than a minute and the froth was superb. The coffee taste and strength is every bit as good as the Jura maybe alittle stronger with the Krups. I like that the machine is fully programable for different fill levels of coffee. You can fill one or two cups at a time. The nozzle height can be adjusted for taller cups but will not accommodate tall cups without sliding the drip tray out. The Jura can accommodate tall glasses no problem. The steam wand worked very well with no mess and produced a very nice froth and is fully adjustable for many positions. I really liked the spill tray as it has a float in it that rises to let you know when it is full. The Jura does not have this. Both machines come with a water filter to help reduce the bad flavors and reduce machine descaling frequency. The both come with a starter pack of cleaning tablets. As with any coffee espresso machine it will need cleaning to keep the flavor and machine working properly. It looks like the Krups requires less frequent cleaning. Both the frothing nozzles need cleaning frequently. All in all this is a very nice machine that will see alot of use. Oh yeah I was kind of surprised when I opened the box and noticed a small amount of coffee grinds in the machine. I called Krups customer service and was promptly advised that the machines grinders are tested during the assembly. I found no mention of this in the owners info so I was surprised but it is very nice to know that the machines are quality tested before shipping them out. Oh I should note that Jura does mention in there instructions that small traces of coffee grinds may be found in there machines for the same reason. Well I will try to make some comparisons now.

The Krups you can only use whole beans and no preground coffee.

The Jura has a bypass doser that allows you to use preground coffee.

The Jura does not come with a milk container and must be bought separately for about 80-100 dollars.

The Krups does come with its own stainless steel milk container even though it is not mentioned or shown in any of the pictures. I was really hoping it did come with it. Yeah!!

The Krups is made in France and not Mexico or China.

The Jura has a removable bean container.

The Krups does not have a removable bean container so no quick swapout of beans. Must run them all trough machine.

They both hold about the same amount of old grind cakes at 14.

The Jura needs to be cleaned every 180 cycles.

The Krups needs to be cleaned every 360 cycles. Big plus here!

The Jura takes about 44 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

The Krups take about 22 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

Both have an energy saving mode that is programable.

Both can be changed from ML to Oz for fluid measurement.

Both Krups and Jura come with a 2 year or 6000 cup warranty.

My likes about the Krups are slightly stronger coffee than the Jura.

Less frequent cleaning demands with the Krups.

Krups comes with its own Stainless milk container so you can fill it and put back in fridge when not using. The Jura you must purchase the milk container for 8-100 dollars.

Krups has a drip tray float to remind you when it needs cleaning out.

The Krups costumer service department was very quick and responsive when I called them. Oh yeah and they were all American so I could understand them.

The Krups has a better look for a home than does the Jura in my opinion.

I like being able to see how full the bean container is on the Krups without looking down in it unlike the Jura.

My dislikes abouth the Krups are no removable bean container. So when you want to change coffee beans to another brand you must cycle them through where as the Jura you can remove the bean container and empty it out.

Cannot use preground coffee as an option where as you can on the Jura.

The Krups nozzle does not raise as high as I would like to accommodate taller cups but can if you slide the drip tray out first.

So bottom line would I recommend the Krups Espresseria machine??? Yes I defiantly would!!!

UPDATE:

Ok so I have been using it for some time now and love it more than ever!! My wife too!! When just making a good old fashioned coffee the creama is so rich and yummy. I love it. I am still experimenting with all the minor adjustments you can make to custom tailor it but so far I like the grind set on very fine for a very robust flavor but not bitter at all. I am also loving the included milk container for the milk froth. It is very nice to be able to just fill it, use it, then put back in the fridge when done. Jura makes you pay extra for there milk container so nice job Krups!! Well just wanted to give an update as to how things are going here. Thanks

We''re a 2-3 cup a day coffee household. This doesn''t include all of the weekly trips to the coffee shop while at work for more specialized drinks. Prior to getting this espresso maker we simply brewed flavored coffee at home with cheap and disposable coffee makers. We were of course overjoyed to welcome the Krups EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso and coffee Machine into our kitchen. Here are my thoughts;

Pros

+ All in one unit. Stores, grinds, brews and disposes of your coffee. No outside water lines needed.

+ Stainless Steel milk frothing bottle provided. Very nice!

+ Auto clean/rinse cycle. Only needs complete cleaning once every 360 cycles!

+ Modern and sleek black look. Also, very compact in size for an espresso machine.

+ Easy to use digital interface and quick set up.

+ Water proof service guide stored inside a side slot of the machine.

+ Steamer nozzle also dispenses hot water for tea/hot chocolate drinkers.

+ Extremely quick brew time. Less than 2 minutes.

+ Energy efficient and has an auto-off timer.

+ Made in France (not Taiwan or China like many products today).

+ 2 year or 6,000 cup warrantee.

+ Machine alerts you on all cleaning/replacement functions.

+ Tool provided for easy installation of the unit''s water filter. Especially useful if you have larger hands.

Cons

Incredibly expensive.

Milk frothing bottle and attachments are a bit cumbersome to use and clean.

