Showing posts with label solar pool heater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar pool heater. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Cadet 8F2500A 2500W, 8 Feet Electric Baseboard Heater in Almond Review

Cadet 8F2500A 2500W, 8 Feet Electric Baseboard Heater in Almond
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $103.99
Sale Price: $66.87
Today's Bonus: 36% Off
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Very happy with the baseboard heater, it's just what we had ordered and received it within the number of days that they said we would. Excellent customer service!!

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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Shepherds Hook Fireplace Tool Set Reviews

4 Piece Shepherd's Hook III Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set Size: 26.5' H
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $149.99
Sale Price: $104.24
Today's Bonus: 31% Off
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These tools are very attractive and well made. The base is very stable and won't tip over easily. They have the rustic look I wanted. My only complaint is that the measurements given are for the stand the tools attach to and not the tools themselves. The product info. should indicate the tool lengths separately at 19 inches rather than the 22 inches listed as the product length.

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This is a quality, well-made set. All pieces are welded; no nuts and bolts. Although smaller than average (which I knew when I purchased) it is the perfect size for my fireplace. It adds character to my fireplace without becoming the focal point. I am very pleased!

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Discount Portable Butane Stove

Portable Butane Stove
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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This butane stove is sturdy and strong. It's big enough that you don't have to worry about the whole thing tipping over, the way you do with a tiny camping stove.

The butane canister kind of looks like a large bottle of hairspray. It's simple to install the butane canister you just put the canister in there gently and flip a lever to connect it there's no chance that you will get it in there the wrong way. (You don't have to pour any fuel in with a funnel, or anything smelly like that.) When you are ready to store away the stove, you just disconnect the butane canister, pop the plastic cap back on, and put it away.

I found out that butane canisters can be purchased on the web, but the shipping costs are more than the cost of the canisters, so it's easier to buy them locally at restaurant supply stores, or sporting/camping stores. On the other hand, if you are in the middle of a big weather disaster, and every store in town is sold out of butane canisters, then who cares about how much it costs. Thankfully UPS and Fedex deliver will stuff to your door, even in the middle of a winter wind/ice storm. Normally a butane canister costs about $2 or $3, and lasts around 3 hours. It's better to have a few in the garage, because they sell out pretty fast during a big windstorm, even in a metro city area.

This is a great stove for when the power goes out. The next time we get a windstorm, and the power goes out for 3 days, like it did during the big windstorm of Jan 2007 in the metro Seattle area, I'm all set.

By the way, I would recommend getting a butane stove even if you have a generator, because you will need the generator to run some lights and a heater. It's not much fun to have to disconnect the heater and the lights from the generator, , in freezing weather. With a butane stove, you can have your coffee, and your lights and heater too. It makes life much more pleasant during a long power outage.

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The stove comes in a nice case and is lightweight. You have to be careful to line up the groove in the butane canister and turn over the burner plate to expose the pot holders. It starts easily and has a variable flame. We got it primarily for when the power goes out and wanted a clean burning unit that we could use indoors. Butane is a cleaner burning fuel than the white gas used in our old camping equipment and this is a much more stable stove as well.

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I wanted a portable butane stove to use in emergencies. I spent a long time reading reviews of different models, and had a hard time making a rational decision because, to tell the truth, stoves of this kind hardly differ in their feature sets at all. They all use the same 8oz butane canisters, all have piezoelectric igniters and let you adjust the flame from high down to nothing. As far as I know they're all light (including this one -some online data I saw gave its weight as 7 lbs., which is misleading at best as it's really more like 4) and I think most of them come in a plastic case. I finally chose this one because it had many reviews on Amazon, most of them positive, featured a 10,000 BTU burner, and had a carrying case right in the product photo so I knew for sure it came with one.

