Yosefs Blog

Beyond Gourmet 96 Unbleached Mini Baking-Cups Description:

Beyond Gourmet goes beyond your expectations with their unbleached mini baking cups. This product bears the Green Seal of approval as an environmentally-conscious product, based on the fact that it is least harmful to the environment because no bleach is used to make this product. Available in standard (2.5″) and mini sizes.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3364 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Harold Import Company, Inc.
• Model: 046
• Released on: 2006-03-08
• Dimensions: 2.00″ h x 2.00″ w x 2.00″ l, .30 pounds

Features

• Green Seal of approval as an environmentally-conscious product
• Available in standard (2.5″) and mini sizes

Customer Reviews:

Fit but flimsy
These fit on the mini-muffin tins perfectly and once placed in the tins, they are flawless. Unfortunately, separating them is a challenge. They are very thin and stick together, when pulled from the packaging. Care must be taken, otherwise you will have many torn baking cups that are useless.

Excellent. Peels away easy
These are great. They peel away easy, fit well in the pan and are neutral in appearance. I will buy them again.

Unbleached Mini baking cups
Found the product easy to use and held up in baking. Will definitely order again.

Emerson CKS3516 SmartSet Dual-Alarm Clock Radio with Time Projection System Description:

This clock radio uses Emerson’s patented SmartSet automatic time setting system. The first time you connect this clock radio to your AC outlet, and after every power interruption, within seconds the clock will automatically set itself to the correct year, month, date, day, and time. You will never see that annoying, flashing “12:00″ display again. In addition all changes from standard time to daylight saving time, and back to standard time, are made automatically.There are dual alarms that can be set and used independently, which means that you can set one alarm to wake you to the buzzer and the other to wake you to music. And both of the alarms can be programmed for everyday operation, weekdays only, or weekends only.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #904 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Emerson
• Model: CKS3516
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 5.00″ h x 10.00″ w x 5.00″ l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• Projects time, month/date, year, or alarm time on wall or ceiling
• Emerson’s exclusive SmartSet technology automatically sets the correct time
• Dual alarm
• Easy-to-read 1.3-inch LED clock display
• AM/FM radio

Customer Reviews:

Very nice clock
This review refers to the CKS3528 model, which I purchased from Amazon’s partner, Target. The only difference between my model and this one is that the clock projection has a selectable color filter on the CKS3528. This unit listed here does not.

I purchased this clock for the large digit display and projection functions. So far both are working out quite nicely. The display is not too bright at night, when the dimmer is set to low. It is still quite readable in a lit room. The projection is too dim to read if the room is lit, but it works nicely in the dark. I am nearsighted, but I have no problem reading the ceiling display with my glasses off at night. I’d guess the digits are about 10 inches high on my ceiling. The projection is also not so bright that it lights up the room or keeps me awake.

The smart set function is little more than a preset internal clock that lives off a lithium battery when it is not plugged in. The manual says the battery will last 3 years even if the unit is never plugged in, and should last 5+ years when used normally. The clock allows you to change the time settings yourself (if you like your clock 5-10 minutes fast, or if the time ever drifts) and the internal memory will keep the new time setting. This is a nice improvement over the RCA version that I replaced, which had drifted about 2 minutes off and could not be corrected.

The clock knows 7 times zones: Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Yukon, and Hawaiian. Since you can change the internal time memory anyway, I imagine it would be pretty easy to use this in any zone and just fix the time shift once. However, the clock obeys the 2007 US daylight savings time rules: starting 2nd Sunday of March, ending 1st Sunday of November. There does not appear to be a way to turn DST off. So, if your state or country does not follow these rules, you’ll have to change the time or timezone every time the DST changes do not match your area.

The radio is set by an analog dial. The dial indicator lights up when the clock is plugged in, but it’s still not easy to tell by the display what channel number you have set. It doesn’t seem to drift very badly, but my chosen wake-up station is pretty strong in my area. I’d have preferred a digital tuner.

There are two alarms. Each can be set to wake by buzzer or radio. Each alarm can be set to run for 7-days, 5-days (Mon-Fri), or 2-days (Sat-Sun). The buzzer alarms wake by crescendo, that is, they start softly and increase in volume. I can’t comment on how loud they get, since I don’t use buzzer alarms. The wake by radio function works nicely, coming on directly to the volume that you have preset. To turn off the buzzer alarms, you have to find one of the tiny (1) or (2) alarm buttons among the many on top of the unit. To turn off the radio alarm, you can also hit the much larger Radio On/Off button on the right end of the unit. The snooze button is large and easy to find in the middle. Snooze is fixed at 9 minutes.

I recommend this clock to anyone who likes to wake up to a radio, and who lives in a US timezone following the new DST rules. My only complaint is the lack of a digital radio tuner.

Great clock - if you can get one that works for more than 6 months!
I bought this Emerson projection clock in August. I immediately loved the projection feature - no more rolling over to see what time it is and no more sleep interuptions when my husband props himself up to peek over me and check the clock! But, our joy was short-lived. The LED display on the first clock stopped working after 2 days and wouldn’t keep time. I took it back to the store and exchanged it for another. The second clock was broken out of the box - the projection never worked. I exchanged it again (I REALLY liked the clock’s features!) and the 3rd one worked fine for about 6 months. But last night we realized the projection was stuck on 11:03. When I rolled over, the LED was not displaying the time. I unplugged it and when I plugged it back in I got no lights at all, only a loud clicking noise. It’s certainly dead this time! I am so disappointed. I did get all 3 clocks from the same store so maybe it was a bad batch, but we also purchased 2 Emerson Smartset CD clock radios recently. The first one had a malfunctioning LED display after 2 days so we returned it. 2 months later the CD player on the 2nd one stopped working. The point? Our experience with Emerson products leaves much to be desired. 5 defective clocks in 6 months is entirely unacceptable. This particular projection clock has great features and is awesome when it works. The LED is a little too bright even on low, but you get used to it and it can double as a night light. But we are going to be looking for a projection clock made by another company. My husband didn’t realize that our projection clock and the CD radio clock were all made by Emerson. When I told him he said “Oh, if I had known that I would have told you not to buy it, their stuff is junk”. Lesson learned!

