Showing posts with label pure drinking water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pure drinking water. Show all posts

Krups 472-00 Duofilter

Krups 472-00 Duofilter, 1 Year Supply, 6 filtersWhen I ordered this, I was under the impression I was getting "one click no shipping" That was not the case, and I am very upset by the deception. I would urge you not to use this company, they were unwilling to cancel the order. It was a Sunday, they were closed for all intents and purposes, but still sent the package (with shipping fee) on Monday. I can afford to drive a long way for the filters next time with the shipping I will save. I won''t feel screwed either.

Coffee tastes pure and clean when using this filter.I can tell the difference when the filter needs changing. Great idea to put a filter in the Krups coffee pot!

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Jura Ena Micro 1 Save 33% Off

Jura Ena Micro 1To start, if you are shopping for an espresso machine with and attached steam wand, this doesn''t have one. So if that is a must-have feature for you, this machine doesn''t have it. However if you''re shopping for a machine that makes a perfect shot of espresso using freshly ground beans for every cup, while taking up as little space as possible, this Jura Ena Micro 1 might just be what you''re looking for.

Compact Design:

While the size is compact (for an espresso machine of this quality), it''s still very heavy. In the video, you can see I have my Breville BKC700XL Gourmet Single-Serve Coffeemaker set up next to it, and the Breville is slightly similar in size. The Jura is definitely longer than the Breville, and when I lifted them both (empty), the Jura outweighed the Breville several times over. So you will need a deep and sturdy surface to set this espresso machine one. It would fit perfectly on a kitchen counter, without taking up nearly as much space as many of the other larger models.

As mentioned before, this model does not have a steaming wand. The lack of an attached wand actually helps add to the Ena Micro 1''s less bulky design. This is a plus for those who don''t use the wand on a regular machine, those needing to use as little counter space as possible, or those who have their own separate milk frothers already.

Set up:

Setting this machine was fairly simple. I used the included instructional booklet and found the steps clear and easy to understand. The machine goes through a very short cleansing process the first time you turn it on for use, so reading the directions will help aid you through the steps. There is an included water filter, and taped to the inside of the "welcome kit" box, is a water hardness test strip. If you should choose to not use the water filter, there are instructions for using the strip to test your water and then setting the machine to work best with your waters hardness level. There are no extra water filters included, just the first one to use for the initial set up and first few months of use.

Settings:

While the design is simple, there are several settings options on this Jura for you to chose from. There is a hidden nob on the top of the machine for you to adjust the grind of the beans. The pour spout has a good range of adjustment up and down for your various cup sizes. Super tall or ultra short, there''s a setting for it. The touch buttons on the top allow you to chose from 2 different strengths for your shot and 3 different sizes.

Clean up:

The beans that are ground are automatically emptied into a hidden internal storage bin. In addition, the machine cleans itself with hot water and empties into a hidden tray inside the machine beside the used ground beans. The Jura notifies you with a small subtle light when either of these areas need emptied. To clean, you pull out the tray and both the used cleaning water and the coffee grounds are inside. Be very careful the first time you empty these. I didn''t realize that this tray was in 3 separate sections, and in the process of carrying it across the kitchen, dumped used ground all over the place. Once discovering that the coffee grounds section detaches from the water try, I was able to clean these out without any incident.

The water reservoir is easy to detach and fill. The lid also opens in a way that you can fill the tank without detaching it from the machine. The tank is a descent size, making a good number of drinks before needing to be filled again.

Drinks:

I''ve been making tons of drinks since getting this machine. I''ve been trying out a bunch of different recipes and have pulled a ton of shots while breaking this Jura in. Every shot has been consistent and there has never been a single coffee ground in any of the glasses. The beans are perfectly ground and water reaches the perfect temperatures needed to make an outstanding cup, every time.

Conclusion:

This machine makes a lengthy process extremely simple and fast. You pour whole beans into the back tank and with the press a single button, freshly ground espresso is poured in less than a minute. No grinding the beans separately (however there are included accessories in case you do want to use pre-ground beans with this machine). No need to tap down the grounds yourself, it does it for you. And there''s no need to worry about cleanup at the time of making your cup. You can make drink after drink, and the used grounds and cleaning water are discretely stored for cleanup later. The machine is large enough that it''s definitely a full powered and quality built workhorse, but small enough that it can realistically be set up on a kitchen counter without taking up all your space. I''ve been extremely pleased the the quality of this Jura. So if you''re in the market for an espresso machine that''s compact on size and you do not need an attached steaming wand, I highly recommend this one.

Update 3-12-13:

My first "system" clean.....It is a little intimidating when you don''t know what you are doing and I honestly held off until I knew I had enough free time to fix any mistakes I made. Well, I have to report that it could not have been easier. I followed the directions and the machine did the rest. There are some things to keep in mind to make it go smoothly. First, make sure the water container is full. Second, make sure you have a big enough container to hold a mug of water. Also, the grounds container fills up to the rim with water, so when it is finished, CAREFULLY pull out the tray to avoid spillage. Keep in mind that it goes on and off many times while it is cleaning itself. The process takes about 15 minutes or so. Be patient.....and, because I am a little OCDish, I made a full cup and tossed it. That gives me 185 more drinks before I have to do it again. I have one more cleaning tablet left, so it looks like I''ll have to get some more. If they are not too expensive, I will probably clean the machine more often. It is so easy. I continue to be amazed by this machine......Espresso for Dummies....perfect for me! :-)

Update 1-9-13:

Well, I am officially hooked. I use the machine all the time and now my wife is also hooked. The Jura Ena Micro 1 is so simple to use and a real work horse. We use it at least twice/day (that''s now how many coffee''s we make, as we makea few each time we turn it on!). The only real annoyance is forgetting to put a cup under the spout and having it pour into the grating when it flushes itself.....still, it''s not even that big of a deal because I clean it after every use. In spite of the price, the is a MUST have!!!

Update 11-12:

For some reason, my machine reset itself and started pouring the ristretto size as a full cup of coffee, and the other sizes were also different. Also, I was having problems with the ground coffee. A quick call to customer service (to try to figure out what I was doing wrong)fixed the whole thing. I was on hold for less than two minutes, and spoke to a rep who was very patient and helpful. First, the ground issue. It turns out the funnel has to be placed EXACTLY as pictured on page 14 of the manual. That''s how sensitive the sensors are....I never realized it. As for the sizes, it turns out that the machine probably reset itself somehow. Holding the cup size down for 3 seconds will get it into program mode for that size. It starts pouring and when you press it again, that''s where it will be set to. I reprogrammed every size and everything works perfectly. Total time spent with customer support: less than 15 minutes. Having my machine work perfectly again: Priceless! I LOVE this machine!!!

