Reviews of Cuisinart SBC-1000 Blend-and-Cook Soup Maker, Black

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $270.00
Sale Price: $139.00
Today's Bonus: 49% Off

I'm really not understanding the negative reviews for this product...this is revolutionary! I made roasted red & yellow pepper soup in 45 minutes and it was absolutely perfect restaurant quality. My secret?? I read the instruction manual. And I followed the recipe. My plan is to use recipes in the book they provide for the first several uses until I've truly got the hang of when to stir vs. when to blend & how/when/why the heat element stops.

My soup did not merely 'simmer', it came to a full, rolling boil. It was wonderfully hot when I sat down to it for dinner.

And cleaning could not get better!! I used a knife & cutting board. Since I didn't know my recipe well, I also needed a measuring cup & spoon, but beyond that everything else cooked in the blender. And after the soup was done? The top portion of the jug unscrews from the bottom collar with the 'chopping' attachment so that you can thoroughly wash the blade/heating element by hand and wash the jug in the dishwasher. The person who felt that everything tasted of garlic & onion on a subsequent use must not have discovered that the jug of the blender unscrews. (It comes screwed together in the box when you take it out, but if you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS did I mention that? it tells you that part.)

I love soup, so I'm not likely one to ask about smoothies, etc. I'll probably continue to use my hand blender to make a single serving smoothie and just use this blender for savory items. I'm very excited to use it again & again this winter!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Have been on the look out for this type of blender ever since I got to know of the Italian version of it at 5 times the price!! Cuisinart makes this very affordable model which cooks and blends ingredients to give you a beautifully finished soup, sauce or what ever you need which requires the saute, cook and blend process. Have tried it for soups at the moment and the results have been fantastic. Some prepping of vegetables needed as they need to be cut into small cubes; but i found that slicing them with a mandolin is a quicker way to get paper thin results which cook quicker and better in the bowl.

I recommend it highly for anyone with young children and for soup lovers of all ages. Accompanying booklet gives several options of what can be done with this machine

Best Deals on Cuisinart SBC-1000 Blend-and-Cook Soup Maker, Black

I ordered this on Monday and got it yesterday. I made a Butternut Squash soup out of it and it was execellent. I found in the cookbook that comes with it a tomoto soup and ginger butternut squash soup and I will be trying more stuff. I find that this is easier than the stove top and not other pans to get dirty. Everything is in the blender portion and I will be making a chuncky vegetable soup with beef stock to make it a little tastier.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart SBC-1000 Blend-and-Cook Soup Maker, Black

I'm probably the only person who was turned on to this appliance by my favorite bartender. Yep. Not kidding. He was talking about a "cleanse" he and his wife were doing and said he'd found this awesome Cuisinart thingie that made smoothies and soups. I was skeptical, but went home and started Googling.

He paid $200 at Williams-Sonoma, but Amazon came through with $150 plus free shipping. I was still skeptical.

I'm not the review-writing type, but I have to say this is the single best kitchen appliance I've ever had. I've had it for exactly 48 hours and I've made the yummiest Coconut Butternut Squash soup, an eggplant and red bell pepper veggie spread, and now tomato soup. For each recipe, here's my total cleanup damage: 1 knife, 1 cutting board, and the machine. That's it. If we were going vegetarian, I swear this is the one gadget that would get me there.

I don't know what people mean when they say their machine gets the food lukewarm. Literally within 45 seconds of turning it on to heat oil, butter, etc, my machine is ready for the next step---usually onions and garlic. When I made the tomato soup, everything goes in at once, and it was bubbling hot within 1-2 minutes.

I can't wait to try more recipes. I have limited kitchen space and this machine will do so much with so little space.

To my bartender----thank you!!!! (I'll tell him in person when we go out to eat again, but that may be awhile because I'm in love with my soup maker.)

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Cuisinart SBC-1000 Blend-and-Cook Soup Maker, Black

This is a great product. It works as advertised and cleans up easily. I have made a batch of soup at a moment's notice while completing other tasks unrelated to cooking. If you like homemade soup in short order with little clean-up, this is for you.And, the recipes in the instruction book are tasty. I have had no trouble adapting other recipes to use in the soupmaker.