Good Alarm, at a Great Price.
I spent many hours reviewing projection clock/radios on amazon and newegg. The problems i saw everywhere, regaurdless of the price of the units were: the projection isnt bright enough, the alarm is not loud enough, and the alarm doesnt have the right settings. This to me means that the price of the unit will not improve these problems for various reasons. I also do not need the extra features like the outdoor temp or the weekly forecast(which seem not to work most of the time anyways). So i chose to find a clock that only had what i needed: TIME, ALARM, RADIO, AND PROJECTION. So i set out to find the most solid, simple, and best priced unit that had all these features. I ended up finding this unit. Not the most attractive, not the most Hi-tech, but it seems the most reliable and had decent reviews all around.

THE PROJECTION on this clock works fine, you can start to see it once dusk comes, but does not become clear until the TV or Computer Monitor in the room is turned off for the night. It will remain clear on your wall or ceiling until about 8AM or so, unless you have dark or thick curtains do completely cover your windows. It swivels 180 degrees, and has a manual focus to help make sure the time is clearly projected. No complaints with this feature.

THE ALARM starts very very silent and then crescendos. If you are already awake, you will first ask yourself if you really heard it it is so quiet. It then slowly, crescendos to a good decently loud tone, it can definitely wake me any day of the week, and i need a loud alarm to wake up. If this is still not loud enough for you, the radio alarm can be set at whatever volume you left it at. Also, it has 2 alarms, one for Mon-Fri, and one for the weekend which can be set for different times. I like this feature, but wish it would let me alternate days, ie. Mon, Wed, Fri. Otherwise, no complaints here.

THE RADIO works fine. Although i wouldnt mind it being digital, the knob seems sensitive enough and finds all of my radio stations fine. The speakers are decent, nothing special, but dont distort until the radio is louder than you would ever play it on a simple clock/radio.

THE AUTO TIME SET wasnt correct when i got it, but this didnt matter. It sets in about 15 seconds, then i adjusted it a few minutes and that was that. When i had to unplug it to move it, it came back to the adjusted time which was pleasant. The Day and Time were correct though.

OVERALL im very pleased. unit works well, and i recieved a silver one.. which actually looks much better than the aqua colored one pictured. Tt seems solid, not too large, with good features. Id say it packs about the most reliable punch for its price. If you dont like alot of light in your room at night, the time screen may be a bit bright for you even when its dummed.

Amazon.com Product Description
Enjoy true ease of operation and convenience with Emerson’s SmartSet Dual-Alarm Clock with Time Projection System. With Emerson’s exclusive SmartSet Auto Time-Setting Technology, the clock automatically sets itself to the correct date and time as soon as you plug it in. Not only does it feature an easy-to-read display, but the projection system also shows the time in brilliant red numbers on your wall or ceiling. Programmable dual alarms can also be set for weekday only, weekend only, or every day operation.

Kikkerland Rainbow Maker Double Product: Kikkerland Rainbow Maker Double Review. List Price: $42.50 Amazon Price: $27.99 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Kikkerland Rainbow Maker Double

Rainbow maker Double

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1340 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Crystal
• Brand: Kikkerland
• Model: 1588-D
• Released on: 2008-06-11
• Dimensions: 7.00″ h x 1.75″ w x 2.25″ l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• Design by David Dear
• No Batteries needed
• Genuine Swarovski Crystal Rotates
• Solar Powered
• Crystal refracts sunlight to create rainbows

Great Customer Service
The first one I received didn’t constantly rotate as the inside gears would jam. When I called the distributor I immediately spoke with a nice person who told me to return with “Please debit the postage back to my credit card.” on the packing slip. And in a timely fashion I received a new rainbowmaker and a debit for the postage I spent to return the broken item!!! And my new rainbowmaker brings me such joy!

Beautiful rainbows!
Double the fun! This double rainbow maker sends a myriad of rainbow balls that swirl across your room. The solar power does need sun, so put it in a window that receives a lot of sunshine. This product doesn’t work on cloudy days, but is well worth the experience on sunny days!

Solar cell degrades after only a few years
We have had one of these for the past three years. It provided endless entertainment for my daughter when the sun was coming in the windows. Suction cups made it easy to move it around as the sun moved throughout the day. I would give this 5 stars…but they are not working anymore. I emailed Kikkerland about it, and they said the solar cells degrade after two years. For the price, I honestly expected it to last much longer.

