Calphalon Electric 10-Cup Quick Brew Thermal Coffeemaker Save 50% Off

The pros:

good looking machine lit display is especially nice

fairly well priced

makes good tasting coffee that is quite hot

carafe keeps coffee hotter than most similar carafes

controls easy to use

The cons:

if you prefer a paper filter (and we do) it can be hard to place it in basket such that it doesn''t fall over and make a mess with grounds all over the place and coffee not right (and basket full of messy leaking liquid)

the stop drip feature seems to work worse than most (ours doesn''t seem to stop anything)

machine is heavy hard to slide around the counter

produces a lot of steam so you really can''t have it right under a counter

We loved our old Cuisinart with thermal carafe (a style not made anymore) but this machine seems to make better, hotter coffee that stays hotter longer. When the filter flops over though (which is does sometimes despite what I think is careful positioning) it makes a terrible mess. We never had this problem with our old machine.

All in all a decent machine with a few flaws.

All I want is a good cup of coffee. When our Braun coffeemaker stopped working I went on-line to Amazon to look for a new machine with a thermal carafe. I read far too many reviews and every product seemed to have more negative reviews than I like to see. Common complaints were: coffee not hot enough, coffee maker and/or carafe spills too easily, and machine stopped working. So I had to go to a real store several stores in fact and see these coffeemakers for myself. I ended up with this Calphalon HE100CMT coffee maker, which at the time I bought it had only one Amazon review.

Inspecting the display models, I found that the construction of this Calphalon was noticeably better than the other coffee makers in its price range. Instead of plastic made to look like metal this has a real metal shell (which I''ll admit shows fingerprints readily). The hinged covers for the brewing basket and water reservoir seemed more rugged and of a higher quality than the other units on the shelves. So I brought the Calphalon home.

I think coffee maker engineers have quite a challenge making thermal carafes that keep coffee hot. My wife, who would prefer a glass carafe on a hot plate, finds the coffee temperature from the Calphalon''s thermal carafe acceptable only because I pre-warm the carafe and her coffee mug with hot water. Compared to our simple old Braun thermal carafe, this Calphalon carafe has a spring-loaded button in its lid to keep heat in once the carafe is removed from the coffee maker, and gaskets on the screw-on lid. I''m not sure this makes much real difference in the temperature but this design very nearly made me return the Calphalon to the store.

Of the first three full pots of coffee I made, two created countertop spills that rivaled that of the Exxon Valdez. After the first disaster I made sure I had the carafe top screwed on correctly, the coffee cone positioned just so, and the entire coffee maker leveled on our not very level counter. I still experienced a second disaster and as Calphalon advertises this coffee maker brews a lot of coffee in a hurry so there was quite a flood. To the reviewer who called this design "pathetic" if I''d seen your review I wouldn''t have bought this product. However, I did buy the machine and I was not ready to admit to my wife that I''d made a mistake. After experimenting I''ve convinced myself that the lid button when new is a little sticky and that making sure it moves freely will avoid flooding. This has worked uneventfully for the past few days and we''ve enjoyed our coffee.

This Calphalon is a big coffeemaker. It has a removable water reservoir, and I think that''s why it''s half again as big as my old Braun with its built-in water tank. And one more observation: the Calphalon''s "auto pause and serve valve" should be called "slows down dripping somewhat when you remove the carafe". I think I would give this machine 3 1/2 stars if I could but I''ll round up and give it four stars.

Updated October 2012: "I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."

Our Calphalon coffee maker expired today, less than a year after we bought it. After it made this morning''s coffee we detected an electrical odor and it appears that the heating element burned out. (I opened it up to conduct a post-mortem.) I see that other reviewers have reported this problem.

My wife''s reaction when I told her that the machine had died was "oh good." She was tired of wrestling with the screw-on carafe lid, having to wipe up spills whenever we poured coffee from the carafe, and the "auto pause" feature never quite working. I leapt onto Amazon and ordered a new machine from a different manufacturer.

I''ll take away two stars from the Calaphon due to its early demise and leave it with two stars since it did make pretty good coffee for almost a year.

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Have you ever read the reviews on ANY coffee maker? Check them out on any brand and you''ll find the same complaints. Most of these are user error. Let''s start with the biggie, coffee leaks all over the countertop when brewing. Older coffee makers shot the water over the grounds in the filter with a single stream of water. New units transfer the water with something resembling a shower head. If you put a paper filter in the unit and it isn''t perfectly placed, the heated water will fold the paper filter over and water will leak everywhere. You don''t need to concern yourself with this problem on this unit as it comes with a gold, metal filter. Don''t use paper filters. Besides that, the gold filter saves you money.

I bought his unit because it has a metal, thermal carafe. Glass carafes break. Units with glass carafes have plate type heaters to keep the coffee warm. This causes the water in the coffee to evaporate rendering the coffee horrible in a short period of time. With the thermal carafe the coffee is kept warm for hours and you can take the carafe to the dinner table or desk in your office. The next common complaint is about the tops on all the thermal carafes. In order for the coffee to remain warm in the thermal carafe, the lid must fit securely. People are not careful in putting the lid on the carafe and strip the threads on the lid. When the threads become stripped, the lid will leak. When you screw on the lid, make sure that it screws on evenly. You won''t have any problems.

This unit brews 10 cups in about 2 minutes. It''s smokin'' fast. It also has several brewing modes, bold, 1-4 cups and a combination of both bold and 1-4 cups. When you set the timer for auto brewing, the mode you have set does not show in the display.