Buy Cuisinart DCC-2600 Brew Central 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $220.00
Sale Price: $107.10
Today's Bonus: 51% Off

This is a replacement for my old Cuisinart coffee maker which I had for about six years or so (the predecessor to this model). I loved my old one even with some of the little quirks it had. It beat out any Braun or Krupp pot which I had ever owned. This new updated model is a winner. All of the small annoyances have been solved, such as the small fill tank opening, the dripping cover that leaked back into the fill tank, and finally, thank you Cuisinart people, a water level guide on the outside of the unit. The front knobs on the front are now also easier to see and use. As my other Cuisinart did, it brews superior coffee and quickly. I find it takes about one minute per cup... 12 minutes for twelve cups, not bad at all. Yes, the unit does make some clicking and popping noises when it is new, so did my old one. But that goes away in time as the unit gets "broken in". I do not think you can find a better coffee maker on the market.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Who in the world would have a coffee pot as a best friend? When you make and drink 5 to 7 pots of coffee a day you need a best friend. You need a friend who is there for you anytime you need one and that friend has to be consistent; i.e., one good pot after another. The DCC-2600 is my new best friend. In a short time it has performed better than its older cousin, the DCC-1200. The DCC-122 is still right up there with the DCC-2600; however, I wanted a 14 cupper and it is perfect.

The coffee tastes the same: great. It still takes about one minute per cup. That is perhaps a tad too much time but I don't care. I can always do something else while it is brewing. After all, a super cup of coffee is worth waiting a few minutes. I can always set the timer and have it ready when I awaken. The setting process is still simple enough for me to do. I really like being able to see the plain water display on the outside instead of having to strain and look over the top of the pot. That's a nice enhancement just as it the anti-drip change Cuisinart made.

I'm not an interior designer; however, I like the changes made to the outside appearances of this pot compared to the DCC-1200. I just looks better to me. The included gold filter is a nice touch and its inclusion should be a constant; however, I still prefer the cheap, paper filters. Paper filters are easier to clean up from than the gold filter. That is the only reason for my statement.

Best friends do not let you down and this pot pumps coffee without one retort. It works well and performs the job with vigor.

Best Deals on Cuisinart DCC-2600 Brew Central 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

We take coffee very seriously in my house and when our old Cuisinart broke I wasn't sure I wanted another. But they fixed the design problems (hard to pour the water without spilling, no visible water gauge) and it makes great coffee. Highly recommend it.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart DCC-2600 Brew Central 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

The title says it all. I've had 3 Cuisinart coffee makers the last 3 years, 1 thermal and 2 of these. After about a year using twice a day I start to find water on my counter top. Consumer Reports and Amazon customers love these and I did too until the leaks started. I didn't write a review before because I figured the leaking was just a fluke and maybe it is but after 3 go rounds I doubt it. I didn't read all the other reviews to see if anyone else had experienced this. Please understand I'm a retired senior citizen and have no axe to grind but I wanted to point out my experience with an otherwise excellent product.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Cuisinart DCC-2600 Brew Central 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Update 12-23-12: Exactly 3 years after purchase, this unit has begun to leak water onto the counter. After filling to the 14 cup mark, it leaks down to 10. Not a good record for a $100 coffeemaker. I see that this model has been packaged under a different model number for quick sale at Costco, at 40% less than what I paid. It's a really nice coffeepot, but don't know if I'll replace it with expectation of the same problem.

***

I have to agree with other reviewers that most, if not all, problems are corrected with this model. I use much less coffee with this model than I did with my last. Water is easy to pour into the tank with very little care. You do have to pull the unit forward to open the lid. A good bit of steam comes out the top, so I found it is best to have a plastic sheet over my upper cabinet's underside to protect it. I really like the outside of the unit, which is fairly fingerprint-free with regular use.

The pot lid can take a little bit of fuss (about 3 seconds) to align just right. It doesn't drip at all, and it pours at just the right rate, not fast enough to splash, but not slow at all. The lid pops off easily for cleaning. The pot in hand feels great, even when full. It is easy to hold and pour with no strain or heat.

I love the 3 temp warmer plate (the low setting keeps it a bit hotter than drinkable), and the beeper to tell you that coffee is ready, or that the warmer plate is turning off. It is just the right pitch, tone quality, and loudness whether sitting in the kitchen or a room away and is not annoying at all for my sensitive ears, while my husband who has trouble hearing beep tones hears it well.

All the buttons are intuitive, and I love having the little round knobs vs touch pads and toggles. It is easy to turn the warming plate back on if you need more than 4 hours, or want to heat up cold leftovers.