Eureka 4700D Maxima Bagless Upright Vacuum Description:

Get the “maximum clean” with this Maxima bagless, lightweight upright! This vacuum comes equipped with 12 amps of power for deep cleaning, a lightweight design for quick and easy pick-ups, a 2.2 quart dust cup for constant cleaning power, a micro-filtration system designed to reduce allergens and pet dander and a no-tip design. With additional features like the extra long crevice tool and extra wide integrated hose, you’ll be able to tackle all your hard to reach areas at floor level and above.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #825 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Sunflower Yellow
• Brand: Eureka
• Model: 4700D
• Dimensions: 12.00″ h x 42.00″ w x 13.00″ l, 17.00 pounds

Features

• Lightweight but solidly constructed bagless vacuum offers powerful suction and excellent maneuverability
• Micro-filtration captures dust mites, pollen, and other allergens for cleaner indoor air
• Powerful 12-amp motor; easy-empty 2-1/5-quart dust cup; no-tip design
• Includes crevice tool, dusting brush, extra-long extension wand, and large-diameter no-clog hose
• Measures 12 by 12-3/4 by 42-1/2 inches; weighs 14 pounds; 1-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews:

A Good Machine…
I bought this vacuum strictly for the basement(where our Home Theatre is set up). It was a pain in the *ss carrying our canister up and down all the time, so I happened upon this cleaner on sale at Home Depot for a mere $70.00… I was initially skeptical at first, I mean a $70 vacuum? However, I purchased it anyway, knowing that I would be able to return it if I wasn’t happy. The setup and assembly was fairly quick. The instructions were easy to follow and featured step-by-step illustrations. When I had everything ready to go, I decided to give it a “test run”, and I was impressed. I was amazed at the junk our Sears Canister was leaving behind, as I watched the cat hair and dust swirling around in the collection bin. My only complaint-and this is common with bagless vacs in general-is that you MUST clean the filter off after every use, otherwise they tend to plug up and overheat the motor. This is especially true if you have multiple pets, or longhaired cats. In conclusion, this is a good machine. Strong suction too. The attachments include an extension wand for above floor cleaning, crevice tool, and dusting brush. The dustbin simply snaps off in a jiffy, and the filter is washable/replaceable. This is what I like to refer to as a “second vac”, when you simply want a machine on another level in your home, without having to lug your main vacuum all over the place. I’ve owned it for about 5 months now, and so far, no complaints. Just keep it clean and you’ll be set. Also, pay no attention to that one review below. This is obviously referring to a totally separate model. I’m happy.

The 1st review is WRONG!
The previous 1st review of this vacuum is absolutely wrong and is probably referring to a different model. 1st of all, this model DOES NOT have a Hepa filter. So there is no way the door holding the filter on could be coming loose, since it doesn’t exist. 2nd of all, this vacuum is surprisingly very light. And is probably the lightest vaccuum of it’s size. Lastly, as of this date, this model is brand new, and has only been on the market for a few weeks, so there is no way anyone could have had it for a few months. Also, to get service on a Eureka vacuum under the warranty, you only need to take it to a authorized repair shop. There are many of these in most major cities.

I have only had this vacuum a few weeks, but it works well. It seems to be constructed well, and will hopefully last longer then my previous Eureka, which only went for 1 year, but this one seems to be constructed better. I especially like the auto height adjustment feature, and the fact that this vaccum is light and easy to maneuver. In my opinion it is a good buy for the price.

Great for carpet BUT blows hair, dust & dirt bunnies around on hard floors
I only write reviews for products that I wish I had been warned about before I purchased them. This vacuum has a lot of great points, including being lightweight, extremely easy to maneuver, having a powerful suction, and being only 13″ wide so as to fit between my 18 dining and chairs and barstools without having to move them. The first time I used the vacuum it was on carpet and I was very pleased. However, today I tried to vacuum my kitchen, breakfast area, and foyer (ceramic tile) and noticed that dust bunnies and stray hairs were actually flying all over in the air! I took a good look at my new vacuum and discovered that the exhaust jetstream turbo vents were located - of all places - in the front of the vacuum - the exhaust vents powerfully in the same direction as you are vacuuming! I do need more exercise; just didn’t think that I would get it having to constantly chase down dust bunnies as they sail around in the air. LOL I guess I’m going to move this vacuum to my small completely carpeted 1000 ft. bonus area upstairs and go ahead and invest in a Dyson, which also has a 13″ cleaning path width.

Amazon.com Review
Lightweight and inexpensive yet solidly constructed, the Eureka 4700A Maxima offers an excellent value in a full-size upright vacuum. The cheerful yellow unit is easy to push and maneuver, offers powerful, 12-amp suction, and even uses micro-filtration to capture dust mites, pollen, and pet dander for cleaner, healthier indoor air, whether you have allergies or not. Like other bagless models, the Maxima eliminates the expense and hassle of disposable vacuum cleaner bags, using instead an easily accessible, easily-emptied dirt cup that’s transparent so you can see when it’s full. On the downside, the filter needs to be cleaned often, especially if you have pets, but this is also common with other bagless models. In the case of the Eureka Maxima, there’s only one filter to clean and it’s easily washable, simplifying the process considerably.

In keeping with its simple, versatile design, the Maxima comes with just the right amount of onboard tools: a crevice tool for corners and baseboards, dusting brush for upholstery and blinds, and extra-long, nested extension wand for added reach. All of these attach to an integrated large-diameter hose designed to resist clogging and help keep the unit from tipping when it’s pulled. (The hose detaches rather easily, but this comes in handy in case it does need to be cleared.) A grip on top near the base aids in cleaning stairs or upholstery, while the handle lowers almost flat to vacuum under low furniture. Other features include a powerfully bright headlight and an automatic height adjuster, which accommodates surfaces ranging from linoleum to deep pile without ever touching a switch. Weighing in at just 14 pounds, the Eureka 4700A maxima measures 12-3/4 inches wide by 12 inches long by 42-1/2 inches tall; it is covered by a one-year limited warranty. –Mary Park

