Best Water Coolers & Filters
The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. WQA certified manufacturer guaranteeing trouble free, noise-free system for long lasting, dependable, pure drinking water. System comes with 100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2" hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2" hole in it. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4" thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. If you decide to do this, the only one you won't be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you're going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn't use 1/2" adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8" and run from cold water valve)."
"Results: faucet tap= 328ppm. aquafina bottle water= 2ppm. kirkland (Sam's Club bottle water) = 20ppm. and the apec water = 25ppm."
"We already had a separate "beverage faucet" (with simple inline carbon filter) mounted on our sink so it was pretty much plug and play. I'm using a Watts Premier 560087 as the 5th stage filter (last is the carbon filter) in our APEC ROES-50. Never had acid reflux before with our inline filtered water used to brew coffee. P.S - I know APEC makes a remineralizing/pH filter, but the Watts filter contains additional minerals such as magnesium and potassium, whereas the APEC filter is just calcium. It installs in between the tank and the tee, vs the 1-way "final filter" of the APEC (probably why it doesn't raise the pH that much - water passes through it too quickly). The tee just replaces the 1/4 x 1/4 x 1/4 existing tee on the RO system For the 3/8" final filter, I really like the Hydronix filters, I used B00D04BYIK (again, search on Amazon), but any 3/8 inline carbon filter will do."
Drink healthier, great tasting tap water with this BPA free Brita 10 cup water pitcher. Sticker filter indicator notifies you when you need to change the water filter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Where I live the water tastes pretty good most of the time (at least when the water plant isn't adding more chemicals to fight the effects of algae blooms), but I thought I'd try Brita to see if I could make it taste even better. I had a Brita pitcher many years ago and gave up on it because black pieces of the filter would make their way into the water. It may not seem like you'll have much filtered water if you fill it only to the bottom of the handle, but I find I have enough (so long as I'm filling it a couple of times per day)."
"If you've just filled the top of the pitcher, you'll have to wait for it to filter through, because otherwise unfiltered water leaks substantially from the top when you try to pour. Brita filters work well, the water tastes great even if you have decent tap water already-- I won't reiterate what others have said. Particularly for drinking plain, or making coffee, it's well worth using filtered water (and cheaper than bottled water)."
"Googling the majority of city tap water information on quality universally suggests that the average quality of city tap water is between 250-350 ppm(parts per million particulates) with an acceptable maximum of 500 ppm. After repeated testings of the filtered water of the PUR I was very disappointed to see only an average of a 20-45 point reduction from raw tap water readings of 540. I could only assume that those reviews were not empirically tested with water meters and judged by taste and other vague components of value. Lo and behold, in addition to zapping the regular bad stuff like chlorine and lead etc, I wanted to see a substantial reduction in ppm which I could assume were unaccounted for and unnamed particles of unhealthful origins! Consistent filtered readings of 230-265 gave me the confidence I was looking for that my filtered water was indeed filtered and hopefully way more healthy for my liver, kidneys and total bodily functions! My Phoenix tap water tested consistently as it always has at an average of '540' PPM which is of course terrible for city tap water by the internet research previously noted."
Keep tap water healthier and tasting better when you regularly change your Brita replacement filter. EASY INSTALLATION: A pull top cap makes filter change quick and easy with no pre-soaking necessary in order to sip and enjoy great-tasting, filtered water in minutes. REDUCE & SAVE: One water filter can replace up to 300 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles, keep you hydrated, save you money, and reduce plastic waste.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have been wanting to know if the Britta original is a better filter than the generic versions such as Mavea and Wamery. Results: - Ralph's bottled water reads: 3 PPM (Incredibly good). - Britta original filter reads: 262 (this is acceptable drinking water rated as good). - Mavea filter reads: 277 (It is as good as Britta). - Wamery filter reads: 306 (it's still acceptable drinking water, about 20% more than Britta in TDS) so yes, still drinkable."
"I'm posting a photo to show you how the filter should look when gazing down at the top of the pitcher when the lid is off (note that the location of the slat-like open areas on the top and bottom of the filter.ring; align them like those in the photo and press down so the filter can push into the fitment on the bottom."
"I ordered the five-pack and I received generic Made in China filters and not Brita brand filters."
"Yet, time after time, even after pushing down the filter with all my strength, the filter will not stay tightly secured in place. Why they didn't design this to "screw" said filter in place so it is water tight (versus just dropping the filter into the pitcher and pushing down), is a mystery to me."