Update 10/13:

I really am loving this machine, and have now eperimented with many different beans.....I knew this wouldn''t be good for me! Hahahaha. I am drinking iced espresso now with 3 large "shots" and it is really amazing how good it tastes. The only thing that I wish I had was a steamer/frother to make cappucino. This is just such a solid piece of equipment. We use it at least once/day. The other day we had a little party and made over 40. I wish there was a way to get water directly into it, as the water container is small for parties, but still, it is so fast. Everyone loved it, and loved the espresso!

Original Review:

In short: Buy the Jura Ena Micro 1 if you like espresso and want a fast, compact machine without a steamer.....now for the long version:

Let me start by saying that I have never had espresso before. My wife, however, LOVES it and has always wanted me to try it. Well, I finally did, and I have to say, I kind of wish I hadn''t. Keep in mind that I think I couldn''t tell a mediocore shot from a good one, but it was GREAT! I have been using the Jura Ena Micro 1 for about 2 weeks now, and EVERYONE loves it. Guests, family, friends ALL comment on how good it looks (it looks really great, very sleek). It grinds the beans for you, (reading the instructions warn you of using grounds that are too fine because it could damage the machine). You can use ground coffee, but instructions say not to grind them too fine. Every cup/shot is fresh....and delicious! You have everything you need here, and at this price, it should. It does not have a ateaming wand, but I don''t think I need it (or maybe I do, remember, I didn''t think I would like espresso).

The Micro 1 allows you to pick 3 different sizes and 2 different strengths. If you are sensitive to caffeine I would recommend the smallest weakest unless you have to build a barn or something.I wsa pretty wired when I made my first ("supersized"), but at least I got a lot done.

I love that you put the beans right in and leave it. That should create some extra counter space. This is a completely self-contained system. My wife loves it (and so do I). The Ena Micro 1 does everything you need it to do except hold the cup up to your mouth. So, if someone tells you, "For that price, it should grind the beans, pack it down, and clean itself," you can say, "It does." Yep, it cleans itself! How awesome is that? Ok, you still have to do a little work, but I don''t mind rinsing out the drip tray and throwing away the grounds. It really only takes a couple of minutes.

While this is relatively small, I was surprised by its weight. It is solid and appears to have been built well. Not because of the weight, but more because of how things fit together, and even the plastic feels sturdy. The machine comes with a filter as well as a water tester to tell you how hard your water is and if you will need the filter. Apparently, the machine does need to be maintained by way of descaling, but that won''t be for a while (I will update this as soon as I do it).

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Hands down, this is the best coffee maker that I have ever used. The only thing that could make this better is the ability to provide a continuous water source to the machine. It''s not needed though because it is super easy to setup and use. It makes excellent coffee.

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What''s not to love about the Jura Ena Micro 1? It''s beautiful and so sleek and makes delicious coffee. I was a little concerned when the box arrived that the machine wouldn''t fit under my cabinets where I wanted to place it, but thankfully, it was just really packed with plenty of material, so it fit with no problem at all.

I couldn''t wait to get this machine out of the box when it arrived. I drink more coffee than I''d like to admit, so I knew I''d really put it to work. I was worried about the optional filter since I''d read that it''s best to use one, but couldn''t figure out by reading online which one it actually used. I was extremely relieved to find that it came with one in the box in the welcome pack, but if you''re wondering what kind you need just to have extras, it''s the Jura 67879 Clearyl Water Care Cartridge for ENA. I''ve been using my machine for almost a month several times a day and still don''t need a new one, so it''s safe to say that they last a while.

Setup was fairly easy, but make sure you read everything carefully. If you miss one button in the code-type set up, you''ll be wondering what went wrong when it''s not working for you. I was so excited to set it up, that I missed something and had to go back and read again just to get it to prep the filter, etc.

After the set-up and a few hick-ups that were completely my lack of carefully following directions, I had it up and running. I was so impressed by the touch-screen like coffee buttons. They are glowing red emblems for coffee strength and cup size, then all the indicator ones and require very little pressure at all. Located on that same control panel, are the lights to let you know if your machine needs more water, the drip tray and ground waste emptied (they share the same drawer), more beans, or to be de-scaled. All of those things are easy to do too. The drip and ground tray come out like a drawer, the descaling is done simply by pushing a button and the beans poor into a little windowed door on the top. I usually watch my grounds, so that light never has to come on. When it gets low, I simply add more. I refill the water at least once a day and that gets me through until the next day. It''s really simple to refill the water and can just be pulled straight out of the back and around the machine once you grab the handle rather than straight up. There isn''t room for that under my cabinets, so that was a definite plus for me. It recommends that you empty the water from the water tank daily, but I must admit that I don''t. I do rinse it at least once daily, but I don''t make sure there''s no more water in it after my last use each day. I do clean out all of the water and ground waste every day.

As for the coffee it produces, it is best to wait a while for the machine to warm up, I think. Otherwise, the coffee isn''t as hot as it could be if it has been on for a while. This isn''t an issue for me, but my husband wants his coffee scalding hot. To me, it is absolutely delicious and so creamy and the perfect temperature. It has no way to froth milk, but the coffee is still somehow creamy, thick, and rich. I''ve used flavored coffee beans and plain ones and both work great. I tried using the ground coffee purchased at the store and I think it was ground too fine, because I could never get the machine to brew coffee with it. This wasn''t an issue for me, as I want to use fresh coffee beans, but I did try it for the sake of the review. I absolutely love the adjustable spout for the larger and smaller cups. I use a 16oz tall mug, so this is perfect for my cup. I always choose 2 large cups and the 1 coffee bean strength on the control panel, and that fills it with enough room left for my milk and sugar.

I can''t say how happy I am with this machine. It''s my favorite appliance and I''ll never go back to a regular coffee maker again. I would definitely give it 10 stars if I could.

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We have owned Jura-Capresso coffee and espresso machines for over 15 years and they have been excellent appliances. This one is no different. We have double-shot lattes every morning and my wife wanted to be able to go up to the machine and make it herself. Very few espresso, etc., machines are user-friendly. We looked at a host of manufacturers and kept coming back to Jura. We then looked at the entire line and really decided that all that milk and extra plumbing in the top-of-the-line machines was a nusance and had to be cleaned every day so that idea was dismissed. We then saw the Micro and liked it but what to do about the frother? Frothers are technique-dependent so we scoured the internet for options and came up with the Breville BMF600XL... everybody raved about it that bought it. We took the plunge and are extremely satisfied with all of the usual parameters of describing an excellent cup of "euro-style" coffee. The combination is highly recommended for moderate users of coffee. The bean and water container are rather small and we top them up every day after use.... no big deal.

