Compare & Purchase Bissell 1200A SpotBot Pet Hands-Free Compact Deep Cleaner, Blue Illusion at Amazon by clicking here!

List Price: $139.99

Amazon Price: $129.00

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Bissell 1200A SpotBot Pet Hands-Free Compact Deep Cleaner, Blue Illusion Description:

BISSELL SpotBot Pet Handsfree Compact Deep Cleaner-1200A. Revolutionary spot cleaner give you the freedom to WalkAway¿ while it does the work for you. Handsfree Cleaning, set SpotBot® Pet on the spot or stain,hit start and WalkWay¿-SpotBot Pet does the work for you. Manual Spot cleaning and unique spiral brushing removes pet stains and odors for good.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #419 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Blue
• Brand: Bissell
• Model: 1200A
• Dimensions: 14.00″ h x 20.00″ w x 9.50″ l, 17.10 pounds

Features

• Compact deep-cleaning machine for hands-free removal of stains from carpet and upholstery
• Automatic Smart System removes the guesswork from cleaning; spiral brushing action scrubs away spots and spills
• Two cleaning cycles for either surface or set-in stains
• Includes onboard tools for manually cleaning stairs, upholstery, and car interiors
• Measures 9-1/2 by 20 by 14 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews:

Best home cleaning product I’ve ever purchased – worth every penny!
The other night my dog got into the cat’s litter box (I use Fresh Step crystals – those crystals don’t sit well in a dogs stomach) and she must have had a real fancy feast. I awoke to her vomiting all over my freshly dry cleaned comforter, and when I got up saw piles of diarrhea and more vomit in two bedrooms and two bathrooms. I’m thinking to myself, “This girl planned this,” because just three days ago I had my carpeting professionally cleaned.

I didn’t have time to do anything more than wipe up as much of the diarrhea and vomit as I could (and to tend to Joon’s stomach, of course), as I was running late for an appointment. While I was out, I remembered seeing a commercial for this product, so on the way home, I picked it up.

When I had finished collecting any of the refuse that had dried while I was out, I approached this with skepticism. After all, it is a little difficult to believe that all you have to do is set the unit down over the stain, press a button, and then walk away.

But that’s all you have to do. I was amazed at the simplicity of the design, and how easy it is to disconnect the collection and solution tanks. On the solution tank, Bissell has two sets of markings: one for use with their OxyGen2 product (which I haven’t used yet), water, and formula; and another for water and formula alone. Those markings are very clear, and are a welcome design. There are three buttons to press: one for regular surface stains; another for set-in stains, and another to allow for manual use with the hose. When I pressed the surface stain button, I watched for a while as the unit switched between spray, suction, and brush functions. I have to say that watching the product work through the “Hands Free Cleaning Window” was pretty, er, cool. (Yeah, so I’m a dork. )

I walked away for a moment, and then heard the unit beep, indicating that it was done. I’m hearing impaired, and have a difficult time with high tones. I wasn’t expecting to hear this, but I did – as clear as a bell – and I was at the opposite end of the apartment. I approached the unit with skepticism, but when I lifted it off the spot, the stains were gone. I proceeded to set the unit down on all of the spots throughout the apartment, coming back to it every time it beeped. It cleaned every spot.

This was by far the most pleasant, and the least physically exhausting experience I’ve ever had with a so-called steam or deep cleaner – and that “least physically exhausting” part is a big one for me.

Still skeptical, though, I thought to myself: Just see when it dries; the stains won’t really be gone. This morning, however, every single spot had dried, and there wasn’t an issue with the carpet feeling stiff due to soapiness.

As an aside, and as a comment to another review: This unit wasn’t built or designed to clean an ENTIRE area rug, or, of course, anything larger. That’s the purvey of large steam cleaners. It’s called “SpotBot” for a reason. And it executes perfectly.

EDIT 8/22/07: The same dog got into something else, and left a mess of vomit and diarrhea all over the apartment. Again. (No, I’m not trying to poison my dogs, and this doesn’t happen often.) Some of the diarrhea had occurred in the night, and it was stiff and wouldn’t rub out using the hand brush. But using the hands-free option got the job done.

I feel very badly for my dog, of course, but at the same time am thankful to have had this unit. It made a world of difference. Every pet owner should have one.

ALSO, 2 TIPS for those who don’t think the hands-free option retrieves enough water during its cycle:

1) After using the hands-free, detach the manual hose and use that suction, or;

2) Empty the solution tank, and run the hands-free option again. No water/formula will eject, so you’ll have a couple of minutes of “pure” suction.

EDIT 8/24: For those interested, my dog is now fine.

Fantastic Machine … I can’t imagine having a pet without it !!
A few reviewers were not impressed with this machine and I can only theorize that it is because they either had bad luck and got one that just happened to be defective, or they weren’t using it correctly or something along those lines. This machine is worth every penny … and trust me at over $100 for a portable machine I wasn’t sure that would be true when I bought it. But with an aging pet that suddenly started having lots of accidents on my new carpet I would lost my mind without this machine.

