Ettore 61054 Wipe and Dry 18-Inch Floor Squeegee

This item is for residential light usage. The Handle is aluminum and is not wood as the descriptions states. The squeegee and the stick is held together by a twisting a plastic piece from the stick into the squeegee. It looks and feels flimsy. I would recommend paying a little more and go with a squeegee with a wooden handle that is tapered and held into the slot by a screw and a actual bolt that can hold the handle nice and secure. This isn''t it.

For the plastic part inside base. It is where the handle screws in to this plastic receptor inside the metal housing on the squeegee part. It just is made of cheap plastic and breaks easily. The squeegee works fantastically well however.

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Aqua-Pure AP117 Premium Chlorine Filter

• Micron Rating - 5 Micron Nominal
• Flow Rate - 3 Gallons per minute
• Specially Formulated High-Absorption Activated Carbon
• Triple Action for Dirt, Rust, Chlorine Taste and Odor
• Chlorine Reduction Rated for 10,000 Gallons (37,854 L)

This is, in my opinion, one of the finest basic chlorine filters and screens on the residential market. I have used Aqua-Pure filters (Both Models# AP110 and AP117) for well over 22 years in our 63 year old house. 3M Company now owns the Aqua-Pure (a.k.a "Cuno") brand and appears to be continuing to manufacture these filters with the same commitment to quality and reliability as before. I use an Aqua-Pure AP110 basic sediment pre-filter mated to the Aqua-Pure AP117 Chlorine Filter under our kitchen sink to provide filtered drinking water. Although the manufacturer recommends replacing both filters every 3 months, I have found that if you are using this simply to provide non-chlorinated drinking water in one location of your house or apartment, you can easily expect to get 2-3 years before you begin to detect chlorine. This is assuming that you are on a municipal water system, such as Aqua America as we are.

Suggestion #2: When you install the new cartridges, be sure to properly clean both canister housings using hot soapy water and then rinsing, especially if you notice algae (green sediment or slime) on the inside walls of each canister-This is no cause for alarm and caused by light entering the canisters. Note: If your canister housings are colored or tinted, you should not have any algae on your filters.

Suggestion #3: When replacing the canister(s), you must also lubricate the rubber "o" rings or gaskets again, using some petroleum jelly or silicone grease before you replace the canister housing(s) back to your unit-if not it may leak.

The results? Great tasting, clean water for pennies!

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I can not believe that this filter was nowhere to be found in my area,thanks to Amazon I did find several sellers with this filter.The AP117 premium filter is a very good filter,i have been useing this brand for many years,it doe''s deliever what it says, for clean clear filtered water,a great product,i have checked the major stores in my area,they all seem to sell the cheaper filters,thanks to Amazon and it''s sellers these products seem to be the only place where you can find the better quality filters,a good price, and very good shipping,no damage,on time delivery,you just can''t beat that for service.

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Same filter is almost double the price at most hardward stores

product is identical

have a few customers with this product and each year I order on line

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The item arrived quickly, was very easy to install and fit right into our water filtration system. Water tastes great!

They seem to be original and will change to my filter in few days but my prior experience from other local dealers for the item worked good.

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

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

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

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

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I love it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Best Reviews of Easy-Off Oven Cleaner - Fume Free Oven Cleaner Here

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Space-gard And Aprilaire #4277 Aprilaire Water Distribution Tray Save 74% Off

This stray was exactly like the old one it replaced. I ordered it because the sand-like coating had mostly worn off the one that came with my humidifier. When this one arrived, I was surprised to see that it has a different kind of coating. It is hard to describe. It is kind of like a thin, vinyl material. I assume Aprilaire changed the coating. Either that, or this product isn''t made by Aprilaire.

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4.0 Gallon (3.2 Draw-down) Reverse Osmosis RO Water Storage Tank Save 50% Off

• Metal Bladder Tank 3.2 Gallon (NSF approved) - Provided by 123filter.com
• Stainless Steel Connector 1/4"NPT
• Made from FDA listed, food grade materials
• Special designed for RO application
• Discharge efficiently in a vertical or horizontal position

This tank is perfect replacement for my watts premier unit. The old one lated 10 years and finally developed an air leak in the diaphragm liner. The result of that was that the whole tank eventually filled with water (that is why the faucet kept releasing air for quite a while). When I replaced it with this tank it was really great to get a good 2.5 gallons of filtered water whenever I needed it. Saved me from buying a whole new setup. Easy to install in 5-10 min.

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I am very happy to have purchase this water storage tank to replace the old one.

The delivery is quick and upon receipt of this item I installed and replace the old one immediately. Now the water is running fast and good enough for the water supply for the whole family consumption. No more wasting time to collect water as with the old tank.

Thanks to the Amazon

Read Best Reviews of 4.0 Gallon (3.2 Draw-down) Reverse Osmosis RO Water Storage Tank Here

The tank itself is exactly what was ordered. It replaces the same tank that failed a few months back.

The only problem was the tank arrived in the box with the box damaged and tank dented. This does not seem to affect operation but is disappointing when ordering a new part. Box was left at the door so I have no way to reject it.

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Purchased this product to replace the one that came with my RO system and it works great. It was an easy and quick install and it holds it''s pressure better than the one that came with our EcoWater System.

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We seem to have the bladders on our tanks fail every couple of years or so. This one gives us slightly more capacity than the last one, but still fits under the sink and behind the disposal.

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Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker Save 16% Off

Every family in Italy owns one of these machines. Here are a few tips:

1. In Italy this is NOT called an espresso machine, but a Moka machine. An espresso is what you would drink in bar made with a steam or high pressure machine with the crema on top.

2. Smaller size Moka machine tend to make better coffee.

3. Never wash the Moka with detergents, just rinse it under tap water

4. You''ve gotta use it often for a good coffee.

5. If you haven''t use it in a while, make a weak coffee ("lungo") and discard

6. DO NOT put the MOka in the dishwasher.

7. Use drinking water. Avoid tap water especially if very chlorinated

8. Never compress the coffee.

9. For a strong coffee fill the filter with ground coffee and make a small cupola that slightly protrudes beyond the rim. Do not press down.

10. For best coffee, heat at very low heat. It''s ok if it takes 10min.

11. As soon as coffee reaches the top, remove from heat

12. Do not let the coffee boil

13. Use good quality coffee, not too strong, medium grind (try Illy for a good commercial brand)

14. Sip while still hot, enjoy!

15. (Added Nov 2012) Wait until all the water has reached the upper chamber before removing from the heat. You will be able to tell by the sound (takes some practice) or simply visually. As soon as no more coffee reaches the upper chamber remove from heat. Do note let the coffee boil. With practice, you may remove from the heat even sooner, by just using the residual heat in the lower chamber.

16. (Added Nov 2012) Some times you may put too much coffee, or the coffee is too finely ground, or it''s been packed too hard. In all of these situations, the end results is typically that the coffee struggles reaching the upper chamber. You can tell by the spouting noise occurring too early, the foam occurring too early, and how slow the whole process is. You can try increasing the heat if that helps. However, you will likely end up with a coffee that is too bitter and tastes burned. Back in the old days, this was dangerous business with many machines exploding (they had no safety valves). Regardless, your coffee is ruined and I would suggest removing it frmo the heat immediately, let it coold down and starts all over.

17. (Added Nov 2012) What kind of coffee should I use? Experiment, experiment, experiment! Here are some tips I have learned by experimenting. Until you become confortable with the operations of the machine, you can use a good commercial brand like Illy (although it''s quite expensive). I wouldn''t want you to blame the machine, just because you happened to use a bad coffee. Then start trying different varieties from different roasters. If there are independent roasters near you, why not giving them a try? I haven''t had good experience with roasts marketed towards Espresso machines (I find the roast too excessive). Try to buy whole beans and grind them yourself. I find the cheap and popular brands pretty bad for Mokas, even if they happen to make good American style brews. I have had pretty good luck with small roasters and Colombian varieties (or Costa Rican). I have also had outstanding African coffees (Ethiopian). Unfortunately, I found they are seldom consistent.