Salton YM7 42-Ounce Electric Yogurt Maker with 7 Glass Jars Product: Salton YM7 42-Ounce Electric Yogurt Maker with 7 Glass Jars Lowest Price! List Price: $59.99 Amazon Price: $31.99 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Salton YM7 42-Ounce Electric Yogurt Maker with 7 Glass Jars

Salton’s newest addition to the yogurt maker line this unit features 7 individual 6 once glass jars to make single serve portions of fresh homemade yogurt in different flavors if desired. Each jar has a fitted lid for storage after the yogurt making process is complete. The unit has a clear cover with a timer reminder on the lid. There is also an on off switch mounted on the front of the unit.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #980 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: Salton
• Model: YM7
• Dimensions: 6.00″ h x 9.00″ w x 9.00″ l, 7.00 pounds

Features

• Electric yogurt maker produces up to 42 ounces of homemade yogurt at a time
• Uses fresh ingredients–no artificial additives or preservatives required
• 7 6-ounce lidded glass jars included for making single-serving portions
• See-through cover; timer reminder; simple front-access on/off switch
• Measures 9 by 9 by 6 inches

Last reviewer must have gotten a lemon
This is my first yogurt maker, but as a long time lover of store bought yogurt and somewhat dubious as to the advantage of making my own, it more than exceeded my expectations. I used organic plain yogurt for starter and organic milk. The resulting yogurt was creamy without the sharp tang of store bought plain yogurts. It was simple to use and, most certainly, did not cut off. In fact, I’m online trying to see if I can buy additional glass jars for it!

Works Great!
Easy to use and made great home-made yogurt. Would highly recommend. Like that the cups for the yogurt are heavy glass.

Works as advertised
Following the simple recipe and procedure outlined in the booklet that came with the yogurt maker resulted in delicious yogurt. I used Dannon plain fat free yogurt as a starter along with fat free milk and a half cup of powdered milk as suggested. I allowed it to process for eight hours and the finished product was very near in taste to the Dannon.

The jars are sturdy glass with heavy plastic snap on lids. Nice quality and easy to clean.

9-Foot TropiLight Lighted Bronze Aluminum Market Canvas Poly Cover Umbrella Product: 9-Foot TropiLight Lighted Bronze Aluminum Market Canvas Poly Cover Umbrella Discount. List Price: $119.00 Amazon Price: $86.80 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on 9-Foot TropiLight Lighted Bronze Aluminum Market Canvas Poly Cover Umbrella

9-Foot Lighted Bronze Aluminum Market canvas polyester cover Umbrella .

• Amazon Sales Rank: #491 in Lawn & Patio
• Size: 9′
• Color: canvas poly
• Brand: Tropishade
• Model: 637B11

Features

• 6-fiber glass ribs for extra strength and 1 3/8-inch center pole. Includes single wind vent for stability.
• 3 -Position Tilt; Crank Lift for easy opening and closing
• Finial, Push Button Coupling
• Also available with a Beige Polyester Cover.
• Adds ambience and light to your outdoor setting.

Great Umbrella
Purchased this umbrella in 2005, love the aluminum pole. crank and lights. I purchased this when on special and got a great deal, am purchasing another one and will gladly pay the price as we live where we use it year round.

Lighted Shade
We like this umbrella. Even in fairly high winds, it was a good shade. The way the lights can give a show was an unexpcted delight.
The base did not show up for a couple days, which was annoying but not terrible.

Good Product
Heavy construction; well made. It gives off a good ambient light. The settings for blinking lights are kind of useless unless you are planning on hosting a disco party. Long cord for the plug, but has a bit of a cumbersome surge protector. Easy to set up and install. I would re-buy.

Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit Description:

Now soda and seltzer lovers can enjoy a bevy of fizzy flavors at home while reducing their environmental impact. SodaStream, the world leader in make-your-own soda has introduced The Jet. This soda maker carbonates water in a BPA-free, reusable one-liter bottle in less than 30 seconds, without electricity or batteries, and with no clean-up. After loading the carbonator into the soda-maker, fill the bottle with regular tap or filtered water and place it in the soda maker. Just pump the button a few times to add the fizz and in seconds you will have a liter of fresh, tasty soda or sparkling water in a resealable bottle that stores compactly in your fridge. Each carbonator bottle has enough CO2 to carbonate up to 60 liters. Hermetically-sealed caps keep drinks fresh and fizzy much longer than store-bought bottles. With over 25 regular, diet, and caffeine free flavors of syrup (sold separately), there will be a flavor for everyone. With a SodaStream home soda maker, you’ll enjoy freshly made, great tasting seltzer and soda in just seconds and you’ll be helping our environment by drastically reducing waste from store-bought cans and bottles. With no batteries or electricity, you can use your soda maker in your kitchen, outdoors on your patio or deck, or on your boat or R.V. Simple sleek and easy to use, you’ll transform ordinary water into the freshest and best-tasting seltzer and soda anytime. The Jet starter kit includes: Soda Maker; 1 60L CO2 cylinder; and 2 plastic carbonating bottles. When CO2 carbonator is empty please visit Sodastream.com to set up a cylinder exchange or view the closest cylinder exchange dealer.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #720 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Black/Silver
• Brand: SodaStream
• Model: 1012112014
• Dimensions: 17.00″ h x 6.00″ w x 9.00″ l, 12.00 pounds

Features

• Enjoy freshly made, great tasting sparkling water/seltzer in less than 30 seconds with no mess
• Starter kit includes SodaStream Jet soda maker in black/silver, one carbonator (good for making up to 60L of soda), and two BPA-free plastic bottles
• Requires no electricity or batteries–great for using in RVs and boats
• Reusable carbonating bottles last for three years with hermetically sealed caps to keep drinks fresh and fizzy
• This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

Customer Reviews:

Easy to Use, Tastes Fantastic
A friend at work mentioned this product. My husband is a HUGE soda drinker so I got it for him for Christmas. It has far exceeded my(our) expectations.