Before purchasing this machine I tried cleaning a few spots with a spray bottle of cleaner and doing the wet sponge spray and rub routine they recommended and all I did was make a big sloppy mess that was still stained. I tried this machine and it worked like a charm. It’s easy to use, fairly easy to clean up after using it, and it does a fantastic job on those small spots that don’t quite warrant a big full size machine or a professional. Best of all it’s automatic … fill it with solution, set it on the stain, hit a button and it does everything itself … a very nice feature when you get woken up to stains or accidents at 3 AM.

I would concede that it does use a fair amount of cleaning solution, so in that respect it isn’t exactly cheap to use if you have a lot of large and frequent stains, but you can’t beat it for quality of performance … I think it does a better job than even my Bissel Upright steam cleaner! If you have pets or children with new carpet this machine is a must. I even recommended it to my brother when he got a new Lab puppy and he called me to thank me and tell me it was a lifesaver at his house as well.

I don’t often write reviews raving about products, but this machine deserves all the kudos it gets. And it’s got a Consumer Reports Best Buy rating as well.

Unbelievable Cleaning Tool
Bissell 1200A SpotBot Pet Hands-Free Compact Deep Cleaner, Blue Illusion
I just bought the Pet Spotbot with the combination of Bissell Oxygen2 and Pet Odor Stain Remover. The product arrived on the day my dog got sick while I was at work. I literally came home to 25 piles of poop and diarrhea in the bedroom. It was everywhere and I almost cried. I didn’t remember what I had ordered and thankfully, when I opened the box, it was the spotbot! What a lifesaver! By following the easy instructions, I was able to clean up ever spot completely with no remnants of stains!

Amazon.com Review
The Bissell SpotBot Pet might actually be a dog or cat owner’s best friend. Puppy training “accidents,” spit-up hairballs, the occasional half-eaten chicken carcass: with pets in the house, cleaning challenges come with the territory. Some of the worst mishaps happen when there’s no one around, creating set-in stains that resist the most stubborn scrubbing with a sponge or rag. This pet-friendly compact deep cleaner does all its work hands free, meaning users can fold laundry, wash dishes, even walk the carcass-scatterer while the mess gets cleaned up. To use, clear away excess debris and place the cleaner over the spot. Once engaged, the SpotBot Pet’s unique Automatic Smart System measures just the right amount of cleaner and water and sprays it onto the cleaning area. Next, the machine’s spiral brushing action scrubs away spots and odors, while its heavy-duty suction draws up both water and stains. Users can choose one of one of two pre-programmed settings, a three-minute cycle for fresh or surface dirt or longer for set-in stains. A beep announces when the cycle is finished, and the pause/resume function puts the cleaning process on hold if need be. The SpotBot Pet can also be used in manual mode on upholstery, stairs, or car interiors, using a vacuum flex hose and three-inch Tough Stain Brush. Also included are 8 ounces of Bissell’s specially formulated pet odor and spot remover, as well as a 16-ounce bottle of Oxy Gen2, a multi-purpose oxygen booster for tough stains like red wine, coffee, and fruit juice. Equipped with a 32-ounce cleaning tank and 16-inch power cord, the SpotBot Pet measures a compact 9-1/2 by 20 by 14 inches and is covered by a one-year limited warranty. –Mary Park

Compare & Purchase Nonstick 4-Piece Egg/Pancake Ring Set at Amazon by clicking here!

List Price: $12.99

Amazon Price: $10.06

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Nonstick 4-Piece Egg/Pancake Ring Set Description:

For flawless looking pancakes or fried eggs, try these Egg/Pancake Rings at home. Set of 4 comes as a single unit that you can place on your griddle or inside your pan (as shown – pan not included). And each ring features a nonstick coating so food removes easily. Handle is heat resistant so you can lift and remove comfortably, and it detaches for cleaning and storage. Use this multipurpose tool for serving perfectly formed side dishes and keeping other food from overlapping as you cook. Great for making layered food presentations, too.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1544 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Norpro
• Model: 995
• Dimensions: 2.00″ h x 4.70″ w x 7.60″ l, .10 pounds

Features

• Nonstick removable rings
• Includes 4 rings, 1 center piece, 1 handle
• Rings are 3-1/2 inches in diameter, 3/4 inch deep
• Heat-resistant removable plastic handle
• Disassembles easily for cleaning and compact storage

Customer Reviews:

great egg rings, but don’t bother using for pancakes!
These rings are the perfect size for making eggs to put on english muffins or small hamburger buns. (like the Breakfast Jack) I have not tried to make pancakes in them, because they would be really tiny and I do not have a need for perfectly round pancakes. This product consists of four separate rings that can connect to a handle. I have had my best results when I just use the rings by themselves and don’t bother with the handle. The eggs still stick to the edge of the ring a little bit, so I have to tap the spatula against the ring as I am lifting it up (using a glove-style potholder. When the rings are all connected it is harder to get each egg out of the ring cleanly. Also, be aware that if your pan is a little warped, then a little bit of egg can leak from under the ring. If you just leave it, however, the little bit that leaks will cook fast and prevent more from leaking out.
Overall, I love these! I worked at Jack in the Box as a teenager and have always wanted egg rings. I gave it 4 stars just because the handle is kind of flimsy and it really is impractical to use for pancakes.