Although I only expect to use my stove in emergencies, I tested it out when I first got it. I put a pan of water on, and it boiled in a very reasonable time. However, there are some annoyances that I have to point out. First of all, as others have said, you have to make sure the notch on the fuel can is lined up with the pin on the fitting before you press down the lever that pulls the can into the fitting. Unfortunately there's no kind of guide to help you line it up, you just have to eyeball it. In contrast, I found an instructional video for the Sterno ActionStation stove, and it has a little tab that folds down into the slot so you know it's lined up correctly. In hindsight that would be a nice feature to have. Second, when you do push down the lever, the torque of the lever-driven assembly pulling the fuel can into the fitting causes the entire stove to bend a little bit out of shape until things are fully seated. This is a little alarming, so it would be nice if the stove were just a little more rigid. Third, the control knob is a little wobbly so it's hard to tell whether you have the gas set on "max" or "min" without actually looking at the flame. Finally, like most butane stoves of this kind, this model has only four supports for your pot or pan to sit on (as opposed to my kitchen range, which has eight). This makes it seem a bit precarious if you're using a small-diameter saucepan. It would be nice if the supports extended a little farther toward the center of the burner to provide better stability.

All in all, this stove is just fine and I'm going to keep it, but I can't give it five stars.

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This stove can come in really handy even without a power outage. Used it to cook brunch for a crowd. Also was handy during an outdoor BBQ as an extra burner to sautee onions next to the grill. Would be easier to clean if the base around the burner was a smoothe paint rather than dull. Overall, works well.

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During the recent winter storms, I lost power for most of a weekend. With no way to cook (my stove is electric), I lived on crackers & cheese and cereal in frigid temperatures. I vowed that I was not going to go through another power outage like that, so I came to Amazon to find a solution.

I found and ordered this product and, while I haven't actually cooked on it yet, I have assembled it (with a butane canister that I purchased separately) and turned it on several times. It is very easy to set up, but there are a few things that I feel potential buyers should know:

1) It wasn't immediately obvious to me (and no instructions were included) that the burner top is shipped upside down, not right side up as shown in the product picture. So, upon opening the carrying case, you need to lift out the burner top and flip it over. Note that there are curved sides and a straight side--the burner will only fit into the stove one way, so you'll need to line up the curves on the burner with the curves on the stove for it to fit right.

2) When you insert the butane canister into the stove, look for an opening (a cutout of sorts) on the lip at the top of the butane can. Line up that opening with the stove's receptacle and then push down the lever on the front of the stove to lock it in place. If you put in the butane canister and you don't get a flame when you turn on the stove, it is likely because you did not align the canister properly (this happened to me twice).

3) Some reviewers have reported not being able to find butane canisters to fit this stove at their local hardware store. I bought a 4-pack of canisters on Amazon. If you do the same, be very careful to review shipping costs before adding it to your cart. Most if not all of the butane on Amazon isn't sold by Amazon but by other sellers and some of the shipping costs are outrageous--some are more than the cost of the butane! (I'm told that because butane is a flammable substance, the seller may have to pay an extra fee to ship it.)

4) The butane does put off fumes, so you'll need to use the stove in a ventilated area. I imagine most buyers of this product use it for camping, but I'm buying it for a cooking source during a power outage, so I'd use it on my balcony or outside my house.

5) Be careful about storing your butane canisters. My initial thought was to store them in the garage, but in the summer my garage gets quite warm, so I don't think it would be safe to store them there year-round.

I love that the stove comes in its own carrying case, so that I can store it easily and safely when it's not in use (which, in my case, will be most of the time). This way, I don't have to worry about dust and bugs getting in it and having to clean it each time before I can use it.

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Cheap Panasonic SR-G06 3 Cup Electric Rice Cooker - 220 volt For Overseas

Panasonic SR-G06 3 Cup Electric Rice Cooker - 220 volt For Overseas use only NOT FOR USE IN USA/CANADA
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
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Ok, I should have read the description more thoroughly before I purchased this. We predominantly eat brown rice and there are no settings or water levels on this rice cooker for brown rice. On the occasional times we eat white rice, it has cooked it fine. I would be nice to have a spoon rest on the side somewhere.

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I was looking for a light-weight rice cooker for oversea travel (i.e., 220v) and this product seemed to be only one available in U.S. I brought it with me to Germany three weeks ago but after 5 uses it stopped working. I tried hard to diagnose the problem myself but could not figure out what's wrong the light would still go up but it just no longer heats up. This really sucks. I don't know who is to blame the product itself or the distributor (I bought it from Bombay Electronics. They shipped me an Arabic version even though the original web page said it has English manual...)

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Bought this for sister studying abroad. It came in pink and was very cute. Although I would have been horribly disappointed if it was for a male. But it worked for me. This is the cheapest we found after searching through million sites.