About 12 years ago I was in Milan, and a friend gave me one of these to take home. I have used it nearly every day since (I don''t take it out of town), so that should give you an idea of how sturdy it is. It is the best coffee maker I have ever owned. To compare, I also have a high-tech espresso machine with frother; a state-of-the-art automatic drip coffeemaker; a French Press; and a different style of stovetop maker, which, surprisingly, makes a different brew. But I ALWAYS go back to my Bialetti Moka 6-cup for the best espresso and lattes. You even will get a crema effect with this simple pot. For lattes, I simply fill half a coffee mug with milk, heat it in the microwave until it''s hot, and then top it off with espresso. It''s low-maintenance -every once in a while I replace the internal rubber gasket, which costs a buck or so, depending upon where you buy it. If you like your coffee like the Italians and the Cubans, then you will like the brew this serves. I am loyal to this simple little pot, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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Works great on the stovetop, works great when you''re CAMPING..!!! No plugs, no cords, no nonsense -fill the lower half with water to the indicated mark, put your grounds in the upper basket, join the two halves, wait for it to gurgle and you have EXCEPTIONALLY DELICIOUS espresso the way it ought to be made.

The device is simple and beautifully made. I''d recommend the six-cup version, the smaller versions just don''t make very much espresso -I mean, get the six-cup version if there are two of you, since that will make an adequate amount.

Really a brilliant product. I wish that everything was so well-designed and robust. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker Here

***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***DO NOT OVERHEAT!***

There. I''ve done my good deed, and passed along the warning for the next person. Reading the translated-to-English directions, it''s easy to miss this important cautionary note. In fact, it''s not even IN the directions. It''s written on the side of the box.

But fortunately, before my Moka Express ever arrived, I read another reviewer''s cautionary note about avoiding HIGH heat (which can destroy the rubber gasket), so I didn''t have any problem from the get-go.

And speaking of ''get-go'' here''s the deal. The FIRST time out (actually the second time, because the directions recommend that you dispose of the first batch), I had THE *BEST* ESPRESSO I EVER HAD. PERIOD. BAR NONE.

Using some Columbian coffee (that a friend had actually hand-carried from Columbia a few weeks ago), and setting my smallest burner (it''s a ceramic-top stove) to just under "5" (10 being the hottest), the espresso that came out of this coffeemaker was INCREDIBLY smooth, and totally without the bitter taste that it can sometimes have.

If this is the result after using it ONCE, I''m looking forward to seeing how good it gets after I''ve had a chance to figure out the best combination of type of coffee/amount to use/fineness of grind/etc.

Also, for the price, it absolutely cannot be beat. The full pot yielded about six double-shots, so after just one use, it''s almost half paid for!

I''m going to be drinking a lot more espresso. And cappuccino. And cafe-au-lait.

Oh well. Who needs sleep? It''s overrated anyway! ;-)

-Jonathan Sabin

UPDATE... We put it in the dishwasher today.

DON''T make this mistake!

When we pulled it out at the end of the cycle, the shiny aluminum exterior had turned into a pretty ugly, uneven, dull finish. I''m sure it''ll still work just fine, but it sure doesn''t look as nice as it did before.

(ONE other review, among the 48 thusfar, mentions the dishwasher issue, but doesn''t say why.)

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE... It''s taken about 3 months, but a BUNCH of hand-cleaning has finally reverted our Bialetti to its former shiny state! It''s STILL making the best espresso/cappucino I''ve ever had!

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My wife and I have been spending a pretty penny at the local coffee shop, so I began looking for inexpensive home alternatives. Most of the coffee snobs claim you have to purchase a $200+ machine and $150+ grinder to have a decent cup of espresso. I turned instead to the frugal Italians. They did invent the stuff, afterall. My Bialetti Moka Express coffee pot came this afternoon. I was a little concerned that a $20 pot might not meet the high standards of the gourmet beverages wifey and I have become accustomed to. I was wrong. The brew made by this ingenious little pot is a little weaker than "pumped" espresso and lacks the foamy cap (crema) that all the snobs rave about, but mixed with some hot, frothed milk and a bit of chocolate syrup I couldn''t tell the difference between Bialetti and Seattle''s Best.

This rich brew comes from a tiny little aluminum contraption with no moving parts, no electronic gizmos, no pump handle and virtually no wait time or clean-up. You just fill, brew and pour. It''s that simple. Its base only covers half of the stovetop''s smallest eye and I expect it will be easy to store due to its diminuitive size. I''ve already had three cups of homemade mocha today, and I''ve only had the pot since noon! *jitter jitter* The point is this: If you''re a coffee lover who is bored with Folgers from a Mr. Coffee drip machine or is spending way too much at Starbucks, the Moka pot is an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative with excellent results.

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Black & Decker CM1050B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

I bought this coffee maker when our Mr. Coffee maker quit working after 6 months. I was very skeptical to purchase another "simple" coffee maker and did a lot of research on more expensive options. Ultimately, I purchased this maker because I needed my morning coffee and was willing to invest in a cheaper model while I finished my research on my "dream" coffee maker. We''ve been using this maker for about 2 weeks and I am very impressed! We make one pot of coffee each day and the sneak-a-cup feature works perfectly.... no leaks whatsoever! My husband used to dribble coffee all over the counter with the previous maker, but this one hasn''t leaked during pouring at all! I also love the shower style water spout. Other makers I''ve owned had a movable spout that seemed to always be in the way. It brews coffee quickly and the flavor is quite good too! It''s simple to program and the 2 hour auto shutoff is the ideal timeframe for our family. Plus, it keeps the coffee hot enough for the full 2 hours so that, even with cream added, the temperature is perfect for drinking.

I''ve postponed my search for a more expensive maker because this little dream machine is already meeting my needs! Thank you Black and Decker for making a simple and functional coffee maker!!!

UPDATE: 4 months later. I STILL love it! After a daily pot of coffee for 4 months straight, this coffee maker is still working perfectly. Just as new! Buy this and you won''t be disappointed.

My old coffee maker broke and I went looking for a new one, I had a $60 limit. I was reading reviews of coffee makers and one reviewer said something like, "hot water poured over grounds, why spend a fortune"? I realized the reviewer was right; that really is all there is to drip coffee makers. This pot serves HOT coffee but no scalded taste and keeps the coffee hot on the warmer. I did notice the coffee was not as hot after the first cup but it''s still on the hot side of warm. Read the instructions to set up the auto maker function, it''s not intuitive. The water pours in easily on either side of the grounds basket. For me if there is one negative thing it''s that when you poor the water in you must pull the unit out from under the overhead cabinets, the water reservoir lid in the up position won''t fit under the cabinet. It''s cheaper at Wal-Mart.

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After having 2 expensive Cuisinart DCC-1200 coffee makers die, I needed a replacement. I found this one locally for an amazingly low price. The unit is smaller than the Cuisinart, and easier to use. It is easy to fill with water and coffee. Even though it is not shown as a feature, it does have an automatic shut off after 2 hours. It does have a clock and programmable timer so you can wake to brewed coffee. There is no audible alert to tell you the coffee is brewed, or shutting off, but that really seemed unnecessary anyway. It''s pretty easy to tell when it stops brewing.

As for the quality of the brewed coffee, so far so good. I do think that the Cuisinart was a little better, but it may be too soon to really say, it has only been used for 2 pots of coffee so far.

Others seem to complain about the pot dripping when pouring, this is NOT true, this thing doesn''t spill a drop. It is actually better in this regard than the Cuisinart that it replaced. So unless you are a gorilla, I can''t see how you will have a problem. Really, it has maybe half a drop at most left on the spout. You can tap it into the cup if you like, or just leave it, it is not even enough to drip. There are many reviews on Amazon for this and the essentially identical similar models complaining about how horrible it drips, and how their whole counter if filled with coffee. Either they are gorillas, or they are simply writing negative reviews for some reason. It absolutely lives up to the drip free claims, it works, and works well.