The brewing time is not as fast as some, but I haven't found it to be a bother at all. Planning is everything in life, and planning for your coffee maker is no different. It's got a nice auto feature if you need it ready for morning. Otherwise, in the time it takes to have a 5 minute shower, dry off and brush your teeth, the coffee is done brewing.

I have also used various tea bags in this brewer. If you fiddle with it for a while, you can figure out how much water on regular and bold settings is good for whatever you're brewing. It's absolutely wonderful to be able to have coffee during the day and tea at night without switching utensils.

The filter is a nice feature for those who don't have filtered water already. And the gold cone filter is handy if you prefer not to use paper, or run out. The unit does make some little snap, crackle and pop noises that haven't gone away in the month I've had mine. But it's not bothersome at all. Update: those noises eventually disappeared.

The clock is the only item I can think of complaining about. I need to use this pot in the darkest corner of my kitchen, and I can still read the clock just fine during the day. But I would have liked it to be lit, just dimly, so that I could read it faster, as well as in the evening, and from across the kitchen, or at 2am, without turning on the kitchen light. It's a small complaint considering everything else done well.

Dimplex Caprice Free Standing Electric Fireplace in Cherry Review

Customer Ratings:

I am SO happy with my Dimplex mantle and fireplace. It works perfectly and looks gorgeous in my room. The finish is darker than I would expect from "cherry," but the pictures do show it as being dark.

I check out gas fireplaces now and think my Dimplex has a prettier "fire"

There is a soft motor noise when I use the heater, but it's not bad. Choosing whether or not to have the heat is a great feature. Also there is a slight "new appliance" odor when I use the heat. I expect that to go away. I definitely would recommend this product.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Bought for my parents , who absolutely love it. It adds depth to whatever room you place it in. The fire looks realistic and it also provides heat. My folks are giddy!!!!

Best Deals on Dimplex Caprice Free Standing Electric Fireplace in Cherry

I've had this fireplace for about 3 years now and couldn't be more pleased with it. It looks great in my living room. The remote that comes with it works wonderfully, you don't even have to aim it at the fireplace to turn it on or off. This fireplace heats well too. I wouldn't recommend it as your only source of heat of course, but for those chilly nights you can turn it on and feel a noticeable difference in the room temperature within a couple minutes. The flames also look very realistic! I constantly get compliments on this fireplace, I'd highly suggest it.

Honest reviews on Dimplex Caprice Free Standing Electric Fireplace in Cherry

I bought mine from OneWayFurniture.com to save a little money. They used Ceva Trucking to deliver it. The fireplace was delivered today and it's more beautiful than the photo. The delivery guys carried the box up a flight of stairs, opened it and took all the pieces out for me so I could inspect everything and then they were happy to haul the empty box and packing away for me.

It took me about 15 minutes to put together, using the wing nut bolts provided. That's it. No screwdriver or alan wrenches. The veneer is a rich cherry, more like mahogany, and once put together, everything fit great. The glass and log insert just slides right in.

I put a solid piece of wood a little larger than the fireplace base underneath because I have carpet, giving it a firmer foundation to sit on.

This really is an elegant addition to my room and am looking forward to many hours of cozy fireplace time this winter.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Dimplex Caprice Free Standing Electric Fireplace in Cherry

I bought this because it was electric with a bulb & nothing to mess with. Now that Amazon keeps sending me comparable ones that are HALF the price of the one that I bought, I'm feeling like I should've researched more. Also, it arrived with some pretty major scratches on it, but I fixed them easily with a wood marker.

All that said, I love this fireplace. The look, the flame, & the heat all feel like a real fireplace!

Waring Pro CC150 Cotton Candy Maker Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $95.00
Sale Price: $46.90
Today's Bonus: 51% Off

I picked this up for a kids party planning to prepack cotton candy bags instead of renting a machine, it worked out great. The first batch was a little tricky. But once I gave up on the cones it was very easy. I used a reversed chopstick (sharp end in my hand) and twirled it in one place instead of moving around the machine, Frankly the bowl isn't big enough for the classic cone filling motion. Holding the wide end of the chopstick slightly above the unit and spinning in place quickly each measure of sugar gave me a softball sized wad of candy. I slid it off the stick into a ziplock bag and sealed it, kept great for a day and the kids loved it, this is a lower calorie treat for kids than a bowl of ice cream or a plate of cookies and twice as fun. Keeping me from five stars is the size of the bowl and the inability to easily seat the bowl firmly. I had to hold on edge down with my hand to eliminate an annoying buzz. Performs well after a few tries, produces a very fine sugar. I also wish it was easier to clean under the bulb, but the rest of the unit just takes a few swipes with hot water. Great home unit.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

My wife and daughter LOVE cotton candy. I used to run all the concessions at a large amusement park, so I would have been happy if I never made cotton candy again in my life. However...I saw this and thought it would make a great Christmas present for them.