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Cuisinart TEA-100 PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper and Kettle Review

Cuisinart TEA-100 PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper and Kettle
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $235.00
Sale Price: $129.00
Today's Bonus: 45% Off
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I bought this after my Adagio Teas triniTea Electric 32-Ounce Tea Maker began deteriorating after about a year. I've been using the Cuisinart for about two weeks now, and I really like it compared to the Adagio maker. Below are my list of pros and cons (when comparing this to the Adagio.)

THE GOOD:

The Cuisinart tea maker is a very sturdy device (the kind Cuisinart is known for.) The carafe is very good, the spout does not dribble when it pours, and all of the parts seem to be made quite well. It is also quite easy to use; reading the directions are probably a minor necessity, but once you get the quick hang of it, it is very easy to use. Fill your carafe and steeper. (b) Turn on and program the desired water temperature. (c) When that is reached and the machine beeps, lower the stepper (with a twist of the dial) and program the steeping time. (d) Once that time is reached and the machine beeps, bring the steeper back up and pour your cup. Lastly, I like that the "keep warm" feature not only keeps the tea at your selected temperature, but stops after 30 minutes (keeping in mind that the carafe still holds the heat for another 45 or so minutes, even when the burner is off).

THE BAD:

For all that, there are a few minor annoyances. First, unlike the Trinitea, which does everything for you (like a coffee maker), this machine requires a fair amount of manual attention when your tea is brewing. That is, the steeper doesn't extend and retract by itself, but relies on you to manually adjust it. This is only a minor annoyance, but it does mean that you can basically get the same results with buying an electronic kettle and an Adagio Teas 16-Ounce Ingenuitea Teapot, keeping the time yourself. (It also means that I can't just turn the machine on and do other things while it is brewing.) Secondly, while I love the fact that the "keep warm" feature shuts off automatically after a certain time, I'd love it if we had the option to choose how much time we wanted it to stay on for. I take my time with my tea, and 30 minutes is JUST too short for me to enjoy my customary 3 cups without having to microwave the last of them. Again, not a big deal, but something to consider. (Of course, the Trinitea nokt only doesn't have an automatic shut off feature, but the "keep warm" setting should read "keep luke warm" because that's what it does. So I can't complain too much about the Cuisinart.)

So, if you are considering a tea maker, I would strongly recommend this over the Trinitea (which several people have noted breaks down after a fairly short time.) This machine is sturdier, makes tea that is every bit as good, and does a good job of keeping it warm (for at least 30 minutes) after it is steeped. But just be advised that this is not an "automatic" machine that you can turn on and let do its thing; it does require manual adjustments of the steeper when it is making your tea. If money is an issue, you might just consider getting an electric kettle and a cheaper Adagio Teas 16-Ounce Ingenuitea Teapot and controlling the time and temperature yourself. But if you can spend very-low-triple-digits on a machine, this is a really good buy.

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FINAL UPDATE 6/20/2013: The replacement I was sent by Cuisinart died after eight months, just like its predecessor. The unit was kept clean, the base dry and it handled with care. I used it once about 5-6 times a week, so it's not as though it was being used all day every day. I love the looks the unit and the ability to heat water to different temperatures, but I am now in the market for another electric kettle. A kettle that costs over $100 should last longer than eight months...

UPDATE 10/24/2012: After approximately eight months of consistent usage, the kettle shorted out. When plugged in, all the lights flashed and I was unable to select any of the options. I'd say that it was used about 1-2 times a day for about eight months. While used frequently, it wasn't abused in any way. I kept it reasonably dry on the outside and no dropping/rough handling.

This product has a three year warranty. So, I called Cuisinart and paid ten bucks for them to send me a new one. And, of course, I had to ship the old one back. I will use the brand new one and update this review periodically. Hopefully I just got a bit of a bum unit the first time...Nevertheless, doesn't inspire much confidence as this was a new model on the market when I purchased it.

And to the person who asked: Yes, it is BPA free. :)

ORIGINAL REVIEW: It's a little embarrassing, but as an avid tea drinker (around 4 cups a day), this is my first electric kettle. After my trusty stove-top kettle stopped whistling and found fit to spit scolding water, I was in the market for a new one. I wanted an electric kettle for the safety features and convenience. I searched online for a kettle made of quality materials (glass, stainless steel, and BPA-free). And since I mainly drink green, yerba mate and white teas, I became increasingly sold on the new variable temperature options. Not necessary to make a good cup of tea, but it sure does make the process fool-proof.