"Any bubbles that float up from the filter while tapping are an indication that this solution is working and that water flow will improve. Re-rinse the filter or soak filter fully submerged for 15 minutes."
"The water where I live is not good, so I always filter the water with Brita and then boil it before I use it. I ran through 4 pitchers of the water before I boiled the last pitcher of water, but the water looked like weak milk after I boiled it. (I am editing to add that I also boiled my water unfiltered and it was crystal clear, but with that sprinkle of flora on top."
"Water TDS value was 595, after filtering, TDS was 505."
Best Faucet Mount Water Filters
filter water over natural minerals for great taste Removes 99% of lead and 96% of Mercury Reduces Chlorine. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"By the way we not only drink and use filtered water for cooking, we keep the filtered water in small bottles and run them through the microwave oven before we use it."
"The 3 Stage Pur Faucet Mount Filters 7-Pack is a 3rd reorder."
"I've been using PUR filters for several years now."
"There's always at least one dud filter in each box I order that filters as slow as syrup.. literally EVERY time."
"Best price I have found for these!"
"Just keep ordering the same filter for the great tasting water our Pur gives us."
"It often makes a jolting banging noise in which we have to switch to the faucet water to release pressure or something."
"I have been using this PUR for many years, but I have never seen a filter without the word FRONT and arrow for installation."
Best Pitcher Water Filters
Drink healthier, great tasting tap water with this BPA free Brita 10 cup water pitcher. Sticker filter indicator notifies you when you need to change the water filter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Where I live the water tastes pretty good most of the time (at least when the water plant isn't adding more chemicals to fight the effects of algae blooms), but I thought I'd try Brita to see if I could make it taste even better. I had a Brita pitcher many years ago and gave up on it because black pieces of the filter would make their way into the water. It may not seem like you'll have much filtered water if you fill it only to the bottom of the handle, but I find I have enough (so long as I'm filling it a couple of times per day)."
"If you've just filled the top of the pitcher, you'll have to wait for it to filter through, because otherwise unfiltered water leaks substantially from the top when you try to pour. Brita filters work well, the water tastes great even if you have decent tap water already-- I won't reiterate what others have said. Particularly for drinking plain, or making coffee, it's well worth using filtered water (and cheaper than bottled water)."
"Googling the majority of city tap water information on quality universally suggests that the average quality of city tap water is between 250-350 ppm(parts per million particulates) with an acceptable maximum of 500 ppm. After repeated testings of the filtered water of the PUR I was very disappointed to see only an average of a 20-45 point reduction from raw tap water readings of 540. I could only assume that those reviews were not empirically tested with water meters and judged by taste and other vague components of value. Lo and behold, in addition to zapping the regular bad stuff like chlorine and lead etc, I wanted to see a substantial reduction in ppm which I could assume were unaccounted for and unnamed particles of unhealthful origins! Consistent filtered readings of 230-265 gave me the confidence I was looking for that my filtered water was indeed filtered and hopefully way more healthy for my liver, kidneys and total bodily functions! My Phoenix tap water tested consistently as it always has at an average of '540' PPM which is of course terrible for city tap water by the internet research previously noted."
Best Replacement Water Filters
EASY INSTALLATION: A pull top cap makes filter change quick and easy with no pre-soaking necessary in order to sip and enjoy great-tasting, filtered water in minutes. REDUCE & SAVE: One water filter can replace up to 300 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles, keep you hydrated, save you money, and reduce plastic waste.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I ordered the five-pack and I received generic Made in China filters and not Brita brand filters."
"Yet, time after time, even after pushing down the filter with all my strength, the filter will not stay tightly secured in place. Why they didn't design this to "screw" said filter in place so it is water tight (versus just dropping the filter into the pitcher and pushing down), is a mystery to me."
"Any bubbles that float up from the filter while tapping are an indication that this solution is working and that water flow will improve. Re-rinse the filter or soak filter fully submerged for 15 minutes."
"The water where I live is not good, so I always filter the water with Brita and then boil it before I use it. I ran through 4 pitchers of the water before I boiled the last pitcher of water, but the water looked like weak milk after I boiled it. (I am editing to add that I also boiled my water unfiltered and it was crystal clear, but with that sprinkle of flora on top."
"Water TDS value was 595, after filtering, TDS was 505."
"In fact, if the pitcher is filled to 3/4 or more full, the water displaces the filter, so that it actually rises out of the slot."
