White Countertop BottleLess Water Cooler from BottleLess Direct Save 40% Off

This product does produce good tasting water from the tap and it also produces cooled or hot water instantly. The major problem is that the cooler is an energy hog. It costs about $15 or $20 more a month on my electric bill to operate this device. The motor runs constantly which is not only expensive but annoying. It produces a good product but at a substantial cost.

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Sprite Chrome Original Hand Held Shower Filter

Am I the only one to receive a defective shower head? The clasp to hold head does not fit and the shower head is always very loosely suspended. Because of that it can fall easily. Last night it fell and broke. The shower head is now irreparable. I am disappointed that the item that I received does not appear to be the same quality as what others have received and reviewed. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this product to anyone.

This Sprite shower head has lots of advantages:

Easy to install, with understandable directions.

No more chlorine smell and feel to the skin.

Good pressure.

Excellent for use during shower clean-up, since you can move it around.

Did I mention that it was dead easy to put in?

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Shower filter works great, no leaks & makes our long hair soft! Very happy with it & received it quickly.

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The chrome finish is attractive, the adjustable showerhead settings are what you would expect from any other brand, the filtration does not affect the water pressure (my water pressure improved, but I don''t know if that would be the same for everybody), AND you get filtered shower water! It''s a no-brainer.

The installation was easy. I set aside a whole afternoon, thinking it would be a nightmare to do the install.... It took 10 minutes. I totally recommend this, it''s a great product.

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I bought 2 of these last November (this is February) and both were installed and put into use. We were happy with them until last night when my flatmate, during her shower (when the device was in its holder on the wall) fell and hit her on the head. The chrome holder had broken, and examination of the broken piece showed that it was made of plastic! As I say, but for the lump on my friend''s head, it was fine.... (these were bought from Amazon, where I buy practically everything else, but this breakage appeared to be a manufacturing defect.)

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Lennox WB2-17/WP2-18 Humidifier Replacement Water Panel

These were exact replacements at a discounted price. Arrived ahead of schedule and installation was a breeze. Lower price allows you to replace them more often for better humidifier performance.

This pad works well in my Lennox humidifier. I have used these pads in the past but I used to get it from my HVAC company who charged a premium for the same. I have begun buying them myself and keep it handy during the annual HVAC service. The technician is happy to replace it for me and being the right pad for my humidifier it fits like a charm.

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The filters arrived in a reasonable time and as expected. This is a simple replacement filter. There were no problematice issues with the order.

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PUR Flavor Options Faucet Mount FM-5050B

• Faucet Mount with option to add flavor
• Easy One-Click Installation
• Flavor Packet Concentrate:No Sugar, Calories, or Dyes
• Electronic Filter Change Light
• Premium filtration for deliciously healthy water

To quickly answer the question most people will want to know about, the flavoring option is a mixed bag. Personally, I think it tastes great but I am used to the flavor of "diet" tasting drinks so if you can stand drinks like Crystal Light, Fresca soda, or similar you will probably like this as well. This was a present for my mother, however, and she doesn''t like the taste. Adding flavor is completely optional. It''s simply a small plastic container that is attached to the front of the purifier and it squirts a small amount of sucralose flavoring into the water dispensed from the separate tap.

I''m also pleased to note that this matches a chrome faucet perfectly and I didn''t need separate (included) adapters during installation. My only complaint is you never feel like it is installed securely enough. While only finger tightening was enough to use without leaks, it still moves around sideways a lot. I''m not sure if that was the intent, but I would have preferred something that locks solidly into place. Installation of the filter is idiot-proof as you are literally placing a square peg into a round hole. Screw the cap on the front into place, installing the flavor cartridge if you desire, and you''re ready to go.

The filters are rated to purify 100 gallons before needing replacement. A small electronic light blinks green, yellow, or red when you switch to purified water as an indicator. Most importantly, the water tastes great and I find myself drinking a lot more of it in place of soda or other drinks. That certainly can''t be a bad thing. Recommended.

Update (May, 2008): I feel I should update this review. While my purifier worked, I was disheartened to read so many reviews saying these were defective. After about six months of use I started to see symptoms of problems others were complaining about such as leakage from the mount and decreased water pressure (likely due to a loose seal). P&G, the makers of Pur, were nice enough to send me a coupon for a replacement faucet but unfortunately the replacement leaked everywhere. I now question the quality and reliability of these devices, but cannot change my original rating. While the idea is great, these do seem to be cheap junk and I would not recommend them now. I guess I was lucky the first time.

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PUR Water Filter Review \ Hack

Once, long ago, PUR was a great company with great water filtering technology. I still love their filters! Unfortunately, a big bad company named Proctor and Gamble bought them and messed them over in favor of customer abuse. This was accomplished using two methods. The first method is called ''planned obsolescence'' whereby their faucet mount apparatus leak and die briefly after the end of the warranty period. (It didn''t used to be that way in the good old days). The second method is called ''timed death'' whereby their apparatus lock up their enclosed filters at a preset volume of filtered water, whether the filter is actually used up or not.

Planned obsolescence can be overcome by calling up Proctor and Gamble BEFORE your warranty runs out, and letting them know that your PUR apparatus is squirting water all over your kitchen. Ask them to send you a replacement or a replacement certificate. If need be, call repeatedly asking to speak to the President of P&G, never taking ''no'' for an answer. Then take your certificate and get another PUR apparatus. This will provide you with a lifetime for the apparatus more representative of the lifetime of original PUR apparatus. You''ve cheated no one. P&G''s cheat on you has been overcome.

The timed death lockout of your filter is extremely easy to overcome. Pull out the filter from the apparatus. This resets the nasty timing device to zero again. Put your filter back in. TADA! You''re done. Your filter will work as before. Note, however, that PUR filters do eventually get clogged with stuff. You''ll know when to change it.

I hope that helps everyone restore goodness to the universe. I still love PUR filters better than any other brand and wouldn''t be without them. It''s P&G''s customer abuse that''s not worth liking. Shame on you P&G.

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Recently the quality of the PUR Faucet Mount systems have gone into the toilet. I contacted PUR to let them know I was having problems with keeping their PUR filter from leaking. They sent me a coupon for a new one and I purchased this "state of the art" model thinking that if the previous models had kinks then surely they would have worked them out by now. Ummmm... no way. The silver colored plastic Faucet Mount Housing (the large silver part that holds the filter) came off within about a week of us installing it because the glue gave out. The front silver cover that houses the flavor cartridge kept falling off if it was slightly tapped. This thing leaked within a few months of getting it. Try as we may, tightening it did nothing. Then we tried to take it off to check the rubber seal. The mounting nut that attaches it to the faucet then locked up so we couldn''t put it back on. Save your money. Replacing the unit every few months doesn''t give you any real savings. I''m dissappointed again. I wish I could give it -3 stars because I would.

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I''m a very VERY picky person when it comes to water. I cannot stomach the taste of tap water so for years I''ve been buying at least a case of water each week.

I was very skeptical about trying anything out of the tap using a filter but I bought this with the raspberry flavoring. If you''re going to do it, might as well do it right!

I''m actually very surprised. The instructions made it so incredibly easy to install and use the unit and the water that came out didn''t have that ''tap water taste'' to it. It was extremely clean and the flavoring is a nice added benefit.

I''d suggest this to anyone that uses bottled water on a regular basis. It will save you money in the long run and the hassle of recycling.

This has to be one of the best products invented in a long time. It was very easy to install. My kids have always been water drinkers but now they love to drink water! And as an added benefit, there is no sugar in it. No more flavored drink mixes, no more soda, no more juice... Flavored water from the tap and it tastes'' great!

Now to stock up on the flavor cartridges!