Armed with research, I went to my local Bed, Bath and Beyond with a 20% off coupon (which I would recommend if you have one in your area since my kettle came to One-hundred and three dollars, about twenty-six dollars cheaper than the current advertised price on Amazon). In the end, it came down to this kettle and the Breville One-Touch Tea Maker. At first glance, you would think this to be a poor substitute for the Breville, but side-by-side, the quality of the construction seems equal. Also, since this kettle has a manual steeping basket, it has fewer automated parts and is less likely to break down. Plus, it comes with a separate lid that removes the steeping mechanism, should you wish.

At first, it took me a couple of minutes to figure out the steeping mechanism and lid. Depositing the loose leaf tea was awkward the first couple of times. It is dishwasher safe and I found cleaning it by hand to be a snap. That said, I do have small hands and I know one of the reviewers indicated it was hard with arthritis, which I can imagine, but not speak to personally.

I got this a week ago and I'm loving it. However, I can't speak to the longevity of it, but I will periodically update this review.

One star off for the slightly awkward steeping mechanism. Otherwise, close to perfect.

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I use to drink coffee where brewing is pretty standard. I always loved teas but could not make it taste good every time because teas are far more difficult to brew properly. And I researched buying an iced tea maker but couldn't find one without problems. This tea maker makes both hot and iced teas to perfection.

At first, I thought this was a cheaper version of the other steeper that sells for around $240. But, I was glad to see that this has fewer moving parts and, therefore, less likely to break down. The water heats rapidly and it keeps the correct temperature for the entire steeping time.

Read directions carefully-they are a little confusing. And it's difficult to spoon loose tea in, get used tea out, and to clean strainer because of poor design. There is some plastic on the tea steeping mechanism which comes in contact with the hot water, but, there is no aftertaste. The metal at the bottom of pot does become permanently discolored but does not seem to interfere with taste. The product just came out at the end of 2011 so there has not been enough time to determine durability.

But, it does what it says. I am drinking much more tea and enjoying it.

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I do like the Kettle but there are a few problems with it. As someone else has mentioned already, it is difficult to clean out the tea infuser. The shaft that runs through the middle of it makes it very hard to reach down to the bottom of the infuser to clean out the remains of the tea leaves. The holes in the infuser are very small, so trying to run water in reverse does not work. The lid for the infuser gets in the way when you put the tea leaves in. It would be better if the infuser detached from the shaft and lid so that you would have clear access to the interior of the infuser. The water temperature runs 10 degrees cooler than it is suppose to be. I set the kettle for the oolong temp (190) and the water measured with two different thermometers read 180. Using the herbal tea setting(200), the water was 190, again 10 degrees cooler than it is suppose to be. Overall, I like the kettle. You just have to get used to working around its deficiencies.

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First impression: Compact, stylish, looks more expensive than it really is. Used one time, did have some confusing moments at first on how to turn, lower, raise steeping apparatus. Need to pay attention to complete part names as they are similar. Most impressed with the keep warm cycle. It does just that, keeps tea very warm. Will update as used. BTW: Tea is very, very good!

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Review of Unique Draft Guard

Unique Draft Guard
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $6.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
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But it also starts to mark your carpet up with a black streak as it arcs out when opened. I don't know yet if it will come out with a steam cleaner.

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Although it firs glance the item seemed cheap, it does exactly what it is designed to do. No more drafts. So simple and very effective.

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We had a space under the front door that allowed a cold draft to sneak in. This is just the ticket! It is easy to install and looks nice. At first I wasn't so sure, because the tube is made of cardboard and the fuzzy sleeve slides over it. No worries, it rolls along the carpet and stays put. Works perfect.

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This is made cheap. The rolling part of this is like the inside of a wrapping paper roll. The brackets bend & the part that sticks to door does not stick. Amazon emaiiled me to ask what I thought. I told them. No response.

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Saturday, February 8, 2014

Cadet Manufacturing 65101 120/240-Volt White Com Pak Electric Bath Review

Cadet Manufacturing 65101 120/240-Volt White Com Pak Electric Bath Heater, 1000-Watt
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $229.99
Sale Price: $99.95
Today's Bonus: 57% Off
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It's quiet and puts out alot of heat. I like that you can wire it either 120 or 240, it's a nice option. The only reason I deducted 1 star is the timer. The timer is quite loud and cannot be reset.