"Also, for whatever reason, and I have this many chances, it gives off a soap-like taste that had made me literally sick to my stomach."
Best Under-Sink & Countertop Filtration
The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. WQA certified manufacturer guaranteeing trouble free, noise-free system for long lasting, dependable, pure drinking water. System comes with 100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Results: faucet tap= 328ppm. aquafina bottle water= 2ppm. kirkland (Sam's Club bottle water) = 20ppm. and the apec water = 25ppm."
"I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2" hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2" hole in it. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4" thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. If you decide to do this, the only one you won't be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you're going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn't use 1/2" adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8" and run from cold water valve)."
"We already had a separate "beverage faucet" (with simple inline carbon filter) mounted on our sink so it was pretty much plug and play. I'm using a Watts Premier 560087 as the 5th stage filter (last is the carbon filter) in our APEC ROES-50. Never had acid reflux before with our inline filtered water used to brew coffee. P.S - I know APEC makes a remineralizing/pH filter, but the Watts filter contains additional minerals such as magnesium and potassium, whereas the APEC filter is just calcium. It installs in between the tank and the tee, vs the 1-way "final filter" of the APEC (probably why it doesn't raise the pH that much - water passes through it too quickly). The tee just replaces the 1/4 x 1/4 x 1/4 existing tee on the RO system For the 3/8" final filter, I really like the Hydronix filters, I used B00D04BYIK (again, search on Amazon), but any 3/8 inline carbon filter will do."
Best Water Coolers
Self Cleaning technology uses automatic injections of unstable oxygen to destroys bacteria and viruses. 6th Sense Self Cleaning automatically technology uses unstable Oxygen to break down bacteria and viruses in the water.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Cold water when I wanted it; hot water for my tea whenever I wanted it. So I did a lot of research into water coolers before I bought a new one. (The other 1% was because the price of water coolers seemed to have skyrocketed in the past 3 1/2 years — but maybe that was why mine had such a short life — I did not do a lot of research for the first one — it dispensed hot & cold water and I was happy. Then I became attached to the idea of self-cleaning — because cleaning a water is really a pain in the butt — and it wastes a lot of water, in my opinion. The panel where the water is dispensed just has holes from which the water is dispensed. There are arrows that indicate where the water will be dispensed, which is great for a glass of cold water or a mug of hot water for tea. I am extremely pleased with both the temperatures of the hot and the cold water."
"Got this water cooler because I was tired of buying cases of bottled water and waiting for them to get cold in the refrigerator. Not only is the water a lot colder from the water cooler, I gained back the space the water bottles were taking up in the refrigerator. I have no issues using a 4 or 5 gallon water bottle; issues with the seller; temperature of hot and cold water; water tasting awful (I use spring water) , etc."
"I bought this cooler as an alternative to renting a cooler (which I did for years) from my water delivery service. It would be difficult for a child to accidentally be burned when dispensing or attempting to dispense water from either cold or hot side. As good as the hot water is at getting hot the cold water falls short. The water gets a chill not COLD. I like really cold water and miss that from my previous cooler. And to figure out a way to make the water as consistently cold as the hot is consistently hot. The cooler dispenses consistently cold water."
"We purchased this water cooler about six months ago and I have to say that this is the best water cooler my wife and I have ever used it’s not cheap it’s high-quality it’s better than anything I’ve ever seen in any office or public facility we use this in our home it works great the description Is spot on for this item we love how it keeps the water cool whenever we need it the water bottle replacement is very easy to do all I can say is we love it we gave this a five star rating for its quality ease of use Fast shipping and description of product."
Best Water Filter Cleaners
The roses-50 reverse osmosis system delivers high quality clean, filtered drinking water at an affordable price. WQA certified manufacturer guaranteeing trouble free, noise-free system for long lasting, dependable, pure drinking water. System comes with 100% Lead-Free chrome faucet, plus FDA Certified JG Food grade tubing to provide safe, contamination-free pure water.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was impressed upon opening it as the main filter housing unit seemed very high quality and heavy. You can push the lever down and hold it if you just need to fill a glass or you can flip it up until it locks and and it will continually dispense until you turn it off. Some of these faucets require a 1 1/2" hole, and that would concern me because I have a synthetic granite/composite sink that it tough as nails to drill into. TIP: Once you locate where you want the faucet mounted, get a thin piece of wood (such as a shim) and drill a 1/2" hole in it. In my case, it took me a good ten minutes to drill through my sink (probably a 1/4" thickness) and the bit was completely useless once I got through the surface. Once the hole is drilled to your liking, follow the illustration for assembling the hardware for the faucet and mount it. I have a 2200 square foot ranch that was built in the eighties with that nasty, defective polybutelene plumbing and, after a ruined master bath and another close call in the kitchen after owning the house for just 6 months, I had my plumber completely re-pipe to the tune of 5K. If you decide to do this, the only one you won't be able to use one on is the yellow line that goes from the RO unit to the tank (because it has a crimped-on special two-way valve). One word of caution though- if you do this be very careful and mindful that you are screwing a metal compression connector onto plastic threads on the unit. My advice, in hindsight, is to determine where you're going to want the unit and place it there prior to beginning the install. It took me longer than it probably would have taken most people, but I have a unique kitchen sink with funky plumbing (couldn't use 1/2" adapter included to feed system from faucet bottom, instead had to convert down to 3/8" and run from cold water valve)."