I was a little dubious when I saw that the heat is generated from small halogen light bulbs. I was used to the commercial makers that get VERY hot. The heat is certainly sufficient to make nice, fluffy cotton candy. It isn't nearly as fast as the machines you see at a fair, but it works well enough for making a few cones at home.

I saw other reviews that said it didn't work well until the fourth or fifth time it was used. It worked fine on the first use for me.

This is not what you are looking for if you want to make a lot of cotton candy at once, It probably took about 3-4 minutes to make a small cone that a commercial machine would make in a few seconds. On the other hand, this one didn't cost $1200.

Hints:

1. The warm up period of 5 minutes is absolutely necessary.

2. The Floss (cotton candy) does not come out fast enough and the bowl is not big enough to pick up the cotton candy the way you see it done at the fair. I had the best result by getting it started on the cone and then slowly twirling the cone directly over the head (where the sugar goes in).

3. Do not turn off the machine until all the sugar is out of the head. The remaining sugar can solidify and become quite a hassle to get out. This is the number one cause of having to repair the commercial cotton candy makers.

I also ordered the Cotton Candy Express Fun Pack Kit with three flavors and a bunch of paper cones. It worked very well.

Best Deals on Waring Pro CC150 Cotton Candy Maker

This a very good cotton machine maker works good.first couple times I used it, it did not make very much candy. The more U use it the more it makes a big size cone. Not messy at all if U don't over fill the spinner. Very happy with this machine, LOVE it.

Honest reviews on Waring Pro CC150 Cotton Candy Maker

This is a Great Product for young people,The cotten candy is amusement park quality and the kids just love it. Also, it was a pleasure ordering this through Amazon.com.

Very Convenient!!!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Waring Pro CC150 Cotton Candy Maker

it was a gift for christmas my daughter loves this machine she's 10 and makes candy all the time, the only drawback on this machine is that the bowl should have been bigger because while the stick is being layered with the candy because it's a small fit the candy tends to burn and gets hard, all around a good product.

Conair Compact Fabric Steamer GS33W Review

Customer Ratings:

Works Great as I expected. I bought this because my sister has the same one. As far as the hose being hard,its plastic what do u expect, it also softens once the steamer is on. As far as the dripping,it only does that when you put the hose down. Very good product at a very good price.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Best Classic Flame 18EF010GAA INSERT ONLY. Fixed Front 18" Insert, No Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $289.99
Sale Price: $265.00
Today's Bonus: 9% Off

I attended a small community meeting in a neighbors 1830 town house where there was a charming fire in the fireplace. At the end of the 2 hour meeting I complimented the hosts on what a perfect fire. they'd made. They burst into laughter & said, "Come, look closely."

That's when I realized for the first time that the fire was artificial. I had been convinced the log fire was real.

The next day those neighbors surprised me with a gift of my first Classic Flame Insert for my 1840 house, nearby, in which there were 7 fireplaces. It was an instant hit & used nightly, just for the charm of it.

Incidentally, some months later my insurance company informed me that they would no longer cover damages resulting from the use of real fires, unless I had the fireplaces & flues lined with stainless steel. A quick check revealed it would cost over $5,000 per fireplace to do that. What about my rental apartments & the tenants fireplaces?

I explained the situation, that real fires would be banned, at the signing of the lease renewals, and I would offer & instal a Classic Flame Insert at no charge. I proudly demonstrated my own.

The proposal was a hit. All the fireplaces now have Classic Flame Inserts, the cost of relining the flues was eliminated, so was the cost of firewood, and the storage space it required, air pollution from the smoke was eliminated as was the messy chore of cleaning up the ash from a real fire. Plus, my insurance company was happy.

As a bonus the Inserts also make adjustable heat if you wish. They are especially convincing when seen behind the classic fire screens found on most fireplaces. The effect is magical.