I can''t speak for the long term reliability of the product as I just got it last night and made coffee with it the first time this morning. However, while it would be a major inconvenience if it died, I could buy 8 or 9 of them for the cost of the Cuisinart! It cost less than the "free" warranty replacement from Cuisinart would have.

The nearly identical DLX1050B was rated a best buy by a major consumer ratings magazine.

Some of the few negatives:

1. It didn''t come with a permanent "gold" filter. This was pretty minor and I picked up one at the store the same time I bought the coffee maker for less than $5. There are several available on Amazon. Just choose the basket type, not the cone/Mellita style.

2. No back up power for the clock at all. If the lights blink, even briefly the clock will reset. The Cuisinart would withstand outages of at least a few seconds which covered the occasional light blink during a storm. The best was my old Braun that would work for almost half an hour without power, but sadly Braun doesn''t have coffee makers anymore it seems otherwise I would buy it instantly.

3. No adjustments for brew strength, pot warmer temperature, or option for 4 cups or less, or turn off time. None of these seem a big problem, on coffee makers that had these features I left them at the nominal setting anyway. The small pot brew option I did use a few times, but I also expect that it will brew a small pot just fine without that option.

4. No water filter. For me this was of no value as I use filtered water to fill the coffee maker anyway. If you use only tap water this could be a bigger deal though. Keep in mind though that the coffee makers that do have filters have fairly small, expensive filters that will need to be replaced. An external filter is probably cheaper in the long run, and you can use if for more than just coffee. The filter is also a source of failure as well. The Cuisinart had a filter, and even though I filled the coffee maker with water from an Reverse Osmosis filter, the filter ended up getting clogged with coffee grounds from the times that it overflowed from the brew basket into the water compartment and needed replacement. I will note too that there is much more space between the brew compartment and the water reservoir so even if the brew compartment did overflow it is less likely to fill the reservoir with coffee grounds.

5. After only 2 pots it is soon to tell, but I do think that the Cuisinart coffee tasted a little better.

6. The appearance is fine to myself and my wife. This unit is a glossy black plastic with a some shiny silver trim. It is also available in white. To us, this looks just fine, certainly not something to be ashamed of in any way. However the Cuisinart was available in a Stainless look and a Black Chrome look. I actually had one of each color. When clean they were attractive, but both, especially the Black Chrome showed every finger print, even spot of water, anything, so in real use it didn''t look good all the time. I expect that the glossy plastic will show finger prints and smudges as well, but nothing like the Black Chrome of the Cuisinart. While it may not look nearly as attractive, textured plastic solves all of these issues, but most coffee makers tend to be shiny.

Also be aware that there are several near identical models. You may prefer them, have better availability, or at least be able to read more reviews. It would be nice if Amazon would let you link reviews for similar products. Anyway here are links to help:

* The same device in White color: Black & Decker CM1050W 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, White

* A nearly identical model: Black & Decker DLX1050B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, Black

Again, this appears to be a great value. It''s not necessarily the best coffee maker, but for the price that I was able to get it for locally it is an amazing value. Even if you just need a coffee maker to replace a failed one while considering what else to buy this could fill the bill. A few trips to Starbucks saved would easily pay this off.

UPDATE January 21, 2013: This is just an update to say that this coffee maker is still going strong. It basically still works like new. The carafe has some discoloration/stuff around the metal band from repeated dishwasher washes, but otherwise mostly still looks OK too. As for dripping, still not a problem. Once or twice over the year a few drops, literally a few drops fell from the brew section onto the carafe heater when removing the carafe. Really this is far less of a problem than on the Cuisinart it replaced, meaning it simply isn''t a problem.

This coffee maker has been in service now for about 13 months. Most days it makes at least one pot of coffee, and on weekends occasionally 2 or more pots a day. It has outlasted the second Cuisinart by something around 5 months, and near what the first Cuisinart lasted. As I said it is still going strong with no signs of problems. Again, it only cost a fraction of what the Cuisinart cost, so if it died today it would have been a tremendous value. After over a year of use my wife and I are still happy, still comment on how it outlasted the very expensive Cuisinart, and would likely buy it all over again. I can still continue to recommend it without any reservation. While it perhaps may not be the absolute best coffee maker, it is absolutely a tremendous value.

Read Best Reviews of Black & Decker CM1050B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Here

I got this last month to replace my old coffee maker. Between a vacation and me being the only coffee drinker in the house, it had been used less than half a dozen times. When I poured water in it this morning, it all came gushing out the bottom of the base (all over the counter, the floor, and my robe!). I had to quickly unplug it and let it drain over the sink. Obviously, it was still under warranty, so I called the customer service line. It turns out I have to pay about half of its value just to have a new one shipped to me. I''m not happy at all!

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Excellent coffee maker. It''s simple to use and it makes fresh, delicious coffee every time. It is also designed so that it is as drip free as possible. This coffee maker stays cleans for a very long time before you have to wipe it down. 2 Thumbs up.....a great machine, and great for the price as well.

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Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine

I have owned this machine for three years and have never regretted it. Ok, I regretted it a little when I had to get it repaired once, but it is a straightforward and simple machine, with a double boiler so you don''t have to switch temperatures between making espresso and steaming milk.

I''ve owned this machine for over a year now and it has been a workhorse. There are days that I pull 3 triple shots (using a triple basket and bottomless portafilter) a day just for me. Then there are days where I have company over and can quickly make lattes, mochas, and americanos for my guests in very little time. I use this with a Nuova Simonelli MDX grinder (flat burr). I''ve owned cheap machines in the past with single boilers and pressurized portafilter baskets, but this thing blows them away. If you are looking for an e61 HX machine on a budget, look no further.

My routine is this:

pull 4-5 ounces of water as a flush, but also to heat my two 2.5 ounce shot glasses.

dry the portafilter (i use a triple basket)

grind 18-21 grams of coffee into portafilter, distribute (north, south, east, west), tamp ~ 30 lbs

insert portafilter and pull 2.5-3 oz shot, stopping the pull when "blonding" starts, around 35 40 seconds (22-30 for a double shot).

I would recommend getting a different steam tip. I found both a 3-hole and a 4-hole tip from another site, Chris''s Coffee. The 3-hole is a nice improvement where I can go from about 60-seconds to steam ~ 8 oz of milk, down to about 35 seconds. The 4-hole tip is even quicker, though it takes much more practice to get latte art quality microfoam. Using the 4-hole tip, I can steam 8 oz of milk in around 20 seconds and the steam power is amazing. The problem with the original single-hole tip, is that it restricts the steam too much in my opinion. It makes it easy to make great foam, but it takes too long.

Overall, this is a great machine. It is built like a tank and the programmable buttons are a nice feature. I really like the auto backflush clean cycle that it has. Eventually, I''ll probably have to send it to a shop to get descaled, but that is the case with an HX machine, from what I''ve read. Anytime you are repeatedly heating water, it''s going to require a descale at some point. I have a whole-home water softener and RO water at the tap, but I still use the included filter / softener in the water tank to cut down on the scale.

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I have owned this machine for 8 years and for 6 it was working. Overall this is a good machine. It is not a easy machine to repair with its enclosed design. It is very good for what it was designed for: fitting a small area and keeping the cups warm for use. Its greatest feature for our family and office use has been ease of use and the ''quad'' espressos. The largest issues are fluctuations in heat at the group head resulting in variations in quality of the brew. (The ''heat'' eventually will fry the nice push button controls.) Getting repairs are expensive and hard to get in some areas.

Learn as much as you can about the machine and how it operates and clean and flush it regularly (the manual and paperwork it comes with is worthless). Replace the cheap plastic water container (the least they could have done was include a stainless container over the plastic) with a direct plumbing line and filter will save a lot of grief. The container will run out of water more often than you think, so check and fill often. The grind is very important in this machine, too fine and you''ll have a long day of cleaning it for their is a second area behind ''the group'' that will retain the powdered nectar and clog a secondary screen. If unaware, you will be buying new pumps and relays and such.

