Melvins Blog

HOOVER COMPANY Commercial Portapower Vacuum Cleaner, 8.3 lbs, Black Description:

This compact, efficient and easy to transport vacuum cleaner with a 2.2 peak HP motor weighs a measly 8.3 lb.–great for workers on the move or cleaning multiple floors. Plus, it doubles as a blower. The reusable 3-layer commercial cloth bag with paper bag option saves you time and money. The unique design easily fits on stair tread for cleaning convenience. Equipped with an 8-piece tool set–crevice tool, wall/floor brush, dusting brush, furniture nozzle, rug/floor nozzle, two chrome wands, storage strap and shoulder strap. Current: N/A; Global Product Type: Vacuum Cleaners; Voltage: 120.0 V; Power: 2.2 hp.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1100 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Black
• Brand: Hoover
• Model: CH3000
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 7.30″ h x 12.50″ w x 20.90″ l, 8.00 pounds

Features

• Hoover CH3000 Commercial Portapower Vacuum Cleaner, 8.3 lbs, Black
• Ships by UPS Ground, see seller’s shipping rates and policies for more details.
• Weight 8.00 pounds
• Price per each SKU# HVRCH3000

Customer Reviews:

Totally Perfect for Apartments, At An Awesome Price: Skip the More expensive ones!
For starters, consider that high-quality consumer vacs are running $200-$300, and substantially more if you go with a Dyson or something. We seriously considered a Dyson canister, and I’m very, very happy that we skipped it. It not only would have been a waste of money, it would have been less convenient.

We have a triplex (3-story) apartment in New York. All hardwood floors, and lots of stairs. This thing is absolutely, totally perfect for it. The suction is huge, even after weeks of use in an apartment full of dog hair. It’s designed so effectively that all the hair gets sucked deep into the bag, and doesn’t block the airflow. The bag is a long-lasting cloth bag that’s very easy to remove and empty, and there is no additional cost for consumables. However, if you’d prefer a paper bag that you don’t need to empty, you can use those instead. Either way, it works great. It also works great on our area rugs, because the suction is very good.

It’s very lightweight, and comes with both carry-handle and shoulder-strap. So you can range all over the apartment, over and around things, up and down the stairs, carrying it comfortably all the way. My wife is a little smaller than I, and also finds it very light and great to use.

The long, super-strong metal tube, with rotating head, works its way really conveniently underneath and around the table, chairs, and other furniture. It comes with great attachments for baseboards and other needs. The metal tube has a secure locking mechanism, so it’s both easier to disassemble than a plastic one that often gets stuck, and easy to reassemble and snap together. It’s going to last forever. The flexible hose is made of really strong material, with a rigid, springy coil inside. It doesn’t crimp, fold, bunch or otherwise cause problems. It also shrinks nicely when you’re not putting any tension on it. Which makes it very convenient to store: it’s super-compact to start with, and you can quickly pop the hose & tube off the main body of it, so you can store them wherever they fit best. Incidentally, Hoover also includes a very rugged strap to snap the cord in place when you’re not using it. The power cord, by the way, is just incredibly long, so I can do a whole floor of the apartment, and get 2/3 of the way down the stairs, before I need to unplug and move the connection. It’s the longest I’ve ever had, even on a full-size upright.

We’ve had it for a month now, and use it often, and I have yet to find a single flaw with it. I suppose they could round the edges a bit more, so that when I’m dancing around the apartment with it slung over my shoulder, I don’t even notice them. But that’s about it. Some reviewers suggest they integrate the attachment storage into the body of the vac. But that would dramatically increase weight and size, so it would be stupid. They could give you a little holder for them, but then they’d have to charge you more, and you probably have a bag or drawer or whatever for them already. If you want, you can buy the $20 “PortaPack” carry bag, which includes a spiffier shoulder strap, and a little mesh bag for the attachments. But if you don’t need it, they’ve saved you the $20.

Unless you have deep-pile carpets, or a dog/cat that constantly sheds fine hair (and so you need a vac with a powered head), this is a really phenomenal performer, and an amazing value, which is much more maneuverable than an upright could over be.

A Serious New Flaw, But Still a Good Vacuum
I have owned and used three of these vacuums in my business over the last 25 years and have always loved them. Good Price, Great Suction, Small, Easy to Use, etc. I can echo all of the other user comments in that this is a great vacuum.

But, they changed one thing on the most recent vacuum I bought that I just hate. They made the hose a short springy thing instead of a longer non-springy deal. So, when you set the vacuum down and start using it to clean up, and pull on the hose to extend it, it yanks on the vacuum, even banging it into things or dragging it around. No more setting the vacuum on a ladder to clean something higher up, or setting it on stairs; it would tumble down in an instant. And the hose is so short that you are always pulling on the vacuum with it. I took my old vacuum hose and put it on the new vacuum. Hopefully I won’t accidentally step on it and crush it as I have done before, since now I can’t replace it except with the new springy one.

