- Economically priced cartridge with large capacity for less frequent changes
- Provides sub micron filtration
Showing posts with label water filter lg refrigerator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water filter lg refrigerator. Show all posts
Everpure EV9601-00 4C Replacement Filter Cartridge Save 44% Off
Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot Save 25% Off
Seems pricey but you''ll quickly forget about the $. It''s the very best coffee accessory I''ve ever purchased. The filter part of the french press is perfect. Makes a suction sound as you press it down because the fit is so precise. Virtually no coffee grounds make their way into your cup. And why didn''t someone think before of making an insulated french press? In use every day at our house.
The other thing to be aware of is that when these coffee pots are rated for 10-12 cups that they are something less. The cups they are talking about are four ounce cups. These coffee pots make 4 regular cups of coffee and no more. PS: This is a good way to cut your coffee shop bill.
Buy Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot Now
I''ve used this press daily for a number of years now. It is a great way to make the absolute best coffee every morning. I am convinced that there is no better way to make the best coffee. My wife and I also take it with us when we travel, so that we can continue to have our great coffee in the morning while we are traveling. After all these years and countless travel trips, it''s a bit dented and banged up, but it still makes great coffee every morning.I have noticed that a number of reviewers have mentioned that the coffee doesn''t remain as hot as they would like. Here''s how I get around that problem.
First of all, I don''t think any french press design is really suited to keeping coffee hot for a long time. If you want that then perhaps you should stay with a Mr. Coffee or a percolator.
That being said, I do like to have my coffee hot for up to an hour each morning. I purchased the 8-cup Bodum and it produces just enough coffee for my wife and I to have a large mug of coffee, with enough left over for a warmup for each of us. If we''re wanting more coffee after this, then we simply brew a 2nd pot. It''s so easy to use the Bodum that it''s not a bother to brew a 2nd pot on these days. So, we''re not trying to keep hot coffee for a couple of hours in the morning. No french press can do that well.
When I want to make coffee in the morning, the first thing I do is fill the Bodum pot with hot tap water to warm it up a bit. Then I begin heating the water that will be used on the freshly ground coffee beans. When the water is ready for pouring over the grounds I empty the warm tap water, place my freshly ground coffee in the Bodum pot, then pour the near-boiling water over the grounds and let it set for 4 minutes.
One feature of the Bodum that is REALLY nice is that its press screen is very fine. Most french presses require that you use course grounds and they will not work very well with anything else (grounds that are too fine will slip past the press-screen and be in your coffee cup). But, coffee tastes better if you can use a finer ground coffee (not the course stuff). It''s a dilemma with other french presses, but NOT with the Bodum. The Bodum has a super-fine screen that allows you to use the finer ground coffee grinds. I would recommend that you use a high quality bean grinder though, so that the grounds are a CONSISTENT grind size (burr grinder and not a blade design) then you can use finer grinds with the Bodum than with other french presses.
Incidently, I''ve found a great burr grinder for grinding coffee for the Bodum Press. I bought a Capresso 565.03 Infinity Burr Grinder and use the "fine" setting for my Bodum. The result is that I get the most from my beans used in the Bodum.
Anyway, I''m sure grateful that I purchased the Bodum. It''s a great way to enjoy coffee.
Read Best Reviews of Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot Here
Yeah, like many coffee enthusiasts, I thought this thing would be the Shangri-La of french presses -a french press that keeps the coffee hot for hours. This is an idea whose time has come...but alas, disappointment has reared its ugly head.As a french press, the pot works great. Nothing earth shattering, it works and it''s easy to clean. In other words, it works no better and no worse than a $20 french press.
The problem is the vacuum thermos feature, which is the reason this thing is so expensive. It does not keep the coffee hot very long at all. Yes, yes, I always preheat it with nice, hot 190 degree water. I add the coffee, turn the lid so that the little plastic cover is over the pour spout to prevent heat loss, and then....it''s cold in about 45 minutes. Now granted, this pot does retain heat a LITTLE longer than a regular glass french press, but its insulation qualities are nowhere near as good as my vacuum thermos or my travel mug, which is also vacuum thermos-y.
I think the biggest source of heat loss is in the lid. The lid has no insulation properties at all. It''s just a thin piece of metal over a think piece of plastic. So it basically defeats the purpose of the rest of the pot. The laws of thermodynamics dictate (here''s the only time in the past 10 years that I get to use my engineering degree) that heat energy will seek to equalize with its environment as easily as possible. In this case, the heat finds a get out of jail free card in the lid.
So, in conclusion, if you are hoping that this french press will keep your coffee warm for a couple of hours, you will be greatly disappointed. My suggestion, buy a $20 french press and knit yourself a nice sweater to go around it. Something tasteful and not too itchy.
Want Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot Discount?
I''ve been using the 8-cup Columbia French Press since it was introduced. I prefer French Press coffee to the other brewing methods but one thing kept me from using my traditional glass Bodum press pot, and that was the multi-piece filter. That filter never failed to trap coffee grounds in between the layers and I was constantly taking it apart for cleaning, and in no time at all the mesh screen started to fray around the edges.That was then, but the Columbia is now. My favorite feature in this new design is the one-piece filter. Yes, ONE PIECE! No more unscrewing the three layers for washing. This improvement was obviously needed and I wish they had done it much sooner.
Regarding the stainless steel construction, it is useful for keeping the water hot during the 4-minute brewing time, but don''t think of it as a carafe that you can just leave the coffee in. If you do, it will keep extracting the coffee from the grounds and you''ll wind up with an over-extracted, bitter brew. For me, the real advantage of the stainless steel is that I''m not going to break it. The traditional Bodum borosilicate glass is very easy to break.
And so, I highly recommend the Bodum Columbia press pot. And if Bodum ever creates a one-piece filter for their glass French presses (like the one SwissGold used to make), that will be another great Bodum achievement.
Enjoy the Columbia!
Save 25% Off
Nubo 57-1432 Reusable Filter Water Bottle Save 10% Off
- Reusable Bottle, BPA Free, NO PET
- Filter last for 350 uses or 3 months and is Bacteriostatic
- Dishwasher and Microwave safe, you can even freeze the bottle, just remove filter
- The World''s easiest water bottle to clean, just remove top and bottom cap and filter
- 100-Percent USA Made
The Oko is quite heavy (top heavy, in fact, because the bottle itself is thin plastic but the filter is heavy) and not particularly attractive. It improved the flavor of the water nicely, but it requires squeezing or sucking fairly hard to get the water. Maybe the heavy-duty filter is better for when the water contains harmful bacteria, but for desk drinking it''s not the one.
The Hydros bottle is nicer looking, although the product I received was different from the product pictured on the website and in the video. You don''t screw the top on after filling the way the video makes it look you have to palm it on while preventing the rest of the top apparatus from turning, which is difficult and fussy. The side-fill doesn''t work great it needs to be on a particular angle to flow quickly enough to not have to stop and start. The flow while filling has to be quite slow even when filling from the top. The taste of the water was least improved of all three. The lid doesn''t seal very well you could not throw the bottle in a bag and be confident it won''t leak. I like the social welfare mission of the company but the bottle''s just okay.
The Nubo is a bit less attractive than the Hydros but more attractive than the Oko. It has the quickest fill and the most improved taste. Both caps screw on securely and haven''t leaked yet. It''s easy to fill and easy to drink from. Also the least expensive of the three. Highly recommended!
Buy Nubo 57-1432 Reusable Filter Water Bottle Now
This rating is just for the "Bottle". I have to say the bottle do it''s job as described. It is a replacement of an ordinary water bottle, but made of hard plastic which will not break as other might when you squeeze it. I like the way that you do not have to to suck the water throughout the filter, and Yes, you can put Ice in it, as a previous comments said. I did have the problem with the filter, I shake it it as the instructions said and still did nothing, then what I did was to soak the filter in water for some minutes, as you do with other filters and then it worked perfectly. So far. I''m happy with the Nubo bottle.Read Best Reviews of Nubo 57-1432 Reusable Filter Water Bottle Here
I bought a Nubo bottle several weeks ago with a few doubts in mind, but after using it for a little over 3 weeks, I have to say I''m glad I took the chance with this one. I drink water like it''s going out of style, so everyone that knows me personally has always seen me with at least 2 or 3 bottles of water. Since tap water has become a bit hard for me to stomach these past couple of years, bottled water or filtered water from the fridge door were the only sources I''d drink from. This bottle makes it incredibly easy on me now that I don''t have to worry about losing backpack or cooler space. It makes most water from the fountain or the tap taste a lot better than straight from the faucet. (I can''t say that all of the water will taste better, since I did have one instance with water from a particular state that tasted odd no matter what... but the bottle still made it easier for me to stomach without the "extra" stuff from the pipelines.)My only true complaint is that the Nubo bottle holds a few ounces less than a normal bottle of water due to the filter, and I do kind of wish they had other larger sizes available for H2O guzzlers like myself. Other than that, filling it up is very simple, and drinking out of it is so much better than the filter bottles I''ve dealt with in the past. Highly recommend this for those picky about the taste of water and don''t like fighting with filter straws.