"Results: faucet tap= 328ppm. aquafina bottle water= 2ppm. kirkland (Sam's Club bottle water) = 20ppm. and the apec water = 25ppm."
"We already had a separate "beverage faucet" (with simple inline carbon filter) mounted on our sink so it was pretty much plug and play. I'm using a Watts Premier 560087 as the 5th stage filter (last is the carbon filter) in our APEC ROES-50. Never had acid reflux before with our inline filtered water used to brew coffee. P.S - I know APEC makes a remineralizing/pH filter, but the Watts filter contains additional minerals such as magnesium and potassium, whereas the APEC filter is just calcium. It installs in between the tank and the tee, vs the 1-way "final filter" of the APEC (probably why it doesn't raise the pH that much - water passes through it too quickly). The tee just replaces the 1/4 x 1/4 x 1/4 existing tee on the RO system For the 3/8" final filter, I really like the Hydronix filters, I used B00D04BYIK (again, search on Amazon), but any 3/8 inline carbon filter will do."
Best Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets
Style Name: Without scissors |. Product Packaging: Frustration-Free Packaging. This can opener will easily open all standard-size cans and cans with pop-top lids.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'd been using the same small dependable hand-held electric can opener for the past 25+ years until it finally gave up the ghost. After getting hand cramps from my old manual opener, though, I finally opted for this Hamilton Beach model. I'd never much cared for the side-cut openers before because liquids inside the can seemed to spill more easily with the lower edge, so this higher-cutting model is much better IMO. The top push-down lever depresses easily and the magnet on the opener holds the can securely in place while it's cutting. I found that this is important because if you allow it to continue making rotations, it cuts long narrow slivers of the can which are noticeable when you remove the top (looks like a tiny strand of steel wool)."
"This Hamilton Beach Can Opener had caught my eye from all the great 5 Star reviews it showed, and from Reviews as far back as year 2009 which shows Hamilton Beach knows they have a high quality well built very popular can opener. The can opener is what you would design in your mind as having every feature a High Quality Can Opener would have, well designed and solidly built."
"I'm 72 years young and this is the BEST can opener i've ever owned or operated.!!"
"Came across the Hamilton Beach can opener and was surprised by all the great reviews and for $20 didn't feel like I was loosing much."
"Reviewers who said it has a short cord probably did not pull it all the way out."
"I took a photograph rare earth magnet I place just a fraction of inches from I can been opened see the metal shavings I would normally have to rinse off with water."
"I have never seen or had an appliance sold with a cord that is basically 'useless' unless you have a connection with nothing in the way. Buy an extension cord, or maybe Ham Beach will correct this incredible design blunder."
Best Wine Accessories
For over 30 years this family-owned company has evolved into the leading brand within the housewares industry, offering an array of barware accessories and kitchen gadgets that are characterized by their quality and innovative functionality. Vacu Vin’s product portfolio also includes award-winning Wine Coolers, Pineapple Slicers and other gadgets now used in over 35 million households and more than 80 countries throughout the world. A specialist, European in-house design team are constantly striving to add new items to the company’s ever-evolving product portfolio to satisfy the demands of the savvy, modern-day consumer. Remove air from your wine bottle to keep wine tasting new for up to a week!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The 2 detachable stoppers solve that problem, and work great, and maintain a seal for several days."
"We have a hard time finishing a bottle in one sitting and this gives us about 3 days before we notice much deterioration in flavor."
"My first one lasted many years."
"My step mom had these and I was soo pleased with hers I bought a set and we have eventually collected more stoppers because we are quite the wine drinkers in my house."