I called Hoover to complain and ask if the old hose was available. Answer - no. So, as much as I like this vacuum, it is a bit of a deal breaker in ever buying another one, unless I want to spend the time trying to find an older hose or some other hose that would fit it, or making one on my own somehow. The Hoover rep seemed unsympathetic to my problem and offered nothing - just what I expected with the way customer service is these days.

As an aside, I bought this on Amazon at a great price, and know I could send it back, but did not. I really love Amazon pricing and service that I have that option.

So, keep this new change in mind in deciding whether to buy an otherwise great vacuum.

Excellent Vacuum
I bought one of these in the 80’s from a store in Naples, Florida and I am still using it today. It has been a workhorse from day one. I originally purchased it to vacuum out my vehicles but now use it for everything. It has no brushes so hair does not cause a problem for this little baby. I have four children and they all use it and I am still using it too. We use it to vacuum rugs, baseboards, the wood floors, furniture, drapes, etc. You name it, we use this little baby for it. I would like to have another because we all seem to want to use it at the same time. I bought one of these for a friend about 10 years ago and she is still using hers too. She just loves it. Need I say more?

Weber 6401 Barbecue Mitt, Black Product: Weber 6401 Barbecue Mitt, Black Discount. List Price: —- Amazon Price: $9.95 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

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Protect your forearm with a fire-retardant, 17-inch cotton mitt

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114 in Lawn & Patio
• Brand: Weber
• Model: 6401
• Released on: 2008-02-09
• Dimensions: 15.70″ h x 1.00″ w x 6.80″ l, .65 pounds

Features

• Heavy-duty barbecue mitt emblazoned with Weber Logo
• Black with red wrist border
• Made of thick, quilted cotton
• Heat-resistant; fire-retardant
• 17 inches long from opening to tip

A little too bulky. Not the best design either.
I think these mitts are worth the price, but they are not flawless. Their thumb opening is on the same plane as the rest of the fingers, which is not how we have them aligned in our hands –at least when we are using our hands to grab something. Because they are rather stiff, this makes them a little difficult to use.

Powerful, heavy-duty mitt
Perfect insulation. And washes nicely. I washed it on the delicate cycle and air dried it, and stills looks brand new.

Inexpensive and quality
Not much to say. Around $5 or so and Weber quality. Cheaper than other off brand mitts.

Rubbermaid Garage Organization and Storage Collection Product: Rubbermaid Garage Organization and Storage Collection Discount. List Price: —- Amazon Price: Price Too Low To Display! 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

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• Brand: Rubbermaid

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

Jack LaLanne’s JLPJB Power Juicer Juicing Machine Description:

The original juicing machine! This powerful, electric home juicer is one of the classic “As Seen On TV” products — and is used and endorsed by the legendary fitness guru Jack LaLanne. Featuring patented juice extraction technology, an extra-large feeder tube, a whisper-quiet 3,600 RPM motor and a surgical quality stainless steel blade, this commercial quality unit is up to any juicing task. When through juicing, the unit is easy to clean for the next use. Comes with recipe/instruction booklet.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1559 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Jack LaLanne
• Model: JLPJB
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 15.50 pounds

Features

• Whisper quiet 3,600 RPM motor
• Surgical quality stainless steel blade
• Extra-large round feeder tube
• Super Sized Detachable Pulp Collector
• Dishwasher safe parts

Customer Reviews:

not perfect, but an excellent value (plus regular vs deluxe)
Overall I think it’s a great juicer, particularly for the budget conscious novice; the price is appealing and the quality is good. There is no need to buy disposable filters and the main source of labor lies in washing which is initially something to get used to. The amount of juice it extracts is good as far as I can tell, though the pulp is not perfectly dry*, but the juice is thick and not clear, so if you want very clear juice perhaps this juicer isn’t for you.

*Now for my explanation on the pulp. Apples for example, frequently result in very thin slices being discarded into the pulp collector. That doesn’t thrill me. Also in general, despite the pulp being dry, I discover on dismantling the juicer there’s a good amount of wet juicy pulp that’s stuck to the inside (think: apple sauce). The TV demonstration’s somewhat misleading on their claim of this juicer’s superiority in extracting juice completely from fruits and vegies.

As mentioned by others, the parts are plastic, so take care in washing well. For me the green side (scour pad) of the sponge will remove a great deal of the staining, especially if you clean it right after using, but be gentle, because you don’t want to scratch it up and create more crevices for stains to seep.

By the way, you do still need to cut the fruit, like large apples and oranges which cannot be fed into the chute. But of course, the preparation process is lessened as peeling and de-seeding is an optional step. Be careful when you use this juicer on harder veggies like beets, though. The way I get around this is by cutting them down and alternating with another type of veg/fruit. Fortunately I haven’t had any problems by following the suggestions outlined by the LaLannes, but I can definitely sense there’s a limit.