Want Nubo 57-1432 Reusable Filter Water Bottle Discount?
Like the fact that the water is getting filterd as it enters the bottle. However, it doesn''t hold much water, since the filter takes up a couple of inches in the bottom. Filling from a water fountain takes longer since the angle you have to hold it at causes the water to run out before it enters the bottle. Doesn''t leak unless the bottom isn''t on correctly.Save 10% Off
I like this product and its unique design. Filling it from the bottom allows me to put ice in it as well as not have to squeeze to drink the water! I love that part! My only complaint...I received a new filter from the company and it didn''t want to filter well... the water moved very slowly from the filter, which made filling it very slow. The company offered to replace it, but by that time, I stopped using it and starting using another bottle. I do recommend this bottle... much better than the squeeze-to-drink type.
Rutland Fireplace Glass Cleaner Save 5% Off
As you may or may not (as I did not) know, you should not use Windex or any other conventional glass cleaner for shower and fireplace glass (which has a film on it that would be removed by Windex).This stuff is hard to find in retail stores (learned about it from my fireplace person) but definitely worth the search: it does the job beautifully!)
Buy Rutland Fireplace Glass Cleaner Now
Dampen a paper towel with water, dip into the ash and rub on the glass, the blackness will come right off. Repeat until clear. I kid you not, I have tried so many cleaners and this works the best by far! How cheap it that!Read Best Reviews of Rutland Fireplace Glass Cleaner Here
This product doesn''t work well on wood stove glass. Use Rutland Inc Glass Cleaner, works great. This stuff was a waste.Want Rutland Fireplace Glass Cleaner Discount?
Product does a good job removing layers of soot from fireplace windows. Still have to scrub and go over the windows several time.Save 5% Off
Koolscapes Crystal Flo
I received the item on time however it was used. When the FEDEX driver gave me the package I saw the box looked worn and previously opened. That was not a problem for me. I opened the package and saw the unit was used because it had traces of dried alge on it. I decided to keep the item because I needed to remove alge bloom in my pond and my previous UV unit stopped working. I also noticed the fountain head is cracked and water is leaking on the side. I decided to keep the unit anyway but please, please, please, if you are selling used equipment make mention of it in the listing.
Update 8/20/2012
It broke and the motor stopped working... we had to buy a new pump
Intellitec WPT1000 Digital Water Purity Tester
Knowing how many particulates are in your water helps you decide how to use that water; drinking, cooking, washing, plant irrigation, etc. Living in the Phoenix, AZ area guarantees safe but hard, particle-rich water. The Intellitec tester consistently gives the following readings (in ppm, or parts per million):Outside faucet: 700 800 (local water has daily variations in quality)
Bottled, flavored drinking water: 500 600
Inside faucet (softener, whole-house filter with standard cartridge ... GE FXUSC): 450
Inside faucet (softener, whole house filter with carbon sediment cartridge ... GE FXWTC): 350
Reverse osmosis dedicated faucet: 35
The Intellitec tester confirms our decision to use the RO water for drinking and cooking ... and to avoid commercially bottled water.
The only "con" I have is the tester''s on/off switch. It works inconsistently; one has to get used to the correct amount of pressure for it to turn on!
Dunk this device into water and a number will appear on the display. The bigger the number, the less pure the water is. However, if you compare those numbers with an accurate TDS meter, the numbers are not even close. Someone might find it useful to compare the the *relative* purity of some water samples. I didn''t. I needed a good PPM number to know when to change a Reverse Osmosis membrane.
As mentioned by another reviewer, this tester does NOT indicate water safety. It measures disolved solids, not bacteria. A "pure" mountain stream at 10 PPM TDS could get you a good case of giardia.
This tester is not a TDS meter. The number displayed has no particular relation to TDS (Total Dissolved Solids, parts per million). Nor is the unit able to be calibrated. As such it is not a TDS meter. To the manufacturer''s credit, they don''t claim that it is. (But another reviewer does).
I have this unit now HM Digital Pocket Size TDS Meter TDS-4 Water Quality Tester and it works great. I''ve had great luck with HM meters. Spend a few more bucks and get the real thing.
Buy Intellitec WPT1000 Digital Water Purity Tester Now
Straight out of the box, I tested my municipal tap water, the same water run through a PUR 3-Stage Vertical Faucet Mount Chrome FM-3700B (an activated carbon filter with some additional filtration), and the same water again run through an RO system. The total dissolved solids in the tap water came in at 150 ppm, the extreme low end of typical tap water range; I believe this, as the water feels very much like softened water when you''re rinsing off soap while showering. The PUR filter water came out at a believable 108 ppm, and the RO water at 20 ppm.It''s quite simple to use, although users should heed the caution not to lower the unit further than the water sensor tips, as the rest of the unit is not waterproof.
Read Best Reviews of Intellitec WPT1000 Digital Water Purity Tester Here
Stuck it in our tap water. Gave a terrifying large number (~420 if I recall). Stuck it on our RO water, gave a low number (around 18). Seems like it works therefore I am happy! Instant readings too.Want Intellitec WPT1000 Digital Water Purity Tester Discount?
shipped quick, item is inaccurate,can not be calibrated,converson factor is unknown I estmate it to be .700~.850. simly not worth the shipping.
KX Technologies MATRIKX-CTO2-20 MatrikX Whole House Filter Replacement Cartridge
Fast accurate service. Great people. Their web service worked like a charm. I inputted the old filter information and found what I was looking for.
Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker
I''ve used this machine for two years now, and would buy it again in an instant. I''ll add these comments to those previously written:* Crema varies with coffee bean; shiney fresh beans give more crema and have more (but subtle) flavors. I don''t get the best crema with Starbucks beans. Peets is great though, so is Nicholas. Even the generic beans ($5/lb when on sale at the local grocer) work OK. Remember, these espresso machines extract more flavor from coffee beans (than perk or drip machines); it''s the nature of the pressure (vs temperature) process.
* For a great double shot (actually, 4 oz), I fill the fresh-grounds filter to level (not heaping) with whole beans, grind them for 8 seconds in a cheapo spice grinder, and tamp them (not too hard, not too soft). The tamped grounds come up almost to the #2 line in the filter. I run the pump for 30 seconds after liquid starts coming out of the nozzel. The machine has been turned on and heating for only about 5-10 minutes prior to this.
* I''ve used Starbucks pods. It does takes two (at 15 seconds of pumping per) to make a double shot. It tastes good (but not as strong as when I use fresh-ground.) Pods are quicker, but more expensive, than using grounds. You do need to be careful to press the pod in the filter so all water goes through, not around, the pod. Be aware that this machine comes with two different stainless steel filters; one for grounds, and a smaller one for pre-packaged pods.
* These machines use ***PRESSURE*** not temperature to extract flavors. This results in smoother taste, but not scalding temperatures. If you want your espresso law-suit hot, nuke it afterward.
* The included plastic tamper is too flimsy for the tamping pressure I''ve found works best; get a sturdier one (I got an aluminum one from a local kitchen store.) If you don''t tamp hard enough, grounds float up and coat the nozzel that high-pressure water comes out of. If you grind and tamp just right, the used grounds will maintain their hockey-puck shape when you shake them out of the filter.
* Coffee mugs don''t fit under the spouts. Its not like this machine will make enough espresso in one batch to come close to filling a standard 10 oz mug. I just want to drink a strong brew from a manly mug ;-) I''ve had to resort to using the shorter, dainty, coffee cups from the fine china set. (Don''t tell my buddies.)