Water filters are $18-20 each and need to be replaced every two months.

Unable to use flavored or pre-ground coffee. There''s no bypass chamber to change beans. Once your coffee is in the machine it''s in there until you use it.

Frother is rather rigid and has limited flexibility. It''s also difficult to use on a countertop, especially with larger mugs. You need to have it on the counter edge to even get a larger cup out.

Can be rather noisey, especially early in the morning. Water tank can rattle quite a bit when brewing the coffee.

Clock display doesn''t stay on when you''re not using the machine.

Water dispenser tray platform is a bit small and while the coffee nozzles do raise, it''s not really enough for larger coffee mugs.

Some crucial pieces of the machine are plastic (coffee nozzles, parts of the frother etc.). I would prefer them to be metal as the plastic feels like it could crack from the heat.

The Krups EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso and coffee Machine is something most people would never buy but would love to receive it as a gift. I''m sure there are many of these machines on wedding registries from couples with crossed fingers. For the price this machine should definitely be considered an investment. Spending this much on an espresso machine is difficult to justify. However, if you can afford the purchase price it definitely does what it''s supposed to. I can absolutely say that I''m the envy of all my coffee drinking coworkers and friends. I know our household will get many years of use out of it.

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This could seriously be the best thing I have ever purchased. It is expensive, but man, it is great to wake up and push 3 different buttons a total of 5 different times and have an excellent cup of cappuccino. It could not be easier. Set up is a breeze. The machine tells you when you need water or a new filter. You can see the coffee beans. There is no mess to clean up. When it is time to empty the spent grounds (about every 10-15 cups) a message comes on, you pull out a side drawer, dump it in the trash, empty and rinse the water tray and ... voila.

We bought this assuming that it would not replace our regular drip coffee maker. But we completely stopped using the coffee maker and instead have cappuccino or cafe creme every day. The automatic cappuccino foamer is really quite clever and easy to clean. We have found that you need milk fat to make a decent foam so use whole milk or add a little 1/2 n 1/2 to whatever reduced fat milk you use and it will make a good foam. It takes a few experiments to see how long you need to let the steam run to get the right amount of milk foam to mix with the strong espresso. We have finally landed on 15 seconds. The machine always comes back to whatever setting you used last, so once you get a setting you like you can pretty much just push a few buttons and your coffee is ready in less than 2 minutes from the time you power up the machine.

It pays to experiment with beans also. We use a mix of 1/2 decaf cafe Britt which is nice and dark and adds an earthy flavor, and 1/2 regular caf Lavazza Super Crema because that seemed to be a consensus good espresso bean. The Lavazza is a medium roast. So now we have the coffee we like, and cappuccinos better than any we can get in a restaurant or coffee shop (always way way too much milk). I am confident we would never use a manual machine. My hats off to people who do. If you are like me and want a great espresso, cappuccino or cafe noisette every day, you will love this machine

Read Best Reviews of KRUPS Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine Here

So, I''ve had this machine for about a month now, and I''ll echo much of what others have said: it makes an awesome cup of espresso (especially if you''ve got good quality espresso roasted beans, but that goes without saying). The fully automatic nature of the machine makes it a dream to easily get a good cup of coffee, and I''m fiendishly excited that I can reduce my outlays to Starbucks.

The one "complaint" that I had about the machine was that the auto milk attachment didn''t get hot enough (i.e. it got up to around 110 degrees F), so I started nuking my coffee to get it to a good "americanized" coffee temperature. But, I found a solution: when you hit the steam button and the milks starts pouring into your cup, pinch the plastic tube so that it sputters--this will allow more steam to get into the mix, thereby heating up the milk more. The result? Milk that gets to about 140 degrees F!! Perfect stuff. Also, BTW--I''ve successfully used almond milk from the start, so if you want to go healthy and tasty, then you have a good non-dairy, non-soy option. Cheers and enjoy!

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This is the best super automatic espresso machine out there based on my own, super-nerdy formula: "(rich flavor * ease of use) / cost." Dorky, yes, but you''re talking to someone who came up with decisionking.com and previously has used a one-touch Tassimo machine in USA, one-touch Philips machine in Spain, and a few other cheap espresso machines including the manual kind. I am a resident of Spain and a US citizen, so I appreciate a good european style "cafe con leche."

The advantages of this Krups machine are that: 1) it''s the most compact machine, 2) it''s very simple to operate 3) it has the lowest cost of the different super automatic brands (as of 10-26-2011), 4) and it can use oily beans unlike the other different brands of machines. 5) Also, it runs the longest between cleaning cycles (360 cycles) compared to the other brands. The resulting coffee is, of course, rich and smooth and full of flavor. That being said, it is important to note that coffee flavor seems to be more related to the quality/freshness of coffee beans used rather than the machine itself.

The disadvantages of this Krups machine are its high cost (relative to my cheap coffee machines before) and no bypass doser. But both of these disadvantages are minimal especially when you compare the Krups cost to the other super automatic espresso machines. On the other hand, a bypass doser is important for that quick decaf, one would want to make for late night after dinner.