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36 GPD Filmtec Residential RO Membrane

• 36 Gallon Per Day (5.7 Liters per Hour) Capacity; FILMTEC Model TW30-1812-36
• 98% Stabilized Salt Rejection (Minimum Rejection 96%)
• NSF/ANSI Standard 58 listed
• Membrane Dimensions: 11.75" Overall Length, 1.75" Diameter (Fits Standard 2" ID Membrane Housings)

This is review of "Dow Filmtec Residential RO Membranes". While it should work as described, DO NOT USE on Watts Premier WP systems (i.e. WP-4V, WP-4, WP-5). The WP systems are the one-piece manifold systems from Watts Premier.

This does not have the built-in Check Valve or Brine Seal inside the white plastic tube of the RO Membrane. Without this Check Valve or Brine Seal, water from the reservoir tank (when full) will back flow to the RO membrane and damage it, and waste water.

This back flow or reverse flow will happen when your reservoir tank gets full. So basically, you will be wasting water as the water trickle will not stop. When I tested it, water continued to trickle out of the reject water outlet tube even when my reservoir tank is full already (it should stop when reserve tank is full). The water coming out is at a much slower rate though, but still plenty enough to raise your water bill since the water trickle will continue 24 hours a day.

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I love this RO membrane for my Vertec under the sink system. I have well water and this makes my water taste so much better and also makes the water clear and clean. I never worry about drinking my water with this membrane and I am no longer embarrassed to serve my water to anyone because it is the best water in town and has no taste. Our well water has a lot of lime in the water but this filters it out and leaves only the best water you could find anywhere.

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this 36 gpd membrane works perfect for my drinking system at home , easy to replace with instruction included .

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Our reverse osmosis system had been serviced by the company that installed it at a much higher price, obviously, than we could do ourselves. This was our first time changing the membrane, but with a little help from a YouTube video, it was easy to do. We sized up (if you are changing the size of the membrane, get the proper sized flow restrictor, also easy to change with the help of a video) and couldn''t be happier with it.

received in a timely fashion and very well packaged. very happy with the purchase would definitely order from them again!

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AVANTI H2O DISPENSER TABLETOP

This product uses the standard water bottles but, does not hold but a little over 16 oz. of water at a time. It says in the handbook that if you use 2 cups of water, it will take the machine 25 minutes to get the next 2 cups cold. It doesn''t say that in the description on the item. Product does not have the piercing device that you turn the water bottle upside down on. So I''m not sure how the water is supposed to drain into the very small reservoir. If you have to remove the entire cap from the top of the water bottle, that is very dumb. I will stick with the cooler I have that sets on the floor taking up room.

Because of the needs of our small office I was determined to get a small water cooler/heater and this was the only model I could find.

The 3rd unit seems to be fine (I returned the other two because they were defective and either didn''t heat or didn''t cool the water.

Flush the unit well and run a little vinagar and water through it to get rid of the plastic taste.

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We returned this product, was a lemon!! Cooling and heater didn''t work, water had a bad taste.

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PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT AND IT LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY SHIPPING CHARGE SO THEY CAN REPAIR IT.

DON''T THINK SO .... SO I THREW IT OUT.... HAVE TO DO A STAR I GUESS BUT I RATE THIS PRODUCT ZERO

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The listing is in error it should read cooler holds standard 2 gallon, 3 gallon or 5 gallon bottle. (not 23 gallon) also the refridgeration does not last as long as a more expensive water cooler. But is is great to have a sealable pure water supply after it breaks down. I have a regular residential refridgerator that I just refill my portable bottles for cold water.

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Brita Pitcher Replacement Filter (Pack Of 2)

These are nice and work well. Not much else to say about this the water tastes good and they fit well.

Brita may not be the best filter system around but it works for what I''m using it for. Both filters came in the OEM packaging. For the reviews complaining about "black stuff" being in their filtered water......that is NORMAL for the initial use of most charcoal filters. It''s not going to kill you, actual charcoal pills are available for human consumption. Even Jack Daniel''s Whiskey has bit of charcoal in it occasionally!

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I have used a different Brita pitcher for a long time & I love them! They really do the trick.

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Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

Ok...so I''m not the person that''s concerned about taste. In fact...most of you reading this don''t care about why Reverse osmosis filtering is important for an aquarium....but let me begin on the basics.

1. Yes it wastes somewhere between 4-5 gallons for every 1 gallon it filters.

2. It does take up under the sink space...if your not at all good with plumbing and don''t hire a professional.

3. The filters run about 100$ for a full set 1 pre-filter, 1 post-filter, and 1 Reverse Osmosis filter.

Note: they say you will need to replace every 6 months...If you have hard water and can smell it from the tap, you will likely have to change the filter more often. If you have relatively good clean water the filter could last a year.

4. WHY I USE IT: The option of getting a Reverse Osmosis unit not only softens the water, but removes 99.5% of the bad chemicals in your tap. Chlorine, Chloramine, Flouride...etc. I have special fish that need clean soft water this is the best way to get it.

Now I tried the Home Depot GE version (same price) and let me tell you....it was the shoddiest, cheap, and in the end worthless unit. I took it back after the tank nut cracked while it was pressurizing...only to find out it was also missing a 2 important seals. I returned it and headed to Lowes...

Whirlpool Reverse Osmosis Filtration System WHER25

Pros :

Easy to install (if your not too concerned about how it looks)

Highest quality parts than any other competitors in the same price range.

Fairly quiet

Saves money in the long run (for me it paid for itself in a month...but then I use it for large aquariums)

Cons :

If your not handy putting things together, you''ll need a plumber but you can then have all the equipment setup in your basement or garage out of the way.

It does waste 4-5 gallons per 1 gallon of drinking water, but once it fills up the attached tank it stops the process.

If you absolutely need to get an RO unit at a budget price, this is the unit you want to buy. I never considered ''whirlpool'' a quality product over ''GE'', but this is one very large exception to that rule. If you have a larger budget, you might consider some of the large setups they are more efficient over time and a bit more convenient if you need more that 2.5 gallons at a time.

In the literature the RO membrane does not need to be changed every 6 months, just the pre and post filter. The RO membrane will let you know when it is time by decreased production or pressure. They indicate "The membrane should be replaced after a decrease in water pressure or quality."

Have had mine for 5 years and only changed membrane once. I''m connected to city water and move the post filter to the pre spot and put on a new post filter about every 6 months or so. The pre filter needs to remove big items, the RO membrane removes the disolved solids and the post filter removes the odor. If you have lots of smell to your water, like with some wells, might make sense to change both every time.

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With all the negative reviews, I thought I better add my own to balance it a bit.

I installed it my self. Took me a couple hours but had no real problems. I did have to press in one of the hoses that I did not have seated properly, but that is my fault. It''s been about a week and no leaks.

I had the water tested and my normal tap water has 1200ppm TDS, and after the RO, I got 320ppm TDS. Which isn''t great, but it should be safe. I''m going to add another charcol filter in front of the system to try and knock down the TDS some more. Also our local water specialist is coming this week to service our system in the garage. I suspect after they are done, our TDS will be down to a level this RO filter can handle better, I may not need the charcol filter.

We have a Well, so high water usage isn''t so important to me. It goes right back down the drain and back into the ground where it came from. City Water users might be concerned about the water usage. It''s cheap, easy, and works and I chose this because of the twist in/out filters. No more spilling water all over while changing filters.

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What I like:

1. It delivers good, bottled quality water

What I don''t like:

1. High cost of replacement filters

2. Cheap, fragile plastic connectors

3. Not easy to install; may require modification of existing water supply and drain piping. Will probably require extra hardware for proper installation.