* If you''re the analytical type, check out "The Complexity of Coffee" in Scientific American June 2002, Vol 286 Issue 6 p86. It contains good info you can use to perfect your brew.
* Use some of that cafeine buzz to clean the machine after each use, and it will last for a long time. There was a recall (on the older 40714 version) because some people weren''t cleaning milk off the frother, which resulted in scalding when the plug of old dried curdled milk suddenly erupted. Use common sense, keep this puppy clean, and it will make cup after cup of great brew.
* The frothing wand is not the easiest to use, due to the funny angle, short length, and low height above counter. I had to search for a stainless pitcher of just the right size; 10 oz to the brim. Disclaimer: I don''t use the frother much so this doesn''t detract from my rating of this machine.
* After years of use, hard water deposits build up on the nozzle just above where the coffee grounds sit. I noticed that water was spraying, rather than dripping, from here (during cleanup). There''s no need to run special cleaners through the machine; I successfully remove deposits by rubbing the nozzel with a hand towel after every use. It''s become part of the espresso-making ritual.
* I''ve been burned on other items when chosing the cheapest, but not on this one. It has some drawbacks, but for the price I can easily overlook them. It has kept my picky self satisfied!
Now, given that I am in Iraq, the main things that I wanted were convenience and easy to clean. Given that I''m too lazy to walk to 50 or so yards to the bathroom to clean the thing, pretty much I have to rely mostly on water bottles.
I''m not a huge coffee snob and I just learned about crema, so quality might not be a consideration.
I bought this model, paid the exorbitant shipping costs and I''ve had it about a week. I seriously don''t see any negatives. I am surprised to read other reviews about the temperature because my shots come out extremely HOT. There must be quite a lot of variation on models, wonder if Hamilton Beach is aware of this? It''s convenient, cleans up nicely. I hate that I have to dump the grate at the bottom but that''s just because I''m ...lazy.
I will say that it takes some experimentation. I read about the crema so I worked to achieve this perfection. Let''s just say that it''s a work in progress. I don''t have much access to coffee, so I have some Starbucks and some other Italian brand. Pre-grind because I don''t have access to a grinder. My last pull which is sitting on my desk as we speak did have a nice crema head that I achieved by 2 scoops of coffee jammed down into the filter using that great plastic tool that they provide (tamper). Unfortunately...or maybe fortunately...I''ll have to have an operation later to uncurl my toes.
I haven''t had any problems with leakage and I''m going to take the advice to use a black marker to mark the water lines on the tank. I don''t really use the frother except to warm the cafe au laits that I sometimes make.
The only other problems that I have are that I shake constantly, am jittery, can''t sleep. But that''s just because of the addiction. haha.
I would highly recommend this machine to the average coffee drinker. It''s cheap, easy to use and clean, and FAST. It might not be for the coffee snob who might benefit from a little more upscale model.
Buy Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Now
I''m not sure what the below reviewer is complaining about with the machine''s heating element. I''ve had this for two weeks now and have made many great tasting cappucinos with it (I don''t like straight espresso).The espresso shots come out perfectly hot (but not too hot) and the steamer froths and steams milk beautifully. My only gripe with the steamer is that I need to run it once, let it heat up again and then run it through a second time in order to get my desired results. The whole process is no more than a minute or so which is very tolerable considering the price.
I had read reviews on other sites that mentioned that this machine (actually an older model) did not produce decent crema. Well, I had no experience with making espresso in the past (I''m a home roaster for regular coffee) but my first try produced a great cup of espresso with a nice caramel colored froth on top. And this came from store bought, pre-ground espresso coffee!
Cleanup is very easy and the unit is small enough to store away when not in use. It comes with a measuring spoon that stores away in the unit and the machine accepts both ground espresso and pods (never used them). For the amateur and social drinker of espresso and cappucinos, this machine should suffice. I would not be able to justify spending any additional money on an expensive machine.
Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Here
I''ve had this machine for 24 hours and have gone through a pound of coffee learning how to make espresso for the first time. So far I am very impressed with this machine. It really is as good as machines many times the price. However, the advice you hear everywhere is true: The grind and your technique matter much, much, more than the machine.I did a lot of research online and talked to friends with home espresso machines. It seemed as if you had to pay $200-$500 dollars to get a good machine. I wasn''t sure I wanted to pay that much. I ran across some postings about this machine and it sounded worth a shot, especially for the price.
I started with good fresh roasted coffee ground in the store on the "2" setting which is supposed to be the standard espresso grind. I went through 3/4 of a pound trying to get a good cup and couldn''t. Light tamp, hard tamp, medium tamp, nothing worked. It was soupy in the portafilter, tasted bad, and even exploded over the counter several times.
Next I went to a coffee shop to buy more beans and asked the barista for some advice. They said a "3" grind might be more forgiving. They said to tamp it *very* hard. Also, the coffee left in the portafilter after brewing should be very dry and "brick-like". When you scrape a spoon across the used grounds, they should cake into clumps. The advice about the stream to look for was the classic "the tail of a mouse with the stripes of a tiger", which sounded strange at the time but was right on when I got my best cups.
I went home and tried again. I filled the portafilter and made an improvised tamper out of a 1/4 cup measuring cup. I pressed down hard with most of my weight. After the tamp the coffee came up to the double shot line. I started the pump and counted 25 seconds from the point where the stream started to flow and then shut it off. The stream looked just like it was supposed to and the coffee tasted great with a lot of crema! I then made half a dozen cups and they were all great. I made straight shots, lattes, and cappuccinos. The machine has plenty of steam to make good frothed milk. Once again, a beginner should expect some practice to get good. The steam alone doesn''t make good froth.
This is a great machine for someone looking to give espresso at home a try. In my research I found that it uses the same pump as popular $500+ machines. As long as you don''t mind plastic housings, I don''t think moving up to a more expensive machine will give you better coffee.
All in all, a great machine. Here are my tips:
1) Start with the coarsest espresso grind and a heavy tamp. The "3" setting worked everytime for me. The "2" setting never worked.
2) Get a good tamper. I think the portafilter is the standard 58mm size so it should be easy to get a different tamper. Given the heavy tamp needed, the included tamper is worthless.
3) Practice. There is a lot of technique involved. I couldn''t believe the variation possible when I tried different grinds, tamp pressures, and brew times.
Want Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Discount?
I wanted to enter the world of espresso at home without spending a bundle. I figured if I used it a lot, I''d upgrade to a better maker later. I decided on this model after reading reviews here and elsewhere. I''ve had this model for about a month now and I love it. It is simple to use and simple to clean and makes good espresso.Here are some tips I''ve gathered from various places on the net and from personal experience.
1) The steamer works well if you do it right. I don''t use it often since I like straight espresso. However, I do like the occasional Mocha. Get a good stainless pitcher (the Krups 20oz fits this maker perfectly) and store it in the freezer for a few minutes before adding the milk and steaming. For frothing, hold the steaming head near the edge of the pitcher just barely under the surface of the milk until it gains volume. Then plunge the steaming head deeper to finish steaming and heating the milk. This gives me great results.
2) Preheat the maker and run a "blank shot" of just water through the system before making your first shot. This gets everything heated properly and will help ensure you get that nice crema head (see #5).
3) Make sure you have a proper grind. This maker likes a very fine grind. The manual says if you''re having your coffee ground at the coffee shop, have it ground a couple marks coarser than the espresso grind. I don''t know why they say this. If you do, you''re shot will pull too fast and be week and bitter. Finer is better. Don''t buy a cheap grinder or you''re just wasting your money. If you don''t want to spend a bundle on a grinder, just buy 1/4 or 1/2 pound at a time from your local roaster and have them grind it. Store it sealed air tight in the dark. It keeps about a week.
4) Tamp your grounds down properly. The standard says tamp to 30 pounds of pressure. Put your filter on a towel on your bathroom scale if you need to see what 30# feels like. You may not be able to achieve this pressure with the plastic tamper that comes with this model. If not, get a stainless tamper. I bought a stainless tamper with a slightly convex bottom and it helps a lot. If you shop around, you can get one for under $20. Fill the filter to just above the 1 or 2 shot line, tap the filter a couple times to settle the grounds, and then press straight down hard with your tamper. Just before you lift it back up, twist it slightly so that none of the grounds stick to the tamper when you remove it. Remove any loose grounds from the filter rim or inside above the compaction line.