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puts out lots of heat, (wired for 220), easy to install, fairly quiet. good easy to understand instructions.

No problems or concerns.

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This heater was installed in our new construction home as the primary heater for the master bathroom. The heater does put out heat, but I am unimpressed with the speed of the fan and how slowly the room heats up. Previously we had used a plug-in ceramic style heater that seemed to heat the room significantly faster. I believe that they are the same watt output, it may just be that the fan in this Cadet is low enough as to not evenly distribute the heated air. If you turn it on far enough in advance of needing it, things will work fine.

Last complaint is that there should be a way to turn off the timer clicking. While not exactly loud or distracting, a silent operation would be better.

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The only reason I purchased this unit was because it has a timer on it. I thought it would turn off the heat when the timer shuts off so that it wouldn't run continuously. It doesn't work that way. There is NO way to shut this off. The timer can temporarily override the thermostat control but it will NOT shut off the unit. So if you're looking for a timed heater, just buy a cheaper one and wire it through an external timer.

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

DeLonghi Solaris Oil-Filled Radiator with Timer Review

DeLonghi Solaris Oil-Filled Radiator with Timer
Customer Ratings: 2 stars
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I received this heater as a replacement of another Delonghi heater which was higher-performing with more heat output in watts. This is how Delonghi treats you with its cocky 1-year limited warranty. You might as well get an inferior, cheaper product as Delonghi mistreats its customers to do itself a favor. The service location to deliver the broken heater was far, and Delonghi took more than a month to provide me with this cheaper heater.

Besides, both my original heater and the replacement (this heater that the review is about) broke in less than a year. I had to change through 3 heaters in less than a year due to Delonghi's rock bottom product quality. Additionally, the heater makes a noise when in operation that sounds like beating its metal with a hard object. It can be disturbing depending on the person.

Do NOT buy from Delonghi to bear this poor product quality and customer service.

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This unit clicks constantly. I bought this for a baby's room where I need quiet, even, safe heat. You turn it on and the noise starts as the element heats up... click... click... click... click... Baby then turns around, starts to get restless, and the screaming could start at any minute.

I've used cheap oil filled heaters in the past and they did not have this problem. When I pay a premium for a brand name and supposedly quality design, I expect better than what DeLonghi has provided here. It should not take an engineering genius to realize that heat causes metal to expand and take it into account when designing the product.

Disappointing. Very disappointing.

UPDATE:

And then it broke. Slightly more than one year after purchase this model failed when the GFCI plug melted. So down from a 2 star rating to a 1 star.

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Purchased about 2 months ago. It still working pretty good, but since yesterday, I hear grinding noise coming from Timer. I am sensitive sleeper and I can't get descent sleep because of it. Constant "Grrrr" like bad motor sound. I will have to return this and maybe get one with Electronic timer instead.

One more thing. When I turn on both heat setting (Highest), I hear bubbling(boiling) sound so I keep it in Medium and it's working fine.

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I'd give this zero stars if I could. We had this for a little over a month. It worked great at first. It heated our cold kitchen quickly and kept the tempature steady. Then one day, it stopped working. The light would not come on and there's no reason why it wouldn't work. The red button on the plug was pushed in many times and it still would not work. The manual does not give any instruction as to how to fix it except deal with their technicans. There's no sense in dealing with the company based on the other reviews. At least spring is coming, so we'll find a better heater next year.

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I purchased this unit several years ago and was very happy with it for 1 and ½ seasons then it began making an intermittent clicking noise, then the noise became continuous. The noise is loud enough that I have to keep the door to the adjoining bath closed in order to sleep. I have not found any replacement parts or disassembly instructions.

This is a shame since the low-profile, relatively small size, selectable wattage, steady heat and timer functions are virtually unique. I held on to the unit and run in areas of the house or garage where noise isn't a distraction and hoped that DeLonghi (or some other manufacture) would market an updated version of this heater without the noise problem. I've not seen one in the three years since this unit began making noise.

In closing this is a wonderful heater until or unless it begins to make the clicking sound seen in numerous other online reviews. I would not buy another of these units or similar DeLohghi heaters with the multi-pin timer.