Forget pancakes, these are for crumpets
I love all kinds of yeast raised breads, and recently I discovered British crumpets. These are a kind of thick pancake batter raised with yeast, and cooked on one side until the top is dry. The top is covered with holes, which suck up the butter when you toast them. Crumpets can be made without rings, but they end up thin at the edges and thicker in the center – less than perfect for soaking up that butter. I readily found crumpet rings galore in UK and AU, but finally discovered that they are called ‘pancake rings’ here in the states. I’ve never needed rings for pancakes, and several other reviewers are equally mystified as to why anyone would want perfectly round pancakes.

So buy these and try one of the many crumpet recipes online.

Great for making eggs to fit in an English Muffin
I was hoping they were just a little larger. Fortunately, I was able to find many uses for them. I realized they were great for making eggs that fit precisely inside an English Muffin. This gives you an idea of the size of these egg/pancake rings. All four rings can be used in a 10in. nonstick frying pans.

Amazon.com Review
Cooking for a crowd? These rings allow you to fry up to four precisely sized eggs or flapjacks at a shot. Or you can boost efficiency by cooking separate items in the same pan without creating an unintentional goulash. The rings’ nonstick surface makes for less mess during serving and cleanup, and they’re easy to assemble or take apart. –Emily Bedard

Compare & Purchase Prodyne WP-2 Wine Pourer and Stopper, Set of 2 at Amazon by clicking here!

List Price: $9.99

Amazon Price: $9.02

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Prodyne WP-2 Wine Pourer and Stopper, Set of 2 Description:

Easily pour and re-cork your favorite wine in style. Just remove the inner stopper and you have a convenient pourer to prevent dripping. Air-tight, leak proof seals preserve the flavor and taste of your vintage. Set of two.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1583 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Prodyne
• Model: WP-2
• Dimensions: 1.50″ h x 4.75″ w x 4.75″ l, 2.00 pounds

Features

• Air tight rubberized seal allow bottles to be laid flat without leaking
• Made of chromed metal
• Can be used for wine, spirits, oil and vinegar
• Convenient pourer prevents dripping
• Includes 2 Pourer and Stoppers

Customer Reviews:

Very Nice
The product description and pictures left me unsure… but I took a chance. I needed some pourers, and they looked nice. They are.

These are fairly heavy construction, and very classy looking. The pour spout is just like it appears in the photo — wide spout, fast pouring. The rubber fit for both the pourer and stopper are very good, very high quality.

The only thing that’s not perfect is as described in the product description: it says “chromed” metal. If you look very closely, you can see the chrome plating is almost perfect, but not quite, and not pure chrome (you do have to look very closely though). Because you can’t tell without a bright light and very close inspection, I still give this a 5 Star rating. (If it were of higher quality, I’d be paying 2-3 times the price.)

All in all, a very nice addition to the bar. I’m buying more.

Well pleased
They work great on wine and olive oil. It saves the dripping and is much easier to use than twisting caps or pulling corks.

Not leak proof
As anyone who puts white wine back in the fridge on its side will appreciate, a leak proof stopper is very important. Once a stopper leaks, it is hard to trust the stopper again. Unfortunately, our Prodyne stopper leaked, and we now mainly use it as a pourer or for bottles we know we are going to finish in an evening. Otherwise, it is high quality, attractive, and the pourer is very nice.

Product: Nesco American Harvest Fruit Roll Sheets for FD-27 And FD-50 Discount.

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These sheets allow you to dry liquids and semi-liquids in a dehydrator easily, without a big mess to clean up at the end. Make your own fruit leather with no added sugar or preservatives, it’s so easy even a kid can do it (just pour fruit purEe, like applesauce, onto the sheet). You can even dry soups and sauces for future use, which might come in really handy for camping or travelling.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1916 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Nesco
• Model: LSS-2-6
• Dimensions: .13″ h x 13.00″ w x 13.00″ l, .33 pounds

Features

• Solid sheets make fruit rolls easy
• Simply pour liquefied fruit on sheet – set it and forget it
• Includes 2 easy to clean sheets
• Fits Nesco Dehydrators FD-28JX, FD-35, FD-40, FD-50, FD-60, FD-61, FD-75PR
• Detachable solid sheet for drying creamy or semi liquid

Fruit rolls – mmmmm!
My mother has these and I used to make lots of fruit rolls with them – lots of fun, and a good treat! I recommend mixing applesauce with (thawed) frozen fruit juice concentrate of your choice to make whatever flavor you like. My favorite was mixing grape fruit juice concentrate with the applesauce. It makes a very deep purple and fruity treat. (Ratio was one can frozen concentrate to a big jar of applesauce. I’ll edit my post and add specific sizes soon.)

Snackbuster
If you have to feed people snacks and are worried about sugar (not to mention the cost of snacks, which is relatively high) you should consider making fruit leather. You start with a puree of fruit (like applesauce, peach, pear, apricot, or mixed fruits.) These sheets fit in the Nesco American Harvest dehydrator. Fruit leather can be carried for a quick energy snack for hikers, brown baggers, hungry people who need extra sustenance, and of course, the kids.

During peach season, you can buy fresh ripe peaches, even a bit bruised, and make the most tasty snacks. Great for raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, if you have a lot of them. You can mix berries with apple or peach to stretch them a bit and make some nice varieties of fruit leather. You can even get crazy and dribble the blueberry or raspberry puree onto an apple base for swirly fruit leather.