The unit looks great on the countertop and it''s smokin'' fast. Take my tips into consideration and you will enjoy some great coffee.

UPDATE: The coffee maker simply quit working after approximately one month. I returned it.

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The mechanism that is meant to seal off the pot to keep it hot does not work propoerly and coffee spills all over the counter and floor when it brews. This happened 4 out of the first 10 times I used the machine, plan to take it back immediately. As mentioned in a previous review the lid also leaks when pouring. For a fairly expensive coffee maker, this is pathetic, doesn''t even do the basics correctly. Please do not buy this product.

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I was a bit skeptical as I really liked (mostly) our old Cuisinart thermal 12-cup maker (owned two) but one day it just stopped turning on every time probably fro an overflow of coffee earlier. My wife works at Macy''s and got this one with her discount. Wasn''t sure . at first...I now like it a lot!

I will echo what another poster said... most complaints on this maker are user inflicted. It does require some thought and effort. Unlike the Cuisinart which was stupid simple to use.

Pros...

Great tasting hot coffee, Very fast, Looks good, Removable Water tank, gold-tone filter.

Cons...

More daily maintenance, only 10-cup, instructions not clear. Stupid time setting no skipping fast forward etc.

Mid-pour does not not work at all.

Here are my trial and error pointers when using this particular coffee maker...

First, make sure you clean the thermal carafe out every time, to avoid forgetting and making another pot. That makes a total mess. I did this at first. Since you have an removable reservoir you may forget there is liquid already in the carafe. I did.

Second, There are three arrows on the lid.. use them! The unlabeled arrow is he "brew" arrow... the other labeled ones are "pour" and "lock". Take the time to set the proper arrow. Also be very careful when you initially screw the cap on. Line the threads up.

Third, rinse out the carbon filter in tank before you put in reservoir to get rid of a lot excess carbon. I have RO filtered water so after it wears out (3 months)I''ll probably not use their carbon filter system.

In all I like it! It has more daily maintenance time than the Cuisinart, makes much better coffee. I think if you are OK with the daily maintenance to keep this run running smooth its a great good looking choice. I does make coffee faster which is nice and the carafe opening is large enough and shallow enough that you can really clean the carafe unlike the Cuisinart which got really black really quick over time.

We are keeping the Cuisinart thermal carafe as a backup as it does a better job maintaining the temperature over many hours.. for parties etc. This one keeps coffee hot but for not the same amount of hours.

4 stars just because it isn''t perfect... I''m sure no coffee maker is "perfect". They all have pluses and minuses.

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Black & Decker CM1010B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

There MUST be two different carafes that can come with this model. The reviewers below that say that they have no problem with dribbling/spilling from the carafe absolutely do not have the same carafe that I and others have. Perhaps B&D fixed the problem somewhere along the line, and there are still older ones on the shelves? Don''t know. But the carafe I got with mine (purchased 11/07/09) is the worst I have ever seen! Here is the feedback I sent to B&D''s customer service today:

"I can''t believe that a coffee maker designed and sold in 2009 has a carafe lip that dribbles coffee down the pot onto the counter not just a little, a lot! I''ve seen plenty of carafes over the past 50 years that either pour perfectly or will dribble just a bit if you pour way too fast, but this carafe deserves an award. You can''t pour anywhere *near* a normal speed without getting coffee all over the carafe, the cup and the counter. How can this be? How could such a design ever get out of R&D? I challenge anyone at B&D to try this carafe and tell me I''m wrong. It is so bad that I have resorted to using a single-cup maker until I either replace this carafe or discard the whole maker and buy another. Question: Is there another carafe I can use with this model that pours properly? Thanks."

*If* I get a response, I''ll post it here.

I confess, I didn''t purchase this coffeemaker through Amazon. I bought it about a week ago from a local major chain store.

In the past 10 years, I''ve owned a number of much more expensive, popular, and respected name brand coffeemakers, which I''d researched well before buying, that have made quite good coffee...until they quit, all within 3 years or less. Most of them have had some frustrating issues of some sort, usually with poor pouring and spilling if you got in too big of a hurry. Most of them have had a permanent filter basket and water filters, of which I needed to buy rather expensive replacements for. I''ve had thermal pots, which I like, but which require "preheating" to be most effective, another step that some folks don''t seem to appreciate. In the end, after each of these "deluxe" models failed, I would fall back to an old standby coffeemaker that had been stored away on a shelf. I''ve been using this old machine for some months now, until I cracked the pot. I''ve read tons of reviews of other coffeemakers, which all seem to have many unhappy owners, and finally just brought this one home, figuring I''d only be out $30 if it didn''t last.

To my great surprise and in spite of all the negative reviews, I really like this coffeemaker! I don''t seem to have any of the problems that other reviewers have mentioned. I''ve only been using it for a week but, (knock on wood), it''s doing what it was designed to do, and well, I might add. Let me mention some of the features I think are worth noting.

First off, this is an attractive unit and rather tall, at about 14 inches. The top lifts up to access the water reservoir and filter basket, so you have to pull it out if you store it beneath most cupboards. I enjoy how easily accessible the basket and permanent filter are, which completely lift out for cleaning, either by hand or in the dishwasher, and the quite large, open area to pour water into. The charcoal water filter is located on the right in the back and is easy to change, at least with my average, woman-sized hands. There are cup markings on both the pot and the side of the water reservoir to verify the correct amount has been added.