4. Wastes too much water

My uses for this product:

Ice making

Coffee & Tea beverages

Drinking water

I purchased this product for under-the-kitchen sink installation. I wanted a RO (Reverse-Osmosis) filtration system to remove hardness constituents from the water for our coffee maker & ice maker.

Installation was somewhat difficult; I had to purchase another shut-off valve that was suitable for my 3/8" copper plumbing, a 3/8" to 1/4" tee adapter to connect the enclosed water supply tubing to the RO unit, and another 1 1/2" drain adapter (enclosed adapter was too short) to accommodate the RO drainage into the kitchen sink drains.

This product came with a charge tank, chrome plated drinking spigot, CR2032 battery, 1/2" plastic threaded tee connector for the water supply, a drain adapter for under the sink installation, a drain connector (which I was able to use) a plastic water connector for the tank, plastic color-coded hoses, some teflon tape and a plastic sanitizing pipet.

You must follow the instructions carefully to properly install & hook up the RO unit and avoid leaks that many reviewers have experienced.

It took about 24 hours after installation, sanitizing & charging the system before it was fully operational. I estimate the unit drains away approximately 3 gallons of water for every gallon of filtered water produced.

However, the unit produces very good tasting water that leaves very little behind in the way of calcium scale deposits. I have found that I can just replace the pre and post water filters only without replacing the reverse osmosis filter cartridge every 6 months. The original reverse osmosis cartridge had lasted nearly 24 months before I replaced it.

I would have rated this as 5 stars if the unit didn''t waste so much water. I recommend it.

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Pros of this unit:

* fairly easy to install

* filters are easy to change

* neat and clean

Cons of this unit:

* filters are very expensive (almost $100 for the full set)

* you have to change filters much more often than 6 months if your water isn''t good quality to begin with

* it wastes a lot of water during the filtering process

* it''s noisy during the filtering process

We got this system about 2 years ago from Lowe''s and installed it ourselves. It functions properly (we never had problem with leaks, etc). The first few months we were very pleased with the product, but around about month 3, we started noticing that it began to run constantly, even all through the night. It''s quite noisy as well (it makes a gurgling noise during filtering). Upon calling the Whirlpool customer service, they said this indicated a need for filter change. Sure enough, once we changed the pre-and post-filters, the problem resolved. However, we are regularly needing to change the filters every 2 months now. We already have a water softener installed, so I''m not sure what else we can do to pre-condition our water, which is what Whirlpool wants you to do when you call their customer service. Isn''t that the purpose of this unit? Paying $50 every other month for filters on top of our monthly water bill is getting old. Unfortunately, I think we will be uninstalling it soon and just buy bottled water.

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Extech PH100 ExStik Waterproof pH Meter Save 28% Off

• Flat Surface pH electrode is waterproof and rugged enough to withstand harsh environments
• LCD display shows pH from 0.00 to 14.00, temperature and bargraph of trends in acidity or alkalinity; device stores and recalls up to 15 labeled readings
• RENEW feature that tells you when it''s time to replace your pH electrode
• CAL feature that tells you when it''s time to recalibrate your meter
• Includes meter, protective sensor cap, sample cup, 4 SR44 button batteries, and 1 48-inch (1.2m) neckstrap

I have been using this instrument for 4 years and found that for the most part it works okay, however at times it has been known to suddenly stop working (it doesn''t give a reading above 1 and/or has a strange flashing symbol in place of a number) for no apparent reason. In 4 years I''ve sent 2 units back to the manufacturer who sent replacements, but did not explain what was wrong or how to avoid future problems. I take good care of the instrument cleaning, calibrating and storing correctly. The unit stopped working again a couple of weeks ago and I have to assume it needs a new electrode, even though there was no ''RENEW'' signal (I''ve never actually seen the symbol the whole time I''ve used the meter). I do find I''m left guessing about what to do to make the meter work again if it packs up! Something else that bothers the heck out of me is that the electrode needs to be replaced fairly often (every 6 months using it on average 2 to 4 times per week) and $39+ each time hurts (and forget the refillable model too never worked again after it needed refilling).

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The ExStik pH100 does not work. If I had the time, I''d make a video review to go along with these words. Even after calibration, using ExTech''s own solutions, the pH100 fails to read pH levels anywhere near-accurate. It randomly reports its ''findings'', even when using the same sample being tested. The fault may be with the included pH electrode (and sealed solution), which you have no way of knowing the condition or age of, because it''s not packaged separately or appropriately for sensitive electronics. For the cost of this item, you''d expect some level of quality. Look elsewhere, because this product will disappoint both you and your wallet. But, if you still want to buy this piece of junk, I''ll mail you mine for just the cost of shipping. You''ll still be getting ripped off, but you won''t feel so bad as purchasing at full price.

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The unit is accurate and works as advertised. Minor detail they DON''T mention. You really want to calibrate it for the most accurate readings. To do this you need PH 4 and PH 7 solutions which are NOT included. Luckily I have a friend in the chem business so I got some free. Otherwise you are stuck having to buy a bottle of each. The unit does work out of the box, comes with batteries (little watch style, so will be $$ to replace down the road, but hey the do give you batteries to start with) and does a decent job even without calibration.

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It''s only marginally more expensive than the Hanna pH Checker I had, but worth at least twice as much. The auto calibration feature works great (put it in a buffer solution, press "Calibrate" and it automatically detects the buffer pH level and calibrates itself).

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I bought this for our business. Usually when inspector comes, he complains of the old PH meter that we used and it had to be calibrated manually. So, he thought that it wasn''t accurate and we were trying to cheat on him. Honestly, many of our staffs/chefs don''t know how to adjust up to the point. This helps so much and it automatically adjust and calibrate to the most common PH 7 and PH4 (depending on the buffer solution). I strongly suggest to purchase this. The downside is the cost which is pretty much close to $90 and the not renewable part. The other model can renew the part but that model is more expensive than this. So, over all, it''s excellent and 4 stars item.

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Whirlpool 4396508 (3-PACK) Compatible Refrigerator Water and Ice Filter Save 17% Off

Whirlpool 4396508 (3-PACK) Compatible Refrigerator Water and Ice Filter by Zuma Water Filters

We installed this filter about a month ago and I am very pleased with the purchase. I haven''t noticed any difference from the brand name item which I usually purchased, other than cost savings which I much appreciate as well as the convenience of having it sent to my mailbox. It took a little longer than I expected to arrive but a little better planning on my part can solve that problem.

Having purchased all our refrigerator filters from Home Depot and Sears over the years, I''d done extensive research on refrigerator filters online before buying this product.

1. The immediate eye-catcher was the price: $57.99 for a 3-pack inclusive of S&H! That''s a couple of $ cheaper than the seller''s website. This breaks down to $19.33 per filter, which is approx $15 cheaper than the store for an OEM product.

2. Sifting through comments for alternative filters, looking through Youtube videos, etc., and reading about some exploding filters stories, the manufactures specs and related product reviews helped.

3. Vetting the details such as Flow Rate, Operating Temperatures, Min/Max Operating Pressure, and Life Capacity is important. I found cheaper filters that didn''t seem well made and saving $3-$4 isn''t worth the risk of water leaks, etc.

After a week''s use, the product holds up well to the eco-friendly claims listed on:

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BUNN ST Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer Save 32% Off

Coffee is my beverage of choice. Drink it constantly. I''m not a compulsive gourmand, but over the years I''ve gained enough knowledge to be sophisticated and demanding of a decent drink.