One observation, we use the Micro on our kitchen countertop and the water tank is in the back; the clearance between the water tank (with its'' handle) and the bottom of our cabinet (16-17 inch clearance) is very small and so replacing the water is a little awkward. That said, we''d buy the combination again and recommend both without reservation to anyone who loves a trouble free cup of a variety of coffee drinks that are easy-to-make, render reliable taste shot after shot, day after day. There is no technique dependency in grinding beans, tamping, and frothing milk. It also makes a terrrific coffee Americano!

Save 33% Off

Squeegee for Hoover FloorMate H3000 59177047

Squeegee for Hoover FloorMate H3000 59177047My old Hoover Floormate 2800 had lost suction and I discovered that the squeegee on the nozzle had pretty much disintegrated. GoVacuum''s service was great and the replacement squeegee arrived in a couple of days. The squeegee is easily replaceable and is held by three easy-to-remove screws. Once installed, the cleaner began sucking up the water as it had when it was new. My cleaner model is very old and no longer available, but this squeegee fit perfectly. In general, replacing parts is cheap, easy, and much better for the environment!

Replacing the squegee is a easy fix--undo 3 screws to remove it from the housing, slide the new one into place, replace the screws. Makes a floor cleaner that is several years old work like new again.

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After years of use, I noticed my floormate stopped picking up the water. Didn''t know why. Then noticed this rubber gasket was torn. Was an easy fix and inexpensive. Great that Amazon sells the replacement parts. Love my floormate for my hardwood floors.

Read Best Reviews of Squeegee for Hoover FloorMate H3000 59177047 Here

Arrived on time, installed very easily it works, the machine is back to cleaning the floors

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It fit perfectly. I am now able to return cleaning my wood floors without leaving them extra damp. So happy I checked here instead of driving all around town and not finding it

Philips Saeco RI9113/24 Intenza Water Filter Save 4% Off

Philips Saeco RI9113/24 Intenza Water FilterFits perfectly in my Saeco Syntia . I have never been without it in my Syntia so I don''t how much a difference it makes but I like the idea of filtering the water and the coffee is always great.

My automatic espresso maker uses this filter. It is easy to change and seems to improve the overall taste of the coffee.

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This product helps keep the machine from scaling for longer between cleaning cycles. I always use them. it''s a good produce

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This is a great espresso maker. Even makes pretty good americano! Will recommend it to fiends, and already have told many!

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L.B. Evans Men''s Aristocrat Opera Slipper

L.B. Evans Aristocrat Opera Men''s SlippersThese slippers were pretty close to exactly what I was looking for. It''s too early to know how they will hold up, but they are comfortable and my only complaint is that the inside liner comes out and has to be stuffed back in, every single time I take the slippers off.

These are good slippers but for a quality control problem. On one of the two slippers the bottom pulls up when I take it off. Not completely out of the slipper, but it''s a pain.

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As all the other reviewers chief complaint is the liner lifting up, that is only problem with these comfy slippers that my hubby loves. Hard to find 3E size. He powders them when he takes them off to try to keep liner in place. Too bad LB Evans cannot improve liner for the price of slippers.

Read Best Reviews of L.B. Evans Men''s Aristocrat Opera Slipper Here

This is my third pair of these things. I wore the first 2 pair out no problem with either pair; however, someone already mentioned in another review that the lining will come out of these things when you go to take them off THEY DO! You''ll have to glue the things down to avoid this issue, but this is something that should be done at the factory. Otherwise, this would be a GREAT product!

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My daughter bought a pair of these $71 shoes for me. They were fine until I stepped on a small water smear in the kitchen. I noticed black marks over the floor. Upon investigation I found the dye from the shoe sole was coming off on the floor. I slightly dampened a paper towel and scrubbed the sole of a shoe. Sure enough, black dye came off. I called the company. The representative said that they did not consider this a defect and would do nothing about it. I asked to speak to her supervisor who said the same thing.

Both admitted other customers had made the same complaint. There is no mention in their marketing copy of this. I asked if most people didn''t

walk in their kitchens and bathrooms in their slippers. Both places could be expected to have occasional spots of moisture on the floors. Both representatives agreed this was likely behavior, but still would not budge from their "it''s not a defect" stance. I asked what would have happened had

I stepped a few paces into a newly-carpeted area adjacent to the kitchen and

left black marks, probably ineradicable, on the rug? I was accused of being

sarcastic. I ended the call without receiving any help and now have a pair of

slippers I can only wear if I stay away from kitchen and bathroom where a smear of moisture might lurk.

Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer Save 4% Off

Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer
  • Portable washer with 1-cubic-foot stainless-steel tub for loads up to 6 pounds
  • 3 water levels and 3 wash cycles; electronic controls with LED indicators
  • Quiet operation; cycle-status lights; end-of-cycle signal; adjustable leveling leg
  • Smooth-rolling casters; easy-installation kit with quick-connect sink adapter included
  • Measures approximately 17-1/4 by 17-3/5 by 30 inches

I haven''t had any leak problems. The strange noise I was hearing puzzled me. I also envy anybody who can buy this machine straight through Amazon. you lucky ducks you ;-) I had to pay forty dollars for shipping.

Please let me know if you do hear strange noises. I am curious as to how many people get coins stuck inside the drum. It actually took me a while to figure out where the noise was coming from and took the bottom and back panel off, but the noise still continued. I''m not sure how the quarter became stuck in there, and still baffles me to this day. Please keep me updated with any concerns regarding noises. Hopefully, other owners or myself can help.

As far as the effectiveness of the machine, 5 stars says it all. To note, this washer machine doesn''t have a drum spindle (not sure what you call the part that takes up space in most washers), so you can actually fit many more articles or clothing and/or towels inside.

Please let me know if this review was helpful.

Update 9/2/12: Thanks for all the helpful votes. The washer machine is still running strong. Remember if you hear a strange noise, unscrew the screw in the washer basket, and you''ll probably find a coin. I still highly recommend this washer.

Buy Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer Now

I recently purchased this, though not from this vendor. My living space is on the top floor and the laundry area is down 2 winding flights of stairs. Someone suggested that if I could do laundry without having it pile up, my life would be easier. So now, this is the first week I have had this installed. Admittedly, I never have overly high expectations of machinery, but I am more than happy with this.