Bottom line is: I''d give this device 4.5 stars since it does not have the bypass doser. But if you want an easy to use, minimal maintenance, one-touch espresso machine, that is compact and costs the least of the super automatics then I think this Krups is the machine you want to invest in.

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Mavea 1001495 Maxtra Filter for Tassimo Brewers

Mavea 1001495 Maxtra Filter for Tassimo BrewersThis filter did not fit in my Tassimo machine. I have an older model, probably 5 years old, and I can''t find any water filters that fit in it. The only reason I gave it 1 star is because it says it fits Tassimo coffee makers, but aparently only the newer models.

doesn''t seem to work and yes I made sure it was compatible with my brewing system.Should have listened to other reviewers

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Ordered this filter several months ago for our Tassimo brewer. I can confirm that it fits our machine that we bought two years ago. I''m pretty sure it''s the T65. We haven''t had any issues with the filter.

Read Best Reviews of Mavea 1001495 Maxtra Filter for Tassimo Brewers Here

I purchased this filter for use in my Tassimo brewing system. The directions for the machine states this filter needs to be changed every 7 weeks or so. At this price, I simply cannot afford to replace the filter that often. It''s like buying 16 Maxwell House T-discs every few weeks. The product does its job, just at a staggering cost.

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CBTL Kaldi S04 Single Cup Brewer Save 10% Off

CBTL Kaldi S04 Single Cup Brewer, RedI gave my review another star since the capsules are now available locally at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Being able to conveniently buy capsules is important to me.

If you are short on counter space in your kitchen and you want both a single serve coffeemaker and an espresso machine, this unit is something you may want to consider. It takes up about the same amount of space as a Keurig machine, if you are familiar with those.

Set-up was easy, insert the screen in the water tank, give everything a good rinse, pour in some water up to the fill line 40 ounces(I prefer using filtered water), plug it in and follow the simple directions in either the manual or the quick start guide.

Once the machine has primed itself, you are ready to choose your brew. Pull the handle back all the way, drop in the pod with the top facing the front of the machine, snap the handle back down, and choose your size by pressing one of the 3 selections:

Top button: 1.5 ounces for espresso

Middle button: 3 ounces for a long espresso

Bottom button: 8 ounces for coffee, 9 ounces for tea

The next time you brew another cup, when you lift the handle backwards, that disposes of the previously brewed capsule into the storage bin behind the drip tray. This should be dumped into the trash as part of your daily maintenance, in addition to always making sure you have adequate water in the tank (you don''t want to burn-up your pump). Also rinse the storage bin out with hot water after you dump the capsules, it gets a little skanky in there if you don''t!

All the coffee flavors I''ve tried are very aromatic, rich and flavorful. The espresso capsules all produce a nice crema on top. Even though hot chocolate is sometimes listed as available in a capsule, I don''t think those are out yet (as of 11/1/12). I''m not a tea drinker, but I did try the Tropical Passion and it was good.

I''m concerned about availability of coffee capsules, but I''ve ordered more capsules from Amazon. They are available on their Subscribe and Save program, at least I get free shipping that way, but the capsules at this time run 62 cents each.

UPDATE November 2011 these capsules are now being sold at my local Bed, Bath & Beyond, even more flavors than are offered here at Amazon.

NOTE: Every 2 to 3 months the de-scaling warning light comes on, this is what I use it takes about 45 minutes from start to finish: Urnex Dezcal Home Activated Descaler, For Home Coffee & Espresso Equipt., 4 1 oz Packets.

If you want a frother, they also have a separate one available, it''s great.

CBTL LM-145P Milk Frother, White

My wife convinced me and finally bought for me the CBTL Kaldi S04 Single Cup Brewer, Red. After having this device in my countertop for the last 4 days here are my findings.

The Kaldi makes superb espresso brews. So far we have tried the Carnevale and Premium Decaf Espresso. These 2 are both excellent. Brews a the standard Expresso shot or a tall espresso which is about 5 ounces. Both brews leave a nice layer of crema that lasts to the last sip. However, I also tried the French Roast as being one of the dark/bold selections; this one missed the note by being ''lite'' for a dark brew; it does have a very nice smooth flavor, but it just misses the dark punch of a bold selection. I would place the french roast as a medium roast. We just came from Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased a package of the Starbucks Verona which was my favorite T-Disc on the Tassimo; well, even the Verona is on the lighter side; tastes good, but lite!

It has a small profile that does not take much counter space and has a very modern stylish look. it is not very noisy like the Keurigs and takes just a couple of minutes to finish the brew.

The items that could be improved: The water tank could''ve been made a little bigger to hold more water; if you are just brewing espressos, perfect size, but if you brew coffees the water tank is small. Secondly, the used pods fall into a reservoir which is not very hygienic, since the pod is full of water it will drip outside the pod and into the reservoir, which if it is left like that for a day or more, it will rot and smell bad. There is no way to put a tall cup under the nozzle, so you have to use low profile or espresso cups. However, as an added bonus you can use the new Starbucks ''Verismo'' pods on this just fine as the pods are the exact same size; not sure who copied who but if you are a Starbucks fan this is a very good extra bonus.