The baseline question to ask is the convenience and ease of use for this time (5-6 years) worth 1200 dollars to you? If it is, Is the 700 dollar repair also worth continuing down the road with the unit (you will grow to either love or hate) at that 6 year mark? If this is your office machine, it probably is, but if it is for home use, you may want to consider the above.

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Air-O-Swiss AOS 7531 Demineralization Cartridge Save 15% Off

Do not pay more for to replace the full cartridge every time. One comes with your Air-O-Swiss (AOS), buy 1 more CARTRIDGE here and you are set. AOS sells demineralization GRANULES without the cartridge. Once you have two CARTRIDGES, just buy the GRANULES. It cuts down on plastic waste and will save you a ton on the refills. This is something AOS condones and it does not void your machine''s warranty.

Every 2-3 months (depending on use), you remove the cartridge, take the top off (it should unscrew), and pour used granules in the trash. Follow the instructions that AOS provides to refill the new granules (its very straightforward).

I always have 1 spare cartridge on hand because you must soak the newly refilled cartridge for 24 hours. If you are fine going a day without your humidifier every 2-3 months then you just need the one cartridge that comes with your AOS.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review, and I hope you found it helpful in making a purchase decision.

Buy this item and not the beads separate. It is almost impossible to pack the beads yourself,

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This product works very well. It is much needed if you have hard water. To spend a pretty hefty price on the humidifier and then not use the support product would not be wise.

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I am extremely happy with the Air-O-Swiss humidifer. It is easy to clean, humidifies well and the water demineralization filter is a big plus. I''ve seen no signs of white mineral dust I have seen with other humidifiers. I haven''t used it for it''s projected 3 month life span yet, but so far so good after 3 weeks.

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We considered using RO filtered water or even distilled water, but this turns out to be by far the easiest and most economical way to purify the water we''re using in our Air-o-Swiss humidifier (which we just love!). The original one that came with the humidifier lasted a lot longer than we expected two months of nightly use so we''re glad we didn''t choose to lug a bunch of water jugs of distilled water. We just fill up the tank once every two nights at the faucet and we''re set. We haven''t see any issues with white dust from the minerals in the water, and we have hard city water.

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System Clean Furniture Polish

• Spray wax on, wipe dirt off. No waiting, no rubbing.
• Leaves a clean hard wax finish
• 12 - 19 oz. Aerosol Cans per Case
• For woodwork, Formica, leather, vinyl, brass, chrome, stainless steel, tile, marble, appliances, even glass.
• Ships in 24 hours - no waiting

I love this furniture polish/cleaner/stainless steel polish!! I buy cases of these for my cleaning business & love the way it''s a multi-purpose item. It not only removes dust, but also cleans the furniture but doesn''t leave a waxy/greasy film. It makes wood shine! I also use it on my clients stainless steel appliances, it takes finger prints off easily & prevents new ones. It makes furniture & appliances look brand new again! Very valuable to me and saves me money not having to buy furniture polish & stainless steel polish/cleaner separately. Highly recommend!

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Big Berkey w/ 4 Black Berkey Elements Save 6% Off

• Storage Capacity = 2.25 Gallons
• Height = 19.25" ; Diameter = 8.5"
• 4 Black Berkey Filters Purify 7 Gallons / Hour!
• 4 Black Berkeys will filter 12,000 Gallons!
• Made of High Grade 304 Stainless Steel

I was looking for a purifier that would take the nasty taste from our water but leave the minerals. This arrived quickly and undamaged. It was pretty easy to set up (I did watch youtube quick videos on the set up just to be sure I did it right). The spout leaked after the first batch but it was due to my not tightening it enough (used brother for more muscle). You''re supposed to toss out the first batch so you don''t get any machine taste so I did but I tasted it first just to see, it actually tasted good but I dumped anyway. I''ve made several gallons since getting it and am very pleased with the taste. This is going to save us money and effort (toting home gallon jugs from the store) in the long run and should pay for itself fairly quickly. It looked small but actually has ample capacity for our family of 3.

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I bought the Black Berkey with the intent of using it during a Grid Down scenario so I wanted something that would really do a great job. I''m glad I tested it before having to use it in an emergency situation.

The container is very nice and seemed to be well made, but the black Berkey filters are a different story. I was really disappointed with the filters. While the filters did filter a lot of the red food coloring out. There was still a very pale color that got through meaning you would still have to treat the water. For the price of the Berkey I decided that it was kind of high for something to just filter debris out of the water and then still have to treat it. You can make your own filter much cheaper. Just check out the YouTube videos to find the info.

So I returned the Berkey and filers. Amazon processed the return in a very timely manner and credited my money back promptly. Thank you Amazon!

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KRUPS KM4065, 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Save 24% Off

Krups KM4065 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffeemaker

This review is for the Krups KM 4065 coffeemaker. I believe this is the first of a new line of coffeemakers designed Bjorn Dahlstrom. At the moment, this coffeemaker is not on the Krups website and there is little information available on the web. I''ve only had it for a couple of days so here are my initial thoughts.

Pros:

1. Looks fantastic

2. Seems reasonably well built and the top door opens and closes smoothly

3. This has a different water gauge from the FM series and it works well and is easy to read (no bubbles).

4. I''ve filled the reservoir from both a Brita pitcher and from the included carafe without spillage. (That said the fill area is at the back near the door hinge)

5. Uses #4 Filters

6. Makes a great cup of coffee

7. The included carafe pours well

Cons:

1. Pricey for a unit without a thermal carafe

2. Programming is non-intuitive and a little frustrating

3. Manual could be a lot better

4. Like most stainless steel appliances, fingerprints may be an issue if you are not careful

5. Durability of main button to open top lid remains to be determined

6. Carafe seems a little light and the cover flimsy

Overall, I am very pleased with this beautiful coffeemaker. It looks like the design changes have addressed the water gauge issue with the FM series and so far I''ve had no leaks. The carafe works well so coffee spillage is not a problem and most importantly my initial experience is that this machine makes good coffee.

I have deducted one star due to the fact I''ve only had it 2 days and can''t attest to the long-term durability of the unit and it is a little pricey compared to competing units.

First disclosure, we take our coffee very seriously. Our household has two professionals with different work schedules that run all seven days of the week. We grind our imported coffee right before use and like our coffee strong, not bitter. A limitation we have is that the counter that is available for a coffee maker only has 15inches of clearance. The coffee maker we replaced is the KitchenAid KCM5340B which did not hold enough coffee for our taste due to a flat bottom filter. This Krups unit is the first coffee maker we found that is less than 15inches high but still offers a #4 cone coffee filter and 12-cup capacity. With regular and strong coffee settings able to be programmed into two auto brew settings; this coffeemaker meets the needs of our household that can average 6hrs between two coffee times needed daily.

Operations is smooth, coffee filter easily holds 12 scoops of coffee without grounds overflowing (The KitchenAid had grounds overflowing into the coffee with just 10 scoops for a 14cup pot.)into the coffee. Strong coffee setting makes excellent coffee without a bitter after taste. Coffee temperature is excellent with no bitterness after 2-3hours on the warmer. We are very happy with this product.

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I got this coffeemaker from Wms Sonoma, who JUST started carrying it. I was excited b/c I like Krups machines and I wanted a glass carafe so I can see how much coffee I have left! My (fairly new) Cuisinart coffee pot recently fried itself, so I am avoiding those out of retaliation (I loved that one and am so mad it died!).

Here is what I discovered with this coffee maker...it looks very cool indeed. I like the buttons and display. The "aroma" button can be used to adjust for brewing a smaller pot (1/2 pot or less). The coffee I brewed was pretty strong, using the recommended number of scoops. I had to run about 3 cycles of water through it before using it to get rid of the plastic/electrical smell inside of the pot. (Ew.)