REGULAR or DELUXE?
Soon after purchasing my regular model I found the deluxe at the local wharehouse store for the same price. I bought that one, too, and compared. I discovered there is absolutely no difference in the machine itself. The deluxe simply comes with extras, which boils down to figuring out whether you find the price difference (if there is any) worth paying for the following:
- an extra blade
- a brush (very useful in cleaning the strainer, but a very generic kitchen tool)
- large measurement cup (again, useful, but generic and superfluous if you juice directly into your glass)
- juicer platform and overflow platform (these would be better if they latched onto each other so there’s some stability and utility)
- an extra blade-remover
- a bonus book entitled TOTAL JUICING

Why we juice
It seems like a lot of these reviews are written by beginners who are reviewing the practice of juicing itself, rather than reviewing the machine for which this page is all about.

To new juicers who haven’t ever juiced before: Yes, there is clean-up involved. Yes, there will be organic particulate matter in the juice-machine made juice (this is actually a good thing), much more so than heavily strained ’store bought’ juices. If you’re looking for a magic machine where you can throw fruits and veggies into a chute and out pops a bottle of Welches, sorry. That’s Star Trek, not juicing… and even if that’s what the juicer accomplished, if that’s what you want, then why buy a juicer in the first place?

The reason we juice is because we want our juices to be totally natural, without additives and preservatives, and with all of the nutrients inherent to the fruit or veggie left intact. You do not get this when you buy a bottle of crystal clear juice at the supermarket. The sacrifice we make for the superior juice is effort and higher cost. The reward is juice that is hugely superior to anything you can buy in a bottle.

Anyway, on to the machine.

This is an exceptional entry level machine. If you buy one and find yourself so enamored by juicing that you want to totally incorporate it into your life, you can eventually consider moving on to a Greenstar or a Breville. For everyone else, this machine is a great starting point and for most of us, is the ending point as well.

I own 4 juicers, running the spectrum of quality from $19.95 to $300. The Lalanne has become the workhorse of the lot. In comparing the LaLanne Classic to the other juicers, it’s very apparent that it seriously outperforms the lower quality juicers in the way of juice extraction, and is actually comparable to the higher end units- the difference certainly isn’t more than their respective differences in cost. On certain online discussion forums, “Juicer Snobs” often laugh at the Lalanne, but I would wager that these people haven’t ever compared one to their $400 unit. If they had, they might be regretting their pricier purchase.

The feed chute is nice and large, and the powerful motor is strong enough to really wring out the fluids. No, the pulp doesn’t come out ‘completely dry’ (as they suggest on TV) but the machine does a very good job in separating and anyone who is used to a cheapie juicer will be very impressed.

Clean up isn’t that bad on the Lalanne. One thing any long time juicer will tell you is that clean-up should always be done right away. The moment you are finished juicing your F&V’s, toss the components into the dish washer and clean your blade immediately. Trust me on this- it will save you a lot of time and headache. What takes two minutes to rinse and scrub off immediately after juicing can become a 1/2 hour chore if it’s left to dry and stick.

The machine has a lifetime warranty on the motor (which is the only part you really have to be concerned about) but bear in mind that the warranty is for the original purchaser only, so if you get one as a gift, you will definitely need the receipt. If you get one second hand, you’re pretty much out the warranty (I’ve never had to use the warrant service, but reports have it that they’re pretty good and relatively quick). The “return postage fee” for motor service is $29.95 plus another $20 that it will cost you to send it in, so I would suggest that if it ever does break, keep an eye out for a new-used one, rather than having the old one rebuilt. You can get Lalanne juicers that were very lightly (if ever) used for $50-$60 on Amazon, Craigslst and other sites… Juicers suffer from “Exciting Kitchen Appliance Syndrome” where a lot of people buy them, use them once then stick them under the counter and forget about them. This is good for second hand buyers.

Anyway, that’s all. Overall, four stars of five. It’s not a $400 juicer, but it’s very close and of course, it doesn’t cost $400 either.

SCREWED AGAIN!
Several years ago, after watching the famed strongman sell his product on an infomercial I decided to make an investment in my health & I purchased “The Power Juicer.” Initially, I was impressed. All claims seemed to be confirmed, quiet, powerful, and I wasn’t naive to the amount of cleaning that would be required & quickly adapted a routine that made the cleanup fairly painless. About 2 months after my purchase, I noticed the plastic screw that the blade connects to, was cracked. I talked to the Power Juice people & they sent me a new one after returning mine to them. I recall being quite pleased with the way this was handled.

Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. I hadn’t used The Power Juicer for some time & when I started assembling it I heard a crack when I started screwing the blade in - you guessed it, that very same screw had completely cracked off.

After considering the effort in contacting the Power Juice people, packing up & mailing said juicer along w/ $30.00 for the return, I made a bold move. I went online & purchased a used juicer for $10.50 + 15.00 shipping. The pictures looked good & it was missing the pulp basket. WHAT A BARGAIN! When the juicer arrived I unpacked it & immediately inspected this screw. It was cracked.