We bought our kit directly from Soda Club. Only difference is that we got full bottles of the liquid mix plus the sampler kit. We ordered only the diet ones.

Observations:

1) The machine is so easy to use. Put it together, fill the 1 liter bottle provided with water, put it on the machine, press the button a few times to carbonate it, take the bottle off, add the syrup, put on the lid and shake. Then, let it settle for maybe 30 minutes.

2) The taste is amazing. I never knew soda could taste fresh. The diet sodas don’t even taste diet. We’ve tried the lemon lime, rootbeer, and pink grapefruit so far. I’ve even given some to friends and they loved them (without knowing we made them). Comments were “refreshing” and “nice balance of carbonation and sugar” and “no aftertaste.”

3) Unlike 2 liter bottles that potentially go flat (and it’s hit and miss in our experience), this 1 liter bottle is perfect for us. We generally drink a single 1 liter bottle in a day, and make a new flavor each morning.

4) When it comes to price comparison, we’re not sure yet as we haven’t seen exactly how many liters we can get from one carbonation cyclinder. The syrup is $5 a bottle and makes 12 liters. That equals $.42 cents a bottle. My *guess* is that this will come out to be the same price as buying it from the store. HOWEVER, the convenience and taste make it a better value for our money.

We highly recommend this item - if you like soda and can live without a brand name product like Coke or Pepsi. Honestly, I love Coke and will still continue to drink that. But, when I want something different, and/or something diet, my SodaStream is where I’ll go!

Beware gas refill costs and restrictions
Beware the real total cost of ownership when buying this product.

These are great in the UK, where you can buy the gas refills (actually exchanges) in many supermarkets for not much money. However, in the US there are pitifully few outlets for the refills (Williams Sonoma and Camping World) and as such they are always out of stock. Because these gas cylinders have a proprietary fitting and anti-refill valve on them, they cannot be refilled at paintball, welding, or homebrew stores, so your only option is to mail them to Sodastream and obtain refills from the manufacturer directly. This adds up very quickly, and there is simply no way you can achieve the 20c per liter carbonation they claim here. The cheapest refills available from the manufacturer today are 3×14.5oz cylinders for $39 + $10 shipping = 41c/l. But since you have to have 3 cylinders first, you have to buy 3 more first (another $75 + $10 shipping), and these are their SALE prices.

It’s an interesting novelty and the kids love it, but when the first gas cylinder runs out, the soda cans on the supermarket shelves are going to look really tempting again. It’s a shame, here’s another great idea marred by poor execution. I can’t see that there is anything ‘green’ about burning up so much in shipping heavy cylinders back and forth across the country.

No more guilt over plastic bottles!
I love this thing! I bought it originally in order to stop throwing away so many plastic bottles (we’re seltzer maniacs here).
Features:
* You can control the water source and filter it.
* You can control the fizziness (we’re getting up to a level that boils in our blood for at least an hour after drinking it, but you can have a light Euro-water-style fizz as well).
* It’s entertaining to use.
* It’s better for the environment.
* The sound makes the dog get all wiggy, which is fun to watch. It sounds like a big raspberry when you fizz up a bottle of water.
* You’ll probably be the only one on your block with a seltzer maker - it definitely spanks a bread machine.

I still haven’t had to return the CO2 bottle, so I don’t know how easy that’s going to be. Delivery was slow but entertaining: about 3 weeks after we ordered, an actual Soda-Club delivery woman showed up at our door toting our new Soda-Club.

One caveat: the syrups are pretty revolting…at least the ones we tried. Plus, they all contain artificial sweeteners, even the non-diet ones. But we just add some lemon or orange essence (available in the spice section at your store) to pep it up a bit.

Also, if you go through fizzy water pretty fast, be sure to order two extra bottles. You have to chill the water before you fizz it up, so it’s good to have a few in rotation.

Amazon.com Product Description
With the SodaStream Jet Starter Kit, you’ve got everything you need to turn tap water into sparkling water in 30 seconds–saving you money as well as helping you stay environmentally friendly. This black/silver SodaStream Jet soda maker comes with two BPA-free plastic 1-liter bottles and one CO2 cylinder that will make up to 60 liters of sparkling water. With no batteries or electricity, you can use your soda maker in your kitchen, outdoors on your patio or deck, or on your boat or R.V.

In addition to making fizzy water, SodaStream also offers more than 25 regular, diet, energy and caffeine-free flavors of syrup (sold separately). Each 500ml soda mix bottle makes the equivalent of 12 liters of soda (about 33 cans). And with over 25 flavors, the possibilities for creative beverages are limited only by your imagination. How about a Creamsicle (Orange and Cream Soda), or a Japanese Beetle (Ginger Ale and Lemon-Lime)? The regular soda mixes contain no high fructose corn syrup, while the diet soda mixes contain no aspartame.

The benefits of the SodaStream drinks maker, compared to ready made bottled drinks:

• Provides an endless supply of sparkling water, freshly made from tap water in just a few seconds.
• No more need to buy, carry or store large quantities of heavy and bulky bottles.
• A wide variety of flavors are produced by SodaStream.
• The ability to make sparkling water as strong or as weak as one likes, makes the machine an ideal solution for the family’s entire sparkling beverage needs.