Here is the major drawback about this otherwise cool product...it is LOUD! And I mean L-O-U-D loud! I kept thinking it was going to blow flames out of the bottom and take off like a rocket. So, even though it had all of the features I was looking for in a coffeemaker, I am returning it. My kitchen is already so loud and chaotic in the morning with small kids running around and yapping, that there is no way I can take this kind of noise...I will lose my mind!

But, hey, if you don''t mind excessively loud slurpy brewing sounds (and robust steam-release sounds) then you should give it a try. This machine''s noises may not bother everyone...or maybe mine was excessive...but I just thought some readers out there might like to know.

Happy brewing!

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I have only had this unit for a couple of days but my initial usage has been very favorable. I have traditionally liked Krups coffee makers but always thought that the FM series was pretty lame. This is a definite upgrade. I agree with the previous reviewer in that the unit looks great and is well built. The water gauge is under the lid and looks like an LED meter, I like it. However I did not find the programming difficult at all and I also like the "dual start times" for auto brewing. One for the week and another for the weekend (if you get up later on the weekend)

Yes, it does make a nice pot of coffee

What I''m ambivalent about is the lid to open the top of the unit (to pour in the water and the coffee). It opens slowly and automatically when you push the "open" button and is kind of cool but...my fear is that this could present a long term issue, but right now this is just a worry. I also would prefer if the lid to the carafe was removable for cleaning, it''s hinged to the carafe. But this is a minor complaint.

I am very pleased with the coffeemaker. It really is a nice design, looks great and makes first rate coffee. I give it five stars so far, if things change I''ll ammend my review.

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My Krups ProAroma made it''s last cup of coffee with a big gurgle and sigh. Not a pretty picture for anyone who has dealt with me before my first cup of coffee in the morning.

I knew I wanted another Krups, and this new beauty caught my eye. But would it live up to my demanding coffee-maker standards?

This is a fantastic machine! Not only is it beautiful, but it makes the best coffee I have ever had at home, and possibly anywhere else. Since all drip machines basically do the same thing, heat water and drop it over your coffee, perhaps it''s the water delivery system that makes it so smooth tasting.

Someone said it''s very noisy...it is not.

Someone said when pouring from the carafe the steam can burn your fingers...not if you''re just holding the handle and don''t place your finger near the tab on the lid.

Someone said it''s hard to fill because the area where you pour in the water is small...I use a glass wine carafe and have no problem.

Someone said their''s leaked overnight...mine doesn''t.

The lid on the carafe is not easily removed and the instruction booklet says they recommend hand washing, even though the video on Krups website shows the lid being separated from the carafe and being placed in the dishwasher. I phoned Krups and I think they will be revising the video. If that is the worst problem I can live with it.

The procedure to set the different functions are a little vague. I''m sure you will figure out that pressing the Program button multiple times takes you to the various options. Press it three times to set the Auto-Off feature. It is preset at 1-hour which is probably all you want on any machine unless you like the smell of burnt coffee.

Bottom line, I love this machine! So I bid a fond adieu to my ProAroma with a smile as I savor what good coffee should taste like.

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American Standard F20 Filter Cartridge

• Used For 4665 Series
• Filters Approximately 250 Gallons

We found that this filter is the same fliter we were buying locally. Therefore, it works just as good as the original.

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Seems to work. This is the only cartridge that fits in my filter, so I have to use it. It says to replace every 90 days but I usually go 4 months. Water does taste better with a new filter though. I definitely do not like that it is infused with antimicrobial agent...not to kill germs in your water, but to keep biogrowth (algae) from accumulating on the filter. The filtering action should be enough and the whole point of filtering the water is to remove the chlorine and other junk, so who knows how much residue is making it through.

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I have the American Standard faucet that has a built in filter. This is easy to change and works well. My only worry is the filters will not be available in the future.

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This item fits as advertised and satisfies the replacement requirement of the system. I am glad that I can obtain cartridges from Amazon as Home Depot refuses to ship to CA. Thanks for keeping in stock, other wise I would have to spend a hunnert plus bucks to replace the entire system.

It works just fine nice powerful clean water flow. I use these in my faucet they are great filters for getting clean water..

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KRUPS FME414 Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker Save 29% Off

I''m at a loss as to the problems some other reviewers have had with this coffeemaker. I actually purchased the white unit but it''s the same as this one except for the color and metal trim. I bought this machine locally and then went and read the reviews here on Amazon to make sure it was an OK unit. I was on the verge of returning it due to some of the negative comments but I figured "ah, to heck with it" and went ahead and set it up. First off, it makes a great cup of coffee and it''s EASY to program. The pot is easy to pour...NO DRIPS and the water level indicator works as it should. I just wonder if all the negative reviewers work for the competition because I found no problems with this unit at all. Now, of course, time will tell if it will last many years as did my last machine but my first impressions are very good.

If looks were everything, this product would rate five stars. The Krups FME4-14 12-cup coffeemaker has a very attractive design. The brushed stainless steel top and front panel with a squared off matte/gloss black plastic case presents a very elegant appearance. Most users will no doubt be very interested in the coffee this machine makes.

The 1100 watt heater affords a fast brewing cycle. The cone shaped filter basket uses #4 filters and the water is pumped over the grounds through a small but effective showerhead-style water outlet that''s ideal for concentrating the water in the best way to extract full coffee flavor.

This is not a machine just for the coffee purist who always begins with fresh, cold water while putting freshly ground beans into the filter basket and appreciating the heady aroma of the coffee from grinding to brewing. A useful feature is the programmable timer that''s perfect for those instances when you want to setup the machine in advance if you need a head start on coffee drinking. The operating buttons are big and clearly marked; the LCD clock display is large and it is back lighted in blue when the machine is turned on.

Some negatives that reduce the rating of this machine are:

1. A glass carafe that has cup markings on one side only; you can only measure by them if you hold the lid open with your right hand while pouring in the water with your left hand.

2. The carafe drips far too much when you pour the coffee...unless you pour very slowly.

3. There''s a hole in the back center of the machine about 1 inch below the top of the water tank. Apparently it''s an overflow port to prevent overfilling the machine. Under any circumstances, if you were to grossly overfill it, water would spill out on your counter. But, the tank barely holds 12 cups of water as measured by the carafe, and since this overflow is hidden from view in the back of the machine when it works you might think the machine is leaking. Unbelievably, it is quite possible to pour the water at just the right angle out the tank''s overflow since the tank is molded just like a funnel above the hole.

4. The water level indicator is useless regardless of whether you fill the machine all the way to the 12 cup level or somewhere in between. Water forms several bubbles in the magnifying plastic tube that prevent it from indicating anything at all.

Nonetheless, this Krups machine does make an excellent cup of coffee from start to finish. Whenever you let the coffee sit on the so-called "warmer" plate, the flavor of your brew will degrade. Therefore, you would do well to get an insulated carafe (in brushed stainless steel for coordination) if you want to make some extra.

Go ahead, enjoy all the exquisite drip coffee you can drink, and enjoy life.

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I don''t know how to understand some of the previous, extremely negative reviews.

I have not had any problem pouring a cup of coffee without dripping/spilling.

I think that the 1-3 cup feature is great: With my previous coffeemaker, it really wasn''t possible to brew a small amount of coffee and have it taste good; with this Krups'' machine''s 1-3 cup setting, I get a few nice, strong cups of coffee without having to use too many coffee beans.

The programming feature is easy to use. I read the manual once and then, two days later, remembered how to program the coffeemaker to brew at a specific time. It''s really as simple as pressing the "Prog" button quickly, toggling with the "hour/minutes" button" to set the timer. As to the fear that the machine will be a fire hazard by turning itself on without water because the timer is set, the manual clearly states that there is a safety feature that will turn the machine off if it gets turned on without any water in the reservoir. Yes, I would prefer a separate button to turn on/off the timer setting, but it isn''t that big of a deal.