"It's a good deal and it keeps the wine unspoiled."
"This seals my wine bottle like no other, first you put the rubber cork in your bottle, then you use the pump to pump it!"
"I use one for my coffee containers, keep one with my wine supplies, and one in my travel supplies."
"There is no "Vacu Vin" labeling on the pump."
Best Kitchen Cookware
Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I scrubbed it with hot water and coarse kosher salt, rinsed, then set on a burner and turned the burner on low, then gradually increased the heat until fully dry. While the pan is hot, I take a little bit of Crisco Shortening (about a tablespoon) and drop it in the pan, using a pasty brush I spread the melted shortening over the full interior surface, then I take a paper towel and wipe out any excess (but not too dry you want it to have a slight sheen to it), then I rub the outside of the pan, including the handle, sides and bottom. If you do have a sticking when the pan has cooled add hot water only, allow to soak for about 15 minutes or so and clean as usual."
"But really, the proof in the quality of this cast iron was obvious when i made sweet potato corn bread and baked it in the oven in this skillet. I'm enclosing pictures, so you can see the nice way it cooked the corn bread on both the top and bottom of the bread."
"I love this skillet!"
"Perfect for egg muffin sandwiches, it's the right size and height after cooking compared to the "Mc" brand."
"To season the pan (yes, it is pre-seasoned, but...if you want the BEST non-stick pan...) just coat the pan with a light coating of cooking oil and put it in the oven (upside down) at 450 for 20 minutes. Then, turn the oven off and let the pan cool off. The best part is when a recipe requires cooking in a pan and then transferring the contents into bakeware, so it can be placed in the oven."
Best Cutlery & Knife Accessories
“Highly Recommended” for over 20 years by a leading gourmet consumer magazine that features unbiased ratings and reviews of cookware and kitchen equipment, this Chef's Knife is preferred due to its comfortable handle, superior weight and balance, and razor sharp edge that rarely requires re-sharpening. Perfectly suited for dicing onions, mincing shallots, chopping herbs, crushing garlic, slicing meats of all varieties, and shredding cabbage, its versatility will quickly make it your go-to knife. Both lightweight and durable, the textured handle offers perfect balance and feels secure even when greasy or wet, allowing for precise and effortless cuts every time. For all of these reasons, Fibrox Pro cutlery has been the choice of culinary professionals for decades, and also due in part to the fact that it is hygienic and dishwasher safe. Whether a seasoned, or novice home chef, Victorinox Swiss Army offers not only the right tools and the know-how, but most importantly, the confidence to achieve one’s culinary aspirations. There, he and the cutlers’ union he formed produced the finest steel cutlery, finished with the now-famous proprietary edge preferred globally by professional and home cooks. In 1921, after the death of his mother, Victoria, and with the advent of stainless steel, then known as “inoxydable” and used in the production of his cutlery, Karl changed the name of the company to Victorinox. Cook's illustrated winner the best and a bargain 8" chef's knife item number 47520 (Consumer packaging number), 40520(Commercial Bulk Number), or 45520(Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging) are the same knife with swiss item #5.2063.20 printed on the blade.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I own a cheap Wolfgang Puck cutlery set that I purchased for $35 at Sams Club (which includes the Chef's Knife). I recently purchased a Wusthof Cook's Knife based on America's Test Kitchen recommendation, and I received this Victorinox as a gift. I end up using the Victorinox more than the other knives, because I don't have to worry about the care or damaging it as much since it's a fraction of the price, and it works really well. If I'm cutting up quite a few items, I'll use the Wusthof because the weight does help to make it a little less work in the end."
"They're workhorses that perform nearly as well as - and, depending on the knife - as well or better than high-end forged instruments costing three times as much. Your high-end Japanese or German cutlery will absolutely shame Victorinox Forschner knives in terms of appearance. You will find yourself using far less muscle when slicing things with Victorinox Forschner knives, if you're used to a crappy $50 box set. A: Fibrox is Victorinox' name for a specially-textured handle material, which I'm pretty sure is just a proprietary plastic compound. This is going to sound weird, but Fibrox kind of has the texture of a cat's tongue... meaning it's a little rough. The weird thing about Fibrox - and the one reason - aside from durability and cutting performance - that so many line cooks rely on these, is the fact that they do NOT become slippery when the knife or your hands are damp. That said, you'll find that the Swiss Classic knives are more likely to come as a set, which can save you a little money over buying individually. Put it this way: My wife and I cook dinner 4-5 times per week, and on top of that, these knives also get the brunt of our general, daily use (cutting bread, etc.). You can get a feel for the brand, their handles, and their blades, and then make your future buying decisions with your experience in mind... and if you hate it... then it's not like you're out a ton of money."