For some reason, fruit leather is fun, like red licorice, whereas plain old dried fruit is definitely NOT FUN (for example PRUNES, or dried peaches or apricots once your older brother suggests to you that they really are ears that fell off a mummy. Blech.)

Great for fruit snacks
I bought a set of these to make fruit rolls for hiking. The Scouts in my troop are always impressed with them (if I bring enough to share). They work great, and are very easy to use. Simply spray them with Pam and pour your fruit mixture on them. Put them in the dehydrator and turn it on. For the fruit mixture, I usually use unsweetened applesauce (from big Costco jars) mixed with jam or jelly. In season, I’ve also used fresh fruit with applesauce, but it sometimes comes out a little sour.

I’ve also had no trouble with them warping, as another has mentioned. I once tried to make fruit rolls on waxed paper, instead of buying these. Don’t do that, because the waxed paper will become permanently bonded to the fuit.

Product: Buy PUR CR-6000C 2-Stage Oval Water Pitcher with LED Indicator At Amazon!

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Compare Prices on PUR CR-6000C 2-Stage Oval Water Pitcher with LED Indicator

Reduces lead and is the only pitcher to remove 99.9% of microbiological cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), while leaving beneficial fluoride in the water. One filter provides up to 40 gallons (1 to 2 months) of crystal clean water.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3406 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: PUR
• Model: CR-6000C
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• Helps reduce cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc
• Helps reduce chlorine taste and odor
• Space-saving design fits easily in refrigerators
• 7-Cup capacity
• Includes filter life indicator

Pur 2 Stage Oval Pitcher – Better Than You’ve Heard, But Still Needs Some Work

The PUR CR-6000C 2 Stage Oval Water Pitcher with LED Indicator has some very strong positives that make it a good choice. However, it also has some weaknesses that will hopefully be addressed in a re-design. As long as you know what the weaknesses are, you should be able to get more use of the benefits of this product than some people have reported.

Pros:
+ Takes up a small amount of floor space
+ Great 2 stage filters leak less filter debris than other filters
+ It has an attractive look with a sleek body
+ The included indicator reminds you when to change filters
+ The price is very reasonable on an annual basis

Cons:
- The body isn’t as solid as it could be, so use both hands to pick it up
- The filters seem to run out quickly
- Removing the cover takes some practice

The slim form factor has a smaller footprint and takes up less space, but it also puts more weight on the handle and the body every time you pick it up. So most of the complaints about cracking are due to the slim oval design, and not just the thickness of the pitcher. How do you compensate for that? Simply use your other hand to hold the front of the pitcher when you pick it up and relieve some of the pressure on the body and handle.

The other common complaint has to do with the design of the lid, which seems to make the pitcher difficult to fill. But after the first time, the lid opens much more easily. Simply put your thumb into the back tab of the lid an it will open easily. What’s more, this model has the added benefit of having a nice seal when closed, so refrigerator odors won’t get into your water. Just make sure to wait till your water has gone through the filter before putting it away, to avoid spilling.

Other than the obvious savings of cutting down on bottled water and the plastic waste that comes with it, the best feature of this pitcher has to be the filter. As a long-time Brita user, I got tired of the filter material ending up in my water. Not only does the two stage filter of this model screw in securely, it has less seepage of filter material. And of course, most importantly, the water tastes great. I can’t comment on whether or not it removed more bacteria, because I didn’t run any scientific tests. But the taste was definitely an improvement over other filters.

Now there is a larger dispenser that may be better for those with space in their fridge for it. Obviously you will have less breakage issues, but it takes up much more room. So it’s a trade-off.

The flashing indicator on the top is meant to calculate how many refills you have gone through, and it will tell you when you have to change your filter. Even at $20 for a three pack, this system basically comes out to $60 a year for filters and the pitcher. Not bad, even if you had to replace the pitcher every year.

Overall, despite the warts this is a good product. If you don’t have the room for the larger dispenser, or the faucet mount, then this will work for you. Just handle it with care.

Enjoy.

Great taste, more filling.
The 2-stage filter produces water that tastes so good, I’ve stopped drinking bottled water (at home, anyway). As a result I find myself filling the pitcher several times a day, much more often than I filled my Brita pitcher.

The functional design of the pitcher, however, could easily be better. Its pour spout is open to the air, while Brita’s is covered, leaving the water exposed to dust, as well as to odors in the fridge. It’s the equivalent of leaving a bottle of water uncapped all day or longer.

In addition, removing the top in order to add water requires more effort than it should; whoever designed it doesn’t seem to have considered that the top must be separated from the filtration chamber. (For that purpose I’ve developed a technique where I pull the chamber up with my left hand while my right thumb releases the top from it.)

The LED light on top of the lid is activated by pouring, simply by the tilt of the pitcher. It’s supposed to measure the amount of water you pour so you know when to get a new filter. If you pour one glass at a time, this will probably give you an accurate measurement. However, if you pour fractions of a glass, or potfulls, or if you tilt the lid when you remove it, it becomes a not very useful gimmick.

Despite the issues with the pitcher, which I hope someone at PUR takes seriously, the quality of the water makes this a product I’d recommend.