Many (most) complaints I see here are with the pot and pouring. Before I used my coffeemaker the first time, I ran a vinegar and water solution through it, and then a few pots of plain water, to clean it. I had no problems with spilling, pouring into the reservoir, or out of the pot, or leaks anywhere. I did overfill the reservoir once, not paying attention to the cup markings and just pouring a full pot into it, but that is a clear user error and not a flaw in the design of the unit. After the cleaning was completed, I assembled and placed the charcoal water filter and successfully brewed my first pot, which took about 8-10 minutes.

The included manual has easy-to-follow instructions for setting the clock and timed brew. So far, it works great! There is no battery backup memory so if you unplug it or your power goes out, it all needs to be reset. There is a selection button on the front for brewing 1-4 cups, which slows brewing to extract extra flavor from the smaller amount of coffee. This unit also includes a standard "sneak-a-cup" feature and a keep warm function with a 2 hour automatic shut-off, which I appreciate after having returned home to a charcoal-caked pot too many times.

Of note, I measured the coffee temperature after brewing with my trusty candy thermometer and it was 165 degrees. After sitting on the warmer plate, it was 175 degrees. For me, this is hot enough, even after adding a bit of milk or cream. I don''t know if that suits everyone''s tastes or how consistent this is, but it''s info I have to share.

A new feature that I found interesting was a special cleaning cycle, using white vinegar, which is recommended every 60 brew cycles. The coffeemaker records the cycles and a "clean" light appears on the display to remind you. Conveniently, this is also the recommended time to change your water filter.

One "complaint" I have is that the front of my box claimed to have a "gold-tone" filter basket and I have a nylon mesh one. The gold tone ones I''ve had in the past seemed sturdier, but I''ll have to see how durable this one is with time. I normally use paper filters as well so can''t address the effectiveness of the filter basket related to extremely fine coffee grinds. Another concern is that this unit is not noted on the Black and Decker website so I don''t know if it''s specially made for the chain stores or an older unit, which has been replaced with a new number.

To summarize, I have to say I''m very happy with my purchase. For $30, I not only have a nice looking unit that is easy to use and brews a good cup of coffee. I feel that there are many desirable features that I would not expect at this price. Reassuringly, there is a two year warranty on defects in materials or workmanship. I need to locate a source for the correct water filters, but there is an 800 number in the manual for parts and service that I''ve not yet tried. I will edit my review if I have any other information to share, but, so far, so good.

UPDATEI''ve had this coffeemaker about a month now and I admit, I''ve had some drips. It seems to be most likely to occur when the pot is full, but is intermittent at other times. Pouring slowly seems to be the best way to avoid it, but this does not guarantee it to be drip free. I still like the coffeemaker and am happy with my purchase. I just don''t want to mislead anyone about the dripping. All other functions are performing as designed.

Buy Black & Decker CM1010B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Now

This coffeemaker is a SCANDAL. The lip of the carafe had apparently NOT been fixed as of my purchase date of 12/29/09. My considerable respect for Black & Decker is GONE. The human race has been engineering the lip of a pouring vessel since AT LEAST 2000 BC (Mycenaean Greece). Yup! since 4000 years ago. And probably since much earlier (ancient Egyptian, Chinese?). The solutions to the problem that work are KNOWN. I guess B&D fired their engineers and hired a bunch of swishy "designers." They must have also fired their product test people and hired a few more marketing specialists. Hint: Try pouring out the side of the carafe, avoiding the lip. But remember to curse Black & Decker each time you do it. And it''s not exactly the perfect solution. These folks expect me to buy a POWER TOOL from them?? NOT ANY MORE! I am not "irritated." I am ANGRY!

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I purchased this product in June of 2010. We barely use it once a week and within two months the carafe would leak quite a bit while trying to pour a cup of coffee. After a couple frustrating months, I called B&D and was sent a replacement carafe, free of charge. This carafe also started to leak within a couple of months. So I called their warranty number, only to be told that this is not covered under warranty and they show no record of there being a problem with this model. I told them that their repair parts website has two reviews both with leaking carafes!! So I then called the parts & accessories number in my manual and this gal was much nicer. They are going to send a more expensive model, after I send to them a check (minimal) to cover the shipping and handling, and the plug cut off this defective coffee maker. I sure hope the replacement model works better than the CM1010B, or we will be changing brands and find one without a glass carafe.

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Dont buy this coffeemaker! The first one I recvd leaked from under the plastic rim. The 2nd drips no matter how you try to pour it. Unless you enjoy licking your coffee off of the counter or pouring it into a cup over a sink and wasting half the pot, buy a Mr. Coffee coffee maker. Black and Decker should recall all those made and replace them. Shame on Black and Decker for making such a piece of junk!Black & Decker CM1010B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe

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Brita Water Filtration System Kit: 1 Pitcher

Though I love the red color over the blah white color of other brita pitchers I''ve owned, this is by far the worst design of the 4 I''ve owned in the past. The pitcher reservoir only allows a small amount of water to be added at any one time due to the curved shaped of the lid; ie you can never fill to the full top of the lid like you can with other flat-topped designs, because the water hits the top edge near the handle well before you can fill the entire reservoir and all of the overflow pours into the hollow handle (yes, seriously it''s the stupidest thing ever). Not only is this a problem on its own, but then the water doesn''t just stay put in the handle, but rather leaks out the handle seams all over the countertop, fridge, etc. and makes a big puddle. Even if you are careful not to go too high to the edge of the handle when filling the reservoir, just the simple act of putting the pitcher onto the counter from under the running water of the faucet, causes the water in the reservoir to swish around, causing a few ounces of it to overflow into the handle. It makes the whole process of refilling the reservoir very time consuming (since you can really only put in about half the amount that you can with the other pitcher designs (large reservoir) if you don''t want the handle overflow issue. If you''re doing anything where you need a large quantity of filtered water at one time, it takes an eternity to get this to filter when the pitcher can only be filled 3/4 of the way. (the more downward pressure you have from a full reservoir, allows the water to be pushed through the filter more quickly. When the reservoir is closer to empty, the water trickles through more slowly (this has been true with all of the pitcher designs, but the particular design of this one seems to make the water go through the filter even more slowly than any other design I''ve ever owned (even when filled to the top edge)).