5) And now, for my #1 tip if you want to get that nice head of crema on top of your shot, USE FRESH ROASTED, FRESH GROUND espresso roast beans. I was never able to get crema on my shots until I bought some fresh roasted espresso beans from a local coffee shop. The shots tasted Ok without the crema, but didn''t have that coffee-shop texture or visual appeal. Now they look and taste just like espresso from a real coffee shop.
Well, I won''t be upgrading my espresso maker. There''s no need to spend $200 (or $800!) when I''m getting the results I want from this model for much less.
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead Save 30% Off
- Voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine
- Comes complete with a deluxe adjustable massage-showerhead
- Replaceable water filter cartridge lasts 10,000 gallons, about 6 months
- Unique 2-Stage shower water filter uses Coconut Shell Carbon & KDF-55D media to enhance your shower experience
It''s not that the filters you get at Home Depot don''t work. They do; they''re certainly an improvement over the hard water we have, not to mention clearing out the chlorine. The thing is, they don''t last long. The filters don''t last three months, and we''ve never had the gizmo itself survive for more than a year. Usually, they broke in a dramatic manner, spraying the entire bathroom as they cracked with a loud bang. Depending on the design, they were also awkward to install, especially if you have a non-mundane shower head.
We''ve had the Aquasana for six months, and I''ve just bought the first replacement filter for it. This is definitely a significant improvement over those "basic" filters, and it''s worth the extra money. The filtering is MUCH better -I can tell the difference in that "I just feel cleaner" way -and the filter lasts twice as long. It wasn''t a bad installation, either. If you go to the company''s Web site, you can also sign up for the filters to be auto-shipped to you, which is a distinct time savings.
Yes, this one costs a little more than the "basic" units you''ll find at Lowe''s or Home Depot. And it''s definitely worth the expense.
Buy Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead Now
Akin to most Amazon products with multiple reviews, there''s something to be gleaned both from the positive AND negative feedback. This is certainly one of thosse products.First things first: the Aquasana Shower Filter does what it promises. Expect noticeably cleaner and fresher water immediately after installation. I''ve used this in two different states over a 1.5 year-period. In both instances, the natural odor of the local tap water disappeared completely from my shower after installing this filter, likewise the water gunk ring that used to form after a week or two without it.
Related, this is one wonderful showerhead. I''m amazed with all of the filtration going on (alluded to below), such powerful pressure is produced. The multiple setting showerhead is likewise quite user-friendly, rarely -once every 8-10 months -requiring a moderate pore cleaning.
The Aquasana Shower Filter, however, is not perfect. This is one expensive solution to shower filtration. Ditto on filters which cost upwards of $35 (minus shipping), only available online (in most instances). It also weighs a ton + is enormous; if you have old or fragile plumbing, this is NOT the filter for you. Related, shower plumbing with minimal distance between the wall and the location of the shower head (
Home Master HMF2SdgC Whole House Two Stage Water Filtration System
- Massive filter housings with 1 inch ports for the strongest water pressure possible - up to 15-Gallon per minute
- Dual gradient density replaceable sediment filter produces finer filtration and greater dirt holding capacity. Filtration down to 1 micron
- 100,000-Gallon capacity replaceable coconut shell carbon filter provides a full year of clean water for a family of four
- Excellent purification - removes up to 95-percent of sediment, chlorine, chemicals and other contaminants that create foul tastes and odors
- Oversize filters improve flow rate and reduce maintenance frequency
Buy Home Master HMF2SdgC Whole House Two Stage Water Filtration System Now
I have not actually owned this product, but I own the Tap Master Artesian from this company, and the water is fantastic. I am in a condo so this really isn''t an option, but if I owned a house I would probably buy this item.
Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer Save 1% Off
PROS:Great entry level machine for K-Cups
Excellent value for the dollar
Brews a cup of coffee that is as good as the competition
Easy to use
No assembly required
Convenient
CONS:
Lightweight construction
Few bells and whistles
Only two serving sizes (6 and 10 ounces)
Short cord
Small water reservoir without filter option
Coffee brewed this way is pricey (but you knew that!)
A newer Keurig system is on its way (the Keurig Vue) that uses a different K-Cup
The Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer is a basic, single serve Keurig Cup coffee brewer that will certainly do the job. An entry level K-Cup brewing machine, without any added whistles and bells, it will still brew a fine cup of coffee.
Please note, I am comparing this brewer to the Cuisinart SS-700 system (Cuisinart SS-700 Single Serve Brewing System, Silver Powered by Keurig). I also have experience with two large, Keurig brewing systems that are used in my office.
[NOTE: Go to end of the review for an update about the latest Keurig technology.]
WHAT''S IN THE BOX
The Mr. Coffee machine comes fully assembled right out of the box. All you need to do is fill the reservoir with water and place easily on the top of the machine. At the base of the machine there is a removable drip tray. Plug it in and you''re ready. It even comes with 5 sample K-Cups to start you off.
THE MACHINE BUILD
The machine itself is made out of lightweight plastic. You don''t get the sense that it is flimsy, but it isn''t as robust as the Cuisinart SS-700 which has a lot more heft and will definitely stay put on your kitchen counter. This is doubly true for the lift handle and brew head of the Mr. Coffee (the thing you lift up so that you can put the K-cup inside the machine). The plastic here is thin and will definitely not hold up to abuse. This makes this more suitable as a home machine than it does for use in a small office, where the machine would likely take more of a beating. The lighter construction does not affect the taste of the coffee at all and is probably a cost cutting measure. (At the time of writing this, the Cuisinart model costs more than twice of what is being charged for the Mr. Coffee model.) However, it may mean that the Mr. Coffee machine may not have quite the longevity of the Cuisinart.
A number of cost saving measures were taken to keep the price down. Options for coffee are limited. Servings come in only two sizes: 6 and 10 ounces. (The Cuisinart has 5 sizes between 4 and 12 ounces.) There is no LCD display and there are no strength settings for the coffee. There is no option for a filter within the fluid reservoir (another Cuisinart feature) and there is no special indicator that the fluid level is too low other than a blinking light around the ''Brew Now'' button. (The Cuisinart flashes and LCD message.) The reservoir itself is rather small--about 40 ounces--so it will only brew about four 10 ounce cups before you have to refill it. Also missing is a cool light that trans-illuminates the fluid reservoir when it is too low. The most frustrating low-end feature is that the cord is very short, meaning that your Mr. Coffee machine has to be within about a foot of an outlet.
TASTE OF THE COFFEE
Still, none of this seems to matter when it comes to the taste of the coffee. It would be nice to have an 8 ounce setting, but it isn''t really necessary. In my opinion, at sizes above 10 ounces the coffee is just too weak, so larger sizes aren''t all that useful when using K-Cups. Those who like stronger coffee tend to use two K-Cups per cup of coffee on a four or six ounce setting to get that motor oil consistency that they so love. I have never noticed any difference in using a Keurig systems that allow you to change brew strength. The determining factor for the strength of the coffee seems to be limited by the physics of the K-Cup itself. Blinking lights and fancy indicators are fun, but are hardly necessary in such a simple machine.
BREWING COFFEE
For those not in the know, to brew the coffee you lift the brew head by the handle, place the K-Cup in the well, and close the apparatus. You select the serving size and then hit the ''Brew Now'' button. The water is heated and the coffee is brewed quickly (about 3 minutes). The tiny reservoir only holds about 24 ounces of water, meaning that you will refill it frequently. If your cup is shallow (think tea cup) there will be a little, initial splashing as the coffee shoots out the bottom.
Just so you know, K-Cups are not necessarily the best way to brew coffee. I prefer using a French Press to get the most out of the bean. (Yeah. I know. I''m a coffee snob.) And if I want to brew a quick pot of coffee that still tastes better than one from a K-Cup, a standard, drip coffee maker does just fine, thank you.
But you can''t beat the K-Cup for convenience. K-Cups produce a far better coffee than any instant I''ve tasted (including that fancy Starbucks VIA stuff) and it is the best kind of coffee you can make on the go without any fuss or muss. It''s far faster than a French Press, less finicky, and easier to clean up. It doesn''t take the prep needed for drip coffee or take all that time. And if you have a family where everyone has a variety of tastes, K-Cups allow everyone to stock their favorite flavor.