I also own 2 Bosch Tassimo T20 1 Cups Espresso Machine and Bosch TAS1000UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, Anthracite brew bots that make excellent espressos and coffees; and while I am happy with this device I think the Tassimo with the Bar Code technology is what puts it into another superior level. However, the CBTL pods are available at BBB, Target and obviously here at Amazon, so that is what made it atrractive as an alternative to the Tassimo T-Discs which suffer for good distribution.

Follow up after 10 days:

I noticed that brewing regular coffee, the temperature of the coffee was not hot enough; I contacted CBTL Sunday, left a message and they promptly returned my call next day (not from Asia). They sent me instructions how to program the temperature settings which are not very clear in the manual.

I am using the CBTL for espressos, as they are very very yummy; but regular coffee (at least the French Roast) is pretty lite to my taste buds; so I am using the Tassimo for regular coffee.

Instructions for setting the temperature from CBTL:

"Programming the Coffee Temperature

Your CBTL System uses one main heating element for all the drink options (espresso, coffee and tea). Should you find that you would like to increase the temperature of the water that is being dispensed, you can do so be following the below steps. Please note that this will only raise the temperature approximately 6 Degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Switch the appliance off and raise the lever

2. Keeping the short espresso and the brewed coffee buttons pressed down, turn on the machine

3. The multifunction alarm light will stay on with a fixed red light

4. Press the long espresso button to highlight the short espresso button. This will raise the temperature approximately 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit

5. Press the long espresso button to highlight the long espresso button. This will raise the temperature approximately another 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit

6. Press the long espresso button to highlight the brewed coffee button. This will raise the temperature approximately another 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit

7. The turn the machine off and on. "

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I owned a NESPRESSO maker (model C101) for six months because my wife being French swore by them. Never owning a pod based coffe maker, it made wonderful espresso for the time it was in our possession. I had fair expectations for what it could do given it was such a small compact machine but I always found the espresso (even the strongest pod) a little weak. Also, I found the pods difficult to locate and often I would purchase in bulk from ebay to get a deal for a pod that was often coming in around 90 cents a piece. But since I had nothing to compare it to I didn''t venture out to locate greener pastures.

I had little to complain about UNTIL i went into a coffee bean location to purchase something before work (to be frank I don''t enjoy their in store coffee and was there due to limited options). They had a demo CBTL KALDI S04 for customers to sample SO instead of ordering a coffee I decided I would try the machine first and if it was miserable then I would purchase my typical americano from the cashier.

Well I can only tell you I was STUNNED. The coffee was strong, the creme thick and the double shot setting was plentiful (at least a third more than the Nespresso machine) and was just as good as any thing I would have purchased.

I can only generalize but most American''s, and clearly I enjoy a stiffer and stronger cup and this machine provides you with such a coffee both in espresso form and coffee form.

Additionally the pods themselves are very convenient and are about 40 cents a piece and can be found in store and bulk buying isn''t required and if you order 40 dollars a more a month from the subscription service they offer free shipping.

DON''T order the teas for this machine. To be honest, the machine doesn''t understand the idea of steeping. You can''t pressure brew tea. I''ve tried chai and Moroccan mint and they''re tepid and tasteless.

I''ve tried all strengths of the espresso pods and they''re all excellent. The coffee pods which are not espresso are good but are not as exception as the espresso and all brew hot but not scalding nor luke warm. I do recommend using a small metal cup or a small thick walled porcelain cup. A large cup dissipates the heat much faster, something I found happened with both the machines.

The only down side is the lever is sometimes very difficult to pull but that is the only down side.

And to clarify I use my at least 4 times a day.

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I am very impressed with the CBTL machine and coffee capsules. I had a Tassimo for many years that I liked (as well as other coffee and espresso makers before that) and I am elated that I found such a great replacement! The Tassimo was good but since their move between Braun and Bosch, and the rise of Keurig, I don''t think Tassimo will be around much longer.

I was seriously looking at Keurig, which others in my family own. I was also looking at Nespresso. In the end, CBTL is the way to go. The price is great. The Kaldi model produces amazing coffee and espresso. It is simple to use and is very clean and elegant. The Nespresso options were way too expensive and only do espresso. I tried Nespresso samples in stores and CBTL is just as good if not better. I also think CBTL does a better job with espresso than Keurig. Keurig makes a good cup of regular coffee, but if you want really good coffee AND espresso, definitely go with CBTL. K-cups and CBTL capsules cost about the same, but I give end product quality points to CBTL.

I''d also recommend CBTL''s milk frother. I''ve made lattes, mochas, chai teas and steamers--all of them taste like the expensive coffee shop versions for a fraction of the cost. I can''t say enough good things about the CBTL products. I hope they start making Keurig nervous!

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I''ve had this unit for about 6 months now and LOVE it. It doesn''t take up too much space, is very easy to operate and clean. The flavors of the drinks are all pretty good, with the Italian espresso being my favorite. The Kaldi even makes crema with both the espressos and the coffees, so you know you''re getting a good brew.