PS When Santa came the next Christmas we just gave him a key to the front door.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Jarden Consumer Heater SCM1866-UM Sunbeam Cool Mist Humidifier Reviews

Customer Ratings:

This machine does the job, however, it takes white noise and raises it to an all new level of annoying. I suppose we'll get used to it, however, if you are looking for something you can't hear, this humidifier isn't for you. I know most of them are considered loud, but I have had at least 4 models over the years and the VICKS one we have in another room is far quieter, although quiet isn't the word I would use to describe it. I guess you would have to deal with the noise with any machine, but this one is louder than most.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I'm really scientific about stuff and it was no different when it came down to finding something to add more humidity to the air in my townhouse. I looked at three main options, the vaporizing or misting humidifiers, the filter/evaporation type humidifiers, and the types you install in your central air conditioning system.

I owned a couple vaporizing or misting humidifiers. I did not find them to be the best because they will pump water vapor into the air constantly with no regulation. Therefore you can easily get too much humidity. Also, they vaporize whatever impurities are in the water so those are also put into the air. Because the Jarden unit and similar types draw air over a wet filter and require evaporation to occur, as the humidity level rises less and less evaporation will take place. So they kind of self regulate. This Jarden unit has a hygrometer type sensor in it though, so you can set the humididty level. I tested the accuracy with an external calibrated hygrometer and it was fairly accurate.

The last type of humidifier is the type that installs in your home central air system. These are expensive and much more difficult to install and for those reasons I did not go that route.

Best Deals on Jarden Consumer Heater SCM1866-UM Sunbeam Cool Mist Humidifier

I also bought this from Jarden. Since it's getting colder and winter time's around the corner, turning the heat on makes my nostrils and mouth really dry. So, I wanted a humidifier to help me out! I've been using mine for 5 days now and I love it!

Pros:

-$16

-I can feel it working-the cool mist

-The water definitely goes downso I know it's working...

I like the choice of settings: low and high, and % of moisture/humidity

Cons

-bit loud, but it's fine on a low setting. I watch TV before going to bed anyway, and I dont really hear it.

But Im used to it now,

Honest reviews on Jarden Consumer Heater SCM1866-UM Sunbeam Cool Mist Humidifier

I bought this unit from JardenStore when it was on sale. After two weeks use, this unit is now collecting dusts in my basement. It works OK on blowing mist, but WAY too noisy even at lowest speed setting. And worse, if you set it to run at automatic mode to maintain a humidity, it comes on and off in every tens of seconds bad design I would say.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Jarden Consumer Heater SCM1866-UM Sunbeam Cool Mist Humidifier

This product can run for many hours even on the highest setting on one tank of water. It senses the humidity level, and you can either set it to the humidity level you would like and the speed you would like or set it to run continuously on the speed you would like. It really does a great job of moisturizing a pretty impressive size area, like say 150-200 sf would be my estimate, though high ceilings make it harder of course. As far as noise is concerned, it sounds like a fan because there is a fan in it, of course. You just aren't going to get anything that doesn't have the fan sound unless it uses heat to humidify. This works by running a fan over a wet filter, it's very energy efficient. But having 3 different speeds is very helpful, because the low and medium settings are pretty quiet. I also like the holding tank. It is sturdy and large. You can also fill it while the machine is running since there is a reservoir of water in the bottom. I bought this humidifier because my guitar needed some moisture, but I realized that my skin needed it too! It makes a cold winter much more bearable when there is some moisture in the air at home, and moisture can even prevent colds. Now I'm using it in Arizona for the opposite weather phenomenon.

Review of Lasko 1,500-Watt Portable Electric Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote

Customer Ratings:

I just got this Heater and LOVE IT!! I'm so glad I bought this one because I had just bought a Holmes (non-ceramic) and hated it.

This heater really heats up the space quick, is quiet, has a remote and is perfect in its design because it fits everywhere. Great looking Heater too!!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Is it possible to love a heater? If so, I do. This little guy puts out some serious heat, distributes it well in my 15'x15' room, and does both quietly. Prior to buying this, I had purchased a radiator type heater that just didn't put out much heat so I returned it. I love that I can turn on the thermostat and let it go. Nothing more to think about. The oscillation feature is a huge perk. The only thing I'd add is a feature that automatically turns the unit off if it is knocked over. I paid fifty bucks for it at my local HD, which I did so I could easily return it if need be. No need. I'll run this thing 'til it keels over.