So Far So Good
I have had my Pur Pitcher for about 3 weeks now with no problems. I fill it in the sink, sit it on the counter for about 10 minutes to let it filter a bit and then stick it in the fridge.

We use it for a quick glass of water, to fill the coffee pot, or for anything else we feel we want cleaner-than-tap water for.

We certainly do notice a different in taste. The Pur water definitely tastes cleaner. I think we have decent city water to start with, so I am sure that helps with the filtration life, but I do wish it was at least 3 stage and not 2 stage.

I also wich it could fill itself. My significant other usually forgets the recipe for water and I am stuck filling the coffee pot with tap water in the morning

UPDATE: ONE YEAR LATER
Still works like a charm. No cracks that others complained about. Just change the filter regularly and you have delicious, refreshing, clean water. And I am happy to report the GF learned to fill it up when she empties it

Compare & Purchase Rubbermaid 6032ARBLA Antimicrobial Large Dish Drainer, Black at Amazon by clicking here!

List Price: $13.89

Amazon Price: $12.05

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Rubbermaid 6032ARBLA Antimicrobial Large Dish Drainer, Black Description:

Rubbermaid is the first to market sinkware products with lifelong antimicrobial protection which inhibits the growth of bacteria that can cause stains and odors. The Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Large Dish Drainer features a detachable silverware holder and scratch resistant feet.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1827 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: Large
• Color: Black
• Brand: Rubbermaid
• Model: 6032ARBLA
• Dimensions: 5.93″ h x 13.81″ w x 17.62″ l, 2.00 pounds

Features

• Large-sized basic dish drainer with slots for up to 13 dishes
• Built-in Microban antimicrobial product protection safely fights the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria
• Coated wire cushions and protects dishes; sturdy enough to hold stoneware plates securely
• Extra deep for maximum capacity; detachable plastic silverware cup; scratch-resistant feet
• Measures 17.62 by 13.81 by 5.93 inches

Customer Reviews:

Practical and spacious
The rubbermaid dish drainer in black is big enough to accomodate a large dish rack for a full load of dishes. The price–in comparison with offers from other companies–is great and it looks fine in the kitchen. My only concern is that water doesn’t really drain into the sink since the slant/design doesn’t force the small accumulations from dripping dishes downward. Therefore, I do have to clean/wipe it regularly. It’s a great size, though, and a nice deal for the price.

Cheaper design.
I recently bought this to replace my previous, 15-year old Rubbermaid dish drainer, which I loved, but which had gotten rusted. This one is not the same design as the previous one. On the original, there was a strip of wire that ran horizontally around the basket, about one inch from the bottom. This strip kept glasses above the edge of the counter. The new design is flimsier and less sanitary, with the edge of the glasses resting on the counter. You also need to be more careful putting the glasses on the prongs on the side, as they could drop against the edge of the counter and crack.

Yich!
Hate it, hate it, hate it. Nothing larger than a teaspoon or small fork will stay in the cutlery container without easily falling out of the top, and after a couple of years the rubber coating on the rack starts to crack and the rust starts to show. I’ve been annoyed by Rubbermaid products, and particularly this dish drainer, since 1971, so this isn’t a brash review. Do yourself a favor, pay the price and buy a fantastic dish rack on Amazon.com like the simplehuman KT1025 System Dish rack (pricey but worth every dollar) or OXO Good Grips stainless dish rack and sink mats. Their designs are attractive and will blend with any décor, and they are well made and will last for years. The money you save now on the Rubbermaid product will soon be spent on frequent replacements and on aspirin for the headaches this cheap piece of garbage causes.

Product: Max Burton 6000 Induction Cooktop 110V UL Lowest Price!

List Price: $125.00

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Induction cooking is a safe method of cooking because there is no open flame or hot cooking element. Additionally, our Induction Cooktop has more heat settings than others on the market, offering greater flexibility in cooking.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #747 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: Max Burton
• Model: 6000
• Released on: 2008-06-05
• Dimensions: 2.50″ h x 12.63″ w x 14.00″ l, 7.75 pounds

Features

• Induction cooking technology keeps the cooking surface cool, except where it comes in contact with the cookware.
• Adjustable heat settings
• Warm setting
• Timer function to set cooking duration
• Unsuitable cookware detector

A mixed review
There’s good news and bad news. I bought this unit as a training unit to check out the technology and have a good extra hob on hand for times when we strain our kitchen resources. The intent is to eventually equip our kitchen with an induction cooktop for energy efficiency.

The good news is that the technology works as advertised. It’s remarkably quick and has plenty of power despite running off a normal power outlet. The bad news is that on this unit the heating element (if that is the correct terminology) is only about 7 to 8 inches across. It worked fine when we made soups, though we did notice that only the middle boiled or simmered. However, when frying, the limitation of the element size became a problem. We used a lodge 12″ cast iron skillet to fry fish. The center of the pan put a beautiful tan on the panko, but the outside of the pan was relatively cool, requiring that each piece of fish be flipped to four positions before it was properly cooked.
We tested the unit by wetting the bottom of a cold pan and watching how it dried. The center bubbled and dried, but the outer bottom was only warm to the touch. I thought perhaps it was defective, but other reviewers have commented on the problem.