I have to say I was more angry at “The Power Juice company then the person I purchaed this juicer from. I’ve seen this in other products as well & it absolutely drives me bonkers. Think about this, the very powerful motor- which it is, and that they guarantee for life, is transferring its energy to the blade that pulverizes any fruit or veggie its way, is depending on a plastic screw to hold up under not only the incredible downward force of the food being jammed into it, but also the constant screwing & unscrewing of the blade. THEY EVEN GIVE YOU A SPECIAL TOOL TO TIGHTEN THE BLADE DOWN ONTO THIS FLIMSY PLASTIC SCREW!!

I’ve heard the defense before that “it’s to keep costs down” or “it’s the only way to make the product affordable.” Well, The Power Juice people have come out with their new & improved stainless steal models. I haven’t inspected the inards of these models but I bet they still have that poorly concieved, mis-engineered, flimsy plastic screw just waiting to fail for anyone willing to plunk down $150.00.

Corelle Livingware Winter Frost 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 Product: Corelle Livingware Winter Frost 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4-Retail $51.10! Sale Only $25.00! List Price: $51.10 Amazon Price: $25.00 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

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Corelle Livingware 16-Piece Set, Service for 4, includes 4-each 10-1/4-inch Dinner Plates, 6-3/4-inch Bread and Butter Plates, 18-ounce Soup/Cereal Bowls, 11-ounce Stoneware Mugs, Winter Frost

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2190 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Winter Frost White
• Brand: Corelle
• Model: 1092896
• Dimensions: 10.63″ h x 5.63″ w x 10.63″ l, 8.95 pounds

Features

• 16-piece dinnerware set, service for 4
• 4 each: 10-1/4-inch dinner plate; 6-3/4-inch bread-and-butter plate; 18-ounce bowl; 11-ounce mug
• Constructed of multiple layers of thermally bonded vitrelle glass; strong, lightweight, and chip-resistant
• Classic pure-white design layers beautifully with contrasting table linens and flatware
• Dishwasher-, oven-, and microwave-safe; 3-year limited break-and-chip warranty

Perfect product
It says a lot about a product like this when it’s been continuously available since 1970. I’ve owned Corelle for most of the past 30 years. I recently bought a 17-piece set from Wal-Mart (same as this + a 1-quart serving bowl) for about $24 to replace some Corelle pieces that didn’t match my Winter Frost pieces and to have more place settings. The mugs are cheap stoneware made in Thailand, not Corelle. They don’t quite match the Corelle and they’re going to the Goodwill along with the mismatched plates and bowls, but it was still a good deal for the rest of the set.

I love Corelle. All Corelle looks as if it was stamped out of a sheet of white glass, which is a result of the way it’s made. There are no “base rings” or loop handles (which is why there have never been any Corelle mugs). The design makes Corelle very easy to wash and dry. They’re very thin, and they stack with virtually no extra space in between them so they use remarkably little cubbard space. A stack of ten dinner plates is only 2″ high. Try that with those heavy stoneware plates that chip every time two of them bang together. They’re microwave- and oven-safe (don’t use on the stove or under the broiler). And they’re still made in the US.

It’s as if Corelle was invented for large families with lots of kids. It’s durable, so the kids won’t be breaking it very easily (although it will break on ceramic tile or the concrete if the kids drop it while playing outside ;-). Second, you can easily put 8, 12, or even 16 place settings in any cabinet. If you have kids, you know why that’s a good thing. Every time kids eat anything they have to use a clean dish, and they snack a lot, so they go through clean dishes at a frightening pace. With Corelle you can have a big supply of dishes without breaking the bank or using a lot of cabinet space.

Another nice thing about Corelle is that you can use the plates to cover the bowls. The small plates that come in this set are the same diameter as the cereal bowls in this set. The 8.5″ luncheon plates (sold separately) are the same diameter as the 1-quart serving bowls and the pasta bowls. The dinner plates in this set are the same diameter as the 2-quart serving bowls and the 9″ deep dish pie plate (which makes a fabulous pasta bowl).

The Winter Frost White looks simple, clean, and never goes out of style. Really, after using Corelle for nearly 30 years I don’t have even a nit to pick with it. Get a bunch of it and enjoy the best designed dishes ever made. With any luck you’ll still have them in 20 or 30 years, and don’t be surprised if they still look new after that all time, especially if you go over them with Bon Ami once or twice a year.

Corelle products used to be unbreakable, not anymore…
Got a 42 piece set of Livingware in winter frost white for xmas. The plates are nice and look great on a red tablecloth, though a few were slightly warped (you can see it when plates are stacked). However, that was not such a problem as the cups, which are of terrible quality! I did not use cups on xmas and first used them today. When I took the mugs out from a box one had a barely visible crack on a side, which I did not see until poured water into it and water started sipping through the crack. Called Corelle for warranty, and they do not warranty cups! So much for a 3 year warranty! On their site and on the box it says 3 year warranty with no asterisk or additional disclaimers, but in the care instructions! there is a fine print that cups are not covered. I used to like Corelle and thought they were a reputable company, but not anymore. They outsourced cup manufacturing to Thailand and now make them out of stoneware, which is pretty much like glass. So, if you think you are buying Corelle and it will not break, think again…

corelle living ware winter frost set
all went perfectly, i was so satisfied that i made a follow up order of more corelle items. they have also arrived and are just what i wanted.

Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner with Clean Surge, F5914-900 Description:

SteamVac features SpinScrub The Multiple Brush System with 5 self-adjusting brushes for outstanding cleaning performance

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Hoover
• Model: F5914-900
• Dimensions: 19.50″ h x 14.25″ w x 29.50″ l, 29.10 pounds

Features

• Powerful 12-amp motor; deep cleans with hot tap water and carpet solution
• Five spinning/scrubbing brushes clean carpets, upholstery, bare floors
• Clean Surge feature gives extra burst of cleaning solution for spots or stains
• Two water tanks separate clean from dirty water
• Brush rotation indicator; 8-foot hose; 1-year warranty

Customer Reviews:

Very good machine
If your new machine LEAKS, see note #2 below. I am just amazed at how many people write that their machine leaked from day one, and they returned it. It will leak if you skip a crucial one-time set-up step.

Paid $170 at Best Buy. This is my first carpet cleaner so I have nothing to compare it to except my own expectations. Even though the name is SteamVac, like all the others in this class of cleaners, there is no Steam to it. That’s just false marketing, but all the manufacturers do it, so no particular knock on Hoover.

First, let me say I’m ashamed to admit that our carpet hadn’t been cleaned in 4 years, and that we live in the country where lots of dirt gets tracked in from outside. So the carpet was pretty darn dirty. The Hoover F5914-900 did a very nice job the first time I used it - a drastically noticeable difference in the appearance of the carpet. The water in the dirty water receptacle was black. Did it return the carpet to new condition? No, impossible. Will it take another treatment or two to really get it clean? Yes, that is the price I pay for ignoring wet-cleaning the carpet for years. One of this cleaner’s best features is the ability to dry the carpet quite thoroughly. Since the front of the machine is made of clear plastic, you can see when you’re vacuuming up water. If you want to dry the carpet as much as possible, keep vacuuming until you no longer see water being pulled up. As time has passed, the SteamVac has done an excellent job of maintaining my carpets.

My only gripe is that the dirty water container fills up too quickly and should be a little bigger. Ideally, the dirty water receptacle “should” be full right as you run out of clean water. Then, you shut down, empty the dirty water, refill the clean water and back to work. But this process gets out-of-sync with the dirty water receptacle filling up before you run out of clean water. So this can be a little inconvenient, but not a show-stopper.

The machine is well constructed but it IS plastic, with lots of compartments and latches and hose holders, etc, so one must simply be careful or those things will no doubt break off.

A few other notes:
1. If you are not the type to read manuals, do read this one. Assembly and operation are easy if you sit down and read the manual through before starting. It’s not like a vacuum cleaner where you just plug it in and go.

2. My machine leaked badly BUT it was my own fault. There is a one-time only setup procedure where you squeeze the trigger and push the Clean-Surge button to lock a rod into place. Push the Clean-Surge button firmly. There may be a loud SNAP which sounds like you broke something, but you didn’t. Until you get that snap, the Clean-Surge (which releases extra water-cleaner solution) is on all the time, hence the leaking. I didn’t push the button hard enough initially, so I had the leak problem.

EDIT December 2007
Apparently many people are assuming that without a loud snap, the Clean Surge will not work. All that matters is that your machine doesn’t leak. If your SteamVac doesn’t leak, it is assembled properly and the Clean Surge will work!!! The only reason I emphasized the “snap” was because so many people were having leak problems, which are easily solved. And it’s possible that Hoover has changed the design after getting so many returns from people who didn’t read the instructions in the manual. So don’t get hung up on the snap. If your machine does leak after assembly, you know what to do.

3. ANY time it seems like there is no suction, the problem is that something is not seated properly. It is easy to snap the lid onto the dirty water container without lining it up properly, which causes a vacuum leak. If there is a vacuum leak, there is no suction at the bottom of the machine, where it is needed to suck up water from the carpet. So recheck the dirty water lid.

4. If you have velvet or velvetine furniture, do NOT use the powered tool, use the utility tool. The powered tool is too strong for delicate fabric.

5. Like others have suggested, find a cheap alternative to the Hoover brand carpet detergent. One gallon of water doesn’t clean a lot of carpet, and at 5 oz of soap per gallon, you go thru it fast.

6. Always be sure to dry vacuum your carpet with a regular vacuum cleaner first before using this machine to wash it. Be sure to remove and clean the brushes when you’re done using this machine. Otherwise hair, thread, and balled up carpet fibers will dry on them and between them. Then the brushes won’t turn. These are not “use and put away” machines like vacuum cleaners, they’re “use, clean, and put away”.

7. Here’s something I do which you *might* want to try. For a very dirty carpet, I fill a cheap plastic 2 gallon watering can (or smaller for a smaller carpet) with hot water and a tablespoon or 2 of Oxy Clean. I then sprinkle the carpet heavily, being careful not to soak it. This saves trips to the sink to load up on clean, soapy water. Then use the Hoover normally.