I haven''t had any problem with water spilling out the back of the unit. In fact, I don''t even see the overfill hole in the back of the unit that a previous reviewer mentioned. I seldom brew 12 cups of coffee at once, so perhaps I''m not the best person to judge whether this is a problem. I did do the initial "clean the machine" routine by filling it up all the way to run clean water through it and I didn''t notice and spilling at that time.

I agree that the coffeemaker is somewhat cheaply built -surprisingly flimsy for a coffeemaker with a list price this high. I actually bought mine locally and chose the more expensive FME4-14 model because the stainless steel front added some solidity to the machine. The FME1 and FME2 models, all plastic, seemed extremely cheap and light. They all use the same filter basket mechanism, though, which appears to be fragile. This is not a machine for those people who are impatient or treat their possessions in a rough manner. I can see breaking the swing out door or the filter holder because of how thin the plastic is. On the other hand, I bought this coffeemaker to replace an even more expensive Cuisinart model that broke just out of warranty. (Well, the coffemaker still worked but the brew-and-pour feature stopped working because a piece of plastic in the filter basket broke. Actually, I couldn''t even use the thing at all until I bought a 10 cent washer at a local hardware store and jimmied the thing back into somewhat of a workable condition -at least it no longer just spewed coffee all over my counter, but the brew-and-pour feature still didn''t work. And, of course, I couldn''t find the replacement part I needed to actually make the machine whole again. Also, the water level meter in that machine stopped working after just a few months and the clock was so poor that it gained over one minute EVERY DAY, interfering with the machine''s ability to actually brew at a specific time each day using it''s programming function.)

I agree that there should be markings on both sides of the carafe. This pot is designed for right-handed people because the markings are visible when it''s picked up in the right hand. However, given the water level read out on the machine itself (which, despite others'' experiences, I haven''t had a problem with yet), this doesn''t seem to be a big deal.

As to the warming plate''s surface flaking off, I have to wonder what that person was using to clean the machine. The manual specifically states not to use ANYTHING abrasive on the machine and that reviewer used the word "scour." Really, when cleaning off the small drips of coffee that inevitably get on a warming plate when using a brew-and-pour feature (I''ve never seen a coffee maker that was perfect about stopping coffee from dripping when the pot is removed during brewing), all one needs to use is the soft side of a kitchen sponge for a quick wipe.

My biggest gripe about this machine is the manual. It is poorly laid out: there is a picture of the machine on one page with letters pointing to various features, but the legend of what those letters means appears a few pages later. Obviously the legend needs to be on the facing page of the manual. I was also a little concerned when initially unpacking the thing. There''s a large piece of styrofoam holding the pot in place and I was concerned about breaking the filter basket door when I was ripping it out of the machine. The manual contains NO instructions about unpacking the machine. Normally instructions for something this basic aren''t necessary, but if Krups is going to pack something this delicate in such a screwy way, they should provide better information to the end consumer. Perhaps this is how some reviewers'' filter holder doors became broken in the first place. Another problem with the manual was the instruction to "rotate" the water filter holder open in order to insert the filter. No illustrations were provided. I don''t know about you, but I consider "rotating" to mean twisting something off. But the filter holder is actually designed to be flipped open (one side should remain attached while the other flips down). Given how flimsy the plastic is on this part, too, I could easily see someone breaking the filter holder if they weren''t careful and actually tried to rotate the end of it off.

I cannot speak to the longevity of the machine as I''ve only owned it for less than one month, but so far I''m liking its features and, more importantly, the taste of the coffee it produces.

Read Best Reviews of KRUPS FME414 Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker Here

I''ve only had this coffeemaker for a short time, but so far I have absolutely no complaints and am totally satisfied. I haven''t experienced any of the problems cited by other reviewers. I actually prefer it to my previous machine (the Cuisinart with all the unnecessary switches and buttons) -it''s very easy to use and easy to clean. It does seem a little less solid than the Cuisinart, but so far I haven''t had any problems with its durability. (I will update if that changes.) Only minor complaint so far, not worth demoting the machine to 4 stars, is that the "program" setting isn''t automatically turned off after it has been used. So, if you forget to turn the program setting off and don''t fill up the machine one night, it will turn on with no water and coffee the next morning and presumably stay on for 2 hours. I''m trying to train myself to turn the programming off after each use to make sure this doesn''t happen.

Overall, great machine and the best choice in this price range.

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Coffee is practically a holy sacrament in my house, so we care about how it tastes and how it is madde.

Earlier this year I purchased a terrible Cuisinart coffee maker, the worst of my life. After a few months I couldn''t stand it any more and bought this Krups model, with a similar (but superior) look.

It makes a great cup of coffee, the programmable timer works beautifully, the audible alert can be turned on or off. The machine not only feels more sturdy than many other coffee makers, but it''s very good looking also.

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Hamilton Beach 49995 FlexBrew Single Serve Coffeemaker

I am very fussy about my coffee maker. If the appliance is too expensive, too bulky, too complicated, too messy to clean up, etc., it doesn''t stand a chance in my three cup a day kitchen. We got this little beauty day before Thanksgiving, just in time for the holiday dessert table. I can''t say enough about it! There are three ways to make your favorite coffee: 1. regular ground coffee goes into the basket (no filter needed) or 2. you can use a coffee pod or finally, for those who like variety, 3. K-Cups are easily inserted into the removeable slide-in tray. To allow for two sizes of coffee cups, the lower portion of the unit lets you place either a large travel mug on top, or flip it over for a higher ledge to place a smaller mug. Water in the back, press the button, and within minutes you''re drinking a hot cup of joe! Realizing it''s only a single cup machine, we don''t expect to use this when we have more than a small handful of guests. But for the daily cups there is nothing better. We love how quickly you clean up, a simple rinse of the grinds from the basket and you''re set for the next cup. Instructions say to run a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup water through the unit every month or so to clean it out. This makes more sense than the more costly machines that require descaling and fancy solutions in order to keep the coffee tasting great. It''s a tall and thin machine, so you easily slide it beside other kitchen appliances without taking up much counter space. Black and stainless steel finish go with everything. I have other Hamilton Beach kitchen apppliances and honestly have not been disappointed yet. This coffee maker is a keeper!

From my wife Sarah: This is great! At around 1/2 the cost of a Keurig, we really like it. Here''s why:

It''s super easy to use.

It makes good coffee.

You can use any of the K-Cups, and you can also use your own ground coffee beans. I like this option.

It turns itself off so you won''t leave it on by accident.

It looks very slick and fits in nicely with our kitchen with black and stainless steel. It doesn''t take up a lot of space.

It''s very easy to clean.

What else could you want!

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I never considered buying a Keurig Coffee Brewer due to the high cost for the maker, the cost per cup of coffee, and the mixed reviews on flavor. When I received my " ", I wasn''t expecting too much, but was pleasantly surprised and impressed. I went out and found my favorite "Eight O''Clock" brand coffee available in K-Cups and on sale at my local supermarket. Setting up and using the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew was simple and fast. My first cup of K-Cup coffee came out perfect. I was impressed. Despite maxing out the water capacity at around 10-12oz, the coffee was not weak or odd tasting. It was a perfect cup of coffee. Next, I tried brewing a regular cup of coffee using standard coffee grounds. The results were good, but not as good as my old $14 Black and Decker 1 cup "Brew N Go" coffee maker. The coffee was good, but tasted a little "off". I tried a couple of other cups adjusting the amount of coffee, but the results were the same. It was by no means bad, but I just like the taste of my old maker, and the K-Cup coffee better. Brew time was fast. It takes a little longer to start brewing, but once it starts, it flows faster than my old machine. Total time is about the same. About 3-4 minutes. One thing that is much better than my old machine is that the FlexBrew''s coffee is hotter. All in all, the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffeemaker is an impressive machine, at a very good price. As long as you''re not looking to make a large cup of coffee, I recommend it.

Pros:

Very good tasting coffee.

Less than 1/2 the price of an average Keurig machine.