I notice that most of the units on the market do not specify the size of the heating element. Whether this exposes a problem with the technology or is just marketing avoiding a problem with inexpensive units I can’t tell.

I am hopeful of the technology, but returned this unit because of it’s limitations. If you only use smaller pans, or rarely, if ever, fry, I recommend it.

As has been mentioned before the first unit arrived broken.

Cook dinner without cooking the cook.
You have to use the Max Burton Induction Cooktop to fully appreciate the induction cooking experience.

At your command are the power and instant response of an 11500 BTU gas burner without a natural gas line or a butane cylinder in sight. You’re cooking with electricity, but unlike a hotplate, an induction cooktop doesn’t emit a single degree of thermal energy. Switch it on without a pan in place and it just shuts itself off. Center a pot of water on the circles, crank the power up to the highest setting, and in minutes, the water’s boiling like there’s no tomorrow. Amazingly, you can rest your hand an eighth of an inch from the pan and the cooking surface is barely warm. At a half-inch, it’s downright cool to the touch. In fact, about the only heat escaping into the room is from the steam itself. The cooking surface is producing NO heat of its own!

Don’t believe me? Take the pot away, drop a paper napkin on the cooking surface and . . . nothing. No fireball, no billows of smoke, no glowing ashes flitting around the room. Yes, the surface is hot, but only because it absorbed some heat from the pot.

It’s not magic. It’s induction. Computer-controlled electromagnetic energy induces the bottom of the pot or pan to produce its own heat. It all seems so futuristic but in reality, it’s been around since the previous century. As is true with all things electronic, the technology gets cheaper as it gets better. Today’s countertop induction cookers are giving their built-in big brothers some real competition. Factor in portability and a small trade-off in power, and many folks are thinking twice about remodeling the kitchen. Just plug one or two of these into separate circuits, and your kitchen is ready for any season.

In the summer, use your induction cooker for stovetop cooking. And don’t be afraid to crank up the A/C and turn the ceiling fan to High, even if you’re simmering a delicate Hollandaise. There’s no flame to blow out, so there’s no danger of gassing up the kitchen.

In the winter, an induction cooktop becomes a handy keep-warm burner while the waste heat from conventional cooking warms up the kitchen. Of course, you already know you should NEVER use the stove or oven solely to heat the kitchen but when you’re cooking in the dead of winter, that extra warmth won’t go to waste.

Any time of year, induction is the method of choice for sustained low-heat cooking that would normally call for a double boiler.

And who says you have to keep it in the kitchen? I know folks who take their induction cookers out on the patio when the weather’s nice or when they want to cook fish without smelling up the house for weeks. Max Burton even offers an induction-ready stovetop smoker. Truckers use high-wattage inverters to power their induction cooktops when they’re on the road. Take it to work, find a vacant outlet in the break room, and wow your fellow cubicle-dwellers with one of your culinary specialties prepared on the spot, not reheated in the microwave oven. RV cookery no longer needs to feel like you’re fixing dinner in a phone booth over a blast furnace. Remember: Electrical outlet + induction cooker = instant kitchen.

At 1600 watts, the Max Burton offers the most bang for the buck among 120-volt units. The next step up in power, 1800 watts (equivalent to 13000 BTU), is found mainly on commercial units that require beefier electrical circuits than are found in the average home. They also cost about five times the price! Maybe YOU have that kind of money to burn but I’d rather wait a little longer for my pasta water to come to a boil and pocket the difference.

The control panel is simple and uncluttered. If you’re comfortable with the touchpad controls on a modern oven, you’ll be right at home. The Function touchpad cycles through Power or Temperature cooking modes and a Timer mode. The Power mode provides 10 settings and the Temperature mode steps from 150 to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting the timer is a little tricky because it counts up in 5-minute jumps but counts down 1 minute at a time, so to set 13 minutes, you push the up-arrow three times to get to 15 minutes, then the down-arrow twice to subtract two minutes.

Now, I can already hear your know-it-all friends warning “If you buy one of those, you’ll have to replace EVERY POT AND PAN IN THE KITCHEN!” Not very likely. Line up all your pots and pans and pick out those with perfectly flat bottoms. Grab a magnet off the fridge and see if it clings to any of those bottoms. Chances are, it clings to quite a few, like Grandma’s cast iron skillet and Aunt Sophie’s enamelware Dutch oven. Hey, look, it clings to the bottom of that pressure cooker you picked up on your last trip to the Galleria! Well, whaddaya know! You DO have some induction-ready cookware!

If your kitchen has stainless steel counters or other metal work surfaces, they’re off-limits because they can weaken the electromagnetic field. A small amount of energy radiates from the bottom of the cooktop and can make the surface below too hot to touch. Reserve a spot on a Formica, marble, granite or wooden countertop near an electrical outlet.

And, yes, it’s true that every induction cooktop has a fan to keep the magnetic coils cool. The sound is more noticeable on a countertop unit than on a built-in but much quieter than a range hood exhaust fan or a microwave oven. If that’s the sound of a cooler kitchen, it’s music to my ear.