As a side note I have owned a DeLonghi coffee maker and espresso machine and had quality problems with these units as well. It appears to me that this company has good product design and marketing but poor assembly, quality control and customer service. As attractive as several of their products are I have chosen to avoid items marketed by this company.

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Discount Intermatic FD30MAC 30-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, Almond

Intermatic FD30MAC 30-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, Almond
Customer Ratings: 2 stars
List Price: $21.06
Sale Price: $18.29
Today's Bonus: 13% Off
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This timer switch works fine except for one unexpected feature -once you have set it, there is no way to turn it off except by waiting for the timer to run down. I never imagined anyone would make a switch that could not be turned off at once when needed!

I guess there is a small chance I am mistaken, and simply haven't twisted it hard enough. But I did try to twist it off, pressing as hard as I thought I could without risking mechanical damage. There is no indication in the user instructions that it can be turned off.

I have learned to live with this limitation. But I don't see why anyone would want to buy such a switch.

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Discount Duraflame DFI020ARU Electric Fireplace Insert w/ Heater

Duraflame DFI020ARU Electric Fireplace Insert w/ Heater
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $199.99
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
Today's Bonus: 39% Off
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I was a little worried about ordering this because I'd read a couple reviews that didn't think the fire looked real enough in their fireplace that was never used with a real fire. BUT, ours had been used a few times and had the black on the inside back.....so when the "fire" from this electric log set projects on ours with the black stuff...it looks GREAT! The heat is very adjustable or can be turned off completely, leaving on just the "flames". I actually think this looks better in person than in the pictures. And, most importantly, NO CLEAN UP! ;)

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I like this better than burning wood. It is not perfect, however. First, my fireplace is smallish, and this barely fits. Despite what other reviews say, it does not have a "crackle" sound. It does look fake, but after a few minutes you forget that it is. If you have the heat function on, it is very efficient at heating. It does, however, cause problems. It shorted out my living room power because I had it, the TV, a lamp, and my iron on at the same time. So, if you use the heat function, it must be when you are limiting other electric devices.

I got it for a much lower price than it is currently being offered at. I'm not sure I would pay more than $100 for it. Still, it saves on wood/wax logs so it might be worth it to some.

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The Duraflame Electric fireplace insert is a perfect solution for those who enjoy the ambience and warmth of a fireplace or Franklin stove but wish to avoid the negatives of wood fires. First, I chose to purchase this product for only $129.99 through Kotula's, also represented on Amazon with free shipping. I researched the specifics of the product as advertised by both sellers and found that they are identical. I live on an Island and the product arrived within one week of placing my order. My husband took it out of the box, placed it in our antique Franklin stove, took less than 5 minutes to review basic directions and "tahdah!" the warm glow of a fire provided the perfect touch for a fireside chat with friends.

We have a Dimplex insert in our living room fireplace, which we have enjoyed for a year. I've been looking for a smaller unit for our Franklin stove and was thrilled to find the Duraflame. The Dimplex was more expensive and I did not expect the Duraflame to have the same level of quality but I am more than pleasantly surprised. The cord on the Duraflame is heavy duty with a serious plug. I haven't measured it but Kotula's noted that it is a 6 foot cord. The Dimplex has a metal back on which the flames reflect but the Duraflame is free standing and reflects on the back wall of the Franklin's fire box. The effect is excellent. The quality of the logs in both units is similar. The blower on the Duraflame does have a louder hum. This doesn't bother me. The temperature in the room was too warm after 20 minutes or so of having the blower on, so we turned off the heat and just enjoyed the fire. The remote on the Duraflame is more advanced with the settings on the remote. The Dimplex is just an off/on remote and you have to turn the heat off/on on the unit, which some might find inconvenient.

I have uploaded a video of the Duraflame in action but the crackling sound is a recording of a friend's bonfire. The only sound you'll hear from the Duraflame is a whir of the blower motor.

I would definitely recommend the Duraflame electric fireplace insert, despite the sound of the blower. Once you're involved with conversation, reading, a movie or a board game, you won't notice the sound.

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Okay,

Call me a nerd. I really researched the various fireplace inserts available.

It was between the Duraflame 20" insert and the Dimplex 23" model 10 insert.

I chose the Duraflame because my fireplace is small and its a perfect fit.

I gotta tell ya, when you get back at a distance it does look real.

I tried the remote out and I can control the flame size and lower the

brightness of the logs which makes the fire appear like its slowly dying out.