The unit is loud, though, so I have to wait until my preschool aged kids wake up in the morning before I brew my coffee as I don''t want them to wake up until necessary.

Although I love this machine and wouldn''t trade it for any of the other Single cup brewers out there, I docked one star because during the 6 months I''ve had this item, I''ve gone through about 15-20 pods that didn''t work. Keep in mind that I use about 2 a day. I put them in properly, but for some reason, the machine would get stuck after poking a hole in one of the ends of the pods, so I''d have to toss it. When I put in a new pod right after, it works fine, so I''m not sure if it''s a defective pod or if something''s going on with the machine.

Other than that, it''s perfect and amazing! The barista at the CBTL store I purchased this from even said that the Kaldi probably brews better coffee than when you can get at CBTL because each cup is a fresh, clean brew.

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Pentek DGD-7525 Sediment Filter

Pentek DGD-7525 Sediment Filter
  • Reduces the need for multiple housing step-down filtration systems
  • Filters extra-fine dirt, sand, sediment, silt, rust particles, and scale particles effectively
  • Bacteria resistant and chemical resistant
  • 3 times the dirt-holding capacity of similar sized sediment water filters

Works well for us. We can buy it at a better price online than we would be paying our plumber, and it is master plumber approved over the store variety name brand pleated filters.

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I use this filter with my whole house well pump and found it to work as good as advertised. No loss of water pressure and it has continued to work past the ideal replacement time frame.

(22) iSpring RO Water Filter Replacements Save 13% Off

(22) iSpring RO Water Filter Replacements - Reverse Osmosis DI - 75GPD - 3 Year Supply
  • 3-year supply of replacement filters for RO systems
  • Individually wrapped, fresh from factory
  • Fits 10-Inch standard filter housings, compatible to most RO systems, includes Watts Premier, Flowmatic, PuROLine, Crystal Quest, Apec, and etc
  • Improve the taste of drinking water
  • 75GPD

We got a package of filters as replacements right after the filter was installed. The filter has been working perfect ever since it went in and the replacements are easy to install as well.

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Purchased RO W/UV from ispring and felt comfortable ordering a 3 year supply of filters from them. Happy enough with their prices and service that I''ll buy at least 2 UV lamps for our RO system in the near future. Can''t say enough about these people.

02/27/2013: 6 MO''s have passedand it was time for a filter change. 6 mo. filters were an exact match so I see no reason why 1 year filters will be any different.

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Needed filters and new fittings for system and i spring team did a great job supplying them. Great service even after the sale.!

Omni Corporation GAC1-SS Taste/Odor Carbon Water Filter Save 35% Off

Omni Corporation GAC1-SS  Taste/Odor Carbon Water Filter
  • Reduces rust and sediment
  • Removes lead 99%.Removes mercury 91.2%
  • Removes cryptosporidium and giardia cysts
  • Removes volatile organic chemicals

I have been using the Omnifilter for several years and it significantly reduces or elimates unwanted odors and sediment from tap water. My family will not drink plain tap water anymore. Food and drinks prepared with water from the Omnifilter have much better flavor as well.

The filter cartridge is inexpensive and a breeze to change. The expected life of the filter is 3 months for the GAC1 and 6 months for the GAC2. I have found these to be accurate estimates, although you may see different results depending on the contaminate level of your water and the amount of water you use.

You''ll notice a slight decrease in water pressure when it''s tame to change filters.

It''s an excellent product!

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I made an error in my review of this product. The GAC1-SS(formerly GAC1) is the 6 month filter cartridge.

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I searched everywhere for this filter and finally resorted to Amazon. I noticed a difference immediately because the old filter was quite old and in need of replacement. One suggestion though is to buy the filter wrench for this if you don''t have one, it''s hard to take the casing apart without it. Next time I''ll stock up on 3-pack they offer at a lower price per unit.

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I rate the Omni Filter teriffic. This vendor had a very good price on "each" Omni Filters. I sent them three requests about freight charge if I ordered three from them and the only reply was their Auto Reply. service. They never answered my question so they lost my order. I advised them I would make this comment due to their poor customer service. I found another provider at Amazon that had an even better offer and I ordered today.

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Filter does a great job on the water here in Pittsburgh. Without the filter, the water here is difficult to drink (repulsive taste). I bought several of these filters at one time so that the shipping cost per filter was minimized. I used to buy them at Walmart, but they are not sold there any more.

Garden Hose Water Filter

Garden Hose Water FilterI am 60 plus and it is so easy to attach, all you do is screw it on the faucet and then screw on the hose. I also like the price for 6 months of good water for my garden, I drink good water now I will have healthy tasty fruits and vegetables, and the garden filter is A lot cheaper than my house filter. Paula

Santevia Ceramic Pre-Filter

Santevia Ceramic Pre-FilterThe Santevia is the most amazing water system I''ve ever had. It balances the PH in your body, which is very important for optimal health. Great!