Overall, I like the red, but the pitcher design itself sucks. I''ve been using it for a few weeks now and I would have returned it immediately but they only have the same design in stock where I bought it at costco and I gave away my other white pitcher (with a much better design) as soon as I got this one ... so now I have to wait until a new design shows up before I can return it for a better replacement. Hopefully whichever new design they come out with next, the red will again be an option, since it is a great color and far more attractive than the white in my opinion. And hopefully in the meantime, Brita will hire some better industrial design engineers ... who knows what they were thinking when they came up with this one??

I''ve had Brita pitchers for about 30 years and have seen a lot of designs come and go. I love this one as my kitchen has red accents and this is perfect. It holds more water than my old white one which is nice but be aware that makes it heavier too. Bought it at Costco.

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Camco 40631 EVO Premium RV Water Filter Save 30% Off

• Includes filter housing, one extension hose and one replaceable premium spun polypropylene filter cartridge
• Filter lasts one camping season
• 5 micron barrier and granulated active carbon reduces bad taste, odors, sediments, bacteria, chlorine and much more
• Filter is replaceable
• CSA low lead content certified and complies with California''s AB1953 and Vermont Act 193 Low Lead Laws

I bought the RV water filter (CAMCO 40631) and followed the directions for installing it. My husband was out of town at the time, and I didn''t want to wait.

So, of course, the very first thing I do is over-torque one of the connections and I broke it.

I called CAMCO customer service, and explained what I had done, and asked who I needed to talk to so I could buy the parts I needed. The lady on the other end asked me a few questions, and then told me she will be sending the parts to me.

It was easy, simple, and I had a wonderful conversation with the rep, and the best part was I didn''t have to struggle through a accent or language barrier.

Camco you just earned a lifetime customer!

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Fittings are course tolerance and require some effort to stop leakage. The unit seems fairly durable. Be sure to flush before use as there is a lot of loose carbon in the included filter.

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I have been using this unit for 6 months with no issues. No water smells and the water tastes great. If using in area with dirt the filter stand may be helpful to keep upright and out of the way.

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I ordered a EVO RV water filter plus three spare filters through amazon. The Filter system arrived without the inlet and out let connector. Amazon quickly refunded my original cost and immediatly posted a complete water filter system which arrived intact,has been fitted and is work wellThankyou both amazon and cameo for your swift service

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very easy filter to use and water tastes good no odors. Also i broke one of the outlets and called camco. They replaced both of the connectors in two days and no charge, said it was for good customer relations that there was no charge.

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Clear Flow KFF-301 Long Life Disposable Kitchen Faucet Filter

• No cartridges to change! Lasts for up to 1 year (300 gallons).
• Electronic status light tells you your filter is working
• Switch from filtered to unfiltered water
• Save up to $600 compared to buying bottled water

We have pretty bad tasting water in Las Vegas, and we''re pretty much forced to buy 5-gallon containers of purified water for straight drinking water. We were going through so much, that I looked into getting a charcoal-based filter system for water for our tea, coffee, pets, and plants (all of which benefit from having minerals in them). I was pretty horrified to find how much the other famous brands charge for their filters and containers and such! Then I found these. They use the same technology as the others, but are so much cheaper! So I bought one.

Well, it''s eight months later and the green light is still on (meaning it''s not time to change) and we run a lot of water through it. It''s a solidly built device, with a strong connector (and multiple steel fittings come with it), and I really couldn''t be happier with it. I wouldn''t recommend it for sinks whose faucets are already low down into the sink, or it might get in the way of cleaning pots, but that''s true for the competitors, too.

One thing that I prefer about it over the competitors is that the whole unit is disposable, not just the filter. While as a rule I''m an obsessive recycler and environmentally minded person, in our house we do not have a water softener and all the water fixtures and appliances gum up and corrode quickly. After 8 months, this thing is no exception, though I am happy that some extra tightening stopped any leaks and it still works great, but I''m happy I''ll be starting fresh with another unit in a few months, instead of having to live with a crudded up unit with a new filter, as I would with competitors.

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Do not buy this item. Mine went right away. It only showed a green light for a short period, the rest of the time a red light to no light at all. I had much difficulty locating the manufacturer, so I finally called up Clear Flow and the item and found a site I could write to. Here was their response.--

I am sorry to inform you but we are a retail and service company in Canada and we do not manufacture any drinking water systems. This is not the first request for information that we have received, As to this date we have not been able to locate this manufacturer.

Sincerely,

Ronald Jorgensen

Owner / Operator

Clearflow Pumps and Water Treatment Limited

Your Water the Way You Want It ... Safe, Clean and Crystal Clear.This was my letter to them -

I purchased your Clear Flow KFF-301 Long Life Disposable Kitchen Faucet Filter, White in February of this year from Amazon.