The SodaStream Jet Starter Kit bundles the soda maker with one 60L carbonator and two BPA-free carbonating bottles.

The Jet soda maker carbonates water in a BPA-free, reusable one-liter bottle in less than 30 seconds, without electricity or batteries, and with no clean-up. After loading the carbonator into the soda-maker, fill the bottle with regular tap or filtered water and place it in the soda maker. Just pump the button a few times to add the fizz and in seconds you will have a liter of fresh, tasty soda or sparkling water in a resealable bottle that stores compactly in your fridge.

Each BPA-free carbonating bottle has a lifespan of 3 years and is not made with any polycarbonate materials or substances that produce phthalates or PCBs. Each bottle includes a special hermetic sealing cap that keeps drinks fresh and fizzy much longer than store-bought bottles. SodaStream bottles are specially designed for high-pressure resistance and are the only bottles that can be used with SodaStream soda makers.

When the CO2 carbonator is empty, you can visit the SodaStream web site to purchase a new CO2 cylinder as well as set up a cylinder exchange, which helps to eliminate waste. SodaStream collects your empty cylinder and returns it to our filling facility where it’s cleaned, inspected and refilled.

The SodaStream Jet measures 16.7 by 5.3 by 7.9 inches (HxWxD) and weighs 2.58 pounds.

How Does SodaStream Help the Environment?
SodaStream is an “Active Green” company, meaning that consumers actively minimize their CO2 footprint when using the SodaStream system. The more the system is used on a daily basis, the more CO2 footprint the user actively saves. This differs from “Passive Green” brands, which use green-friendly production processes, but their products are not inherently helping you save on your daily footprint.

Because SodaStream uses water straight from the tap, the system makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. That means, less plastic manufactured, less plastic waste and less transport of bottled beverages. Globally, 206 billion liters of bottled water were consumed in 2008 (Zenith International Global Bottled Water Report, 2008), and the energy required to make water bottles just in the US is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil (Container Recycling Institute, 2002).

A family of four could slash their home soft-drink-related packaging usage by over 90 percent simply by using a SodaStream soda maker, and SodaStream’s plastic carbonating bottles are reusable for up to three years. A typical American will toss away over 1500 aluminum cans (and/or hundreds of plastic 2-liter bottles) over three years, while a SodaStream owner will use just one or two reusable carbonating bottles or carafes that come with the home soda maker.

Operating without batteries or electricity, SodaStream home soda makers are highly energy-efficient small appliances. Appliances that work without electricity improve the environment by cutting down on the emissions generated by electrical plants, giving us cleaner air and ground water.

By operating completely on power supplied by the compressed air in the carbonator–an easily renewable fuel source–SodaStream does not contribute to environmental pollution made by batteries. Empty carbonators are returned to SodaStream to be cleaned, inspected and refilled with CO2 drawn naturally from the air. Carbonators are reusable as long as they remain in good condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carbonate drinks other than water?
No. Only water should be carbonated in the SodaStream home soda maker. You risk damaging your soda maker, not to mention making a big fizzy mess. The money-back guarantee and the warranty are both invalidated if you carbonate any liquid other than water in your soda maker.

Why does the carbonating bottle have an expiration date?
Since the bottle has to withstand recurring pressure from carbonation, it cannot be used forever. The expiration date on the bottle must be checked and new bottles purchased as soon as the former expires. The bottles must also be replaced if put in the dishwasher, exposed to a heat source, or if they have become scratched. All components of carbonating bottles are recyclable. Check with your local recycling authority for more information.

How do I clean my carbonating bottles?
Carbonating bottles may be cleaned in warm water with a bottle brush and regular dish-washing liquid if necessary. Please do not place carbonating bottles in the dishwasher, as exposure to extreme heat can weaken the integrity of the bottles. Bottles stay cleanest when rinsed and then immediately filled with fresh water and returned to your refrigerator. Plus, you’ll always have cold water on hand when you’re ready for your next bottle of soda.

How long does the soda last before going flat?
The hermetic seal on the cap keeps your soda from going flat as quickly as ordinary store-bought beverages. If you make sure to close the cap tightly, and keep the bottle in the refrigerator, your SodaStream soda should remain fizzy and fresh for over a week.

How often will I have to replace my carbonator?
On average, the carbonator will make 60 liters of soda, and this number could be more or less depending on the amount of carbonation used when making your drink. A household of four soda drinkers might need to replace a 60-liter carbonator every 6-8 weeks, depending on usage.

Are SodaStream products kosher?
SodaStream products are kosher (OU) certified (OU kosher certificate). SodaStream seltzer is kosher for Passover (OUP). Also, please note that your home drink smaker can be used on the Sabbath.

George Foreman GRP46P 72-Square-Inch Grill with Nonstick Removable Plates Description:

The George Foreman Grill prepares healthy reduced fat meals in minutes. Dishwasher safe removable plates make cleanup a snap.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3019 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Silver
• Brand: George Foreman
• Model: GRP46P
• Dimensions: 14.80″ h x 5.83″ w x 15.83″ l,

Features

• Electric indoor grill with 72-square-inch cooking surface
• 2 removable grill plates with snap handles; embedded heating elements
• Sloped design and triple-coated nonstick surface for low-fat cooking
• Extended plastic loop handle; spatula included; dishwasher-safe parts
• Measures 13 by 11 by 5 inches

Customer Reviews:

mess maker
won’t drip into the drip tray, instead all the grease wraps around the underside and drips all over the counter. cooks fine, but takes twice as long to clean up the mess as it takes to cook. tried to get ahold of the company and they offered no help whatsoever. won’t buy again, even tho i loved my original model (which i can’t seem to find anymore).