Compatible with coffee grounds, K-Cup packs, or soft pods.

Easy to use and convenient.

Well built with stainless steel and dishwasher safe removable plastic parts.

Cons:

K-Cup packs cost per cup.

Maximum 10-oz brewing capacity.

Travel mug not included.

Results using regular coffee grounds are good, not great.

Update 02/2013:

I left my original review up to show that I was at one time happy with this machine. Unfortunately, 2 months later that is no longer the case. I''m experiencing the same "water shooting all over the place" that others reported. The problem are that the nozzle that punctures the K-Cup is either no longer sharp enough to puncture the K-Cup fully, it gets clogged with coffee, or it has shifted to the point it is no longer puncturing it correctly. Either way, these are serious flaws that seems to pop up over time, or in the cases of some other reviewers, affects the coffeemaker right out of the box. Another issue is that sometimes it punctures the cup correctly, but water pressure builds up shooting water all over my kitchen after brewing a partial cup of coffee. I definitely can no longer recommend the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffeemaker.

Update 03/11/13:

I received a replacement unit from Hamilton Beach. The first thing I noticed is that the new coffee maker comes with another basket for using coffee grounds. This extra basket was not included with the first coffee maker. I''ve used the coffee maker several times using grounds and K-Cups. So far it works perfectly. I''m skeptical though since my first one worked perfectly too when I first used it. Has the design been improved, and the bugs worked out? Only time will tell, but it is only fair to report that Hamilton Beach seemed concerned about the problems being reported, and they did send me a working machine.

Final Update 03/14/13: Well, it didn''t take long for my replacement coffee maker to show its true colors. After brewing about 10 or so K-Cup cups of coffee without incident, the new HB 49995 coffee maker decided to spray hot water all over my kitchen. It brewed about 1/2 the cup normally as it should, but apparently as some others have pointed out, the HB 49995 just isn''t strong enough to force the water through the K-Cups all the time, resulting in pressure buildup until the water has no place else to go but out the top of the K-Cup holder and all over your kitchen. This is 2 coffee makers now that exhibit the same exact problems using the K-Cups recommended by Hamilton Beach. I''m done messing with this thing, and highly recommend you look elsewhere.

Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach 49995 FlexBrew Single Serve Coffeemaker Here

My wife was all excited when I showed her this coffee maker and told her it can use ground coffee or K-Cups. We currently have a Black and Decker 1 cup coffee maker and although it makes a great cup of coffee, it isn''t the prettiest coffee maker to leave on the counter, it only lasts about a year before you have to toss it and buy a new one and doesn''t fit her taller Christmas mugs. On to the Hamilton Beach...

I put both coffee makers side by side and the Hamilton beach is a lot bigger but it has a very attractive brushed metal finish and it will handle both small cups and tall mugs by just flipping the base. Cool!

I used the quick start guid to make our first cup of coffee on the new coffee maker. I was using ground coffee (Dunkin Donuts) to make the first cup so I removed the K-Cup holder and spooned in 2 Tablespoons of coffee using a regular (not measuring) tablespoon. I noted there is a max fill marker in the basket and I had filled it too much so I removed some coffee and shook the basket gently side to side to ensure it was below the max fill marker. It now was. Next, I filled the water reservoir to just below the max fill marker in the reservoir. You must pour slowly because the water travels down through a funnel like opening. I put my wife''s tall holiday mug underneath. It fits! Hooray!!! I press the start button and walk away to make an omelet. I look over and about a minute had passed and no coffee was dripping yet but it sounded like it was about to start. I was excited. I went about making my omelet. After a few minutes, my wife comes running over telling me the coffee maker is leaking all over the counter. I look and there are coffee grounds all over the cup (inside and out) and water has dripped all over the coffee maker, counter and even into the power switch on the front. All this despite the cup not being even half full! I quickly unplug it.

After I am done eating breakfast and the coffee maker has cooled, I decide to give it another try. Maybe I put in too much coffee or water? So I proceed to round two...

This time, I read the whole manual not just the quick start guide. It says not to use more than 10 oz. of water or 2T of coffee or the coffee pot may overflow. Okay, I did not measure accurately last time so but I did keep the levels below the max lines. Also, what is the point of a coffee maker that can hold such a huge cup if you can only use 10 oz. of water? I know from experience that some of the water stays absorbed in the grounds so 10 oz. of water equates to about 8 oz. of coffee. Okay, 8 oz. equals 1 cup and this IS advertised as a single serve coffee maker so I really can''t complain.

So using a measuring cup, I measure exactly 10 oz. of water and pour it into the reservoir. Next, I add exactly 2 level Tablespoons of coffee using a measuring spoon. I press the start button again. I also put the coffee maker next to the sink this time just in case. Again, this coffee maker is pretty slow. It takes a full minute before it even starts making any coffee, whereas my cheapo B&D starts in about 15 sec. The cup is about half full and no mess so far. I think I am in good shape when I start hearing weird gurgling noises and it starts spraying coffee grinds into the cup again. It only did it for about 15 seconds this time and then shut off. No water on the counter but still wet coffee grinds in and outside of the cup and on the power switch. I''m not sure if the power switch is water proof (I doubt it) but this is just unacceptable and likely unsafe.

Again, the coffee mug is less than half full. I waited about a minute to remove the cup and after I did, water continued to drip out of the coffeemaker onto the drip pan. I did not try a K-Cup but in my opinion, this coffee maker is a piece of garbage!

I''ll post some pictures of the mess and of the 2 coffee makers side by side on the main product page.

UPDATE: I don''t know why but I hate giving 1 star reviews so I tried another batch of coffee using only 4 tsp of coffee and 10 oz. water (all measured accurately). That''s about the weakest coffee I could stand. It still made a mess and spewed coffee grounds all over the cup and front of the machine. This time I smelled the burning smell that another reviewer mentioned as well. Amazing for only 3 cups of coffee with at least an hour cool down between cups!

I can''t tell you if this makes a decent cup of coffee because I have not been successful at it so far. I''m tempted to try a K-Cup but I don''t have any and I am not inclined to buy some just to test this coffee maker. If you want one of these for free, come check my trash barrel. ;-)

-Joe

Update: I bumped this up to 2 stars because I tried it with a K-Cup and it didn''t dump coffee grounds in my coffee or make a mess out of my counter this time. The coffee was good using 8 oz. of water but you only get 2/3rd a cup of coffee. With 10 oz. of water, you get a full cup but it is a bit weak. After it seemed to stop brewing and the light went out, I removed the cup. A few seconds later, more coffee dripped out. The tray caught it but this coffee maker is definitely lacking. Not recommended.

Joe

Want Hamilton Beach 49995 FlexBrew Single Serve Coffeemaker Discount?

Length:: 0:52 Mins

BACKGROUND: I am a fan of single-serve coffee machines. Why? Because it just makes sense. Most people in America do not live in multigenerational households so it is not necessary to brew 4+ cups of coffee at once. In my situation, it''s just my husband and me. I have owned the traditional Black & Decker 12-cup coffee maker (donated), Keurig Special Edition B60 Single-Serve Coffee Maker (returned), Senseo 7810 Single-Serve Coffee Maker (donated), Hamilton Beach Personal One-Cup Pod Brewer for Senseo Pods (still own for the office, but not too satisfied), Hamilton Beach Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker (still own), and Aeropress Coffee and Express Maker (still own).

I have been looking for a well-built single-serve coffee maker for my husband''s office, since the one he has there is the Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer, which is a GREAT and inexpensive coffee maker, but the insert basket is fitted for Senseo style pods only and they are discontinued. So to get around this, I taught him to create makeshift pods by folding regular filters. This method works fine, except that it requires a few extra steps and my husband is not the type to want to perform those extra steps. Needless to say, he rarely uses the coffee machine because of "those extra steps." Well, I guess Keurig seems to be the only option left in terms of convenience, freshness, and taste.