It didn''t work right when we put it on. I ran water as the instructions stated but no green light showed up. The red one did. After a few days I did get a green light. Shortly after that it went to red. Not much longer after we finally had a green light stay on, then the red light came on and stayed on, and now there is no light at all. For the capacity it is supposed to have for filtration, I sure did not get that.

I have been searching for how to get in touch with you, until I now went to Amazon and called up Clear Flow on a search.

I have had many water filters, but this is the first one to do that. It has been installed correctly by my boyfriend who installed all of the others.

I sure did not get my money out of this product, yet it gets great reviews.

Can I get another one, or do I have to buy another one, but it will be a different brand?

Very concerned and not happy.

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I bought my first clear flow filter six years ago at a local hardware store, where I could put the specs side by side with Brita, Culligan, Pur and found the contaminant reduction on Clear Flow to be the best in terms of removing contaminants that concerned me. The water tastes great, too.

This is my fifth Clear Flow filter in six years, so I get a bit over a year per filter. That''s pretty minimal plastic to landfill compared to Brita and other filters that take "refills". The whole Clear Flow Filter isn''t much bigger than a Brita Filter cartridge, which is also a plus in terms of not taking up room at your kitchen tap.

Since I have been a loyal user of this filter design for a number of years, I know there was a period a few years back when they made an arrangement with Brita and sold this filter, by retail anway, exclusively through Brita instead of under their own name. All you fans of the Brita disposable water filter-the Clear Flow KFF-301 *IS* the "Brita" disposable. Brita sold it for a much higher price, though. Close to double, if memory serves. I wonder a bit if Brita might have been pulling a Microsoft-esque tactic, trying to buy influence over innovative competitors and then just marketing the competing product to fail. I for one am glad Clear Flow didn''t sell out to Brita, reclaimed its own product, and continues to make a great little alternative filter that is priced really well.

I can''t find these filters at my local hardware store anymore, but I''m glad to find them here on Amazon.

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Lasts for over a year and then just throw it away. Too bad these things are so hard to find. Needs better marketing.

I buy this clear flow filter every year, although this time I bought two, infear of them being discontinued. I dont know what i would do if this happens. I have tried other brands and they pop off the faucet, so i have continued to buy this one for years now.

I recommend this to anyone.

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Crystal Quest CQE-RC-04001 5-Micron Sediment Reusable Pleated Filter Cartridge Save 42% Off

• Pleated Cartridges Are Pleated To Provide Increased Surface Area And Longer Life
• The Pleated Design Maximizes The Dirt-Holding Capacity
• It Is Reusable And Versatile, Which Allows For Varied Uses

Have had it in for one month. The water flow is good and see no pressure drop as of now. Will see how it looks next month when it comes out for a cleaning.

Save 42% Off

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Honeywell/Kaz Home Environme De-Mineralize Cartridge Dc Humidifier Chemical & Accessories Save 20% Off

• "HONEYWELL" DE-MINERALIZATION CARTRIDGE
• Removes Minerals & Other Impurities From Water
• Fits Vicks Model #V5100N

This filter, works very well with the humidifier we have, but the instructions are not clear on everything you need to do to make it work well. It has to be soaked for 15mn and then thoroughly rinsed so that it works properly. If you do not rinse it,the humidifier shoots a not very pleasant yellowish mist that fills up the environment. Other than that, it has been a very good product.

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If you have a humidifier, it would be unwise to pass up using a demineralization cartridge. It saves you the headache of nasty gunk and mold that builds up in your humidifier. I agree wholehearted with other reviewers about the benefits of using this cartridge.

For the first one that I used, it lasted me about 25 or so days (or in short, I noticed little in the way of gunk buildup during that duration of time) before I felt the need to change the cartridge. My second one lasted about the same amount of time as well.

I have to point out, it is very important that you soak the cartridge thoroughly before adding it to your humidifier. For me, after taking it out of the package, I soaked it in a bowl of cold water for about 15 20 minutes before taking it out for use and so far I''ve had no problems whatsoever.

If you want to save yourself some headaches, I strongly recommend using this product in conjunction with your humidifier.

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This product is amlost impossible to get in local stores. Arrived very quick, in grate shape. Price was good and it saved me tons of time to look at the local vendors.

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The Filter arrived covered in mold. Needless to say I do not reccomended buying from g&s drug co. Stay away from these guys.

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The cartridge that came with the vicks humidifier only lasted about 10 fillings (they claim 30-40). I think it would be just as cost effective (and easier) to just buy distilled water to use in the humidifier, and skip the filter cartridge.

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DeLonghi BCO320T Combination Espresso and Drip Coffee Save 34% Off

We have had several Combination Espresso and coffee makers through the years. They don''t usually last more than a couple years. So we don''t spend a fortune on them. My husband makes Cappuccinos for us each Sunday morning. This by far is our favorite so if it ever goes, this one will be what we buy again. So user friendly with smart features. Love it.

I bought this unit and just short of 60 days later the espresso maker piece started to leak steam during brewing. I emailed DeLonghi to find out how to get it replaced. After a week of no response, I called DeLonghi support and they said I had to mail it, at my own expense, to a repair center. My request to have a replacement, since it was only about 45 days old, was denied.

The repair center turned out to be pretty close, so, I drove over and dropped it off. A couple of weeks went by and I had not heard anything so I called. The response was "we have not gotten to it yet". Then a week after that I received a call saying the part to fix it was on back order from Italy. No ETA.

I am now looking for a replacement and needless to say we will not be buying a DeLonghi product for this or anything else.