Coffee pots have a simple mission, really. To properly heat and immerse the grounds in water so that what goes into the carafe is hot and flavorful. There are a lot of other nuances about the beans, the grind, the water; but that''s not the pot''s problem. In our self imposed spaz world of multitask, no-time-to-do-anything-intelligently, insanity we need clocks and timers on everything to ensure we can snatch at a premade cup of joe on our way to the car.

The Bunn home system answer to these issues is that they promise a 3 minute brewed pot, on demand, of nice hot coffee. Who needs timers. It''s that quick.

Welllll.

You have to understand that Bunn''s are preload immersion heaters. When you first unbox the pot, before you ever turn the pot on, you will need to fill the coffee maker with water ( good idea to keep an old carafe around to measure your water input ''cause Bunn''s don''t have water levels to see how much water is in the tank ). Once you''ve filled the reservoir you can turn the pot on. Then you have to wait 15 minutes to preheat the reservoir. I don''t know how you feel about having a constant running appliance on your table top while no ones home. I unplug all my kitchen appliances when I''m not using them. So if you want home brew with an unplugged Bunn you have to do the preload ritual every time you plug it back in.

As to making the coffee. The STX is a 10 cup carafe styled maker. Some of the complaints made by others demonstrate their unfamiliarity with the concept. Under high heat coffee deteriorates in 15 minutes ( remember the ole lead pencil flavored burned coffee? yum yum. ) For better tasting and relatively sustained heat it is best that you make smaller batches and use a carafe. You sacrafice the convenience of not having to make more for the happiness of good brew. ( Another trick anybody who ever used a thermos should know is that you should preheat the thermos by putting warm tap water in it for a minute before brewing. Putting hot coffee in a cold thermos is duhh. )

Coffee of your choice goes into the hopper. The box comes with 20 Bunn paper filters for starts. Place your empty warmed, and sealed thermos carafe under the hopper. Open the water port on the top of the Bunn. Use an old coffee pot carafe to put the desired amount of fresh cold water into the top of the pot. There is a ground in the pot that will not allow brewing to occur until you close the water port on top of the Bunn. Remember you have a preheated reservoir. As soon as you close the port water smacks your grounds and the carafe starts to fill.

Is it worth it? Are you getting that much better of a cup of coffee the Bunn way? I can''t answer that for you. I just got the pot yesterday and I''ve had two pots out of it so far. You can certainly infer that this isn''t the Holy Grail of coffee pots. ( But what is. )

If you play by the pre-immersion rules you can get a really fast pot of coffee. It does a pretty good job of keeping your coffee reasonably hot. I have yet to find a home system that got you a cup that stayed hot to the last swig: the Bunn came close, but no cigar.

How does the coffee taste? It''s very good. But the Bunn filters are very heavy and they tend to homogeonize the begeeppers out of what you''re drinking. By that I mean the output has a very bright flavor and nose that is very pleasing to the front of your mouth. But some of the back of the palate strong notes get stripped away from the coffee. I''m going to have to go get a reuseable basket and see what sort of results that will allow.

I''ll probably update this later with some matured impressions.

This is an excellent system. But it''s one in a busy field.

Addendum:

It''s been a few days since I''ve started using the Bunn. I did get a gold reusable basket filter, and as far as I''m concerned it is a large improvement over the Bunn paper filter. The Bunn method does tend to make a very smooth cup of coffee; but the basket filter let a little more sediment into the cup and gives you some back of the palate flavoring.

Also I tend to use a heaping tablespoon of grounds per cup. Too much for the Bunn. Three cups on this system with my usual mix and Im getting a wicked buzz from coffee I haven''t experienced in decades (lol). For 8 cups 6 tablespoons is plenty.

I''m sticking with the 4 stars. This is a well thought out system. But the output is an acquired taste. I''m not swept off my feet by the Bunn.

We''ve had the Bunn STX coffee maker for a couple of months now. It replaced out 10 year old Bunn BT-10 that develop a leak.

Pluses:

Design. It''s gorgeous! Looks like something Jonathan Ivee of Apple would design. Form follows function here (always a good thing) but form is fantastic!

Good hot coffee fast. Less than 5 minutes for a carafe full of perfect coffee. Can''t beat that.

Customer service. As good as it gets.

Minuses:

The carafe. You cannot pour out all the coffee in the carafe without taking the lid off. Towards the end of the carafe, coffee will start to come out of the hole in the lid. And the rubber seal in the top of the lid was not well thought out. It comes out easily. I washed the lid in the dishwasher (top rack) and it must''ve come out. I didn''t notice it till later. I emailed Bunn customer service and they sent me two of them for free. I love their customer service. With the old BT-10, the deliming tool was a steel spring-type contraption. Ours got rusty and Bunn customer service sent us a new one free of charge.

So, would I buy it again? Yes. I only wish the carafe was more like our old BT-10.

Buy BUNN ST Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer Now

I was one of the first customers of this STX brewer. Full disclosure: Bunn awarded me this Bunn as a result of me winning their video contest earlier this summer. I have used Bunn brewers for about 10 years. This particular thermal model is solidly built compared to their last model which was all plastic, and would kind of bend at the slightest pressure if any were given on the top of the machine. Not so with this one. The quality can even be seen in the grounds basket not your usual thin plastic basket. This one is very sturdy thick plastic, surrounded by stainless steel. The coffee produced is the usual Bunn quality great. I''ve used this brewer every day and it consistently gives me the same quality pot of coffee. An even better value when purchased via stores like Amazon where the price is better than what can be had in your regular retail stores.

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I REALLY like this coffee maker but I wish I could give it a rating of 4.5 because a 5 implies it''s perfect and well, there are a couple of things I would change if given the chance.

First, and most importantly,it makes great coffee! It''s piping hot when I pour my first cup and it tastes worlds better than the coffee I was getting from my 1 year old Mr. Coffee. The unit looks and feels solid and the set up is easy. In about 15 minutes or so we were ready to brew our first pot.

It''s fast, the second you close the lid it, the stream of coffee starts and the pot is done in 3-4 minutes. The thermal carafe keeps the coffee much warmer than my old glass carafe ever did, although it isn''t perfect.

OkSpeaking of imperfections, here''s the few things I would improve if I could:

I''m used to setting up my coffee pot the night before and having it ready when I wake up, this unit does not have that feature. It brews fast, so I didn''t think it would be a big deal however I now have to get up and in my "morning fog" prepare the coffee and "warm up" the carafe...This in reality probably adds as much time to the process as it takes to brew the whole pot. Most of the time is spent warming the carafe (waiting for the water to get hot out of the tap seems to take forever in my place at 5am) so I might try experimenting with setting up as much as possible the night before and then just warming up the carafe or seeing how long it stays warm if I don''t pre-warm it. Anyway, a delay feature would be added if I were Queen.

I would also make the mouth of the carafe just a tiny bit wider so your hand could slip in and out for cleaning. Also, while the carafe pours like a dream (no dribbles like Mr. Coffee left for me to clean up evey morning) a tighter seal would make the coffee stay hotter longer. This is a minor detail in my personal use, since I have a cup or 2 and I''m out the door.

Lastly, MADE IN CHINA. Just seeing this on a product now raises questions about it''s safety. I would feel so much better about the product if I saw "MADE IN USA" instead.

I''m thrilled with my new coffee pot, and as long as the unit proves reliable, this will be a purchase I won''t regret. I''ve quit stopping off for a "good" cup of coffee on my way to work, and just taking my own.

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It seems that everyone who writes a review for a high-end coffee maker is either a condescending twit or an utter dipshizzle. I hope I can find a middle ground (utter twit?) to help you decide to buy the Bunn STX coffee maker.