ECOFRIENDLY AND ECONOMICAL K-CUPPING
If you want to keep things more environmentally sound, there are a number of solutions available for reusable inserts that work just like the K-Cups but that can be filled with your favorite coffee. This way you don''t have to increase the number of used K-Cups that are taking over our landfills today. This may take away some of the convenience factor but is still far faster than other methods to brew coffee.
A reusable Keurig Cup also decreases the expense of the K-Cups. A pound of coffee yields somewhere around 72 ten-ounce cups of coffee. On Amazon (on the day of the writing of this review), you can purchase three pounds of Starbucks Cafe Verona blend for $23.97(Starbucks Caffe Verona Coffee, Dark, Ground, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 3)). That''s about 15 cents per cup of coffee at today''s prices. The same coffee in a K-cup will cost you about 91 cents when bought in bulk(Starbucks Caffe Verona, Dark, 54-Count)--about 6 times the cost. [Note: I corrected my math; thanks to J. Hopkins for reading the review and catching my error.] That''s quite a mark up for the convenience factor. The lowest price I could find on Amazon is about 60 cents per K-Cup. Even if you pay up to $20 a pound for a really high end brew, that means you''d still only pay around 28 cents per cup of coffee. This shows you how the K-Cup is good for brewer manufacturers (we will pay a premium for the convenience of the machines) and the coffee roasters themselves (we''ll pay a lot more for a cup of coffee). The reusable K-Cup will significantly decrease the cost of a cup of coffee. If you buy the excellent ekobrew Cup, refillable filter for Keurig Brewers, Brown, 1-Count at today''s price of $11.49, you will make good on your investment after brewing just 15 cups of Cafe Verona or 23 cups of the cheaper brand when compared to the 60 cent K-Cups varieties. That''s an incredible savings. [NOTE: The Ekobrew will work in this model, but you have to pull down on the handle after you close until it clicks. Keurig''s own Keurig Alternative My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter works, but it comes in three pieces (insert, filter basket, and screw-on top) and--given 3 parts--is more difficult to clean. It also requires that you snap out the insert on the brew head, which means you would have to replace the insert if you want to use a disposable K-Cup]
So this Mr. Coffee model will get you in at the Keurig ground floor (no pun intended). Not the fanciest model--no bells and whistles--but it will get the job done. And, quite frankly, it brews as good a cup of coffee as the far more expensive Cuisinart or those big commercial, Keurig models out there. Thumbs up on this one.
[UPDATE: As an interesting aside, Keurig is coming out with the Keurig Vue system. It uses different K-Cups than conventional machines and the promise is a more regulated cup of coffee. The Vue machine supposedly will more carefully regulate inflow and outflow of a new, specially designed K-Cup that will allow for better control of temperature and pressure within the K-Cup. This apparently will allow for brewing up to 18 ounces of good strength coffee and also allow for brewing iced beverages.
My guess is that this system is meant to compete with Starbuck''s Verismo brewing system that is still due to come out. It will also allow Keurig to compete with the Tassimo, Flavia, and Senseo systems which are newer and in some respects more sophisticated, with better individualized temperature/pressure controls for a more individualized cup of coffee. (The Tassimo and Flavia systems can also brew drinks that have frothed milk on top.)
That being said, all this new technology will likely come with an added price (the machine + the new and improved K-Cups). The old Keurig system brews fine coffee already and Keurig still has the best selection of K-Cups from different coffee vendors. I''ve tried some of the other systems and--in spite of ''superior'' technology have not noted any significant improvements over the simple Keurig system like the one used in this Mr. Coffee machine.]
After testing the Mr. Coffee Single Serve Coffee Brewer myself for a while at home, I sent it to work with my husband. And he''s not too terribly happy with it. He reports back that the device works fine if you choose the small cup size. (Go figure: that''s the size I always used!) When he selects the large cup size, the water flows inside the coffee maker right into the drip tray about half the time. The other half of the time, he receives only about half a cup of coffee.
I''m not sure what to make of this. I''d call user error, but my husband is a serious coffee-phile (and gearhead) and can operate any kind of coffee brewing/grinding/whathaveyou equipment with ease. He does admit to having turned the device off prematurely a couple of times, but I''m not convinced that this could cause his issues.
Given this trouble, I''m revising my review from four to TWO stars and slapping an "approach with caution" sign on it. If you''re looking for a Keurig-style device, it''s probably best to spend the money and buy a Keurig.
********
Original Review:
The Mr. Coffee Single Serve Coffee Brewer is a slightly less expensive alternative to the popular Keurig coffee maker. This product suits the Mr. Coffee name perfectly. It is not sleek or sexy; it has no bells or whistles; in fact, it''s downright utilitarian. But it gets the job done and brews a pretty good little cup of coffee nevertheless.
This coffee maker comes out of the box just about ready to go. Take off a couple of plastic bags, peel off a piece of tape or two, wash out and fill the water reservoir, and you''re just a couple of minutes away from a cup of coffee. The controls are basic, and I liked the fact that I did not have to fiddle with anything digital or computerized or possibly smarter than I am.
My negative impressions are as follows:
--The machine itself is square and clunky looking. Not really something that I want sitting out on my kitchen counter all the time. It looks like...a Mr. Coffee.
--The water reservoir is awkward and chunky. Unless you fill it in place with a pitcher or bottle of water, then spillage is a definite possibility, because you need to use two hands to keep it level.
--The actual brewing process is not as fast as my Keurig, so those of us with issues with impatience may chafe at the extra few seconds we have to wait until we have our coffee.
Positive notes:
--This machine makes a nice cup of coffee. It comes out at an excellent and drinkable temperature.
--The small cup selection makes strong coffee, which is the way I like it.
--Unlike the Keurig, the Mr. Coffee does not leave coffee grinds in the bottom of my coffee cup. I like not having to chew my cup of coffee in the morning.
The Mr. Coffee has a slightly different brewing protocol than a Keurig, heating the water and brewing the coffee at one press of a button. If you treat it like a Keurig, you''ll have a drip tray full of coffee and nothing in your cup. So be sure to read the instructions before you brew your first cup, especially if you have used a Keurig brewer in the past.
This coffee maker comes with a little 5-cup sampler pack of K-Cups. This is a very nice touch, because it means you can brew a cup of coffee as soon as you pull the device out of the box. But remember, the coffee that the Mr. Coffee brews is only as good as the K-Cup you put in to it. Since I''m a terrible coffee snob (probably a result of living in Seattle for so long), the only one of the sample cups that was palatable to me was the Newman''s. My advice: toss out the samples and buy yourself some Starbucks or Tully''s!
Overall, this is a decent enough coffee maker. Not pretty and not fancy but definitely adequate. I think that it''s worth the price.
Buy Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer Now
I''m trying to put together a video review, but I''d like to share my thoughts until I get that done. This is my third Keurig machine (the previous two still work fine, btw), and I''ve been using K-Cup brewers at home for over five years. In short, I think that this is a good choice in the ~$80 range, but you might want to spend just a little bit more to get a few more features (or spend the same and get different ones). I''ll start with a short overview of the options out there that might help you decide if this machine has what you want, and then I''ll discuss my opinions of this machine in particular.UP FRONT SUMMARY -
This is a capable machine that offers an external water reservoir and two cup sizes, is very simple to use, brews a cup in about four minutes, but feels just a little cheap because of the plastic parts. For a little more money (depending on sales), you can step up to a machine with an internal heated reservoir that will brew faster and likely hold more water in the external reservoir.
PRIMARY CATEGORIES OF K-CUP BREWERS -
There are two primary categories of K-Cup brewers:
1. Machines that have an internal water reservoir that will keep water hot and ready for brewing whenever the machine is on
2. Machines that have no internal water reservoir that heat water only after you press the "brew" button
This Mr. Coffee fits into the second category, but it does stand out from the others that I''ve seen available because of the external reservoir. Machines with an internal water reservoir also have an external reservoir (of various sizes depending on the machine) to store extra water. Machines with no internal reservoir typically require that the water be added before each cup (at least that I''ve seen). So, while this machine heats the water before eat cup, it does allow you to store multiple cups worth of water in the reservoir.