Went from good to bad to worse
Was looking to replace my older foreman grill that died after 2-years, most of the new medium/large foreman grills are 72-square inches, a few are 84-inches and larger and twice the price of this one. This grill is listed as 1000w and cooks meats, fish, pork, hotdogs perfectly, only small issue is sometimes bread or fish will stick to the surface, lightly use non-stick spray on the grill beforehand to avoid it.

The gill can hold two burgers and nothing more as the surface is little small, it’s good for 1-2 persons. The grease drips down on the plastic tray and heat disperses out of the back, no smoke problems, have not had any issues cooking anything on it. Has removable plates which is a huge bonus, after grilling, wipe them down when there still hot with a sponge and soap, let it sit in the sink and all the grease/junk, etc will come off easily. Don’t put them in a dishwasher. Also, do not use metal pads as the coating will come off. The plates snap back on very easy too. Used this 20 times with no issues of the plates falling off or unable to put back on.

My only complaint is george foreman needs to make this grill bigger to cook 4 burgers at once and all new models should have not only removable plates, but reversible.

EDIT 9/18/09
After using this grill for about 30 times now, the coating is wearing off and everything is sticking to it. Have not used anything abrasive, just a sponge and soap. unit is going back to the store.

Giant puddles of grease on my countertop
We got this grill to replace an older model Foreman Grill (with no removable plates) that had finally given up the ghost. It’s a little small, but cooks most things just fine, with one glaring, horrible exception: BACON. The few times I’ve cooked bacon on this grill, I’ve had to deal with an enormous puddle of hot grease that stubbornly refused to flow into the drip try. After some careful drip tray monitoring, I can only assume that the grill’s removable plate design creates alternative channels to help hot bacon grease flow onto my countertop, instead of into the drip tray. Thus leaving me with the entertaining chore of wiping up grease from all over my kitchen countertop and from the bottom of the grill itself. So if you choose to buy this grill, DO NOT COOK BACON ON IT. Unless you need to grease up your countertop.

Amazon.com Product Description
Enjoy the taste of summer all year long with this convenient countertop appliance. The lean, mean, fat-reducing grilling machine works well for meat and fish, but it can also be used to cook up delicious grilled veggie sandwiches, veggie burgers, tofu dogs, and more. Serve up healthy meals for a family of four in just minutes thanks to its generous 72-square-inch grilling surface and embedded heating elements, which deliver fast, even heat. The unit’s patented sloped design keeps food up and away from grease, fat, and excess liquids, which run down and away from food, collecting in the included drip tray. Even more, its triple-coated nonstick surface ensures effortless food release and healthier cooking–no need to add butter or oil. Other highlights include an extended plastic loop handle that stays cool to the touch, a handy spatula for convenient serving, and two removable grill plates with snap handles that clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher. The grill measures 13 by 11 by 5 inches.

Lentek 6-Day Automatic Pet Dish Product: Lentek 6-Day Automatic Pet Dish Sale-$30.54! List Price: $59.99 Amazon Price: $30.54 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Lentek 6-Day Automatic Pet Dish

The Koolatron PD06G- 6 Day Automatic Pet Dish - Do you have trouble finding a way to feed your pet when you inre away. The Lentek Automatic inSix Days in Pet Dish can solve your pet feeding problems! You know the importance of a regular

• Amazon Sales Rank: #919 in Pet Products
• Brand: Lentek
• Model: PD06G
• Dimensions: 4.10″ h x 14.50″ w x 14.80″ l, 3.50 pounds

Features

• Automatic six-day pet dish ideal during week-long vacations
• Selectable feeding intervals of 6, 12 or 24 hours
• Each compartment holds 2/3 cup dry or 5-1/2 ounces wet food
• Accurate timer; lid rotation stops if resistance is felt
• Includes removable lid and two inserts; uses one 9-volt battery

It does the job well
I’ve had this automatic feeder for 2 years. It works great and has eliminated the screaming my cat used to do before meals. Now she just sits in front of the feeder and waits for it to go off. It holds 6 meals (but one is exposed so it really only has 5 meals). The cover rotates to expose a new meal every 6, 12, or 24 hours. My cat has been very abusive to the machine (because she can smell the food in it) however she has not been able to break the cover or get to any of the other food compartments. If you do force the machine to go backwards the motor will kick on and rotate the cover back to the correct position. My only real problem with the feeder is that the motor is quite loud and drains the battery very quickly. Also as a note, there is no way to set the hour on the feeder, it just goes off 6,12, or 24 hours after you turned it on. So if you want it to always go off at 7am you would need to turn the power on at 7am/pm the first time.

My cats broke into this in no time
This product has such severe design flaws that I am surprised Amazon is willing to sell it.

I have two housecats and they figured out how to break into this feeder within six hours. It consists of basically three parts: an outer gray tray which is broken into six small dishes; a rotating lid; and a central core that takes a 9V battery and rotates every 6, 12 or 24 hours. The trouble is, the central piece only loosely snaps into the base. You can work it lose with one finger (or paw) prying at the perimeter of the dish. Like I said, one of my cats figured this out very quickly.

In addition the build quality is poor, the lid does not line up very well with the feed trays so a determined cat can work her nose into the next dish, and the nine volt battery lead was so short it took a long time to get the thing plugged in.

My cats are not particularly big or strong. The packaging has a photo of a dog eating out of this tray; I find it hard to believe the manufacturer ever tested it with a dog, if cats can break it I can imagine a dog would make short work of it.