The initial set up of this coffee maker is easy. My initial impression of the coffee maker is that it is simple, sturdy, and well made. Most of the components are stainless steel, including the funnel basket, the thermal carafe and the tank. The lid to the thermos is well-made, with clear arrows indicating the quarter-turn to tighten the lid. There are no leaks, fluid pours out quickly, and maybe a tablespoon of coffee is left in the bottom when you pour the last cup. There is only one "vacation" switch that controls the tank heater: on or off. To brew coffee you slide shut the lid of the water inlet--after the thermal carafe is replaced under the funnel, which might be contrary to your current routine.

Initially, you must prime the tank heater with water before you can make your first batch. The instructions were clear and this was easy. A pot of coffee truly takes less than three minutes to brew with the machine''s preheated water. This coffee maker is supposed to be left on so that it keeps the water in the tank at 200 degrees at all times; if you choose to turn off the pot to save electricity, it takes approximately 10 minutes to heat the water again. The machine is somewhat loud when it is actively heating cool water, but when the heater turns off you know the water is ready. A second pot of coffee can be made immediately, as long as you have emptied the thermos.

Because the machine brews so quickly, there is no need for a "pause brew" feature. Because it brews into a thermos, there is no need for a plate warmer. Because this coffee pot is intended for coffee aficionados who appreciate fresh-ground beans, there is no clock or timer. Because there''s not a bunch of gizmos to flake out, this coffee pot does one thing and does it WELL. As such, Bunn offers a three-year warranty. Me likey.

It did take a pot or two of coffee to dial in the perfect flavor. Because it brews so quickly, my first pot of coffee, even though I used 10 heaping tablespoons of medium-grind whole bean coffee for a 10-cup brew, was relatively weak. I use a Kitchenaid burr coffee mill (another five-star review I should write) and I dialed my grind approximately one-tenth finer to compensate. My next pot, ten heaping tablespoons for ten cups, was slightly too strong, so on my third pot I reduced the amount of grounds. Perrrrrrrfect.

Every step up in machinery or technique will change the way your coffee tastes. It''s amazing what the difference is between the same beans, same batch, same grind, same amount, sent through my seven-year-old Krups drip machine as this Bunn. Similarly, it was a huge difference when I upgraded from my old Braun burr mill to the Kitchenaid coffee mill. If your first pot of coffee isn''t spot-on, I suggest that you adjust your mill settings or try upgrading your beans, ''cuz the problem does not reside with this pot.

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16-Ounce Swirl Away Save 42% Off

I feel like they are selling colored water. I use to use another product and decided to give this one a try and wish I had stuck with what I have always used. This did nothing to clean or kill the mold, build up etc. I had to clean the entire tub for an hour after using this stuff as directed as it seemed to not even loosen the most basic of dirt or soap scum.

Will not buy again. Fool me once........

We tried this product one year after we got our big tub. We had no idea how bad the jets were until we used Swirl Away. It cleaned out all the gunk and made our tub fresh and clean. Great stuff.

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needed something to clear the jets in our jacuzi tub. This product is easy to use and works great at removing the buildup in the pipes. Would recommend and recorder myself.

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I learned the hard way that you really do need to flush, empty and refill your spa at least once a year. we are light users, only two of us and we dont go in dirty or with lotion on, but we felt the spa would be like a tiny pool (had pools before, you dont empty those) well, after two years we had while mold! had no idea, the water seemed clear but you saw mold in the jets! we put the pipe cleaner in, ran it, emptied the now skanky looking water out, refilled and did it again! I will now just do this twice a year just to be sure. but if you let yours get away from you like I did.... get this! it cleans in the pipes were you cant see the gunk building up. clean before you get swimmers rash from your clear spa.

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We use for our new water jetted tub. Do not pour too much, maybe your child will like it. A lot of bubbles!!!!

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Whirlpool 4396710P KitchenAid PUR Push Button Cyst-Reducing (2-Pack) Save 30% Off

• NSF-certified refrigerator water filter retains beneficial fluoride in water while reducing chlorine taste and odor
• Also reduces cysts, asbestos, particulates, lead, mercury
• Replace every 6 months
• 2-pack premium push-button refrigerator water filters
• For Whirlpool and KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerators with filter access in the base grille

I have a Kenmore refrigerator form Sears that I bought about a year and a half ago. Kenmore is actually made by Whirlpool and although the filter this replaced was labeled Kenmore, this is the exact same filter but labeled Whirlpool instead. I looked it up on the Sears site and they wanted $50 for the same filter. The price is a steal and even though it says 6 months I used it for over a year since I have soft water in my house and only one person. My fridge has a 6 month built in timer that goes from green to orange to red when the 6 months is up. I thought it might be based on actual usage, but it''s not, because it went red at exactly 6 months and I use far less water than most other households. I have no idea why more time would harm a filter, as far as I''m concerned it''s just a marketing tactic to get you to buy them more often then needed, like oil changes every 3,000 miles.

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This filter fits my Kenmore Elite side by side which takes the Sears 9030 filter and at almost half the price. The only difference in this filter is it does not say Stage II or Kenmore. The water tastes exactly the same to me as when I used the Sears brand and I am very aware of the water taste since we have hard, extremely chlorinated water in my area. I wish I had found these filters 4 Sears brand filters ago ... serious $$$ savings!

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I bought my whirlpool refrigerator from sears in 2006. Sears sent me a reminder through mail that I need to replace my filter. I almost ordered the part through the sears.com website because this particular filter was not available through the sears store or through their parts center. I went to the sears.com website and their price was $60.59($44.98part+ $4.62tax+$10.99shipping). Then I thought about checking amazon.com to see if this filter was available, and it was, for a much lower cost to me. My total was $41.98($34.99part+$6.99shipping). I ordered the filter on May30 and received it through usps on June2. Replacing the filter was easy just pop out the old one, transfer the filter cap from the old filter to the new one, and pop the new filter assembly back in. The old filter was dripping water, so I took it over to the sink to shake out the water and out came some rust colored water and small pieces of debris which would have been in my drinking water if it had not been filtered out by the filter. So it is a good idea to replace the filter on a regular basis.

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This is a good filter at a substantial savings compared to Sears. It will fit into your Kenmore Frige that takes a PUR filter.

Some interesting Facts not all know: Why to change your filter...

Eventually the AC filter (Active Carbon) loses its ability to remove contaminants, because it becomes clogged with material. In the case of taste and odor, the time to change the filter is easy to detect. However, in the case of other contaminants, it is more difficult to determine when the filter is no longer performing at an adequate level. Most manufacturers recommend a filter change after a certain volume of water has passed through the filter. Some AC units actually meter the water and automatically shut down after a specific quantity of water has passed through the filter. A general rule of thumb for high-volume AC filters is to change the filter after six months of use or 1000 gallons of filtered water. Tests done by Rodale Press Product Testing Department indicated that filtering performance was reduced dramatically after 75 percent of the manufacturer''s recommended life time. These results suggest that filters should be changed more often than suggested by the manufacturer. Some AC filters are claimed to last for five years, because they are rechargeable with hot water (145 degrees F). The heat is supposed to release adsorbed organic chemicals. Little information is available on the prolonged effectiveness of rechargeable AC units. General recommendations are somewhat useful quidelines, but there is no guarantee that they apply to any specific situation. Remember, the only certain way of knowing whether contaminant levels are acceptable or not is by having your water tested.

A sediment filter installed ahead of any AC filter will prolong the life of the AC unit. Sediment can easily clog the pores of an AC filter within a short period of time. A good sediment filter can be purchased for only a fraction of the price of most high volume AC filters.