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I got this because I like the occasional cappuccino. It does a decent job for a middle of the road product.

First the drip side. It''s a little slower than other drip machines I''ve had for making the full 10 cups. The biggest drawback of the drip side is the design of the carafe spout. When filling the water reservoir you have to pour super slow or it overflows and drips water onto your counter. Same thing when you pour the first couple of cups of coffee. Once it gets to about the 6 cup mark you can pour at a better rate without it dripping. The spout is basically just flat with really small lips on the sides, not the contoured glass you find most places.

As a plus you do have the Aroma mode if you only want to make 4 cups or less to make sure you get good flavor from the short brew. The programmable auto off is also great if you are the type of person who tends to forget about the pot in the morning. The warming plate does run a little hot. It doesn''t burn the brewed coffee, but if it''s been sitting there more than about 15 minutes, it''s way too hot to drink.

For the espresso side. I like the switch valve operation over something you have turn. And it won''t let the steam into the espresso brewing side until it reaches the right pressure so you can leave it on the coffee setting when you turn it on.

The cons of the espresso side:

1. The frothing tip is screw on. I counted, it takes more than 30 twists to get it off or on, which is a huge pain

2. You don''t get a frothing cup. Come on, for this price you couldn''t include one? I had one left over from a previous combo machine, so not a big deal, but if you want to make a cappuccino right out of the box, forget about it

3. The directions for steaming milk tell you to hold the frother right under the surface of the milk. This will froth your milk without getting it warm. You should hold the frothing cup so that the milk comes up to the top of the frothing tip until the milk is hot and then froth it.

4. The marked water level recommendations on the espresso carafe are off. I find I need to add more water than recommended in order to get both hot milk and a good froth.

Overall a decent machine for the price point. The biggest negative is the screw on and off frothing tip. If you make a lot of cappuccinos, you may want to look for a machine with an easier to clean design. I had one with a rubber tip and metal straw to bring down air for foaming that was super easy to clean compared to this.

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Purchased this combo machine for $118.00 (tax and shipping included) to replace the Delonghi combo machine we had for 7 years.

Very satisfied with the machine, we make drip coffee on a daily basis and espresso at least once a week. We have had it for over a month now, and no problems.

I especially like the automatic shut off of the warming plate, which can by adjusted for the length of time it stays on.

Delonghi redesigned the drip coffee pot lip, the old pot used to drip when/after you poured, no problems the new one.

The large button for the espresso, confused me at the first, I pressed that intending to make drip coffee, but shut it off, once I noticed no coffee coming out. I read the directions and figured it out.

Good Machine, if hope it lasts as long as the other.

Tip: rinse the filter holder after every use, if it clogs, it will overflow and you will have a mess. It happened once with the old one but never had the problem again, since we are in the habit of rinsing.

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I love my combo espresso/coffee maker! Have had it for about a month. I dont know how to use the espresso side but thankfully my hubby figured it out (took him a few tries). He thinks its fairly simple to use. I researched for weeks and out of all the options on amazon, I think I made the right choice. Definitely recommend!

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Sofcheck Total Hardness Test Strips

Well, I wanted to be able to check how well my softener was working, and this is just the ticket. Instructions right on the container are simple, and you read the color change compared to a chart on the bottle...Easy-peasy! Although getting an EXACT reading is dicey at best, this will tell you approximately how hard or soft your water is, and that''s what I was looking for.

I bought this to convince my Mother-in-law that her water softener in her condo was working correctly. I also used it to verify my water softener was on track. So, both have been tested and both are working well. If I test each one twice a year I have enough test strips to last 12 years, 6 months. Wonder if I will still be able to find the bottle after that long?

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The strips seem to work as advertised, but I was alarmed by the expiration date on the product container. It was August of 2010. I ordered the strips and received them in November of 2012. The product had been rated to expire TWO YEARS AGO!

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Hold under the faucet for 1 second and then wait about 5 seconds more to confirm the color and compare it to the colors on the side of the bottle that tell you how hard the water is. Pretty simple and really fast.

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I used the strips to test my indoor water softening against my outdoor, unsoftened water. The strips indicated that the softened water was properly softened and the outdoor water was very hard. The strips seem to be a good indicator of water softness.

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Hamilton 1.7 Liter Stainless Steel Kettle Save 38% Off

My only concern after purchasing this kettle was that the level gauge has a plastic surface in contact with the boiling water on the inside of the kettle.

After sending an inquiry to the manufacturer about the type of plastic used in the construction, I received the following response:

"Thank you for contacting us. The plastic used is polypropylene which is BPA free. If you are in need of additional assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your patronage.

Sincerely,

Nicole

Consumer Affairs"

I absolutely love this kettle. I got my first one about six years ago and it''s still going strong. In fact, I just bought my second one so I could have hot water in my office at school for tea and ramen.

*The water gets hot fast. You know, in case you''re starving but only have about five minutes before undergrads start trickling into your office to ask for extra points on their midterms for spelling their names correctly.

*It automatically shuts off when it''s done boiling. A nice feature to have when you dart out of the office to intercept the cookie tray before the colloquium attendees get to it.

*There''s a window-thingy on the side to let you know how much water is inside. Great for figuring out how many packets of ramen you can make.

*The carafe can be completely removed from the electric base; no cord attached. I wish I could make a grad student joke about this feature, but nothing comes to mind except noose jokes (''cause, you know, when you''re a grad student, you want to hang yourself).