I can even shut off the flame and leave the logs glowing.

Looks amazingly cool when I shut the glass doors to the fireplace.

The heat is awesome and the remote allows you to turn it off and on at will.

The logs make a slight crackling sound that is identical to a burning fire. Not

obnoxiously loud but in the background every now and then it crackles.

I had a Dimplex wood burner a couple of years ago and the flame burned out it one year.

I do think Dimplex makes a more real appearing fire with burning logs but its twice the

price and you can't control the heat from the remote.

The only concern I have with either the Dimplex or the Duraflame is how long the

unit will last.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Duraflame DFI020ARU Electric Fireplace Insert w/ Heater

I was so satisfied with this purchase! After reading the reviews, I almost changed my mind and was not going to purchase it. Boy, am I glad I did! This fit into my existing fireplace perfectly and the reflections on the firebrick was so real-like! I forget that it is electric and not a real fire. Much safer and cleaner to use. Very cozy! Fast service as well!

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

ProCom Dual Fuel Vent-Free Fireplace with Corner Conversion Kit Review

ProCom Dual Fuel Vent-Free Fireplace with Corner Conversion Kit - 32,000 BTU, Medium Oak Veneer, Model# FBD400RTCC-M-MO
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $899.99
Sale Price: $849.99
Today's Bonus: 6% Off
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Had two of these in three months. Uneven heat, although warm there was a four degree variation in temp. with wireless thermostat. Gas valve failed on both new units within a month of installation, the second two days before Christmas. Also there is no flame adjustment, when on it is on full tilt. The only reason it got one star is because there was none lower. Very unhappy with this product.

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You will love this fireplace. It is made very good. The color is great also. Keeps our whole house warm.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Review of Duraflame Firestart 24-Pack Firelighters

Duraflame Firestart 24-Pack Firelighters
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Let me just start saying I am usually very skeptical of buying anything without reading a solid review history in favor of a product so for me to buy this product was a bit out of my comfort zone. I just moved into a new home with a fireplace and was struggling to get one going with my fresh delivery of wood today.

I hopped over to the local Home Depot to see what alternatives they had for just starting fires with very little trouble. I am familiar with the duraflame brand from just general knowledge but no firsthand experience so I was not sure what I was getting myself into so I looked up the product here (which is pretty standard procedure for me) but was astounded to only see one review for this product.

Being in a pinch and with limited options in front of me at the time I figured what the heck. This pack of 24 was only $10 at my local HD (I have no idea why it is so expensive here so I would encourage you to look around first) so I figured I'd try it out. It far exceeded any expectations I ever had of it. Simple, easy to use, I lit the little brick and the thing just took off and I have a raging fire in the amount of time it took me to stuff newspaper into my fire.

I now type this review after sitting by the fire the last 4 hours watching movies. I would highly recommend this to anyone, just not at the current $17 price here. Again, look around. For $10 at HD I'll have a few boxes of these on hand every year from now on.

Now this product can have 2 reviews. I'll leave the 3rd up to the next person. Anyone?

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I was very excited to see that I could order this excellent product on Amazon. I should have known-I order trash bags & refrigerator filters, among other things!

These "fire starters" are the BEST in the business ! They used to be available at several store in our area. For some reason they have stopped carrying them. The good news was, that these are twice the amount for less then twice the price and as an Amazon Prime member, I get to have FREE SHIPPING on these. So glad it all happened this way ! ALWAYS easier to start a fire in the fireplace/wood stove using these. Nothing else we have ever tried works as well as these.

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This is the best fire starter available. I have tried every other type and this is the only one that has the heat and the burn time needed to start even the most stubborn firewood. Don't waste your time on any other. At 75 cents each at amazon (with prime), it still isn't too bad a price for the trouble it saves. It could be purchased in stores for a bit cheaper. I think Target may carry it. Why more stores don't carry it is baffling. Walmart carries about 5 different types of useless starters, but doesn't carry something worthwhile like this.

Honest reviews on Duraflame Firestart 24-Pack Firelighters

Bought a new house with a fireplace, never had one before. These do the trick nice and easy to start the fire, much cheaper than the local stores

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I find these are great to start my upside-down fire with but way over-priced here and then w/shipping on top of that. Home Depot (in store) has a box of 24 for $10.98.

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