Some things to consider when choosing between these categories:
Machines with an internal heated reservoir will make coffee faster (~ one minute per cup) than those that must heat the water before each cup but only if you have it on already, as it takes a little time to heat up the internal water supply if the machine was off. I typically only have my Breville BKC700XL on in the morning, and then I shut it off after my last cup. This Mr. Coffee takes about four minutes to make a 10-ounce cup, which is actually a bit less time than it takes to get my first cup from the Breville because it has to heat up the internal water. If I make two cups, though, the Breville wins hands down.
Machines without an internal reservoir (or external reservoir) can be more compact. This Mr. Coffee, though, is only a little smaller than my Breville.
Machines with an internal heated reservoir cannot be drained without disassembly (at least the ones that I''ve seen), which is something to consider when moving and/or storing them.
FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING -
Every machine is going to be at least a bit different to stand out, but here are some main features that vary from machine to machine that I can think of:
Internal heated reservoir, which results in faster brew times, compared to no internal reservoir.
External water reservoir, which means that you don''t have to add water for every cup of coffee, compared to fill-each-time.
Number of available cup sizes. Some have only one, some have up to five. Some coffees are stronger than others, so it can be nice to have a choice of how much water is used.
Pump noise (as far as I know, this only applies to machines with external reservoirs). Some, like my Breville, are very quiet. Some are louder.
Construction materials. I think that reviews are the best source for determining reliability, because regardless of how sturdy something looks on the outside, reliability on these machines seems to be a big function of the internal mechanisms such as the pump or electronics. That said, you can judge how sturdy you think the external materials are and if they''d hold up to you, your kids, or your office mates.
Drip tray cover material some are metal, some are plastic. I mention this in particular because you set your cup on this every time that you use it, so it will get impacted a lot over the years. Metal is more durable, but plastic tends to be a bit quieter when you set your cup on it.
Aesthetics. Of course, only you can decide on this, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
THIS MACHINE IN PARTICULAR -
Overall, this really is a pretty good machine. That wasn''t my first impression, but it has definitely grown on me. When I first unpacked it, I admit that I wasn''t very impressed. I used a Keurig B70 Platinum for about three years, and then switched to a Breville BKC700XL that I''ve used for over two and a half years. So, I''m used to a certain build quality. This machine uses a lot more plastic and just feels cheaper, leaving me disappointed initially but it is also less expensive, so I should have expected it. Also, when I first started using it, I didn''t like how it operated but I soon realized that was just because it worked a bit differently than what I was used to.
After using it for a couple of days (and now over two weeks), my disappointment changed to appreciation once I got used to how it worked and also began to like how the plastic drip tray was quieter. The lack of options (like a clock, on/off settings, brew temperature, and so on), make this very simple to set up and start brewing...pretty much just plug it in, add water, put in a K-Cup, place your cup, select cup size (if the one lit up isn''t what you want), push brew button, wait about four minutes, and enjoy!
Here are some things that I like and that I think make it worthy of consideration in this price range:
It has an external water reservoir, which I like because I don''t need to pour in water for every cup. I can fill it once and be set for two cups in the morning.
It brews two cups sizes (6 and 10 ounces).
The machine is extremely quiet while drawing water from the reservoir. I''m guessing that it just opens a valve and lets gravity feed in the water, because I can''t hear a pump at all. It is also pretty quiet while heating the water.
There are some things that I don''t love about this machine:
The feel of the plastic lid to the K-Cup holder (when opening and closing) and drip tray are pretty cheap to me. That doesn''t mean that they are weak and prone to failure, but it does make me wonder how long this will last, as those two items that get a lot of physical use and it also makes me wonder about the quality of internal hardware. So far, though, it''s worked great.
After a cup is brewed, the machine will continue to somewhat loudly blow air through the K-Cup for about a minute to dry it out. This can be easily cancelled by pressing the brew button, but when my hands are busy, I find it a little annoying. That''s because this is the first machine of mine that has ever done that, and I don''t see the point in it.
When the lid is opened, the K-Cup holder doesn''t swivel forward like on other machines that I''ve used or seen in the stores. I''ve gotten used to it, but it is easier for me to put in and remove K-Cups when they are angled towards me like on my other machines.
The external reservoir isn''t lighted, so it can be a little difficult to tell how much water is in it because it''s shaded by my cabinets.
So, overall, a pretty nice machine and I''m happy that I was given the opportunity to try it. Personally, I like the machines with an internal reservoir that brew faster and that have larger water reservoirs. For me, it would be worth the money to get those features for a home brewer, but this might be perfect for a college student or the occasional cup at work.
Read Best Reviews of Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer Here
I bought this for my wife for her birthday so that she could enjoy quick, easy coffee in the morning and on weekends. It is every bit as good as a Keurig as far as brewing quality and works with the Keurig My K-Cup accessory. The only criticism I have is the official Keruig brewers that I have used heat the water as soon as you power them on and then reheat the next batch of water as soon as the current cup has finished brewing so that there is very little if any lag between one cup and the next one. This brewer heats the water when you start brewing so there is a few minute wait between pushing the button to brew a cup and actually getting the cup. This is pretty small, but we do miss the immediacy in brewing of the Keurig-branded machines.I would also like to comment on others'' notes that the reservoir for the water is smaller than similarly-sized k-cup brewers so it is very important that you remember to keep it full. I just fill my mug with water and pour that water in before starting the brewing, doesn''t bother me at all.
TL;DR This is an excellent product that we are very happy with, the Keurig brewers are nicer but cost considerably more.
Want Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer Discount?
Length:: 4:10 MinsMy video says it all. This thing is in some ways a disappointment, but I''m not going to knock it because I don''t know how it compares to high-end Keurig machines. For one, it only holds 3 1/2 cups of water. Secondly, this thing takes up a lot of counter space, and I don''t know what 80% of this machine is being used for the reservoir is only 24 oz, but the device looks like it an hold 64 plus it is loud for about 90 seconds while the pump is on. Finally, the fact that it has a "travel mug" setting, which only spits out 1 cup of coffee is surprising to me. Again, I''m not going to knock it because I don''t know how most people expect these machines to work, but I don''t know who''s travel mug only holds 1 cup of coffee. It specifically says it makes 6-ounces or 10-ounces. I just filled a regular coffee mug, it holds 8 oz comfortably. My travel mug holds 20 oz comfortably. 6oz is too small for a coffee mug. 10oz is to big for a coffee mug, but way too small for a travel mug. IMO, they have the sizes all wrong. I think the reservoir is too small, and that the size options are off-target.
Other than that, I can''t complain. I am not a normal coffee drinker. I drink it maybe once a month. This device ensures I don''t make more than I need, plus it is quick and I don''t need to measure out the coffee grounds into a filter. Just pop the k-cup in and 3 minutes later I have steaming hot coffee. I can always run 2 10oz cycles if I want to completely fill my travel mug!
**UPDATE**
This does work with the Ekobrew reusable filters. All you have to do is press DOWN on the front lip while the filter is in place and you will hear it snap into place.
Save 1% Off
iSpring 75GPD 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Save 32% Off
- Solid construction. Noise free operation
- NSF certified 75 GPD Reverse Osmosis Membrane for superior performance
- NSF certified steel storage tank - Flavor free
- Luxury Faucet ($30 retail value). No air gap. Noise free.
- Automatic Shut-Off Valve. Clear housing in 1st stage - monitor filter life easily
- If your water pressure is below 45PSI, we recommend our RO system with built-in booster pump, model #RCC7P.
Buy iSpring 75GPD 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Now
I purchased this unit to replace a Watts Premier I had for 5 years overseas. I had a local plumber come to help install it he has a lot of experience with filters and came highly recommended. He was not impressed with the unit as soon as I took it out of the packaging. The pieces are all lightweight plastic, the filters and membrane have the correct stamps on them "75 gpd RO membrane," "10 micron carbon filter," etc. but when he showed me comparable filters, membranes and pieces from Italy, the quality difference was immediately obvious. The membrane came with the blue coloring rubbed-off in the plastic bag and the flow restrictor was from a 50 gpd membrane, and not a 75 gpd. When I wrote to the suppliers about this, they immediately responded that they had never received any negative comments and they would replace the membrane right away. The fact that I live overseas and needed to wait until I had someone coming to visit me meant I didn''t respond right away.Within a week of installing the filter, one of the one-way valves froze open and I had a huge water bill and possibly ruined the membrane (if it wasn''t already). The water tester went from 30 ppm at install to 150 ppm once we realized what had happened. I wrote to them again and explained my dissatisfaction with the product and would return it if I lived in the states. I did want them to replace the membrane, but not with another of theirs. They responded by sending me a $20 refund. I haven''t seen any 75 gpd membranes for less than $28 and those are the iSpring membranes I don''t want to buy. I guess that is what I get for buying the "luxury" model that cost less than all the other non-luxury ones.