REVIEW:

PROS:

+ Accepts K-Cups, ground coffee, and pods

+ Flexible cup size (can hold a tall travel mug or a smaller 10 oz. mug)

+ Great tasting, hot coffee without using a lot of coffee grounds

+ Beautiful black/stainless-steel exterior

+ Easy to operate in 4-steps (Pour in water, put in coffee (cup/grounds/pod), push lever down, press "on")

+ Easy to clean (all you need to do is dump the coffee grounds and rinse), separate parts are washable

+ More affordable than any Keurig coffee machine

CONS:

Hot steam comes out from "Push Down" lever opening

Spits coffee grinds everywhere if the amount of coffee grounds in filter exceeds maximum limit (2 Tbsp)

I am writing this review after testing it for almost two weeks. Using K-cups, the coffee MAY drip slower (it takes about 1.5-2 minutes on average to brew a cup) than a Keurig machine, but it does come out hot and tasty. On the other hand, using just the mesh filter and coffee grinds require a bit of a learning curve. The directions note that you can only use a MAXIMUM of 2 TABLESPOONS of ground coffee. While this is true, I would recommend a MAXIMUM of 2-3 TEASPOONS. Any more and the machine will "spit" coffee grinds into your cup in the last 10 seconds of brewing (VIDEO INCLUDED). I have also learned that I have had more luck with a courser grind, closer to french press than drip. Another thing that may cause some concern is the steam that comes out of the "Push Down" lever is hot, but fortunately, not burning hot. For me, I don''t mind it since I usually walk away after pressing the "on" button anyway.

In comparison between the Hamilton Beach Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker and this FlexBrew, I would strongly recommend the FlexBrew for its versatility, convenience, and best of all, it makes great tasting coffee with very little coffee grounds. It''s ironic because for the Scoop, the more coffee you put in, the stronger/better your coffee tastes. Even 2 Tbsp may not be enough for the Scoop whereas 2 Tbsp is too much for the FlexBrew. With that said, I will be replacing my Hamilton Beach Scoop with this one.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a single-serve machine that can brew K-Cups, coffee grinds, and pods, look no further but keep in mind that this machine requires a very small amount of coffee grinds or it will start spitting all over the place (as you can see in the video).

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Omnipure CL10RO-T33 GAC Inline Filter

If you ordered correctly you should have no complaints. Might take a few tanks to get the taste the way you like it but works fine.

I shopped around for this cartridge filter to match the original that came with my Spectra Pure RO/DI drinking water system. I am completely satisfied, it helps make the water taste and odor fresher. We use the water for cooking and beverages, I live in a part of the country that has extreemly hard water with high iron content and requires water softening prior to final filtration. As a bonus the price was the lowest I could find anywhere and delivery was fast.

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Magnesium Fire Starter Save 43% Off

I tried this magnesium fire starting tool SE(Emergency Fire Starter SE Emergency Fire Starter) out as well as the alternative from (from Doan Machinery & Equipment "Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter" Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter).

Both tools work perfectly fine as described and were able to light up fine fibers(cotton, moss, dried grass) and paper without a problem. The Doan tool has more precise instructions and clearly states on the packaging to scrape the magnesium portion of the bar with a knife blade PERPENDICULAR to the edge of the tool. I found this to method made for the most shavings and larger shavings at that. The packaging clearly states that you want a QUARTER(U.S. Coin) sized amount (just shy of 1 inch or 2.4cm diameter) Then holding the bar at 45 degree angle to the pile of shavings drag the knife along the flint to create sparks. The directions remind you to hold the blade perpendicular to the bar while "striking" the flint. I would advise not to strike the flint as they are brittle. However, a nice quick full length drag of the blade down the flint creates a shower of sparks for easy ignition of the magnesium shavings.

Both brands work fine. They are nearly identical in shape(the SE is a few mm longer). Each brand has a different finish/coating on the bar itself is about the only difference I can tell. The performance seemed to be identical or at least close enough to not notice anything to complain about. The big difference is the price. The SE(made in China) is about half the price of the Doan(Made in USA Patented). It appears to me that they are both the same design with slightly different execution of it, and one is just made overseas so that is why it''s cheaper(unless there is less active "ingredients"(magnesium).

One other note: The SE(Chinese one) also comes with a saw blade striker that does work but you need to wear through a protective layer of lacquer for it to work and it''s just small enough to annoy my large hands. I just stick with a cheap staineless steel pocket knife for this. I always carry about 3-4 blades when I''m out hiking(cheap folder that I don''t care if it gets ruined, sometimes a higher quality folder, always a fixed blade that is larger with full tang, and usually a multi tool(leatherman).

You can''t go wrong with either tool. I''d prefer to buy American(Doan the "other" one) in the long run though, especially for something I might end up having my life depend on.

EDIT: One last note on product lifedepending on how much magnesium you need to get your fire going each time, I think the flint will run out long before you ever use up all the magnesium.

UPDATED: 03-28-2011

There have been a ton of reviews mentioning that the DOAN tool being purchased is no longer made in USA or shipped as a knock off. Be careful which seller you buy from. I will be posting pictures later today that show the SE Tool side by side with the Doan tool. I no longer have the packaging to show what they look like however.

The seller I purchased the DOAN GENUINE ISSUE from was known as "CLASSICAL FITNESS & HEALTH" / "Waterglider LLC". They no longer have it stocked apparently.

A GENUINE DOAN FIRE STARTER SHOULD HAVE THIS INFORMATION STAMPED ON ONE SIDE WITH AN ADDRESS ON THE OTHER. THE FIRST LINE IS THE NSN(Nato Stock Number):

"

4240-01-160-5618

FSCM 62561

MFR/PN 8702

FIRE STARTING TOOL

MAGNESIUM

U.S. PATENT NO. 4,188,192

"

Reverse Side:

"

SPARKING INSERT

MFD. BY DOAN MACH. & EQUIP. CO. INC.

P.O. BOX 21334

SO. EUCHLID, O. 44121

SHAVING EDGE

"

I received this today, and it works great. I would suggest using the back (non-serrated) edge of the steel to shave the magnesium and the serrated edge for striking the flint. The magnesium block and flint both have some kind of coating, so the first time you use it it''ll take a few extra tries. I''ve seen these selling for double or triple the price and people were happy to pay it, so this is an excellent deal!

Buy Magnesium Fire Starter Now

I bought this along with the Swedish Firesteel to test them out. I like this product due to the fact that you can shave the magnesium off and use it to start the tender, however I found that the flint was difficult to use and did not put off much spark. It did spark, though. The swedish firesteel throws of a much bigger and hotter spark and was much easier to use, however if you do not have good tender it doesn''t matter much. I think that having both of them together is good and they are both are a relatively inexpensive purchase if you consider how valuable they are when needed.

Read Best Reviews of Magnesium Fire Starter Here

Those saying this doesn''t work obviously aren''t using it correctly and you''re giving people bad advice in telling them not to waste their money. This product is used by outdoorsmen everywhere and is the easiest, most reliable way to start a fire. Most people who have watched some of the survival shows have seen this product. I''m not going to recommend that anyone mimic Bear Grylls with anything else he does but when you see him start a fire in about 5-10 seconds, this is what he is using.

I''ve used it while mountain climbing/backpacking for years and have NEVER had one bit of trouble in getting a fire started. I would rather have this product than matches or a lighter. It will last longer and can light tinder that isn''t completely dry. Magnesium burns at over 1000 degrees and lights when even the smallest spark hits it making it more reliable than a simple butane lighter. I can light dry tinder without even shaving off the magnesium first and just striking the flint. Swedish Fire Steel (also in my backback) doesn''t come close to this in reliability. Mine didn''t come with a blade and even though I keep a small hacksaw blade taped to it, it''s generally easier to just use a pocket knife. Because having a fire is so important, I always keep 3 methods of fire starting in my pack but this would be the one I would pick if I could only have one.

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This fire starter works great just follow the instructions! I tried it the other day and I started a fire the first time!!

Save 43% Off

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