*It''s stainless steel instead of plastic...there''s nothing yuckier than plastic-tasting water. No plastic, no BPA-related worries. Not that I have anything to live for...I''m a grad student, after all.

Yeah, the outside of the carafe can get hot, but why in the world would you touch it? There''s a very strong and very big handle that doesn''t get hot that you use. I have the common sense of a gnat--hence, pursuing the PhD instead of a getting a real job--and I''ve never once burned myself, AND I''VE BEEN USING THIS DAILY FOR YEARS!

Yeah, I''m a grad student. How''d you know???

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This kettle works perfectly for what it is supposed to be used for, boiling water at home. To those who gave it bad reviews because it was hot... really? That''s what it is supposed to do... If you read the instructions before use, it says that the stainless steel surface gets hot and to only grab it by the handle as well as to have close supervision when any appliance is used by or near children. Would you grab a tea pot off the stove by anything other than the handle or allow your young children to operate it from the stove? No... It heats up quick and it was a great buy for only $20 at Costco. Super easy to use and has a removable mesh filter to prevent scale that is caused by lime and calcium in hard water.

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I purchased this at Costco for $19.99, it is a great little kettle. I used it to replace a Braun kettle that was all plastic and had a water filter that was easily broken and cost more than this kettle to replace. I eventually found a cheaper filter online but when shipping and handling costs were added it was over $10.00. The two kettles hold the same amount of water and boil the water at the same time, but this is less than half the price of the Braun. I have not used it for long so cannot speak to it''s longevity, however it does the job and so far so good. As for the issues about cool touch v/s this kettle, the handle is large, the lid opens easily with a cool push button, why on earth do you need to touch it anywhere else? If you have elderly people in your home as some reviewers mention, if they are too infirm or confused to hold this kettle then they should not be around electrical products or kitchens unsupervised so it is a moot point. I guess with children it is a personal thing, do you leave them unattended in the kitchen next to a container of boiling water?

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Despite some previous reviewers who find that this kettle heats water to boiling no more quickly than their stovetop kettles, it''s a huge improvement for me. My old gas stove takes at least twice as much time. I use this kettle at least once a day to heat water for my Chemex coffeemaker or to make a couple quarts of iced tea to keep in the refrigerator. It takes about five minutes to heat a full pot (1.7 liters or about 2 quarts) to approximately 200 degrees, perfect for coffee or green tea.

Since I''m not always heating water to boiling, I considered buying a much fancier and pricier kettle that has temperature settings, but I''m glad I saved my money. After some experimenting with a thermometer, I''ve found that I can easily tell when the water is about 200-205 degrees. As soon as I can clearly see steam pouring out of the spout, and I can hold my hand comfortably above the spout for no more than about four seconds (due to the heat), that''s just perfect. The pot swivels a full 360 degrees on its base, unlike some others I looked at, and that makes it really easy to monitor as it heats.

I also like that it has a thick plastic handle and a pushbutton to open the lid, so it can be easily filled and poured without having to remove a lid. The pointy-shaped spout doesn''t drip. The kettle also has a protective plastic base, so I can take it off the heating element and set it down right on my kitchen table without a potholder underneath.

The power cord is 24" long. You can shorten it if needed by wrapping it inside the base of the heating element, and feeding the desired length out through a notch. I have my kettle on the counter right next to the outlet, and I have the cord shortened to under 6". This reduces the likelihood of something catching on the cord and tipping over the kettle, and it also prevents the cord from accidentally touching the hot outside of the kettle and causing fire or damage (I had this happen once with a crock pot.)

The only minor issue I''ve had is that the screen filter that fits inside the spout pops loose occasionally and I find it floating in the water. It''s easy enough to snap back into place once the kettle is cool. I''d just remove it permanently but the instructions warn that the auto-shutoff feature may not work correctly if the filter is not in place.

In conclusion, you can pay a lot more for a kettle but this simple one looks nice in my kitchen and works great for me. I have no hesitation recommending it.

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Old Friend Women''s 441144 Juliet Slipper

I love the comfort of sheepskin slippers, but have always had two problems: my feet get sore from the lack of arch support, and the idea of wearing anything non-washable repeatedly without socks kinda squigs me out.

Then along came these Old Friend Juliet slippers. Actually, along came my sister''s Old Friend Juliet slippers. My mom saw me coveting them and asked if I wanted some for my birthday. Thanks, Mom!

They are well constructed, oh-so-comfy, and have a removable, WASHABLE insole. Hurray!

The insole itself actually offers a little support due to its shape, but I can also slip an insert under it for added support. What a difference it makes for my poor flat feet! And being able to wash the insole makes me wonder how I ever wore my old sheepskin slippers for so long.

These do run a little small, so you might need the next size up.

These slippers have made this winter much warmer and comfier.

These slippers are wonderfully warm and soft. Because the sheepskin lining is so dense, I suggest you go up to the next size for half sizes. The suede is also very plush and soft, as is the entire constrction. You will love these slippers. I also bought this brand for my husband. He owns two other sheepskin-lined slippers from other companies, but THIS is the one he goes for every day. The Old Friend brand wins our vote for the best in sheepskin slippers.

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These slippers are awesome. Very comfortable. Seem to run small in the sizing though. Very well built -

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Comfortable and warm but the heel is half way between a slip-on and a regular shoe height,about 1". I do not like it and so exchanged for a Bootie style. Delivery was speedy.

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Have owned quite a few pairs of this type of slippers. From LL Bean to Lands end and other high end retailers. Who ever thought of the name "Old Friend" got it right!