8. Others have suggested using boiling water. Not for me, thanks. Too dangerous to handle and unnecessary, unless you’ve spilled or tracked in grease.

After reading countless reviews here, I have concluded that the problems people have encountered are from failing to properly set up the machine initially, failing to seat the dirty water lid properly, or failing to clean the machine after use. I recommend this Hoover. It won’t perform miracles, but I think if it is not abused it will last a long time and do an excellent job of maintaining a carpet.

Great cleaning
The F5914 really cleans carpets well. On my worst carpet area, the cleaner did as well as a commercial carpet cleaner. I recommend the following to make it a successful cleaning:
1) I supplement the hot water with some boiling water to really get the temperature up. By the time the water hits the spray nozzle, it has really cooled off so make it hotter. Bissell uses a heater, but it can’t be that powerful without reducing motor power. Best to supplement.
2) Patience. Go slow and go over really bad areas. You will HAVE to pretreat and hand wash heavy stains, but so do the pros. Don’t expect a diamond out of coal. You still have to do the work.
3) Clean often. I have one carpet that I waited way too long and it just won’t come clean. The pros can’t and I can’t. BIG lesson learned there.

Have fun with this. I can’t believe how much dirt there was in my “clean” areas, so it will be great to have this around to clean when I desire to. I saved more than the price of the cleaner this weekend.

Cleans like a pro
I’m very pleased with the Hoover F5914-900 Steam Vac. This is my first home steam cleaner. I delayed purchasing one because I never thought a home cleaner could do as good of a job as the pros. But this Hoover made me a believer. I used it to clean up pet stains and the smell and stains are long gone. The suction and scrubbing are an A+.

Amazon.com
This powerful home steam vacuum saves you the expense and hassle of having to rent a steam cleaner and keeps rugs, upholstery, and bare floors (other than hardwoods) looking like new. The powerful 12-amp motor combined with five spinning brushes that operate at either high or low speed lift the usual dirt and grime out of carpets. By pulling on the trigger in the comfortable upright handle, this deep cleaner releases the included carpet/upholstery cleaner and hot tap water. For more stubborn stains or for high-traffic areas, this SteamVac also has a Clean Surge feature, which sends an extra blast of cleaning solution into the stain by simply pressing a button on the handle. When cleaning is complete, release the trigger and the SteamVac forces hot air into the cleaning path so you can do a few dry strokes over the stain. This deep cleaner has two separate water tanks to keep clean water apart from dirty water. The top tank holds the detergent and 1 gallon of hot water and automatically mixes the two so you don’t need to get your hands wet. The lower tank holds the dirty solution picked up from the carpet and unlatches to easily pour out into a sink without spilling. For cleaning stairs or upholstery, this deep cleaner has a long 8-foot hose and a special stair/upholstery nozzle that scrubs out spots. Other features of this deep cleaner include a brush indicator, which informs you that the brushes are spinning; an on/off foot pedal; a handle release pedal; and a 27-inch wraparound cord. The Hoover SteamVac is covered by a full one-year warranty. –Cristina Vaamonde

Amazon.com
This powerful home steam vacuum saves you the expense and hassle of having to rent a steam cleaner and keeps rugs, upholstery, and bare floors (other than hardwoods) looking like new. The powerful 12-amp motor combined with five spinning brushes that operate at either high or low speed lift the usual dirt and grime out of carpets. By pulling on the trigger in the comfortable upright handle, this deep cleaner releases the included carpet/upholstery cleaner and hot tap water. For more stubborn stains or for high-traffic areas, this SteamVac also has a Clean Surge feature, which sends an extra blast of cleaning solution into the stain by simply pressing a button on the handle. When cleaning is complete, release the trigger and the SteamVac forces hot air into the cleaning path so you can do a few dry strokes over the stain. This deep cleaner has two separate water tanks to keep clean water apart from dirty water. The top tank holds the detergent and 1 gallon of hot water and automatically mixes the two so you don’t need to get your hands wet. The lower tank holds the dirty solution picked up from the carpet and unlatches to easily pour out into a sink without spilling.

For cleaning stairs or upholstery, this deep cleaner has a long 8-foot hose and a special stair/upholstery nozzle that scrubs out spots. Other attachments include a bare floor nozzle and a powered hand tool that is also ideal for upholstery or small carpet areas. All tools are mounted on the front of the vac in a handy case. Other features of this deep cleaner include a brush indicator, which informs you that the brushes are spinning; an on/off foot pedal; a handle release pedal; and a 27-inch wraparound cord. The Hoover SteamVac is covered by a full one-year warranty. –Cristina Vaamonde

Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36 Inches by 24 Inches by 27 Inches Product: Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36 Inches by 24 Inches by 27 Inches Discount. List Price: $129.99 Amazon Price: $56.91 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 Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36 Inches by 24 Inches by 27 Inches