Koehring Kerosene Heater Wick #15-2P For Models KRB-8, DRW-8, KRB-93 Reviews

Customer Ratings:

The wick had good step by step instructions for replacement. Some of the pictures were difficult to follow but the wick was finally replaced properly and works. I had some trouble with the mechanism afterward but it may be that my heater is old and has been idle for some time.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Reviews of Classic Flame Luxe 23MM9501-B974 MANTEL ONLY.

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $749.99
Sale Price: $440.29
Today's Bonus: 41% Off

We love it. It is very functiional. It was easy to assemble and has been working fine for 6 months.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Was skeptical at first but so glad i bought it(oct 14,2012). It is so real lookin and makes my livingroom very cozy and on chilly nights the heater is a lifesaver..i have my 300 cd player and wii on bottom shelf,receiver on middle shelf,and dvd and cable box on top shelf.I have my tv on the wall right over this so on the glass top shelves i have family pictures ,,looks beautiful too. This product is the best but i purchasd mine from another seller(Wayfair). Its a must have!!!!!

Best Deals on Classic Flame Luxe 23MM9501-B974 MANTEL ONLY.

Purchased item, however the conpany does not tell you you have to purchase insert seperately which adds 300 dollars to complete the purchase

Cheap Haier CPN12XC9 12K Portable Air Conditioner

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $529.00
Sale Price: $260.00
Today's Bonus: 51% Off

I purchased this in June when I couldn't take the NYC heat anymore. My window unit broke at the end of last summer, and due the prohibitively expensive delivery/installation costs in NYC for a 4th floor walkup apartment with extra wide windows, I decided to get a portable standing A/C-my first.

I'm sure a lot of the issues I'm pointing out here have to do with the fact that portable units are just not as efficient as window units, but this 12,000 BTU unit does not cool my apartment nearly as quickly as my mighty little 8,000 BTU window unit used to. The nice thing about the portable unit which is an advantage over my old window unit is that while I have it installed in my bedroom, I can blast just my bedroom only (8 ft x 14 ft) by shutting the door, or angle it to cool the living room only (20 ft x 22 ft), or to hit both rooms. The bedroom gets cool enough when I shut the door so that the unit is cooling my bedroom only (and the temperature reading on the unit can get down to 73 degrees); it is a challenge to completely cool the living room area on a really hot day, but that was an issue even when I had my window unit (also installed in my bedroom). When I do try to cool just the living room (essentially dragging the unit to the doorway of the bedroom and blasting it only into the living room), while the living room can sometimes cool down to a comfortable temperature, the bedroom then heats up because the PVC exhaust pipe leading from the unit to the bedroom window gets quite hot.

It is also very noisy. The first week, I could hardly fall asleep because of the noise. It is like sleeping near a generator. I guess I've gotten used to it by now, but I definitely think that it could have been designed better to be quieter. Also, even on low speed, it's just as loud as when it's on high speed.

Beware that all portable units will require some kind of exhaust pipe to be connected to the window so that the heat generated by the unit can escape. You only need a small window, however, much smaller than an A/C would need, so if you have a basement apartment with a small window, you'd probably still be able to accommodate this unit.

If you have a living situation that allows a window unit to be installed more easily and inexpensively, I would certainly recommend that. For those who cannot install window units for whatever reason, this portable unit is OK, but I wonder if there are more efficient, quieter units out there. Also, I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision to keep the unit because portable A/C's cost more than window units, and maybe I should have just sucked up the outrageous installation charges associated with a window unit which may have been a more efficient cooling system.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

We had a dehumidifier in our basement that finally gave out, and we bought this unit because not only did it dehumidify, but it also cooled the basement, something we had recognized a need for awhile back but had never scratched the itch. As a dehumidifier it works pretty well, although just how much I'm not sure of since in lieu of draining the tank, I ran a 5/8" hose to my sump. By the way it fills the sump, however, I believe that the specs claimed by the store are just about right and it removes about 100 pints of water per day during these really humid springtime days. The window kit that comes with the unit was not designed for our basement windows, which hinge on top rather than slide. We really needed some light to come through the window as well as vent the hose to the outside, so I replaced the detachable screen with 1/4" plexiglas and cut a 6" round hole in the plexi. Then on a table saw I cut the window panel that comes with the unit down to a square with the 6" hose flange in the middle, and bolted that to the plexi. This works pretty well, although it added $50 to the deal since I had to buy a larger sheet of plexi at HD and cut it down to the required size on a table saw. But the setup allows me to disconnect the hose, use the round cap that came with the mounting kit to close off the hole and swing the window closed during the winter or for security purposes. The 60" hose wasn't long enough to reach the window from our basement floor, but luckily I had a bench that worked out nicely to get the unit about 14" off the floor. This height also provides a decent slope for the 10-foot water hose to drain into the sump.