It arrived with a crack in the item ..so it brook . I ordered another one but has not arrived since last 2 weeks

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Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker Save 56% Off

Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless SteelI''ve had this machine now 4 months. I''ve had many machines before it, including the ever popular DeLonghi. This is an amazing machine, but there are a few things to know.

1. All espresso machines, and even some coffee machines, need to be primed. If there is water in the tank, yet it''s not pumping but making noise, chances are you just need to prime it. Turn the steam knob just like in the manual, and if it fails, try again. You only have to do this when you first get the machine, or if you some how let it run dry.

2. The specs list this as not coming with a tamper, that''s only partially correct. It comes with a plastic scoop / tamper combo thang. Before you get too annoyed with it, I recommend ordering "RSVP Terry''s Tamper" (probably advertised on the same page). It''s less than 7 bucks, and the small side fits this machines portafilter perfectly.

3. Some reviewers have knocked this machine because the "Filter keeps getting clogged". Here''s a news flash: All espresso filters will get clogged if your grinder leaves too many fines. You can get pre-ground espresso (I recommend LaVazza InBlu, or Illy), or you can get yourself a good grinder (doesn''t need to be great, as long as it grinds *evenly*). If you accidentally grind too finely, this machine comes with pins to un-clog the filter. You can save a bit of time by just rubbing your thumb over the filter aggressively while running watter over it.

4. Noise. Without a doubt, this is the noisiest espresso machine I''ve ever owned. That said, I just purchased a Kurieg for my wife, and it is noisier and had even more trouble with it''s initial priming. To the Kurieg''s credit, there is no grind to mess with, and the clean up is Zero. :)

Now for the stuff that Hasn''t been mentioned, but if I where Cuisinart, I''d be shouting this from the roof tops...

1. This machine has the most rock solid temperature across shots I''ve ever seen. Nothing else comes close.

2. This machine has integrated pressure relief. It''s not perfect, which is probably why they didn''t mention it, but even Gaggia''s solenoid freaks out from time to time too. Most every other manufacture with this feature charge double this machines cost. It''s a big deal.

3. I''ve been inside DeLonghis, Gaggias, and others, this thing is pretty well built. It also looks pretty nice on the outside, and has a water res that is easy to use, large enough, and above all else, leak free.

4. The steam wand works well. It actually works better than my Gaggia''s (which was 4 *times* as much money), but it is Different, and takes some initial practice.

5. This machine has an auto power down. That''s a Very Nice feature that is often overlooked on less expensive machines, and it''s very handy too.

6. The dosing on this thing actually works. I''ve had a couple other machines that claimed dosing, yet they all seemed pretty random. This one actually works and it works reliably. Before you think this is a feature you can live without, consider this: With non-dosing machines, you need to use a shot glass or some other way of eye-balling when to stop, then put into final glass for mixing. But, with dosing, you can punch up a double shot right into the final cup, and it gets it right. Every Time. How cool is That??? Very Cool!

The only things I wish they did different:

1. I wish the machine was quieter.

2. I wish they had a non-pressurized portafilter basket option.

But, when you compare that to the plus side, it''s a no brainer: Buy This Machine!

Not having to temperature surf, not having gooey cleanup, having a cup warmer that actually works, AUTO POWER DOWN, dosing, etc., all for the price of a used Gaggia? Just click "Add to Cart" already!

I read that another reviewer had trouble with her machine. Hopefully it was the exception and not the rule. It comes with a 3-year warranty, so I figure that I have reasonable protection should anything break.

This is my first espresso machine and I did a lot of shopping and read a ton of reviews before deciding to buy. I was nervous about buying it because there were zero reviews at the time. However, I loved the look, liked the feature set, and believed in the Cuisinart brand. I have had the machine for a week and have used it at least once each day. So far I am extremely pleased.

I had considered the DeLonghi EC155, which gets good ratings and is reasonably priced. However, it requires the operator to guess or measure the volume of espresso. I am terrible at guessing the volumes of liquids, so I liked that this machine has buttons that make a pre-set (or programmable) volume of coffee. It turns out that this is a great feature and really frees me to multi-task. In the mornings, I hit the power button, and by the time I fill the portafilter the machine is ready to brew. I hit the brew button and mix up my meal replacement shake. After the coffee is finished, I hit the steam button and pour the milk for frothing. It takes less than 30 seconds to froth and steam the milk, so I am pleased with its power. I have never run out of steam and was able to make a nice foam with very little practice. I can make my breakfast shake and a cappuccino or latte in under 10 minutes with the above process. Not bad for an amateur.

Overall I am very pleased with the machine and am having a great time with it. I would recommend it based on my experience thus far.

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This unit is nicely put together, with its stainless steel finish. It definitely has a quality feel to it. I had no problem with turning the steam knob, as others have mentioned.

The machine makes excellent espresso, both in semi-automatic and manual modes. Good crema, excellent taste.

Where this machine fall short, though, is in steam volume. It takes a long time to froth the milk, and getting it right is very hit or miss. At first I thought there was more to the art of frothing than I''d assumed, and I kept working on my technique. The best approach, I found, was to include a couple of ice cubes in the milk, to keep the temperature down as the froth built up. Results were barely satisfactory.