The MIDWEST Life Stages folding Double Door Dog Crate/Cage cuts house breaking time in half and reduces behavioral problems, wether your starting with a new puppy or starting again with a adult dog. The Life Stages line of dog crates/cages has everything you need to be successful! The additional door provides you with the convienence of a side door for easy placement in a automobile in in your home. Each crate/cage has a FREE divider panel to ensure the proper size crate for your puppy from the start. Each Crate is equipped with safe and secure slide bolt latches, two plastic handles and a ABS composite plastic pan for easy clean up.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #294 in Pet Products
• Size: 36″L x 24″W x 27″H
• Color: Satin Black E-Coat
• Brand: Midwest Homes for Pets
• Model: Life Stages 1636DD
• Released on: 2006-12-06
• Dimensions: 27.00″ h x 24.00″ w x 36.00″ l, 35.00 pounds

Features

• Exceptionally versatile metal dog crate with adjustable divider panel
• Double doors for side and front access; slide-bolt latches; rounded corners
• Easily sets up and folds down to portable size; 2 plastic handles for carrying
• Durable satin-black electro-coat finish; ABS-plastic pan included
• Measures 36 by 24 by 27 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Basic Necessity for a City Dog
If you have a medium sized doggie and are looking for a crate because you live in an apartment, this particular model is a good choice. Crate training is amazingly simple (just don’t use it for punishment–make it a happy experience when your puppy go into his crate). We have been using this for two months, and he takes to it easily.

1. Easy to put together and fold away. Solid black e-coat steel wire, conjoined with small metal plates with welded corners facing out. It comes with a slightly smaller divider that you can hook to the insides of the crate. As our puppy got bigger, we moved the divider and eventually removed it.

2. The two doors (one on the long end is off-centered) are not removable and opens only one way so it’s not omni-directional when you place it in tight spaces. You may want to check out some crates with three doors if so.

3. The bottom tray is made of black-composite plastic material, easy to wipe clean and slide out from under the short end of the door.

4. I like the double latch, but some people may find it a little more work to open and close day-to-day.

5. If you buy a crate cover, check out Cratewear Pet Dreams 3-Piece (which fits this model well, but only work with the door on the short end).

6. For this price, it’s a good crate to highly consider because your goal is to have a sanctuary for your puppy (for time out and quiet-time) and to housebreak your dog and/or temperate from negative behavior (such as chewing furniture, etc.)

I hope this review is helpful for you.

Nice, sturdy crate, easy to set up, inexpensive
I purchased this crate from Petsmart for my newly adopted dog. They size these crates based on dog weight, but I would measure your dog to make sure they fit.

My dog is less than 45 lbs, but his head touches the top of this crate when he sits up. He has room to lay down, but he can’t really stretch out. I am ordering the next size up from Amazon for him however, and will use this one as a travel crate.

It set up in less than a minute, and everything works very well on it. The crate seems very sturdy and I’ve had no problems at all.

Great crate
I bought this crate for my 30-lb beagle/terrier mix dog and it’s great. It folds up in a cinch (it’s literally 3 steps and takes about 10 seconds max) and has carry handles on the side, so it’s really easy to transport. I like having the 2 doors so I have options of how I can place the crate in a room. There are latches on the top and bottom of each door so it’s very secure. Great crate!

30 Pack - All Natural 6 Inch Best Bully Sticks Description:

These are the Best Bully Sticks brand of bully sticks. They are sold in a package of 30 pcs. and are 6″ in length. They are made from free-range Brazilian cattle and are low in odor. Our products come in resealable packaging with UPC codes on them. These bully sticks are of the highest quality and we are sure that you will be pleased.Our bully sticks are drained vertically and then oven finished in a controlled environment. We do not add smoke flavor, and clean our product thoroughly prior to finishing. This ensures a consistent product which is low in odor and clean. All of our bully sticks are approved and tested by our in house Veterinarian, then approved for sale by the USDA/FDA. You can be sure that you are truly providing your dog with the Best Bully Sticks on the market. Please make sure to checkout our Amazon store to find other interesting and healthy dog chews!

• Amazon Sales Rank: #731 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Best Bully Sticks
• Dimensions: 3.00 pounds

Features

• All Natural Bully Sticks
• Free Range Cattle - No antibiotics or hormones
• Cattle from Brazil Only
• No inferior Indian “Buffalo Bully Stick Product”
• Low Odor

Customer Reviews:

My dogs areVery satisfied
These were an experiment that worked well. My 2 large dogs spent more time with these than with any other product to date. Sometimes as much as 10 min. which is a record for them. My small dog spends about a day on it. They have that “crunch” that dogs seem to like and they grab them and go when they are offered. I like that they are a USA product. They are odor-free. Not all companies’ are odor-free. They are a good size at 6 in. and the thicknesses vary which is good since the small dog is better off with the thinner ones. I will be buying these again. The company was great to deal with. Product came swiftly by USPS Priority.

skinny and stinky
My 2 labs absolutely love bully sticks and I’ve ordered bully sticks from Amazon prior to this order. I decided to go with these as the price was right, well now I know why the price is right-these things are very thin or skinny and they have a stink that’s stronger then the normal bully sticks. My 2 labs gobble these things down within a few minutes that’s how thin/skinny they are. And the smell of urine is strong! Will go back to the sticks that are a thicker and less stinky when this batch is done, which should be just about now…