Save your money. Buy a more expensive filter than this one.
Read Best Reviews of iSpring 75GPD 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Here
This is our second iSpring RO system and 3 system overall in the last 7 years. We bought a GE 4-stage from Home Depot in 2006 and it worked very well. We are a family of four and we pull, on average, 6-7 quarts of RO for drinking per day. I''m that guy who firmly believes in "go big or go home" and wanting more filtering we decided to upgrade to the iSpring 5-stage filter. That was last year. The iSpring is EVERY BIT as good as the GE if not better in terms of quality, ease of instruction, and performance. And yes, we could taste a difference between the 4-stage and 5-stage systems. The 5-stage tasted ''cleaner'' though I''m not sure how..We were blessed to be able to buy our dream home several months ago and when we listed our original home the iSpring 5-stage RO system was listed as a feature of the house and ultimately a selling point. (we left the new home owners with a new, unopened set of replacement filters) The new owners told their agent that having the RO system already installed was ''very attractive'' to them and was an influence on their decision to purchase our house (off the subject I know but still things to consider..)
When it came time to purchase a new system for our new home I immediately went to Amazon to find an iSpring. I looked at a couple of other systems but really only to validate my belief that the iSpring is the absolute best bang for the buck out there. I went top-shelf and ordered the 7-stage ispring, complete with UV filter and mineral filter (ADDS beneficial minerals back to the water after the RO process) The price was excellent and the quality I already trusted.
The system is in and operating exactly as I would have expected and every time we get a glass of water we know that we have CLEAN, safe water. The taste is absolutely brilliant...
Okay, so I''ve told you that I''m very familiar with RO systems, having installed three of them. I ham a repeat customer to iSpring because of their quality. If I ever have to buy another system it will ONLY be iSpring. I''ve recommended iSpring to friends and neighbors without hesitation.. so what''s the "however?"
The 7-stage system is assembled in such a way that installation can be a real challenge. There are SO many filters and whatnot it is difficult to keep everything in place when installing. What I ended up doing (and LOVE actually) is that I went to Home Depot and bought additional tubing to mount each cartridge (stage) by itself. I moved 3 of the stages off of the main body and mounted them above the system. It is a very easy process and added literally 30 minutes to the install. Now I can easily get to each cartridge when the time comes to replace them. I think iSpring should look at remotely mounting some of the cartridges on the 7-stage systems... on the 5-stage it was no issue. The other "however" is a bit more serious. The UV filter is there to sterilize the water and the technology is sound. The problem however, is that the UV filter is ON continuously... and when no water is being drawn through the system that water which is in the UV tube gets hot... I mean HOT. This component absolutely needs to have a pressure switch added to regulate the on/off time of the UV light. When water isn''t being drawn from the system the pressure would be sufficient to turn the light off. When the fountain is used, the pressure drop would turn the light ON thus sterilizing the water as it flows. Turn Close the fountain and the pressure goes back up, tripping the switch and turning OFF the light. In my opinion this is a pretty big deal.. I drew a small glass of water to take some Motrin and the water was so hot I almost burnt my mouth. I''ve unplugged the UV light so I am receiving zero benefit from that stage right now. I am going to figure out how to incorporate the pressure switch but honestly just haven''t had time.
So... long story short.. iSpring is an EXCEPTIONAL value! It is a wonderful system that you can trust to give you years of worry free/hassle free service. Installation is a breeze as long as you stay at 5-stage systems and below. Beware of the UV feature... until they incorporate a way for the light to turn on and off with water use (pressure switch) I feel the UV feature is UNSAFE.
At "gee male" you can add JGM dot Texas if you''d like to inquire further. Happy to help.
Want iSpring 75GPD 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Discount?
Just installed the system tonight. Very good so far and pretty easy install for DIY home owner. REALLY helps the crappy calcium filled, chlorine overdosed water from my municipality. My only two problems are that the fittings used to tap into the cold water supply are not good enough quality for my taste, since they leak. Also I had hoped for some sort of air gap type of drain from the filter to ensure any backups from my drain don''t contaminate my filters. The leak is minimized if you follow instructions explicitly and use teflon tape instead of pipe dope (thread compound, which is normally my preference). If the leak doesn''t subside by the morning I will re-plumb with new fittings. Other than that, the system is great. All the fittings on the filter are quick connect and are of good quality, like the rest of the system. The seller (123filter) was quick to ship and very reasonably priced. The system was purchased because of it''s affordability and compatibility with industry standard filter sizes (at least that''s what I understand). Short time of use has not allowed a glimpse of reliability or durability.*4 months later* that leak subsided by the next day, system has worked flawlessly so far. just ordered a filter pack to prepare for the 6 month filter change. Love it and so does the family. Great upgrade for your house and very affordable compared to bottled water.
Save 32% Off
We had a RO system installed a few years ago in another house and really liked it. The system arrived a few days after it was ordered. I was a little apprehensive about installing one myself as we remodeled our kitchen. I shouldn''t have been.I installed the system in our basement so we could have more room under the kitchen sink. The instruction book was very clear and I had no problems with installation. Had to go to Lowes to buy a different connection to hook up the water supply line because my situation didn''t match the one sent with the system. Got the connections for less than $5 and everything else hooked up exactly like they described. Had a small leak in the tank connection, but a few turns of the wrench fixed that.
We are very happy with it and the water tastes great! The best thing is not having to haul cases of water from the vehicle to the kitchen every week.
TotalPond RF13026 Replacement Pond Filter Pads
I bought this for my totalpond filter 1200 I have (http://www.amazon.com/TotalPond-PF1200UV-Pressurized-Biological-Clarifier/dp/B004DL0Y4E/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1338049866&sr=1-3-fkmr0).The manufacturer recommends you replace them every year. I thought they would be like $10 for the filter, but $30 seems very high. The total cost of the filter was $120 and I have to buy a $30 filter and a new UV light bulb every ear for $40.
I also have to cut holes in the filter to make it fit correctly. It took me about 45minutes to cut the holes, put it in the filter and put everything back together.
I''m thinking at the end of the fall, I''m just going to clean out the filter I bought really nice and not just junk it.
Last year, I bought the replacement onces from Home Depot for $14. This season, they are $27, and you have to have them shipped. I figured I''d use prime and get it in two days.
Pros: It Fits and seems to do its job.
Cons: Had to cut hole, expensive, may require replacement every season.
Braun FlavorSelect Patented Water Filter
I''ve enjoyed my Braun coffee maker, and this filter is one of the reasons. I have well water that already tastes great, but some grit gets into the tap water, and this filter takes care of that. People often say what I great cup of coffee I make, but I use perfectly ordinary coffee, just with really great water.However... these filters are expensive and virtually impossible to find. No major retailer seems to carry them, and the Braun customer service center is only open during business hours, and does not seem to have a website that I can find... This filter system would be a lot more appealing if it were easier to buy and replace, and also cheaper.
Buy Braun FlavorSelect Patented Water Filter Now
You''re supposed to replace these filters every two months I couldn''t find them in a store anywhere and tried ordering them online directly from the manufacturer, but I guess my order was lost somewhere in cyberspace. Amazon to the rescue! I have finally replaced my coffee maker water filter after 2 years, and that''s a good thing.Read Best Reviews of Braun FlavorSelect Patented Water Filter Here
I received this water filter two days after I placed the order. I''m happy with the fast service. As for the water filter, you might want to consider rinsing it after taking it out from the package before inserting it into the coffee maker. Also, I ran water through the coffee maker twice before making the first pot of coffee for the peace of mind. If you have paper filter placed before running the water, you will be able to see little green particals in it at the end of the process.Want Braun FlavorSelect Patented Water Filter Discount?