Using the A/C with the dehumidifier on is different than using it as a straight-up A/C unit. With the dehumidifier on, you don't get to adjust the temperature, and the unit seems to want to keep the temp in the 71-73 degs F range whether you like it that way or not, the reason for the 3 star rating. The current setting (with dehumidier on), running on medium fan, keeps my entire 24x48 basement cool in the summer and I'm happy with the result, although, because you can't control it, the basement stays a lot cooler than I normally like to keep the upstairs, so there's this effect of entering the Great White North whenever you walk downstairs. I'd guess that it adds about $30 to my monthly electric bill to have it run 24/7.

Update: 7 months later, into the heating season (December in MD). Since this unit will not dehumidify without either the heat or a/c on, and I have cheaper heating options available to me than running the thing in heat mode, I've bought a full-function dehumidifier to stand next to the unit on the bench mentioned above. When it got cool outside I disconnected the hose from the window collar, closed the window and pulled the plug on the unit. When I need A/C next spring, when I'll shut off the other dehumidifer and fire this thing up.

Best Deals on Haier CPN12XC9 12K Portable Air Conditioner

I'm sorry the other buyers were not happy with their purchase, because my unit works wonders for me. I got it to cool a 20 x 20 size den because my central air just couldnt do it in triple digit heat! I did not want to give up an entire window with the permanence of a window unit.Even though we have 100+ degree heat in Georgia, it gets extremely cold in the winter (though the cold only lasts a couple of months) but I know from experience the cold air does seep through the outside vents of a window unit, thus increasing heating costs. I don't have to worry about that with a portable because it can be packed away during the winter, plus the sleek design fits beautifully with my decor. You can't get that with a window unit. I admit, it is quite expensive, I had trouble attaching the hose and the window panel is so easy to remove, I would not feel safe if I didnt live on private property with a security system, and the window that I've attached the hose to is very high off the ground... a burglar would need a ladder to get in, but I have no complaints with the cooling feature itself, its excellent... The product does what it claims: "will cool areas 300-400 sq ft".

Honest reviews on Haier CPN12XC9 12K Portable Air Conditioner

I don't know what any of these bad reviewers are talking about. This is one awesome portable AC. The set-up was very easy... and my bedroom is literally an ice cube after 10 minutes of it being on the lowest speed. It could easily cool my entire apartment. Everyone on here is complaining about how loud the AC is. What do you expect, for it not to make any noise? It's an AIR CONDITIONER. Even window units make noise. This AC makes the same amount of noise as any other window or portable AC. And yes, the compressor turns on and off because it's regulating itself to stay at the temperature you set it on. So it turns from AC to fan every 10 minutes or so. And yes it is a little loud when the compressor turns back from fan to AC, but again, that's normal. And the display light is not THAT bright. I actually like it, it's like a little night light in my room when the lights are off. Neither the light nor the sound of the AC affect my sleep at all. If the display light is that big of a deal, you can easy put a piece of black vinyl tape over the light and peel it back when you need to see the display screen. The fact that there is no water bucket to empty is awesome, and I have not experienced any leaking problems. I love this AC and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to stay cool all summer. P.S. I ordered this on Overstock.com and saved $100 so I would recommend you do the same.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Haier CPN12XC9 12K Portable Air Conditioner

don't buy it unless...you live where there's no rain. There is no way to prevent rain from leaking down into the back of the unit. YES...it cools nicely, so it's fine when it's not

raining. Also don't buy it for a ground floor room unless you have security bars on the windows. It's just the kind of thing burglars love because they can easily push the panels out & climb right in.

I'm going to keep it, but I'll have to take the window panels out whenever it rains

and I DO have security bars on my windows, otherwise, I'd never be able to use it at all.

Oh...one last thing, if you have a cat it could easily be hurt or killed if he or she removes the window panels which would not be hard to do.