I have since discovered that a stronger steam flow is the key to frothing effectively. I''m now using a fully automatic DeLonghi machine that makes excellent espresso and has a far more powerful flow of steam than this Cuisinart (at least the one I had).

If espresso is your thing and you don''t mind the manual grinding, tamping, and brewing, this is a great machine. If frothing milk is part of your favorite drink, I''d suggest looking elsewhere.

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker Here

This machine is amazing! Makes great expresso! I bought this machine to replace a Breville that I was not completely happy with, as it made weak espresso and I needed to turn a knob to brew the correct amount. NOT WITH THIS MACHINE! Push a button and walk away, come back to a single or double shot. The water tank is easy to refill (I use a clean syrup bottle to refill it, instead of removing it). The frothing knob is hard to turn at first, but upon the 3rd or 4th use, it is fine. I do not find the frothing wand to be too low or drippy, after all it swivels over the drip tray, duh!!! Looks great on the counter, large cup warming surface, truly stainless, not painted plastic, like some of the Breville is. A++++++

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I got this machine about a month ago, and have been making two lattés a day since then. The espresso produced by this machine is excellent rich in flavor with a very thick and finely-textured crema. It''s easy to get that with the pressurized portafilter included. I have also had good luck with the frothing attachment, though I did remove the "quick froth" attachment, or whatever that was just using the bare steam nozzle is (for me) easier and produces better foam.

I did have a bit of a freakout when I first tried to use it, though I filled the reservoir and turned it on, and waited, and.... nothing. The pump made a priming noise (it''s kind of loud), but the buttons didn''t stop flashing, which would indicate that it was ready. I turned it off and on several times, and finally in a last-ditch effort, I pushed the "manual" button while it was blinking to see if I could get any water to flow through at all. Success! After a few seconds of pumping, the water finally started flowing. I pushed the button again to turn it off, and shortly after the buttons stopped blinking and everything was fine from then on. A lot of other people seem to have issues with this machine not working straight out of the box, and I wonder if it''s because the pump isn''t priming itself immediately/correctly.

There are, of course, some drawbacks to this machine:

It''s kind of loud

It takes up to 60 seconds to warm up sometimes, and another 45 seconds to switch from espresso mode to frothing mode

The included tamper is worthless (for the record, the portafilter is non-standard, and if you get a new tamper, you should look for a 50mm)

Aside from those, I have no complaints. The coffee is delicious, and much cheaper than the $3 a day I was paying before this machine landed on my counter! At the same time as I purchased this machine, I also purchased a burr grinder and I recommend anyone buying ANY espresso machine do the same. Blade grinders just aren''t consistent enough for espresso.

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KDF 85 Filtration Media for Sulfur

KDF 85 Filtration Media for Sulfur, Iron, Bacteria, Heavy Metals
  • KDF 85 water treatment media also controls scale, bacteria, fungi, and algae.
  • KDF 85 process media can remove up to 99% of water-soluble lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, and more
  • KDF 85 media controls the buildup of bacteria, algae, fungi and scale
  • KDF 85 works great for municipal or well water.

I ordered the KDF85 & 55 together and it came together in the same package, so I will write one review for both products. Years ago I installed a whole house filter using two 20-inch Big Blue pre-filter stages. The first is for the sediment filter and the second stage originally was a carbon block filter. Well anything with carbon, as you know, will get fouled with time. My sediment filter was still working but my carbon block filter had become clogged and started leaking from the sides. So I decided to forego anything with carbon in it. I went ahead and bought an "Empty Refillable Filter Cartridge for 20" Big Blue Housing," also from Amazon; you can do a search and see it for yourself.

I had plan to purchase 5 pounds of both KDF 85 & 55, but I forgot to update my cart and ended up with only one pound of KDF 85. LOL.

I''m glad when you buy a certain poundage of media they always give you a little more than what you ordered.

The packaging is a little disconcerning. Both items together were way over 6 pounds! Yet it was sent in a post office priority box with very little cushioning. The crumbled up brown paper that was to act as shipping cushioning had all been smashed flat by the heavy media. When the box arrived, it had a very large gash on the side of the box. I was really afraid the contents inside were damaged. The only saving grace was that both the media were wrapped in thick bubble wrap. I do wish they had label the bags, the only way I figured it out was KDF85 was a pound and KDF55 was five pounds. If they were the same, I wouldn''t have known. Also be careful of unrolling the media from their bags, one bag didn''t have a ziplock top; I almost spilled it.

Post Script: Keep in mind KDF55 only removes Chlorine and NOT Chloramine. You have to look at your individual city water report to see if your city adds Chloramine to your water supply. Chloramine is like the ugly step-sister of Chlorine. Unfortunately, my city does add Chloramine. In order to remove Chloramine, you would have to buy media with coconut or walnut shells in it, I believe (don''t quote me on that though).