The instructions for the washer are fairly detailed. I ran into trouble over the sink hook-up, just because I did not understand standard terminology. When a friend came in to help, it took him all of 15 minutes (or less). Everything was tightened with a wrench, plus he tied the two hoses (in and out) with a fastener to position them securely. I ran the first load 5 minutes later. No leaks, in spite of what you might have read in other reviews of the same product.

I am not a big person and tonight, the load (at medium, the default setting) was:

1 pair of long pants

1 flannel pajama shirt

1 cotton sweater (in a laundry bag)

1 blouse

4 pairs underwear and 4 pairs of socks (in separate mesh laundry bag)

2 T-shirts

After reading many reviews, I leave it on the medium setting and don''t overfill it. I also got these laundry bags to protect the clothing. The spin cycle does a good enough job so the clothes dry within 12 hours on a rack in the bathroom. It is also easy to hook and unhook from the sink, and comes with wheels that you can choose to install.

I am ***very*** happy with the ease of use, convenience, portability, small footprint.

January, 2012:

Update: Towards the end of the warranty period, there was suddenly a spark and the whole thing went dead. In spite of what you may read elsewhere, I did reach a real person when I called the number listed on the instruction manual. A local authorized repair person was despatched who diagnosed it as the motherboard having a short. Haier was supposed to send the repair rep. a part, but I heard nothing, until a call several weeks later from Haier, saying they were going to replace the washer outright. There were things I had to do and instructions to follow, like cut the piping etc. etc., cut a label, include this and that. When this was followed to a "T", I did receive a new washer, again some weeks later. This immediately malfunctioned and water overflowed. It was a huge mess and somewhat of an emergency. Because I could not wait, I did not call the company but took care of it with my own repair guy. We switched the water level sensor (wrong part on the new one!) with the one I had saved on the old machine. Since then, it has worked beautifully. However, should this malfunction again, I may look for another brand To cut a long story short: 1. Save all documentation. 2. The product is inconsistent. Why would the new washer immediately malfunction with an INCORRECT PART? This was troubling. 3. If you are not in a hurry to get it repaired, then Haier does come through. 4. If Haier replaces the machine, save the old one for parts, if you possibly have room. It is because of these hassles and the malfunctioning that I have downgraded the 5-star to 3.

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I purchased this washer from Target through Amazon last month and I couldn''t be more pleased with it. I have been reading the reviews of these the little Haier washers for several months so I was prepared for how the bottom plate works (it bulges out), for the fact that we would struggle a bit getting the screws through the plate and that we needed teflon tape and good pliers to really tighten the hose connections. We were very careful in doing all that and we have no leaks and no odd noises. The sink adapter fit my sink perfectly so I didn''t have to find a replacement. All and all, the set-up was easier than I expected.

As far as using it goes, the loads are larger than I thought they would be, the clothes come out very clean and well spun out so they dry quickly. The controls are easy to understand and so far everything has worked as it is supposed to. Our household has three members, myself and two teenagers and so far it is keeping up with us and sparing us the hideous laundromat problems we had before. A load might be a pair of jeans, 3 shirts and 3 pairs of socks or a sheet, 2 pillow cases and a large towel. We have even washed some blankets.

If anything goes wrong or it develops major problems I''ll try to remember to update here but so far I''m very satisfied.

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First time using: Water level sensor does not work, over flows. Wash cycle does not work, rinse cycle does not work, spin cycle works beautifully, but water flows out of holes in back of machine and from under bottom. Clean floor, pile of wet towells.

Called cust. service twice so far. Disconnected twice.

Will update review as progresses.

Haier service man out in 1.5 days.after reached them. Needs water level sensor..two weeks To get...Have full washer of water to empty.. decided best return it because he said nothig about the fact would not wash, just flashed red lights fast and still leaked.

Contacted Amazon..had new washer in 3 days.

While packing up bad washer to send back, got call from Haier service..going to be not two weeks for part but one to two months.

Haier zip...Amazon 5 star

New washer working beautifully. Have on permanent connection.

Don''t know when you are going to get a bad product, but if going to get one , rather get it from Amazon because they take care of you. They make it right.

Save 4% Off

I''d been looking at this washer for the past 2-3 months. I really wanted it, but, I didn''t have a reason to justify it. This week, I got my reason. Doing 1 load of laundry here in NYC is (minimum) $5 NOT including the dryer. A lot of people who live in apartment buildings have washer/dryers in their basements. People like me, who live in a brownstone/town-house DON''T. The other problem is is it legal? A lot of landlords pooh-pooh the idea of getting washer and/or dryers in tenants apartments, because of the extra electricity drain (a lot of older buildings here don''t have the greatest wiring), and the water hook-ups (the electrical costsis estimated at $14/year, based on 8 loads week.That''s good for me!).

After studying the reviews particularly the one from Witzkeyman "Louie Arrighi" a fellow NYC''er, I felt that his enthusiastic thumbs-up (and wonderful video), I would ''take the plunge.''

Even though I ordered it yesterday, and they said I''d have it delivered by this Tuesday, I was VERY pleasantly surprised this morning, when FedEx rang my bell, and ... delivered it.

After learning the ''do-not''s'' here (particularly about installing the bottom plate correctly), I had the machine up & running within 10 minutes (not to put anyone down, but, I found that the people who did gripe about putting on the plate the wrong way, etc. would not have had these problems...if they just read the instructions, which, yes, I hate them too, but they were very easy and fast).

I''m one ecstatic apartment dweller now. This machine does what people like me need it to do; it does the day''s load. The sheets from the bed. The towels & such. It''s NOT a machine to give it a week''s worth of laundry, and that''s a blessing to me. I don''t have to collect dirty laundry all week, I can have it done, and ready for wearing the next morning.

When it''s spinning the clothes out (jeans are a great clothing item to judge by) at the end of the cycle, it really, REALLY gets the water out to the point that the clothes are only slightly damp, and not soaking wet.

Since it''s been a really hot summer here in Manhattan, it''s a perfect time to put this machine through it''s paces. Every other day (color/white alternate), I''ll put a load in after I''ve had dinner. Within about 15 minutes, the machine''s finished, and I hang the clothes up to dry. By morning, they''re good-to-go.

As I said, the reviews here on AMAZON are always very important to me, especially when I''m not familiar with the product. Besides Witzkeyman Louie Arrighi''s helpful, informative video about the Haier (by the way the name of the company is pronounced like ''higher,'' NOT like ''hair.'' If you ever see a commercial of theirs overseas they say ''dream, think, etc. Haier''), I also found Vlad from San Francisco''s review helpful. I also took note of, because, while he had difficulties, he did say that AMAZON did try to help, and I strongly agree with those words. Another reviewer (name escapes me) addressed the drying question. He said that the clothes were so slightly damp, he''d dry them on a rack or a line. Saves money, and helps prevent wear on the clothing. He was 100% spot-on.