The Bacteria Issue

AC filters can be a breeding ground for microorganisms. The organic chemicals that are adsorbed to the AC are a source of food for various types of bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria are those that cause human diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. Public water systems must treat for disease causing bacteria; therefore, the likelihood of disease causing bacteria being introduced to an AC filter from public drinking water is remote. AC filtration should only be used on water that has been tested and found to be bacteria free or effectively treated for pathogenic bacteria.

Other types of non-pathogenic bacteria that do not cause diseases have been regularly found in AC filters. There are times when high amounts of bacteria (non-pathogenic) are found in water filtered through an AC unit. Research by R. L. Caldron and E. W. Mood (1987) shows little risk to healthy people that consume high amounts of non-pathogenic bacteria. We regularly take in millions of bacteria every day from other sources. However, there is some concern for certain segments of the population, such as the very young or old and people weakened by illness. Some types of non-pathogenic bacteria can cause illness in those whose natural defenses are weak. Flushing out bacteria that have built up in the filter can be accomplished by running water through an AC filter for about 30 seconds prior to use. Water filtered after the initial flushing will have much lower levels of bacteria and ingestion of a high concentration of bacteria will have been avoided. The flushing procedure is most important in the morning or any other time of the day when the filter has not been used for several hours.

Some compounds of silver have been used as disinfectants. Silver has been added to certain AC filters as a solution to the bacteria problem. Unfortunately, product testing has not shown silver impregnated AC to be much more effective in controlling bacteria than normal AC filters. Only in the first month of operation did there appear to be any advantage to using an AC filter that contained silver.

EPA requires registration of all types of water treatment equipment that contain an active ingredient for the purpose of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Registration does not guarantee that the product is effective. It only guarantees that the active ingredient will not leach from the filter at levels that would be a health hazard.

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WIth all due respect to the reviewer who complained that the cost of 20 cents/day was unreasonable and excessive, this filter does an amazing job and is a fantastic bargain, **especially** when compared to bottled water and manufactured ice. We''ve had our new KitchenAid fridge for just a little over 6 months, and we''ve been delighted with the sparkly-clean, crisp, tasteless water & ice that this filter enables it to dispense. Especially since we live in a "hard-water" area, where the stuff coming from your tap, while acceptable, leaves a faint, gritty mineral taste. I used to "splurge" on store-bought ice several times/year for parties and special occasions, just because it tasted so much better. (Or rather, didn''t taste like anything at all -which is of course the point.) Since we''ve had this fridge, with this filter, I''ve never needed to spend extra on bagged ice OR bottled water, because the ice & water thru this filter are every bit as good. The acid test? I could fill a clean plastic bottle with the water from this filter, and let it sit at room temperature for a day or more, and it still tastes just as good warm as if it were freshly dispensed. That same exercise with our regular tap water would''ve resulted in a nasty, nose-wrinkling, mineral stew as soon as the chill was gone. Another nice advantage this filter has over bottled water is that it does NOT filter out cavity-preventing fluoride, whereas most (all?) bottled waters do.

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Cuisinart DCC-2600 Brew Central 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Save 46% Off

This is a replacement for my old Cuisinart coffee maker which I had for about six years or so (the predecessor to this model). I loved my old one even with some of the little quirks it had. It beat out any Braun or Krupp pot which I had ever owned. This new updated model is a winner. All of the small annoyances have been solved, such as the small fill tank opening, the dripping cover that leaked back into the fill tank, and finally, thank you Cuisinart people, a water level guide on the outside of the unit. The front knobs on the front are now also easier to see and use. As my other Cuisinart did, it brews superior coffee and quickly. I find it takes about one minute per cup... 12 minutes for twelve cups, not bad at all. Yes, the unit does make some clicking and popping noises when it is new, so did my old one. But that goes away in time as the unit gets "broken in". I do not think you can find a better coffee maker on the market.

The title says it all. I''ve had 3 Cuisinart coffee makers the last 3 years, 1 thermal and 2 of these. After about a year using twice a day I start to find water on my counter top. Consumer Reports and Amazon customers love these and I did too until the leaks started. I didn''t write a review before because I figured the leaking was just a fluke and maybe it is but after 3 go rounds I doubt it. I didn''t read all the other reviews to see if anyone else had experienced this. Please understand I''m a retired senior citizen and have no axe to grind but I wanted to point out my experience with an otherwise excellent product.

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Who in the world would have a coffee pot as a best friend? When you make and drink 5 to 7 pots of coffee a day you need a best friend. You need a friend who is there for you anytime you need one and that friend has to be consistent; i.e., one good pot after another. The DCC-2600 is my new best friend. In a short time it has performed better than its older cousin, the DCC-1200. The DCC-122 is still right up there with the DCC-2600; however, I wanted a 14 cupper and it is perfect.

The coffee tastes the same: great. It still takes about one minute per cup. That is perhaps a tad too much time but I don''t care. I can always do something else while it is brewing. After all, a super cup of coffee is worth waiting a few minutes. I can always set the timer and have it ready when I awaken. The setting process is still simple enough for me to do. I really like being able to see the plain water display on the outside instead of having to strain and look over the top of the pot. That''s a nice enhancement just as it the anti-drip change Cuisinart made.

I''m not an interior designer; however, I like the changes made to the outside appearances of this pot compared to the DCC-1200. I just looks better to me. The included gold filter is a nice touch and its inclusion should be a constant; however, I still prefer the cheap, paper filters. Paper filters are easier to clean up from than the gold filter. That is the only reason for my statement.

Best friends do not let you down and this pot pumps coffee without one retort. It works well and performs the job with vigor.

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We take coffee very seriously in my house and when our old Cuisinart broke I wasn''t sure I wanted another. But they fixed the design problems (hard to pour the water without spilling, no visible water gauge) and it makes great coffee. Highly recommend it.

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Positives:

14 cup capacity

Keeps your coffee hot; even better than the thermal carafe coffeemakers!

Easy to load

Easy to clean

Negatives:

The carafe lid is prone to leak on rare occasion

Other:

Do not put the carafe lid in the dishwasher as the heat will alter the shape of the lid and you will be prone to excessive leaks from your carafe

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Holmes Wick Filter HWF65 Save 45% Off

I order these to try to save a little money, and received filters that were made by Honeywell, not Holmes. Not only did they look nothing like the filter in the picture (they were made of some kind of blue fiber material), they do not perform properly! With these filters, the unit emits maybe 40-50% of the humidity that it always has with every other filter I''ve ever purchased. And they emitted a strange smell for the first few days.

After experimenting with this product because this one was cheaper, I returned them, because they render my humidifier useless. The vendor did refund my purchase price and shipping cost promptly, but I of course had to pay to ship them back to them.

Here''s the filter you want:

Holmes HWF65PDQ-U Humidifier Replacement Wick Filters

They are sold by and ship from Amazon, and have the black mesh on them as shown in their picture.

This is the one I''ve been buying for years, which works as well as the original, and far better than this Honeywell knock-off.

I have used this brand and model number filter for 3 years. It works well for the winter season. At the end of the season I throw it away and purchase a new one for the next year. At the end of the season, the filter shows how it collects the contaminants of the water.

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I recommend this filter for anyone who needs it for the Holmes humidifier. It traps dust, pet hair, etc. so that your humidified air comes out fresh and clean.

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I ordered four of these direct from Holmes. Together, they lasted a total of 3 weeks. I have the HM1895 humidifier with the filter gauge. The first one lasted a week. The second one lasted a week and a half. The third one lasted 2 days. The fourth didn''t work at all, the gauge never got above the "change" line.

I''ve since tried a universal third-party filter BestAir Wick filter fits Holmes H65-ID. This worked for a month, which is the expected life.

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It seems like the stores sell humidifiers but only carry the filters for that model for a few months and then if you want to change the filter you can''t find them anywhere. I''m do glad we were able to buy our filters online. They work perfectly.