If you plan to use it on a higher floor, I think there may be a way to hang the exhaust

hose out & bent downward so the rain wouldn't come in. (maybe)

It really does cool very quickly & nice, though.

Cheap Napoleon GPFGN-1 Patio Flame Natural Gas Topaz

Customer Ratings:

Fighting the Great Canadian Fall Weather! Works like a charm, just wish there was more glass chips included with the factory package that's all, otherwise great!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Very nice and easy to setup. Wonderful flame. I put mine on the ground and surrounded it with river rock to the height of the top. Wish it had more fire glass though.

Best Deals on Napoleon GPFGN-1 Patio Flame Natural Gas Topaz

I have a reasonably small deck and this 20" foot print fits perfectly. I was also impressed with the heat output.....wow! This is a great product and a solid value.

Review of Optimus H-3001 Mini Compact Utility Heater with Thermostat

Customer Ratings:

I like this heater because it is so compact and keeps me warm. I am happy with this size of heater for easy storage & it does not take up alot of room on my desk.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Good/tough heater for small spaces. Used it to heat up an outdoor cabinet in freezing temperatures. It often ran continuously for days.

Best Deals on Optimus H-3001 Mini Compact Utility Heater with Thermostat

I bought one at Western Auto, $30. It worked lo with fan, eventually fan sticks, hi breaks circuit, & 'tis all, 2yrs. Optimus H-3001 Mini Compact Utility Heater with Thermostat

Cheap Sengoku Heat Mate Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater 10,600 BTU

Customer Ratings:

I've been using this heater for several years and have had no problems whatsoever. About 1/2 the heat is radiant, the other half is hot air rising from the unit.

It will burn for 12 to 14 hours before having to refill its 1-gallon removable tank. During this time, it emits no smell at all. The heat adjustment range is from 90% to 100% like any kerosene heater, it is not safe to try to turn it down below this range.

The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the electric lighter bulb burns out too easily it is like a flashlight bulb without the glass bulb when you press the igniter, the bulb's glowing filament presses against the wick, igniting it if the wick doesn't break the filament. In this case, a long wand butane lighter works just fine.

It is true that the very first time a kerosene heater is lit, it will stink. Once the burner has come up to operating temperature for the first time, the metal parts become annealed and ready for use. If the other reviewer lit it for the first time indoors, not knowing this, it would have been a very unpleasant surprise. The first time should be outdoors. After that, you can take it inside.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I bought this heater for my bedroom. When it arrived I unpacked it and there was a small dent on the edge of the case. It should be packed in another box instead of shipping it in the original packaging. Those Shipping Companies throw these boxes around loading and unloading to put on the delivery trucks. The first night it was smelly. The next night the smell was gone. It burns clean now and uses very little kerosene. Light it outside the first time. It says in the directions that there is an oil that takes three to four hours to burn off. It will heat up to four rooms at night. It throws out plenty of heat. The other guy that wrote that it smelled probably used the wrong type of kerosene or just didn't know how to use it. Believe me it is well worth the money. Use only K-1 kerosene

Best Deals on Sengoku Heat Mate Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater 10,600 BTU

This is only my second year for this heater and I have many problems.with the wick adjustor knob.

I will have to buy another one next year and it won't be this brand. No customer service to help,

I called the number on the manual and received an answering machine that has not called back!

Honest reviews on Sengoku Heat Mate Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater 10,600 BTU

This has got to be the worst kerosene heater. No matter what you do to it, it emits tons of fumes. And there is no help from the manufacturer. Don't buy it, find another company and buy theirs. We use kerosene to heat our house, we have three other heaters and none of them smell like kero when they burn. The price is great, but the heater isn't.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sengoku Heat Mate Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater 10,600 BTU

I love my heat Mate! Last year was a warm winter but it still cost me 1257.38 to heat with propane. I have a propane hot water and stove also. This year so far all of Nov through January I have spent 356.00 with propane and Kerosene. The living room is about 73 and a small fan at the end of the hall puts the Den and 2 bedrooms at around 68.

Replacing the wick where it says to remove the pins to take out the wick assembly. I did not know whether to pull or unscrew them. Finally just tried rotating the cylinder so they slide out of the slots and that worked so easy. Just did the opposite to put the assembly back together again.

I changed the wick this season my first season only because I was not very good in maintaining and doing the dry burn. Take the time! Do it! Otherwise you will be replacing the wick way sooner than if you had just done the dry burn