To all of you, I owe you a thanks for your advice.

In conclusion I had a Haier air conditioner at my previous address, and got a new one when I moved here (see my review on that), and having had terrific experiences with Haier, and putting them through tough work, I was doubly-sure the Haier HLP21N Pulsator...Portable Washer would also make me happy. And it has.

Everpure EV9270-85 PBS-400 Drinking Water System

Everpure EV9270-85 PBS-400 Drinking Water System for Prep Sink and Wet Bar
  • Reduces the following contaminants: lead, cysts such as giardia, and cryptosporidium
  • Removes chlorine taste and odor, dirt and cloudiness, mold and algae and particles 1/2 micron and larger in size
  • You will taste the difference in every sip and everything made with water will taste better and is less expensive than bottled water
  • Inhibits limescale build-up in water-using appliances. Easy to install using household common tools
  • Finely polishes treated water to premium quality for drinking and cooking; a lower operating cost that is below the price of bottled water

I ordered this unit and installed it under our main kitchen sink without a problem in about 45 minutes. Half of that time was cleaning out under the kitchen sink! The unit included a variety of fittings, teflon tape, a stainless steel braided hose, and pretty much everything you need for the installation other than the tools.

I was surprised that the fittings were all plastic, however, especially since the housing and filter are metal...why cheap out on the fittings? I know some will argue that they make guns out of "plastic" these days, but living in a home where we just had a fitting break on the water heater (causing extensive water damage), I like brass fittings! Expensive, but worth the cost, in my opinion.

I was also surprised at how little there was to the unit itself. The head component, which is the part the filter screws into, looks like about $5 worth of aluminum. It is nicely cast and appeared to be of high quality, but considering the price of the filter system Everpure is charging about $175 for this small piece.

My biggest disappoint was that the unit leaked. Water dripped down the filter from where it screwed into the housing. I tried to lube the orings, I removed and replaced the filter at least 20 times, and I even did the hokey pokey -but it continued to drip slowly.

I contacted Amazon and they promptly replaced the entire unit. I tried to replace just the filter but it still dripped, so I ended up replacing the head unit too -that did the trick. No leaks.

The total dissolved solids (TDS) in our area are about 120 ppm without the filter, and are running 90 or so with the filter. Not zero (0) like you get with a ZeroWater pitcher, but VERY convenient and I can taste the difference in the water. It tastes as good as bottled water does, which was what I was trying to achieve. I do not have the patience to pour water into a pitcher and wait forever to get a half gallon of pure water! I wanted to use cleaner water for cooking and drinking, and this does the trick.

I do wish the head unit had an automatic water cutoff like fridges do, so that when you replace the filter the water cuts off. Instead you have to either turn off the water supply under your sink or flip the lever on the head. I recommend the water supply as the lever is easy to shift back to the on position as it moves very easily and could get bumped while working under the sink to replace the filter.

The filter is supposed to last a year and even includes an electronic timer that beeps when the filter is nearing the end of its useful life. Very nice feature.

The filter is only a month or so old, but the water flow is excellent.

If the filter head had not leaked on the first unit I would have given this five stars, but that cost me hours and hours of time to figure out and replace.

C-CS-FF

C-CS-FFVery easy to change without even having to shut off water (though I did) due to base''s integral check valve, in my setup anyway. Removes taste of chlorine very well which otherwise ruins the taste of coffee for me. Previous cartridge lasted 3 years only small utility sink I use mostly for coffee, drinking, icemaker and cooking water, not for washing, etc. Tap water here in Bend, Oregon is superb anyway, winning the 2012 "Best Tasting Municipal Water In Northwest" and in running for best in USA, to be determined. I just hate the taste of chlorine.

TIGER PVHB30U/WATER HEATER/3LTR/ELECT.PUMP

TIGER PVHB30U/WATER HEATER/3LTR/ELECT.PUMPWe purchased this for our newborn to warm up her bottles for feeding. It''s been great and the hot water cuts the waiting time in half compared to letting the sink water get hot before being able to warm up the bottle. It''s a lifesaver especially for those middle of the night feedings!

Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Save 5% Off

Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino MachineI ordered the Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine because I''m tired of spending megabucks at the local coffee shops for espresso beverages. Also, I don''t always want to leave the house to get one, especially for breakfast. And finally, by making espresso beverages at home I can control the ingredients and know exactly how many calories I am consuming.

This machine enables you to prepare espresso with a medium, strong, or very strong taste, using either ground coffee or pods. You can prepare either one or two espressos at a time. It also enables you to prepare cappuccinos (by frothing the milk) or lattes (by steaming it). Oddly, the recipes in the manual do not mention how to prepare a café mocha. My own method is to squirt some Hershey''s sugar-free chocolate syrup into a latte, add two packets of artificial sweetener, and stir vigorously. The manual does include helpful tips on ingredients. For example, the lower fat milk is the more froth it will produce. I''m sure you''ll think of your own favorite flavorings to add to beverages--cinnamon, brandy, whipped cream on top, or whatever.

I found the machine fairly easy to use, although it''s a bit fiddly. You need to go through several steps just to pre-warm the components and the cups. And there''s filling the water container, inserting the filter, steaming the milk, cleaning the machine after use . . . on the other hand, at the local coffee shop I just wait around while someone else does all this stuff.

This machine comes with a limited one-year warranty and an order form for parts when they need replacing, which parts are actually quite reasonably priced. Oh, and a separate copy of the manual entirely in French, should you need it.

Great deep crema!

Super easy machine for making capuccino: I make the froth in a cup and then dispense the espresso directly into the same cup. This might be blasphemy, but at 5:30am, who cares.

Cleanup: 20 seconds: I wipe off the nozzle, tap out the hockey puck into the garbage, and rinse it.

Large clear water container, easy to see how much water is left.

Cleaning the machine: I ran diluted vinegar through once so far in 6 months. Working fine. I had to clean out the brew head once, which required a screwdriver and took a couple of minutes and a paper towel.

Note on espresso strength: With my unit, the coffee seemed like it was on the weak side at first, then after about a lb., seemed more like regular strength.

Other things to like about this machine:

A snap to clean up. If you''ve used other machines you know there are usually little sprays of coffee, coffee grounds, milk, froth, etc., and grind slop to clean up after.