Not only are they comfortable like that over-washed sweatshirt you always find yourself in, but the quality is remarable. I agree if you are a 1/2 size go up to the next. I''m a 7 1/2 and the 8 fit perfect. Love the outer sole that can be worn outside without the thought of destroying them. 5 STARS across the board with these. Also this paticular style is wonderful in that you can roll up the cuff and have a mid-rise ankle boot that doesn''t make your feet too warm or should I say sweaty. A bonus is that you can removethe inner sole to clean it so you never have an oder or matted down sheepskin, and if I read right they are replaceable. How can you beat that!

My forever friend!!!!!

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West Bend 53783 1-3/4-Quart Cordless Water Kettle Save 25% Off

If your an expat or just an anglophile and you are left wondering, "Why doesn''t America embrace the electric kettle?!" then this is the item for you. Sleek and aptly priced.

I don''t know why you''d pay around $50 for something that just heats water... brand loyalty? I wouldn''t pay the extra $15-$30 just for the flat metal plate that the Braun or Philips has. (The West Bend kettle has a metal coil to heat up the water: Yes, you have to clean the coiled versions, but it''s exactly the same as cleaning out a coffee maker... white vinegar once in a blue moon. Hey, the Brits and the Irish don''t mind the coil, why should I?)

The stouter version of this I think is too small, unless you live alone and don''t drink that much tea/coffee/cocoa. Between us, my brother and I drink six to eight cups of tea a day, plus hot cereal on top of that and this kettle is more than sufficient (1.7 liters).

Some more good things:

It turns of automatically after it comes to a roaring boil.

See-through panel lets you see the water level.

So quiet, you wouldn''t know it''s on...

That''s why it has a little red light that goes on.

Has a locking top so as to avoid spills.

The black fits in with my kitchen''s decor.

It also comes in handy for when I''m cooking, using up all the burners and need just a bit of hot water, quickly. Or even if I am cooking rice or pasta, it''s easier to heat up the water in the electric kettle and then pour it into the pot on the stove.

Two complaints: The cord is thick and not very flexible (the cord itself is about two feet). I have this plugged into the same outlet as my microwave and cannot use the two at the same time or else I''ll have a circuit short... but then again, whoever remodeled the kitchen did a bad job on the electicity.

Makes a great present for any hot beverage lover or college student.

Given the price this Kettle works ok, but:

it fails to shut off quite frequently, when boiling point is reached (which is why I ditched my old el. kettle)

it doesn''t shut off, when you take it off the base (so you put it back empty and it''s trying to boil the little water left inside)

you have to fit it onto the base (better models can be put on 360 degrees).

If you wanna use this a lot, get a better one.

Update: Yesterday I started boiling a quart of water and went to do something else in the mean time. Of course I forgot about my water. When I returned to the kitchen, the kettle had shut off but only after a full quart of water had evaporated :(

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I was recently traveling in New Zealand and every where you went (hotels, RV''s, etc) had an electric water kettle. This was great and I really appreciated the automatic shut off, because my boyfriend keeps burning up our tea kettles. So I saw this one, read the reviews and decided to get it. I am so disspointed. The kettle heats water great, BUT the automatic shut off doesn''t work at all. This is something that a few other reviews mentioned, so I am sending it back. I do not recommend getting this model.

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I had to return this item. It only shut itself off one time, and the remaining times boiled itself dry. Also, takes quite a while to heat the water. I''ll buy another brand this time.

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It was great while it lasted but it only lasted three months. I was thrilled with how fast and convenient it was until the heating element stopped working. I did use it almost daily so if you are looking for something for minimal use it may last you longer. I''m now caught in the exchange fun of Amazon says return to manufacturer and West Bend says return to original place of purchase. I don''t expect either will be worth the effort for a $20 piece of equiptment.

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Watts 116102 Standard Faucet Save 19% Off

• Standard non air gap faucet
• Meets all low lead NSF requirements
• Multiple colors available for custom kitchens
• Fits all under counter water filter systems
• Uses 1/4" Supply Tube

This little gem was the perfect replacement for my filtered water dispenser. No need to spend more money, this works and looks as advertised.

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We love this water filter system. It''s better then the two previous ones (which we were satisfied with at the time) that we had over the years.

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Three things.

1) The faucet is quite attractive. It does not look cheap. It would go well in any kitchen.

2) It is NOT designed to stay on. You must hold the lever the entire time. Not great for filling pots or pitchers.

3)The instructions are worthless. However, it''s very easy to install and does not drip. Here is a simple diagram that shows exactly how to do it:

I will be returning this for one that stays on. However, the product is good quality and I''ll be getting the same brand.

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This faucet works fine. The trim ring does not match the size of the chrome faucet and I had to trim down the rubber washer; this should have a larger washer or a gasket seal that matches. It should have a push-in style quick disconnect underneath; instead it has a compression connection. Note that the activation lever can be pulled up and locks the faucet on for filling up large containers; I think this is a standard feature on these things.

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We have been using various faucet mounts filters for years. I finally got tired of dealing with overpriced replacement filters, so I finally decided to go under the sink..

My main concern is the weak point. namely the plastic handle. I''m usually careful with what I see as the weakest link to any product, I can see where with many customers, this might be a issue.

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1 Step Kitchen Cleaner 6ct Lemon Save 84% Off

Someone must have given me these tiny but powerful cleaning pads as a housewarming gift. I just love them. Small and compact, yet powerful. One of the things I use them for is cleaning the stove, and without much effort! I will always make sure I have a supply on hand.

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