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Black & Decker CM1650B 975-Watt 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Save 26% Off

I purchased my CM1650B Coffeemaker at a local big box store. It uses a cone type filter and holds a full 12 cups of water. It does a good job of preventing escaping steam while brewing, it does vent a little steam at the end of the cycle. The steam is mentioned for those who use this under wood finished cabinets, excessive steam can damage the finish on some wood cabinets. This is one of the better brewers I have used in that respect.

I like the carafe. You can pour a little or a lot at a time and not worry about dribbling coffee all over the place. It took about 12.5 minutes to brew a full 12 cups. This unit has a built in hot plate to keep the coffee at serving temperature. It will automatically shut off after 2 hours but can be programmed for 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours of time. To fill the water reservoir, you lift the top lid and pour the water in at the back. This seems a little awkward at first but I did not spill any water. There is a water level gauge on the front which is handy. At the end of the brew cycle, the coffee temperature was 186 degrees F and after 30 minutes, it was 180 degrees. At one hour the temperature was 182 degrees. I mention that because some reviews, at other sites, complained of coffee that was not hot enough. 180F is HOT.

It has a removable charcoal type water filter. I use reverse osmosis water mixed with a little tap water, for flavor, and find a filter unnecessary. It is a nice added feature though. There is also a setting for making ''strong'' coffee. I am not sure what that does other than maybe slow down the brew time a little. I use the default ''regular'' setting and just adjust the amount of coffee to regulate strength. The end of cycle signal is a nice tone loud enough to get your attention.

I grind my own coffee beans and have found that about 1.6 ounces (weight) of fine ground beans will make a darned good pot of brewed coffee in this thing (with a paper filter). The cone type filters (this unit) tend to be a little more efficient than the basket type. As far as which type is ''best'' I cannot say. I have gotten excellent coffee from both, you just need to adjust the amount and grind of coffee a little.

I did measure the amount of liquid this holds, it is about 72 ounces.

I would say this is a good valued coffee maker. It has some nice features and makes coffee just as tasty as my old $100 coffee maker. :)

I go through coffeemakers quite often. I had given up on them because they all quit working after a few months. My last "coffeemaker" was actually an electric percolator. Good coffee, but too NOISY (woke the neighborhood) and took too much time. Then THAT one broke.

I chose this one mainly because it has blue lights. Blue clock, blue brewing light my favorite. But this maker is no blue light special. Sleek in design, a little tall for those who love neat, sweet & petite, but a great machine, nonetheless.

The top is "hinged" so it stays up while filling (a good feature when you''re still half asleep). The water is filled from the back (either side a plus for me). Easy-to-see fill bar, nice charcoal filter, sturdy pot, good fit for the pot, easy to operate. It has a pause-n-pour feature (or whatever it''s called), allows you to brew 2-4 cups, (as if!), and has a "strong" button if you need an extra kick in the a.m. It''s also vewwy, vewwy quiet. There''s a little noise at the end (typical), and the beep to signal that your coffee is ready is just loud enough.

Puts out great tasting, hot coffee. I hope it lasts forever.

My ONLY complaint is that on the end of the electrical plug, there''s a plastic thingie thats on very tight, and you need to poke yourself while trying to use a steak knife to cut the lil booger off. OH I think the cord is about 2'' in length (? maybe 18") but longer than others. And if you don''t want all that cord on your counter, you can push it in to the bottom of the maker.

I know this is considered a home appliance, but it''s Black & Decker, and I would classify it as a power tool. Definitely a great coffeemaker!

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I have used the coffee maker for 2 days, so I can''t address longevity or durability.

Easy to setup and program. The auto shut-off setting needs to be changed before you brew the coffee, as it doesn''t allow changes during the brew cycle. This is the case with the 2-4 cup setting and the brew strength, also.

We could fit the coffee maker on the counter under the cabinets in our kitchen, but there wasn''t enough space to then open the lid. The lid needs to open to about 22.5 inches to access the filter and pour in the water. There was just enough room for us to move the maker to the edge of the counter and have room to open the lid before hitting the cabinets. The rubber feet on the bottom would make it difficult to slide the machine back once it is filled. Had to buy an extension cord, as the cord that comes with it is maybe 2 feet. The manual doesn''t state the wattage or amperage of the unit, but does warn not to use an extension cord that can''t handle the rating of the unit.

Easy to pour don''t need to lift the lid to prevent spillage.

Seating the carafe in the proper position may be a challenge. I had to fiddle with it when I ran the first pot of water through it for the initial cleaning. The first real pot of coffee poured through with no problem, but the next pot started to back up and I had to adjust the carafe to get get it to drip properly. I''ll need to keep an eye on this or try to make an adjustment.

Coffee is good and hot. Not as hot as some coffee shops say Duncan Dounuts, but hot enough for me. I used the 2-4 cup setting, but haven''t played with the strong brew setting to know if it makes a difference. I used the reusable filter supplied with the coffee maker and it did fine.

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We were in desperate need of a new coffee maker (no longer able to use our old one). We were willing to pay a good chunk more (maybe $50-150, but not $350) but the reviews for so many models from formerly reputable brands were so mixed (especially the newer ones) we were getting really discouraged. We really wanted a black one, and our other top choice (a Cuisinart thermal model) was too tall to fit under our cabinets. So this one ultimately won because it had relatively few bad reviews and it looked really nice.

When it arrived, I was still thrilled with the way it looks. It''s a very clean, contemporary design. And though all black units are largely plastic, it doesn''t look cheesy at all. I was also concerned that the carafe would be very frail given the prior reviews, but it doesn''t feel any thinner than other models I''ve used extensively over the years (Mr. Coffee, Black and Decker, Krups, Cuisinart) and it has the added benefit of having the rim protected with plastic, so one of the most likely breakage points is insulated.

But what really really impressed me is the mechanics. The lid, though plastic, is fairly substantial, and holds itself nicely up when opened (it made me realize how many times I''ve flipped open the lid to fill the machine only to have it drop back down on other units). And it pours without a drip. Not one dribble. Again, I''d gotten accustomed to a little dribble as par for the course when pouring.

Similarly, when taking the pot out for a mid-brew cup, not a drop. And again, none at the end. All of my prior pots have left a few drips on the heating plate which eventually bake on. So far, none. I had always assumed it wasn''t possible to make it leakproof, but I was wrong.

So why only 4 stars? Well, mainly because the coffee is not as hot as I would like it. I''m not a coffee snob I buy supermarket brands that are (gasp!) pre-ground because I''m too lazy to pull out the grinder. The main reason I would like my coffee hotter is that I often nurse a single cup over several hours (I know, "ewww..."). So the fact that it''s not so hot temperature-wise means I have to stick it into the microwave that much sooner to reheat it (I know, double "ew" for anyone who really loves good joe).

I also wonder if it is brewing the best cup of coffee. My impression is that it''s weaker than I''m used to, but I''m also still getting familiar with the machine and playing with strength settings, etc. And I am NOT a strong coffee drinker. I run from French and Italian roasts, and I still find the regular setting results (with the same proportions I''ve used for years on my prior coffee machine) on the weak side.

It works about the same with and without a filter, though if you go filter-less, there is a bit of coffee grind sludge at the bottom (which was my experience in the past with filter-less machines).

I also worried a bit about the beep at the end of brewing, but I found it to be a very reasonable volume and not at all intrusive.

And did I mention, it does look mah-velous?

Revised 1/9/2013

P.S. After using this for a few months, I think the concerns about carafe breakage are unfounded. I''ve definitely hit the bottom of the glass against the edge of the stone countertop that surrounds the too-small sink in our kitchen. Each time I''ve cringed but so far so good. Of course, now that I''ve put this into my review, Murphy''s law says it''s toast.