Water container holds enough to make many cups in a row before refilling.

The foot print is much smaller than some other similar machines, so it fits into my counter corner easily.

The manual is very thorough. When I had to figure out how to clean out the brew head, the info was right there.

The price is nice! We inherited a Barista and later purchased a Cafe Roma which are also great, but I like this system for its ease of use, crema, and tidy footprint. Also thinking this would be a nice gift, as it''ll turn out a nice cup right away. Had the unit 6 months so far, so hope it keeps up the good work.

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So I had bought this machine going by a review by an unbiased espresso machine store, and they tested on a video. They sold all types of machines. So I gave this a try. After reading the reviews on amazon I was little hesitant.

When I tried the machine it worked wonderfully, and later some of the shots I pulled were weak... Similar to what others had mentioned as a con.

Unlike the latter I knew that it did well initially so the error must''ve fallen on myself, but how? I wondered. So I went online a did a bit of research and found the error lay on how I was grinding the beans. Online it said that certain machine work well with certain grinds. This particular one must be extremely finely ground, and a burr grinder would work more efficiently.

As for the complaints about the bitterness, you get a bit more bitter taste with grinding it finely, but honestly esperesso is not meant to be extremely bitter, that is the result of burnt grounds scorched under pressure, and that''s the result of a poor machine.

Do the research there''s plenty of information on the Internet and YouTube ... It is a great machine! Very easy to use at a great price.

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I have owned the ''Capresso EC100'' for a couple months now. This is one of the better inexpensive "Thermo-Block" machines and is

the perfect ''entry'' level product for somebody making their own espresso the first time. Do not spend $hundreds$ on a ''wonder machine'' if you don''t know what you are doing (you will make bad coffee regardless of the product being used). It is also a perfect machine for those whose pallets aren''t ''perfect''. I have noticed that many of the negative reviews over this machine seem to be more "user error" based frustration, than an actual failure of the machine. Some espresso drinkers here may not properly know the difference between ''burnt'' & ''strong''. This is a $150 or less machine,

lets get real folks, machines that cost $2000+ do so for a reason. If you take your time and read the directions for

the Capresso EC100 and follow them accordingly, you will not be sad. For $150 there is more work involved and more

preparation, but the end result is very good. If you want automated and do not want to think, this is not the machine for you.

Pros:

*Very good espresso

Large water reservoir

Short warm up period

Easy to clean

Cons:

Steamer wand is short. Can be a pain with some ''frothing pitchers''.

Steamer is ''weak'' in my opinion. The pressure is ''meh''.

Vibration of the machine is a bit much and can ''rattle'' two cups side by side if pouring a double.

Side info:

You will need to spend a little time getting everything ''warmed'' up. Leftover grinds after steaming are "sloppy" and not the ''dry puck''. This doesn''t really seem to be an issue except for a few extra clean up steps. I put a towel under mine for cleanup purposes, this seems to also lower some of the vibration.

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Cliff Notes

Makes a great Espresso/Latte/Cappuccino.. once you have figured the following:

1. Make sure you do NOT tamp the coffee too hard.

I have found that if you do tamp too hard the machine will not dispense coffee.

(For reference I use Community Coffee Dark roast, ground in store at Espresso settings)

2. Always pre-warm the machine/cups/filter.

The result is great tasting, hot coffee.

This review would have been 5 stars but I found some quality issues:

Screw at bottom of porta filter came loose!

It almost ended up in the garbage. Fixed with a dab of superglue/threadlocking compound to secure the screw in its threads.

The over pressure release at the end of a cycle causes quick filling of the drip tray.

Overall, great compact machine (small counter-space footprint), would recommend to others.

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Hunter 3.5 Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier

Hunter 3.5 Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier with PermaWick Filter, 34357We bought one of these Hunter humidifiers a few years ago. I liked the big tank, low-maintenance and no consumables (no wicks or filters to buy). The only problem was, as others have mentioned, that often when it switched off, a gallon or more of water would promptly dump onto my floor. I finally called Hunter to complain about it, and I have to say I''m incredibly impressed with their customer service, and with the simple fix (new design for the tray) which appears to fix the problem completely. This is now a very competent humidifier, and we''re really happy with it. You won''t see a cool plume of water vapor spewing from this unit, but it does work really well, and it''s very easy to keep clean (just throw parts of it in the dishwasher, and use vinegar and water to de-calcify the other parts).

For those who are shopping for a humidifier, you first have to decide what''s important to you. For me, the ultrasonic ones are a no-go because they spew white powder all over my room (mineral dust from our hard water). The hot steam ones are a no-go because they get all nasty from bacteria, fungi, etc. I don''t want to breathe that stuff in. And while the fan is far from silent, we actually like it at night, it''s a nice gentle drone that helps lull us to sleep.

Nice job, Hunter, on fixing the original design flaw, and on supporting the product so well.

I bought two of these Hunter humidifiers at the same time, and they did a good job of humidifying a 2000 square-foot house (1 upstairs; 1 downstairs). It seems like they operated non-stop during 4 very dry winters. Both units had similar problems during their 4-year lifetimes, but my issues weren''t specified in the manufacturer''s warranty so I never pursued replacement or repair. Since my cost-per-year (based on total purchase price) was $20/unit, I simply treated them as "disposables" and discarded them after the 4th year. This Fall I''ll decide whether to replace both with the same models or choose a competitor product.

This is not a "cool-mist" humidifier -it is an evaporative unit with a fan. The motor turns the fan and also drives a simple plastic impeller pump that circulates the water. There is a float connected to a power switch that will turn the unit off when the water level in the pan is low. My problems: both NiteGlow lights stopped working prior to the end of the 1st winter. I had assumed that the units would use a long-life LED, but that obviously wasn''t the case. During the 2nd winter, I had problems with one of the "float" systems, but was able to repair it myself. During the 3rd and 4th seasons, I had problems with the plastic fans rubbing the plastic case and causing noise especially on "Hi" speed. For their last year of use, I could only operate the units on "Lo" fan speed. The fans would still rub the cases intermittently, and it was very annoying in the middle of the night or while trying to watch TV.

On extremely dry days, the output capacity on "Hi" fan speed can truly be 3-1/2 gallons every 24 hours when the humidistat is on a high setting. Fortunately, the "Tote Away tank" is convenient to transport and easy to refill at a bathtub or deep kitchen sink. The fans were never "whisper-quiet" even from day-one, but you will tune them out as background noise after the first week of use. The digital humidistats worked fine until the 4th season when one died abruptly. They automatically turn the fan off when the pre-set humidity level is reached. For me, they sometimes stopped working temporarily after the units were cleaned, but they always started working again after the units had fully dried.