Don’t buy it
Max Burton 6000 Induction Cooktop (110V) UL

This item is less than desirable. The digital display was not fully functional on arrival and continued to go downhill. The plastic surface is insubstantial. After only 3 uses the top cracked in two places. I am arranging for return and refund.

Product: Buy 2009 INTEX 66717E 66717 COMFORT-REST RISING COMFORT RAISED QUEEN AIR MATTRESS AIRBED BED W/ BUILT-IN AC AIR-PUMP At Amazon!

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Compare Prices on 2009 INTEX 66717E 66717 COMFORT-REST RISING COMFORT RAISED QUEEN AIR MATTRESS AIRBED BED W/ BUILT-IN AC AIR-PUMP

66717E Model Raised Supreme Nylon AirBed Air Mattress – The convenience of a portable airbed with the comfort of sleeping on a raised platform. Plush, waterproof nylon flocking covers the mattress top. An indentation on the side helps grip fitted sheets. Dual chamber construction. The lower chamber functions as the box spring platform on a traditional bed, providing extra firmness and support. The upper chamber functions as a mattress and can be adjusted for level of firmness. Cozy nylon flocked fabric mattress top. Deflates completely for travel and storage. Includes duffel bag with shoulder strap. Weight capacity is approximately 600 lbs. 90 Day Factory Replacement warranty for USA orders only. All sizes are approximate as inflation pressure and use will affect the overall size of these airbeds. AIRBEDS are IN STOCK for fast shipping.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136 in Single Detail Page Misc
• Brand: Intex
• Model: 66717E
• Dimensions: 22.00″ h x 60.00″ w x 80.00″ l, 26.00 pounds

Features

• Approximate 60″ x 80″ (152cm x 203cm) queen-sized mattress is raised 22″ (56cm) from the floor for convenience.
• Quality tested 20.8 gauge (0.53mm) waterproof-flocked top and sides with 16 gauge (0.41mm) vinyl beams and bottom.
• Dual-chamber construction. The lower chamber functions as the box spring form on a traditional bed.
• Built-in 110-120 Volt AC fast fill electric pump for home use, Inflates in about 3 minutes, Deflates completely for travel and storage.
• Weight capacity: 600lbs. (273kg). or 300lbs per person. 66717E

A great improvement:
I have experience using/owning several airbeds and this is the best value for the quality of airbed this is.

Air pump and valve system: simply plug in, set valve to either inflate or deflate and let it do it’s thing. Directions are easy to follow and adjusting the comfort level using the valve is a snap (remember that the less air you use, the bouncier the bed will be).

Mattress design: The top edges are level with the bed and stable, eliminating the threat of slipping right off the bed onto the floor (being it’s a raised bed, it would be a longer drop). Sitting on the edge is comfortable as well.

Height: Perfect height for a person who is 5′4″. I pumped it up next to our couch and the mattress is just as tall as the seats are.

Comfort: I prefer to fill my air mattress to a firm feel so that the bed is more stable. This means when my husband rolls over in the middle of the night, I don’t bounce like a freighter on the high seas. This takes away from the comfort level in my mind since I love a cushy, soft mattress. I solved this by taking the 4″ memory foam topper off of my queen size bed and placed it on the airbed. It sat perfectly on top and with the top of the airbed having that felt/fuzzy-like surface it didn’t go anywhere. It felt heavenly.

Fitted Sheets: Well, I used a fitted sheet from my queen size bed and with the 4″ foam topper on the airbed it fit just a bit loosely, but well enough to hold on the indentations of the airbed’s sides. I like to have that tucked in feel so, I ended up just making the bed by tucking the bed sheets under the foam topper since it is heavy enough to hold it all together.

Storage: The directions explain in detail how the bed can be deflated thoroughly. It wasn’t much trouble at all and rolled up nicely into the bag that it came with.

Conclusion: This airbed really addresses many of the problems I’ve had with other air mattresses. I love it and feel comfortable offering it to my 60 year old parents to sleep on.

General: Given what’s on the market, my best advise is to search for quality and size of the mattress itself first, and definitely pay attention to the air pump/valve system. There are some high profile airbed products out there that are frustrating to use because of their pump/valve and can break very easily.

If your airbed is not as comfortable as you like, remember foam mattress toppers are a great solution. There are more expensive versions of this particular airbed that come with a foam topper attached, but I like the option to use a separate foam topper that I can have on my bed when the air bed isn’t in use

Going strong for four months and comfortable
Prior to buying this air mattress I owned a Raised Coleman Queen. The Coleman had multiple circular indentations on the top that would quickly develop pinhole-size leaks. After repairing the second Coleman mattress for the fourth time, I went with the Intex.

The mattress included a built-in air pump and has a compartment for storing the electrical cord, which is approximately 6 feet long. The pump inflates the bed in a short amount of time. There is a dial that you can adjust during inflation to get the bed to your preference of firmness. There’s a setting for deflating the mattress, which sucks the air out of the mattress and allows for easier folding.

The mattress is comfortable and the flocked top holds the sheets well. Being a raised queen mattress, I correctly assumed deep pocket sheets would be a better fit. I’m not sure how regular queen sheets would perform–although it looks like the one star reviewer had a little trouble with them.

This mattress has held air for four months–I “topped-off” the air once. The long I-beam design does a better job of distributing the weight. Unlike Coleman, Intex has included several patches for the mattress should a leak develop.