Shipping and handling cost over 25% of the price, and now that it’s been broken by my cats there’s not much point in waiting on hold to return it (the vendor does not have an email form to get an RMA number).

Buyer beware. Thought I’d post a review so that other people don’t make the mistake I did.

It’s Okay
It works fine and has ice packs that can be frozen and placed in the bottom. It has 6 compartments, but one is always exposed so the first one is wasted right when you put the food out. My cat likes to eat twice a day so it’s only good for about 2 1/2 days. The ice packs don’t chill the food very long so I’ve noticed that the last compartment or two the food is untouched because the wet food was spoiled.

Cordless Swivel Sweeper G2 Product: Cordless Swivel Sweeper G2 Lowest Price! List Price: $45.86 Amazon Price: $39.00 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

Compare Prices on Cordless Swivel Sweeper G2

It still uses quad brush technology spinning at 4,000 rpm and is able to pivot and swivel 360 degrees around and under anything with ease! The Swivel Sweeper G2 truly is a must have for the home! NEW Features: Touchless Dirt Tray- Pinch the top of the swivel sweeper head and the dirt tray automatically opens, dumping all of its contents into the trash! One click and it’s empty! Put the swivel sweeper back on the ground to close the tray! Back Saver Elbow Joint- The pole bends so you don’t have to! The All New Swivel Sweeper G2 bends 90 degrees to help you get to those hard to reach places like under couches, beds, and other furniture. Just one click, and the Swivel Sweeper G2 reaches into areas that most other sweepers can’t reach without bending. New & Improved Super Sliders- They give a whole new meaning to cleaning. They slide and glide on any surface without any effort and without changing any settings! The super sliders slide in any direction and fit into places most other sweepers can’t Non-Slip Rubber Grip- Now you can easily rest your swivel sweeper on the wall without it always slipping off the wall and falling over! Magnetic Storage Clasp- The magnetic storage clasp lets the swivel sweeper head fold up and lock to the shaft. You can now store it in a tight spot because it takes up less room than a broom! Improved Battery Charger- Upgraded from the previous version, the battery charger now charges the battery quicker and more effectively! Black and Red Two Tone Styling- Following the automotive and apparel industries, the swivel sweeper now comes in a stylish black and red two-tone coloring! Features:Touchless dirt tray 4 Quad Brush technology Lightweight Swivels 360 degrees Cordless and rechargeable Powerful 7.2 Volts Non-slip rubber grip Back saver elbow joint Magnetic storage clasp Improved battery charger Black and red two tone styling New & Improved super sliders

• Amazon Sales Rank: #473 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Ontel
• Model: SWSG2-MC4
• Dimensions: 3.00″ h x 9.00″ w x 15.25″ l, 3.50 pounds

Features

• Cordless Swivel Sweeper G2 that beats all the rest is finally here
• The Swivel Sweeper is BACK with a new and improved upgraded version
• The new model has a Touchless dirt tray & the “Back saver elbow joint”.

I Love My Sweeper!
I purchased this item knowing full well that I was taking a risk. What if it was NOT as grand as the infomercial made it out to be? Still, I’m somewhat limited physically (I’m an old bird, ok?) and I liked the idea of something lightweight to keep up with the little everyday messes at home. I share my home with two Chihuahuas and two cats. Enough said. Oh, and I live on a mountain…so “stuff” gets tracked in frequently.

This sweeper is phenomenal. I charged it up the day it arrived. After nearly two weeks of everyday use, and asking a LOT of it (cat litter, dog hair, lint, and some nails that got spilled long ago…) I find it is amazing for its size and weight. I have yet to re-charge the battery; it’s still going strong. It goes everywhere, and sucks up everything effortlessly. I also love the little cleaning tool that came with it. I use it on my “regular” vacuum as well, to untangle the cat hair and such…why the big vac manufacturers haven’t thought of this I don’t know.

At any rate, this item is a winner. I have recommended it to everyone I know, particularly those who have pets. It’s not perfect for heavy duty carpet cleaning, but on the other hand, I did use it to clean up my dogs’ fleece bed after they crunched up a dry leaf all over it…guess what…it grumbled a bit, but it cleaned everything up. The easy empty feature is worth a lot to me too; and as I have arthritis, I appreciate not having to bend and crawl under furniture to sweep up.

Thank you Ontel for a wonderful wonderful product!

Great price & good value!
The sweeper works pretty good. We have a pet rabbit and her wood shavings get all over the place & the sweeper actually picks them up without having to lug out the big vacuum with its cord etc. The suction is very good! The only thing is that hair gets all caught up in the brushes and hard to get off. However, the easy touchless dirt dispenser is great and no more messy hands to clean out the dirt! Definitely a good deal.

Works great and extremely useful
I am buying this one as a replacement. I had the first one for six years and it only died when it got wet and the motor stopped working, so it will last a long time (if kept dry). What is great about this item is that you just leave it charged and it can eaily be used to clean up. If you have a cat, this is great for picking up around the litter box. Also useful in the kitchen for small spills (dry detergent, pasta, etc) and near the entrance door when dirt or grass comes in from the outside. Not a replacement for a vacuum but it is nice to have and easy to handle. The movement makes it easy to use in any space. Removing dirt from it is a little hassle and it helps to just remove the dirt over a trash can.

Biggest problem for me was getting someone to ship it to Hawaii. Out of the 9 dealers that carry it, only a couple ship to Hawaii. Hey dealers! We are part of the US and we are the ones paying for shipping, so just offer it to us.