I always had trouble with buildup of minerals on the filter, pan, and chassis, but this is presumably the price one pays for not having paper filters? The water in the bottom pans of the units tended to concentrate our local pinkish "Serratia marcesens". This could probably be overcome with diligent (i.e. weekly) emptyings and cleanings. On Lo-speed, the water doesn''t seem to move fast enough to prevent mild stagnation in the bottom pan, and if you continue to use the unit once the ambient humidity naturally returns in the Spring then you may have trouble with moldy/musty smells since the water won''t be cycling very frequently.

The pan and filter frame do clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher (after the PermaWick filter has been removed). I only had a single "overflow" onto the floor by one unit after 4 years of use. That should be physically impossible based on the design of the unit, so I don''t know what caused it. I suspect that I was responsible for it in some way. Nevertheless, had an entire 3+ gallons spilled onto the floor (upstairs!), it could have caused some major damage. If I use these units again in the future, I may set them inside some large plastic storage boxes (or an unused bathtub) as a secondary overflow prevention.

Positives: No paper filters! No white residues since the units are mist-less. The PermaWick filters lasted for 3 seasons, but they were inexpensive and easy to replace. The units are attractive in design, easy to use, and the non-moving parts (except for the nite-lite) are rugged. Ideally, the units should last for longer than 4 seasons, but at an average cost of approximately $20 per winter one can''t complain too loudly about the limited lifetime. If Hunter builds added quality into the unit, then the market price will undoubtedly increase to match.

Buy Hunter 3.5 Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier Now

This humidifier has been great to us so far. Easy to use. We''ve had no leaks or troubles. We also enjoy the ''white noise'' of the fan at night. The blue glow is neat, too. The first two years we used our very hard spring water. This will be the first year with softened water, so we''ll see how it goes.(I think a little hardness is necessary?) Much less messy than the cheap ones. The tank, when full, might be heavy for some to lug around, but the good thing is it has a handle and it won''t spill while you''re carrying it. I''d definitely recommend, and if I need another one, would go with the same one-even though it''s a little pricey in my opinion. I enjoy all its features too much to go without.

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I''ve owned one of these for about 4 years and it continues to perform wonderfully. The water tank is easy to remove, fill and return to the humidifier. I have a humidistat in my house and the results were increased relative humitidy from 33% (very dry) to the recommended 42%. Big help for those with sinus and, or allergy issues. The "permafilter" will eventually have to be replaced but not until after several years of use (depending on the water supply).

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It does work good but it is not large enough for a whole house, I should actually have 2 of these but the thing I love the most is that there are no paper filters to replace! The ones that have the replaceable filters really are the pits since the filters are expensive and don''t last long.

Brushed Chrome Colored Faucet Light Heat Sensitive Color Changing

Brushed Chrome Colored Faucet Light Heat Sensitive Color ChangingIt is so funny that the email was sent to me this weekend for review as I was going to look up the info for my purchase tomorrow.

First of all, I love the product as it has helped with my grandchildren to know when the water is becoming hot when they are using our powder room sink. But...in only a few short weeks the "brushed chrome" is peeling off little by little with no one really touching it. I don''t know what would make this happen...so I question that. I can see that it is only spray painted on the plastic faucet part and is starting to look worn already. Brushed Chrome Colored Faucet Light Heat Sensitive Color Changing

Mine seemed to have worked a lot better than some other reviewers'' lights, it reliably turned red at hot and blue at cold, although I would always try to find the exact spot where it was neither hot NOR cold, because it would light up purple :)

But, as electronics and water don''t tend to mix, the chamber with the electronic parts, despite being "sealed," quickly stopped being sealed (I think water seeped in through the little holes that the thermistor was poking out from) and toasted the electronic parts. Now it''s filled with rust and broken. Only after a couple days, one of the electronic contacts rusted over so badly that it wasn''t making the electrical connection, and I''d have to take it off once a week and use a file to remove the corrosion, but after only about three weeks it began to fill with water, so I would diligently take it off several times a day and drain it, and that worked for a few months, but by then the water had set to work and it was only a matter of time before it stopped working altogether.

It''s really cool, but I would consider carefully dotting the holes that the thermistor sticks out of with superglue or silicone or SOMETHING to keep water from getting inside, and "shake" the faucet after turning the water off so drops of water don''t stick to the sensors and speed corrosion. I wouldn''t even say that it''s an inherent design flaw, since I don''t know how else you''d pull off this effect, barring some "water wheel" method, which would probably just gum up and stop working anyway.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed it, it was a fun novelty (and great to help know when the water had changed temperature), but I wished that it had lasted more than a few weeks.

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I couldn''t be more disappointed in this item. First of all, the "brushed chrome" is silver colored plastic. None of the standard-sized faucets in my home fit this, even with the adaptors provided. It doesn''t light up at all when water is passed through it, and if you open it to change the batteries, the little metal contacts bend and you can''t reclose it without totally bending them out of shape, rendering it useless.

I''m soooooo disappointed and frustrated now at the hassle of returning this to a third-party seller. Learn from my experience, steer clear of this little boo-boo.

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This is a good conversation piece....I saw one first time at a friends house and I thought it was really cool.I went home and ordered 2.When I received them one did not work. I had absolutly no problem exchanging. They are fun when family comes to visit..it''s alittle surprise..and kids wash thier hands more withut any problems, so maybe I''ll get the shower head too!If you have an even flow of water your lights will be even,otherwise, still fun

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The only thing I don''t like is that the chrome paint started to come off soon after I got it.

Jelmar CLR CL-12 28-Ounce Cleaner Save 15% Off

Jelmar CLR CL-12 28-Ounce CleanerI used CLR to remove hard water build-up around a few sinks in my home. I used it straight out of the bottle and let it sit for a few minutes. With some scrubbing it removed the build-up. The next project was the shower with glass wall and door. It was a mess of water spots and soap scum. I tried regular household cleaners, WD40 and some other "secret weapons" found on the web no luck. I them wiped CLR with a soft sponge all over the shower and let sit for a few minutes. Next up, scrubbing and rinsing -success! Most of the spots were gone and the glass looked much improved. Keep in mind, it takes work, not just spray ''n wipe.

A problem that occurred in our old toilet was that some kind of scale or calcium build-up prevented the flapper from sealing the tank properly, so that the float valve was being continuously activated. We drained the tank and let a quarter inch deep of CLR soak overnight. After that the flapper was once again able to seal the tank and the float valve was no longer constantly triggering.