Intex includes a duffle bag which allows you to easily store the folded mattress. The folded size inside the bag is about the dimensions of a small carry-on suitcase.

I’d recommend this air mattress to others.

Love it!
Hubby and I got this mattress as a housewarming gift from my mother, so that relatives could come visit once we moved. We adore it so much, we now have two! You just plug it right in, and it fills up immediately. To deflate, you turn the knob the other way, flip the on switch, and it sucks all the air out of it until its flat as a pancake. No more need to kneel over it and push all of the air out with your hands and knees. Then it rolls up rather nicely and slides inside the duffel bag provided.

We dont have any exceptionally tall relatives, but we are of average hight overall. Everyone has said they are comfy on them. We have had about 8 guests stay on these mattresses so far, and everyone wanted one and raved about how well they slept.

We haven’t had any problems with bedding staying on. I wonder why the other reviewer did? Maybe its because we used flannel sheets on them, and that with the friction of the flocked top made it stay on easier than sheets that are slick? Im not really sure. But we love it!

Product: Gevalia Signature Crema Coffee Mild, 16-Count T-Discs for Tassimo Coffeemakers Pack of 2 Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging Discount.

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Compare Prices on Gevalia Signature Crema Coffee Mild, 16-Count T-Discs for Tassimo Coffeemakers Pack of 2 Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging

The unique, inviting aroma of Gevalia Signature Blend is accented with a delicate layer of velvety foam.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #817 in Grocery
• Brand: Tassimo
• Released on: 2009-12-16
• Number of items: 2

Features

• T DISCs contain pre-measured ingredients for every hot beverage TASSIMO creates. They are freshly se
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

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Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. Please see our full disclaimer below.

Excellent cup of coffee
This is probably one of the best cups of coffee you’ll ever have. I bought the Tassimo coffee maker back in December ‘09 and I received several T-Discs samplers (after a mail-in rebate offer). Out of all the samplers I received, the Gevalia Signature Crema was by far the best. I ordered this brand from Amazon shortly after, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The aroma this coffee makes when it’s brewing is amazing, the taste is even better.

Wonderful Coffee
I purchased my Tassimo thinking I’d use it only for tea and hot chocolate and a few lattes…That is until I became a coffee lover. With Tassimo, I’ve been able to experiment a lot with coffee and I’ve discovered that I do enjoy it when it’s made the right way for me. I loved the Crema Coffee–yum!! Love the smooth taste of the coffee, and the layer of foam at the top is fabulous. This is one of my favorites.

Gevalia signature crema
I got the machine for my birthday a few months ago and the only coffee I drank with it was starbucks. I was sort of disappointed, the coffee was overly strong and i even thought about quitting coffee all together, until…I bought gevalia crema. It is by far the best coffee I’ve ever had. The smell is amazing, the taste is out of this world and it also creates this creamy top that looks like you just brewed a gourmet cup of espresso. I strongly recommend it to all the coffee lovers out there.

Product: RCA RP5605 AM/FM CD Clock Radio with Large LED Display Discount.

List Price: $29.99

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Compare Prices on RCA RP5605 AM/FM CD Clock Radio with Large LED Display

The RP5605 CD clock radio by RCA is the perfect companion in the morning. The AM/FM clock radio has a large 0.6-inch LED display that makes it easy to see and read. This is a basic clock radio that offers dependability without having to learn how to set-up various features. The simple alarm button layout eliminates any confusion and ensures that setting the alarm will be easy. The top-loading CD player also is easy to access. You can change the alarm settings to wake to the radio, buzzer or any track of a favorite CD.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1267 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: RCA
• Model: RP5605
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 3.46″ h x 7.91″ w x 5.51″ l, 2.72 pounds

Features

• AM/FM CD clock radio with LED display
• Top loading CD player
• Wake to radio, CD or alarm
• Simple alarm setting
• Basic design is very easy to use

Good clock for the money
I am very happy with this clock radio/CD player. I especially like that the time can be set forward and backward and that the time display is easy to see without the light from it keeping me awake. The radio and CD player sound fine for what I use it for and for the price. The control buttons are in a good location and easy to use in the dark, once you know where everything is.

DOES NOT wake to any CD track, just track 1.
This clock DOES NOT wake to any CD track, just track 1. The description is WRONG. Otherwise, it’s an okay product, small and compact, simple to operate. I’m just disappointed because I bought it specifically to wake my 6-year-old daughter to a specific song on a CD (which isn’t track 1, unfortunately). I’m a tech-savvy guy…no user error here — the product (and its manual) just doesn’t have the feature specified. Filed a formal complaint with seller AND Amazon — both chose to do NOTHING to resolve the issue. (They didn’t even correct the description.)

Decent for the price
I got this cheap alarm clock hoping it’s two speakers would sound better than my even cheaper alarm clock with one speaker. It does but not by much. The CD player is very quiet but I find that the buttons are rather loud. Changing the alarm time at night will often wake my wife. The CD always starts at the beginning when using the alarm so I found it helpful to make my own CDs with a different wake-up song on each one.

Pros

Controls are strait forward and function well
Quiet CD player
Easy to read display

Cons

Loud buttons
Sort of ugly