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I''m glad I bought this one. After reading many reviews and checking the pricing, I thought this has all the features but at half the price of Cuisiart types. It has a nifty feature that make the coffee stronger (I like it like that) but not bitter. Make the coffee fast, but I use the program feature. The only thing I thought was kind of a nuisance was the small area you have to pour the water into, takes a little practice.

I do recommend this coffeemaker, I believe its a very good value.

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iSpring 5M-50PK 5-micron 10-Inch by 2.5-Inch Sediment Filter Cartridges Save 12% Off

• 2.5-Inch by 10-Inch
• Made of 100-Percent Melt-Blown Polypropylene, 4-layer filtration
• 5 Micron
• Fits 10-Inch filter housings
• NSF certified

These filters are good quality and do a good job in my Whole House Water Filter. I used to pay almost 3 times the price at local stores for Culligan brand replacement filters. I am glad I switched to these filters instead. They are just as good in Material Quality and Filtration but only cost around $1.25 each in 50 pack. It saves you lots of money to buy this 50 pack. It also helps to have a good supply if you want to change your Filters more often

I was surprised that the Filters they sent were NOT iSpring Brand as described. Instead I received PURENEX Brand.

I''ve been burned a few times by vendors using BAIT AND SWITCH Tactics to sell inferior products so I was concerned.

Normally, they should never Switch Brands without telling you first or stating this in the descriptions.

Fortunately, I am happy with these anyway. I would honestly not hesitate to recommend them.

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These filters are easy to install, unlike other filters I have used. They float, so when screwing the filter housing back onto the system head you can comfortably line it up. This is a wonderful feature that makes installation so much easier than with other makes of filters. Thank you! I would highly recommend this filter.

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I cant say much except this is practially a give away.

An incredible deal and very high quality. They work great.

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Received exactly what I expected. Don''t have any way to objectively compare to previous wound filters, but seems to work at least as well. No problems with being flimsy or falling apart.

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One star for fast delivery. No star for sending the wrong brand of product. Ordered iSpring filter, got Pruenex. The packaging did not show manufacture information and there is no NSF certification seal. I am concerned.

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3M Filtrete Water Station Save 7% Off

• Includes docking station and lid, one Filtrete Fast Flow Filter, four - 16.9-Ounce (500mL) water bottles
• Filters from tap directly into four, reusable bottles in seconds
• Bottles are BPA-free and dishwasher safe
• Save up to 3,000 bottles of water per year
• Also includes leak-proof caps for bottles

The 3M Filtrete Water Station is a good product idea with some positive aspects. But the product''s poor design will inevitably show its flaws after long term use. I advise anybody considering this product to buy an alternative.

This is clearly marketed towards families who drink a lot of bottled water. The product website repeatedly lists how using the water station is better than drinking bottled water. But they should have taken some time to compare this product to other water filtration systems on the market instead.

The bottom line: use a home filter or purchase an alternative filter system from ZeroWater, Mavea, PUR or Brita, and buy your own bottles to fill. I like the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle but see-through plastic bottles are also available.

PROS:

++ New filter design works quickly

++ Indicator system tells you when it''s time to change your filter after 3 months

++ Filters are designed so that they can be disassembled and partially recycled

++ Can fill 1 4 bottles at once, or a pitcher using the spout

++ Bottles are BPA free, & also are nice and clear so you can see your water

++ Bottles are dishwasher safe

CONS:

-No information is provided on filtration percentages or elements that are filtered; both Pur and Brita have this data on their websites and product packaging

-Station does not drain well; standing water will provide a breeding ground for bacteria

-Filter is not secured in place, so water will run around it if you over-fill it

-To avoid that problem, you must fill the well slowly because it holds little water at a time

-Bottles overfill, especially when filling fewer than 4

-Mounting bottles is clunky

-Spouts leak when you remove bottles

-Bottles close via clumsy lever arms that are hard to close and open

-That makes it easier to screw off the tops rather than drink from the tops

-Drinking from the bottle tops also spreads germs when you attach them to the spouts for refills

-Getting the water out of a specific spout requires you to lean the station all over, leading to leaks and more mess

-If you refrigerate the bottles, the station itself becomes a space waster

-If you leave the bottles attached, the water becomes stale

-The only way to prevent stale water is to disassemble and dry the components nightly

-Even after doing this, it''s almost impossible to shake all the water out of the filter itself

-Even after washing the filter many times and filtering 10+ gallons of water, there is still tons of filter sediment in the water station when I disassemble and clean it

-Replacement filters are more expensive than alternatives

-MSRP is also much higher than most alternatives

CONCLUSION

This product may work for a small number of people. Perhaps few people are as picky as I am, but I recommend you choose one of the alternatives outlined above. As for me, I have developed my own work-around to use this unit.

1. I filter my water with my Pur pitcher first.

2. I run the filtered water through the Water Station.

3. I use the filled bottles for drinking at home.

4. I disassemble the entire unit every few days to let it air out.

Happy shopping.

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Last week this item wasn''t available through Amazon, so I drove to a Wal*Mart 40 miles away. It was worth the drive. I am thrilled with this product. It does everything and more than the ads say. It will fill one bottle at a time if you want and it has a spout on the side so you could fill a container to make coffee.

But just a little info., shame on this vendor for their price. I paid $37.95 for this at Wal*Mart. I know it''s hard, but if you can''t find it somewhere for that price...wait. Soon it will be all over the web.

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I have been using this system for about 4 months now and about 2/3 weeks ago I started having a musty/mold type taste in my water. I replaced the filter since it was time to replace it anyway. I flushed about 3 full sets of bottles through the filter and system to make sure there was no residue left from the old filter. The first set after that seemed to be ok. After about 2 weeks though it now has a mold/mildew taste again. I tasted the water right out of the tap and that flavor is not there. After having it happen twice I will not be using this filter system again.

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This filter is incredibly fast, especially compared with pitchers, faucet-mounts, and distillers. But the bottles leak more than 50% of the time in the week I used it. And more troubling: the system doesn''t seem to purify the water much. The claim that it "helps reduce sediment, chlorine taste and odor from tap water" is not exactly specific chemical information. "Helps reduce" doesn''t say much, nor are sediment and chlorine odor and taste the biggest things I want filtered out of tap water. As far as I can tell, this system reduces dirt and chlorine from water faster than letting the water sit in a glass for a couple of hours (which gets rid of chlorine and allows sediment to settle to the bottom), but not much more than that. None of the information on the box, the marketing copy, or the 3M web site specify what the filtrete water station removes from water. What percentages and what chemicals does it remove? If they don''t specify, chances are it''s still in the water.

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As soon as I saw this advertised on TV, I started searching for it online and in the store. I ended up finding it at Walmart for $37 as another reviewer did. The system filters very quickly much more convenient than my Brita pitcher than I''ve been using for years. No more waiting 5 minutes to fill the pitcher! It only takes about 30 seconds to fill all four bottles and the overflow valve is handy as well. Also, no soaking filters for 15 minutes in addition to wasting a gallon of water. Just run water over the filter for a minute or two and you''re ready to go! The bottles are a little difficult to open and close but the fact that they are leak proof is worth it. Also, my 2 year old daughter can''t open them so that is a plus! However, the opening is small enough that she can drink from them without spilling. The bottles are attractive, a nice size, and good quality as well as BPA free!!

I suppose you can fill the bottles, take them off the station and put them in the fridge, or you can just put the whole thing in the fridge if you are like me and have more fridge space than counter space. My husband even likes it and that it a shocker!

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