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"swish a little through, and it looks like new"... yeah, i''m gonna go with no on that one! that''s the quote that they use in the commercial to demonstrate how easy it is to clean out a coffee pot (although "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"). i actually had to scrub at mine for quite a while to get results... but i still got really good results, and that''s what counts! i also used this on some rusty tools, and they look great now (i don''t know if like knew, cause i haven''t seem them like this for a while). ya gotta scrub to get the right results with this stuff. oh, and it didn''t seem to help with my shower head, so i dinged it a star!

Read Best Reviews of Jelmar CLR CL-12 28-Ounce Cleaner Here

I use CLR to clean all of the white calcium scum build up on dishes. Just a capful in the dishwasher cleans the entire load! A small amount in the coffee pot and shake the pot around for a couple minutes cleans everything. Works well in my bathroom for tubs and sinks as well. I have never tried it in toilets. I had a build up once in my shower head and removed the sprayer and dipped in a cup of CLR and it worked great.

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We use CLR to remove lime and other build-up, especially in our humidifiers. It works well to clean coffee makers as well. I would recommend it, and really do not understand the negative reviews of CLR.

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Bodum Assam 34-Ounce Glass Teapot with Stainless-Steel Filter

Bodum Assam 34-Ounce Glass Teapot with Stainless-Steel FilterBodum design and quality has always intrigued me in both positive and negative ways. I have in the past easily broken a bodum glass item and yet I am still drawn into purchasing another product.

I''ve wanted the Bodum Assam 34-ounce cast-iron version for longevity, but the weight of it alone is too much to handle to brew tea. So I opted for this 34-ounce glass version which is very light and, like other Bodum borosilicate glass items, delicate. I have yet to break porcelain items by simple bumps while washing, but with a Bodum I am sure to crack them in time.

However, after much searching for a tea brewing device which affords functionality and simplicity, I fall for a Bodum yet again.

WHY? It is only this brand that features a tea press that stops the brewing process when the desired strength has been reached.

HOW? The loose leaves are placed on the center inside the stainless steel filter. When you want the brewing process to stop, the plunger pushes the leaves down the bottom of the filter away from the liquid and sealed by a silicon rubber ring surrounding the plunger. It''s a simple ingenious design carried and modified from their coffee press.

PROS:

Effective and ingenious plunger to create a tailored brewing strength depending on user, water volume and type of tea leaves

Despite a thin glass container, surprisingly keeps the liquid hot for a relatively long time.

Simple design makes an elegant product that matchces any interior as well as hand washing very easy.

No spill in pouring. I was afraid the small lip may cause spilling while pouring, but I experienced none. No spills travelling down the wall after pouring as well.

Glass version allows you to view the brewing the process and cater to your needs.

CONS:

Thin borosilicate glass makes the tea press more fragile than you think.

Plunger design is simple, but clumsy as well. Plunger stalk has to be aligned completely vertical or pushing straight down will be met with great resistance especially as the silicon rubs against the stainless steel wall.

Loose leaves are not all contained on the bottom as some may escape thru the silicon seal and shred against the stainless steel filter wall. If this happens, the brewing process is not effectively and completely stopped. The leaves especially escape if you don''t align the plunger completely vertically. (You will know what I am talking about when you own it and experience the same).

VERDICT:

You have a choice between an extremely heavy cast-iron version or the extremely light glass version. I wish Bodum created a thicker-walled version in glass so I can still view the brewing process and have it less fragile than most Bodum products these days.

For the price, I really can''t complain so I find myself purchasing yet another functional and patented Bodum product. Until another company has come up with an ingenious plunger system that is better built, I guess Bodum it will be for now.

Pro''s: nice size for 2 people, easy to make tea with loose tea or tea bags, poors well, easy to clean up, pleasing to the eye and works with most kitchen decors, utilitarian with a little bit of flair.

Con''s: I would like to be able to remove all the stainless parts and have an all glass tea pot too, but I couldn''t find a teapot with that design.

Buy Bodum Assam 34-Ounce Glass Teapot with Stainless-Steel Filter Now

I owned this product for about a month. Suddenly when I poured in hot water, the glass broke. I called customer service and they do not stand behind thier products at all. I received a sorry we are out of stock on that replacement part and there is no date when they will receive more. Basically they will not stand behind their products.

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I really want to like this press, but having a hard time. Don''t get me wrongit''s beautiful sitting on the counter, but I just don''t see the hype in these reviews. I''ve had it a couple of weeks, and here are my concerns:

1) the glass is really thin. I don''t think it''s going to take much banging on the granite counter, or in the sink before it shatters. Bodum sells quite a few glass beaker replacements for their coffee press line (I have one), and that is for a device that has the beaker encased in some type of frame. This tea press glass is unprotected, and I can''t imagine that it is going to last too long.

2) The plunger mechanism is a good concept, but poor execution. When you plunge down to stop the brewing, there is no where for the water to go after you get past the strainer. Imagine trying to plunge (or unplunge) a capped syringe. It just doesn''t work well, and you have a vacuum lock when you pull up to remove the tea leaves.

3) The strainer sits so high in the carafe, you have to make a pretty big pot of tea to get a brew. It needs to be at least half full to get going (more the better). If you only need a serving or two of tea, you''re going to waste a bunch of leaves to get a pot bigger than you need.

4) the rubber gasket at the top has airspace behind. This is an area that collects junk, as it''s hard to wash. A good brew is all about puritybig $$ leaves, reverse-osmosis water, clean carafe, etc. No telling what bacterial colonies are growing in there.

5) the lid fits loosely, when you tilt to pour, the chrome top can slide off, and out comes your tea leaves everywhere.

6) You can''t use this carafe to brew flowering pots with the beautiful hand sewn tea leaf boquets. The top of the carafe is part of the plunger mechanism. Use the strainer or this model stays in the cabinet.

Again, it''s a pretty pot, but I don''t think anyone serious in tea brewing would take this model seriously. YMMV.

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I purchased the Bodum glass teapot, loved the design and mechanism for brewing tea. Like the other reviews, one day I pour hot water into it and the glass broke. Then I was foolish enough to purchase another one. I put it in the dishwasher and the glass broke. So I decided to stay away from their glass teapots and went on the Bodum site to purchase a stainless steel one. The tea just tasted funny like some metallic particules leached into the tea. I returned it and Bodum charged a restocking fee for the return. Between paying for shipping, the restocking fee and paying for the return shipping I was out almost $40! Stay away do not buy Bodum. They look good but very poor quality.