Very quick shipping, but
Shipping was quick and pricing significantly below what I was paying at the local pet supply stores. Items were packaged well and there was no overwhelming smell when opening the package. I have 2 dogs and both like these items very much. My issue is the smell while the dogs are chewing on the bully sticks. I have read on the Internet that some bully sticks do not stink when being consumed. The claim is that the bully sticks are prepared by draining them of fluids at some point in the processing. I’ve purchased these sticks at pet supply stores for between $2 and $4 each. These are no different. My personal expectations was there would be less smell, thus the 3 star rating. However, I need to emphasize that the product was delivered quickly which is important. I’m sure if my dogs could rate these they would give a 5 star rating. One of my dogs will finish off a stick in about 20 minutes while the other smaller dog may only be less than a fifth through the stick in 20 minutes. From this perspective they do keep the dog busy, and I’m supposing that it is accurate that these treats are much better for your dog than than the rawhide chews. My dogs love those too but get gassy eating them. I’ve read that dogs don’t digest them very well.

I would definitely buy from this source again if I find out that it is a myth that some bully sticks don’t stink while the dogs are chewing on them. I’ve not seen any statement to that effect on any packaging thus far so it very well may be a myth. I’m going to look around a little more for the elusive bully sticks that don’t stink.

West Bend 77203 Electric Can Opener, Metallic Description:

Electric Can Opener. Slim, extra tall design to open extra tall cans. Includes bottle opener and knife sharpener. The detachable chrome cutting accessory is dishwasher safe. Cord storage in base. Automatic shut-off.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2643 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Metallic
• Brand: West Bend
• Model: 77203
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 5.00″ h x 10.00″ w x 6.00″ l, 3.95 pounds

Features

• 70-watt countertop can opener made of plastic, chrome, and aluminum
• Slim, extra-tall heavy-duty design accommodates tall cans
• Knife sharpener and bottle opener on the back of the unit
• Built-in cord storage; automatic shutoff; dishwasher-safe cutting accessory
• Measures 5-1/6 by 5 by 9-8/9 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews:

A fine and non-obsolescent can opener
I purchased this can opener, and I am very pleased with its design and functionality. It’s attractive, accommodates even large cans, and does just what a can opener is supposed to do.

However, I had another reason for buying a Westbend. Our previous can opener, made by Rival, stopped working. There was nothing wrong with the motor. The problem was simply that the cutting edge had become dull and slightly bent. We needed a new one. I contacted Rival — was it under warranty, they wanted to know? No, it wasn’t. Well, then, they explained, there was nothing they could do to help me. I then searched the Internet, hoping to find a 3rd-party manufacturer of can opener blades. No luck. So, we had to throw out an almost-perfectly-good can opener. Three Bronx cheers for planned obsolescence.

This time, when I went shoppping for a can opener, I visited each manufacturer’s Web site, and you know what? Westbend — and of the manufacturers I checked, only Westbend — sells replacement cutting blades for every one of their can openers.

So, if you’re ecologically minded or if you’ve reached an age where you’re sick and tired of throwing things away, consider a Westbend as your next can opener.

A Rare Gem:, Thoughtfully Designed, Functionally Flawless
Something interesting is going on in the world of designing electric can openers. Some of them are really beautiful to look at as well as fabulous to use. Some of them, like this West Bend model, remind one of the things found in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in NY where designs of every day modern things,like chairs and tea kettles are represented by the eptiome of the best, like a chair designed by Eames. Do not know if an electric can opener is in their collection, but would recommend that this one be included!

This can opener is very thoughtfully designed. It is as sleek as can be, and very compact. The cord is absolutely retractable and comes with a cover over the plug to protect it when retracted. Classy, eh? What a simple thoughtful little detail! The front of the can opener has a magnet that is also thoughtfully designed so that it folds down and grips the can opener itself when not in use, rather than sticking out and catching anything magnetic that passes by on the countertop. The aesthetic effect is eye catching.

As to operation, it works quickly and flawlessly. No struggling to get the opener to click on to the can top; it immediately fits into place. I used to spend more time with my old can opener fighting with it to accept the can, than it would have taken me to manually open it. What a pleasant difference with the West Bend! Have not used the knife sharpener or bottle opener yet.

It is so rare to find something like an electric can opener that offers much more than its function to the kitchen. The design should be award winning. Highly recommended.

The Best Can Opener To Date
It does seem crazy to get excited over a can opener, but over the years I’ve purchased so many “junk” can openers that I had gotten to the point of saying “a can opener is a can opener”. But not so. This can opener is quiet. It opens all sorts of cans with ease, and on the FIRST attempt! There is no splattering or super jagged edges, and you can open larger cans easliy.

The design looks really clean and fits in great with any kitchen decor. This would make a great gift.

Throw out your old junky can opener-once you try this one you will be spoiled and will never want to go back!!!!