Capresso SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker Save $0.04 Off

Capresso SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee MakerI do considerable research before purchasing a product as important to me as a coffee maker. And I''m not going to use this review to berate any coffee maker I''ve researched or owned. I can humbly state that the product information on the Capresso SG120 speaks for itself. There were no reviews on this new model so I bought this trusting the reviews of other models on the Jura-Capresso website. This company only manufacturers and markets coffee makers and related accessories. The SG120 simply brews great HOT coffee. My use of purified water, natural filters, and freshly ground premium coffee beans optimizes the drink I begin every day with. I am completely satisified with this coffee maker.

My coffee pot gets used every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. I have had many different coffee makers over the years: Cuisinart, Krups, Mr. Coffee. I loved my Cuisinart, but recently they started making a much lower quality product. My most recent Cuisinart just died and I was planning to replace it with the same model, but read about that model catching fire and the multiple consumer complaints that were out there about it. So I went on a hunt for a new coffee maker. I was hesitant to buy this because both on Amazon and on another online retailer there were no reviews written yet. But I went ahead thinking it would be better to have a coffee maker that made mediocre coffee than one that caught fire. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised!! I''ve had this product about 1 week and so far I love it. The coffee is delicious, flavorful, hot and just the right strength (other manufacturers produce a watered-down coffee). And it looks really nice and sleek. It''s actually real stainless steel like Cuisinart used to be before they started using a stainless colored plastic! I am very pleased with my purchase and I highly recommend it!

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After having 2 keurigs malfunction on me in 3 years I decided to purchase a standard drip machine. I''m the only coffee drinker in my home so I need a reliable machine that can make a quality cup in smaller doses. In that regard the Capresso delivers. I was concerned about the temperature as I only brew a couple of cups at a time, but even after adding milk straight out the fridge the Capresso delivers a piping hot cup thanks to its Aroma feature which slows down the brewing process. As expected from the Jura/Capresso reputation, the coffee tastes excellent. While I enjoyed my k-cup machines they don''t quite compare to grinding fresh beans, albeit this method requires a little extra effort in the morning.

This is not a high-end coffee maker but the build quality is great. It''s stainless steel body feels well constructed and is likely the best you''ll find in this price range. It''s clear that Capresso made a few concessions to keep the price down. There''s no coffee scoop or filter holder included as found in some other machines. The manufacturers packaging is minimal but sufficient. Also, some machines in this price range have a timer/auto-off feature for the warming plate, the Capresso has a two hour setting and nothing more. On the plus side; the lid closes snugly and clicks into place which is a thoughtful design feature and the shower head saturates the grounds evenly for a nice balanced cup. The water reservoir however has a narrow opening which makes pouring from the carafe delicate. I personally don''t use the carafe to fill the coffee maker but this may be an issue for others.

When the pot is finished brewing you''re alerted by 3 un-obnoxious beeps and the power indicator goes from red to green, another feature I''m fond of. For my uses and needs this machine is nearly perfect. I can brew 2 delicious hot cups with little fuss. If this machine lasts a couple of years I''ll be thrilled. So far after the first few uses I am thoroughly impressed. I''m happy I chose this model over some big name competitors. I believe this machine is one of the newer ones on the market but in the sub $100 price range this should be on your short list of coffee makers. I''m also in the market for a new grinder, I''ll look to the Capresso brand for that as well.

Read Best Reviews of Capresso SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker Here

I''ve had this coffee maker for a week and so far I really like it. It is stylish and looks great on my countertop. I love the markings on the carafe showing how much water to put in to get a certain amount of cups of brewed coffee (depending somewhat on how finely the coffee is ground). The indicators on the inside of the water reservoir are easy to see. It brews my usual four cups in record time (which nets me two mugs of coffee). I tried the Aroma setting but it made the coffee a little too bitter for my taste. The regular setting makes a smooth, excellent cup of coffee. One downside for me is the three VERY loud beeps to signal it is done brewing. Noise bothers me, especially when I first wake up! It is taller than my previous coffee maker so when I open the lid to let the water reservoir dry out, the lid won''t stay open unless I pull it out from under the upper cabinet. But that is a minor inconvenience I have to pull it out to fill it anyway. I would highly recommend this coffee maker.

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This coffee maker is replacing a Kcup machine. It just became too expensive, and I have to say I''ve never been impressed with any of the coffees or happy about the coupon games. I was a little worried about this purchase, with so few reviews. But, every product has to start somewhere. I will start with it is a nice looking machine. Clean appearance and a minimal footprint. The operation of this maker is simple, 6 buttons each has only one function so there aren''t any of those mystery buttons you have to tap two times or hold for three seconds to change a setting. The only potential issue is with the button arrangement. The Auto button is next to the Hour button. So, if you are careless or clumsy, you could accidentally change the clock hour when you are selecting the auto-brew function. The buttons are actually nicely sized. The coffee definitely brews hot. There are 3 beeps when the coffee is ready, 5 beeps when the two hour timer is turning the warmer plate off. All of the parts fit together well, even the lid has a sturdy feel when it is snapped closed. Very happy with this purchase.

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