These are good but barely worth the cost. Be careful, this is sold in single and twin packs for similar prices from several vendors. I accidentally got two singles when I thought I was getting two twin packs. I could have returned them, but the postage time and cost was not worth it.
Pack of 25 - 5 Micron 20" X 2.5" Sediment Filter Replacement Cartridges Save 19% Off
- Made of 100% Melt-Blown Polypropylene, 4-layer filtration
- 2.5" (Dia) x 20" (Length) x 1 1/8" (I.D)
- 5 Micron
- Fits 20" filter housings
- Perfect for Whole-house System and 20" RO systems
Edit: I''ve now used one of the filters for 4-months with no problems. In fact, it seems to filter the water much better than the string 5-micron filters I was previously using. Much better water pressure too. I''ve upgraded them to 5-stars.
Buy Pack of 25 - 5 Micron 20" X 2.5" Sediment Filter Replacement Cartridges Now
It is exactly what it says it is, at less than half the price per filter that you find elsewhere. I can''t find a better deal! I wish they would stock the 10" 10 micron 2.5" filter the same way.Read Best Reviews of Pack of 25 - 5 Micron 20" X 2.5" Sediment Filter Replacement Cartridges Here
Best price around for a good product. Solid filter competes with other filters priced 10-28% higher than other sediment filter replacement cartridges.Want Pack of 25 - 5 Micron 20" X 2.5" Sediment Filter Replacement Cartridges Discount?
Buying these filters at my local Kinetico dealer was killing me. Glad I found these ones. Seemd to work just fine.Save 19% Off
So far the product has done what I expected it to do. They are just as good as filters the water softener company was trying to sell me for twice the price.
Northstar 7221217 Conditioning Membrane Cartridge
this filter did a better job then the ones I''ve been buying from sears.the water comes out at a quicker rate, and at this price it a real money saver.
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle Save 55% Off
This kettle is everything you could want! I use it mostly for french press coffee, but my guests have used it for various kinds of tea, instant oatmeal, or hot chocolate with great success.I did a lot of research on these kettles, and I found that the one thing to avoid was kettles with plastic insides. Every single one with plastic innards had comments about plastic taste in the water. Stainless and glass interiors didn''t have this problem, but glass was more susceptable to scale buildup. So I went with stainless. There aren''t many of these kettles with stainless insides, and the ones there are are generally more expensive. I looked at the Breville and some others, but they were simply too much money. This one, while not cheap, offered a great feature set, accurate temperatures, stainless interior, good controls, unobstrusive base, and pretty nice aesthetics.
The kettle is easy to fill, solidly built, and heats water very fast. It finishes its heat cycle with an authoritative BEEP that I can hear from the next room as I watch Sports Center. Another bonus is that even once it has reached temperature, it will keep the water at that temperature for up to 30 minutes, so if I''m busy doing something else, my kettle can wait until I get there, and my water isn''t too cold or too hot! The most important thing about a good cup of french press coffee, besides the beans, is the temperature of the water.
The base is very minimal and you don''t even notice it when the kettle is sitting on it, it looks like one piece of the kettle. The controls are easy to reach while holding the kettle by the handle, and the little LED light on the water level indicator is bright and helps you see the water level in a dimly lit early morning kitchen. It also automatically shuts off after a bit if the kettle heat has been turned off. The kettle will turn off automatically after a certain amount of time, but it also is easy to turn off once you''ve poured out your needed water by pressing the "keep warm" button again.
Cleaning is as easy as making a water/white vinegar mixture and letting the kettle boil for 10-15 minutes, then rinsing it out a few times. This removes lime scale deposits and calcification.
For the build quality, looks, features, and performance, I can''t rate this kettle high enough! Look no further!
UPDATE: 1/6/2012: 1.5 years later not much to report, still working without any issues with daily use and 175 degrees is preferred temperature.
We''ve owned Krups FLF2-J1 electric kettle for about 4 years and while it was doing the job I secretely hated it for various reasons until I ran into CPK-17. While there were no reviews when I first saw it I decided to pull the plug anyway and I wasn''t dissapointed.
Pros:
Selectable temperatures = No more burning toungs!
No smell that I detect
Stylish looking
Fits a cup more then Krups
Nice blue led when in operation
Surprsingly quieter then Krups
Beeps when ready
Keeps it warm for 30 minuites
Faster tea preparation when selecting lower temps
Cap opens with a push of a button (Krups had a twist off)
Neutral:
Price for some
Some plastic there, but not too much
Cons:
They didn''t make one 4 years ago
Stains on Stainless Steel already
Time will tell, but so far I haven''t found a better option amongst all electric kettles.
Buy Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle Now
I did pretty extensive research before buying an electric kettle. The CPK-17 appealed to me on a few different levels. I liked the design, the materials used and the functionality. Although it''s nice to have the option of different temperature settings, it''s really only useful if you drink a lot of tea, which I don''t. I generally use the "French Press" and "Keep Warm" settings, and there''s also a Boil option (which is the next setting up from French Press). On the design side, it''s a great looking appliance made from mostly stainless steel. Of course a big concern of mine is the use of BPA-leaching plastic in many kettles on the market, but there appears to be none on the interior of the CPK-17. The water level, as far as I can see, is covered with another sheet of steel. The only non-steel component I see on the kettle''s interior is a silicone nub near the bottom, which nearly all kettles have and which are also heat-resistant. Another thing I like about the CPK-17''s design is the 360-degree swivel capability of the kettle while resting on its heating element. And of course, the illuminated water level (on when the kettle is in use) is very attractive a nice soft blue color. The pouring spout is perfectly-shaped which makes for a fool-proof pour every time. In terms of functionality, the CPK works exactly as advertised. Heat-up time is quick and the controls are responsive.The major complaint I have with the CPK-17 is the fact that it''s already scaling at the bottom and I''ve only had the kettle for 2 weeks. To me, this is crazy especially considering I use filtered water by Multi-pure (one of the most advanced filtration systems available), so the water is as clean as it gets before it even goes into the kettle. No chlorine, no calcium, no lime -so what''s with the scaling deposits already? It''s annoying, and I wonder if other owners have had similar issues. Anyway, I''m giving this product 4 stars. To recap...
Pros:
great design, little if any interior plastic
smooth functioning, fast heat-up
Cons:
Scales easily after only a few uses
PriceyHi.
I almost never write reviews but I believe this one deserve it.
I purchased this kettle from Amazon 6 months ago for $99. I really like the thermometer and could live with the stainless steel look. It worked like a champ until about 2 wks ago when I begin noticing how unusually long it is boiling. I use my kettles a lot for tea, hot water...pretty much 5-10 times a day. One time the water was boiling for close to 3 mins with scalding water splattering out of the spout. My husband suggested I wait no longer for it to shut off automatically and do it manually before it blows up.
That''s when I contacted Cuisinart Customer Service only to learn that the only thing I can get from them is an exchange with me paying shipping both ways....NO thanks, I am not interested in spending any more of my money on something that may fail again.
So I called Amazon and begged them to take this kettle back and give me a refund. Amazon came thru and I got $79 back today.
I did lose $20 and my faith in Cuisinart products but at least Amazon didn''t fail me. Thanks Amazon.
PS: When I took the base of the kettle off to ship it back to Amazon I noticed that it has been leaking under the base.
Want Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle Discount?
I was on the fence for awhile between this kettle, the Breville Temp Select or a Zojirushi Water Heater/Dispenser. I was previously using a stainless stove top kettle, which made it a bit tricky at times, to get the water to the right temperature for the tea I was brewing. I decided on this one because it does everything I want it to do; boils water quickly and provides various water temperatures for different varieties of tea. It was also at a reasonable price point. I brew whole leaf tea and this makes brewing a fresh cup an absolute breeze! Easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and so far, nothing I would change!Update 4/29/11
Purchased this Kettle in 10/10
It is now going to hit the trash.
It no longer heats up at all and I contacted Cuisinart.
They will send me a new unit if I pay shipping both ways, no way!
Not heavily used at all and very disappointed!
Thankfully, I have a traditional stove top kettle to use in it''s place.
Everything made today seems to be so disposable and not made to last.....sad!
Save 55% Off