"There is a slight antiseptic odour on the handle (already dissipating with just a day's use though) Nice sharp edge and a much lighter blade than my wusthof. Tried to mince some parsely today and the knife didn't do a very good job...cutting board was stained green from the knife crushing the leaves."
Best Coffee, Tea & Espresso
The World's Strongest Coffee in a 16-ounce bag. • Get your Death Wish Coffee fix with this smooth dark roast coffee that is conveniently ground for your auto-drip coffee maker.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Got this several weeks ago."
"I AM DRINKING THIS COFFEE RIGHT NOW AND I CANNOT STOP SHOUTING AND WRITING IN CAPS LOCKS IT IS SO GOOD AND IT IS SUPER CAFFINATED AND PUNCTUATION IS FOR LOSERS THAT LIKE WEAK COFFEE."
"I was taken aback by the package itself, the top sealed even after the plastic tines kept it rolled down and some type of circle, as though I were expected to jab a syringe into this bag, perhaps to use as an IV, stared at me. Hanging my head in shame, I accepted that some things would come in time, and used a pair of safety scissors - the only type my infantile self was allowed to handle - to open the bag and access the heavenly aromas within. The milk granted my coffee a grey pallor, indeed as though the skull and crossbones from the packaging were attempting to form inside my cup; the sugar either dissolved totally or was completely erased from this physical plane, I am still not certain. In the five days hence, I have had to shave ten times, my shirts ill fit, and my friends do not recognize me for my rippling Adonis-like physique."
"I can hear the voices louder and smell colors!"
"I drink lots of coffee so I wanted to try this coffee out. Something about this coffee wasn't right."
"This is the coffee for you."
"I made a mistake and ordered the ground coffee instead of the whole bean, but the flavor was smooth and not bitter."
"I will be seeking more high caffeine coffees, but I will purchase this again because the flavor is so rich."
Best Small Appliance Parts & Accessories
The enhanced design to save up to 36 k-cup coffee pods. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm happy with this purchase."
"My third drawer also operates rather smooth right out of the box with the friction being between that of drawer#1 and corrected drawer#2. The drawer stops opening once all but the rear 1" remains inside the chassis; this leverage keeps the drawer suspended open without any fear of it falling out onto the floor. Packaging. Don't be alarmed when first receiving the box and seeing 'Glass Drawer' on the top label; the center label should correctly state mesh drawer (reference customer images)."
"Purchased two of these storage unit for our Keurig cups."
"And as someone else mentioned, if you turn every other K-cup upside down, you can get 7 more in than advertised."
"It's maybe not the prettiest holder out there but my parents have one of these and they really like it."
"Our Keurig is positioned under the kitchen cabinets though, on the counter, and we have to pull it out a bit to lift the lid."
"Great addition to your Keurig."
"It fits our Keurig perfectly, one thing is that the space between the counter and upper cabinets is small so we actually have to pull it out and push it back against the wall when not in use."
Best Travel & To-Go Drinkware
Fresh Carry System cap design seals tight to hold carbonation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Originally, I couldn't justify spending this absurd amount of $ on a water bottle. But then he spent all day out in 90+ degree weather and came back incredibly enthusiastic, going on & on & on about how amazing it is. So I got another one for my teenager, who needed a water bottle, but doesn't pay much attention to mundane things like this. Even the straw lid (bought separately) is constructed so that it is much easier to clean than, say, a Camelbak. Flip top lid is also easy to use & clean, but the company warns that it is not watertight, and it definitely isn't - bottle must be kept upright, or it spills. 8) No BPAs (in case, after we've all been using them for years, "they" decide that HDPE 2 or other plastics aren't safe, after all.). (Ok, vacuum bottle - you can put other stuff in, but still...). 2) The screw on cap works great, but is not so convenient. The 40 oz is also quite tall; it overbalances in pockets made for water bottles (e.g. on all our backpacks. If you're drinking in a library, people will notice ;-). I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who wants a great water bottle."
"I'm wonder if there is different models or something I've shared photos I took off from Amazon... my original hydro flask has the logo that isn't filled in where all three new ones I bought have the all white filled in logo... is there different versions or what!?!"
"Hydro Flask is my favorite of the many insulated bottles that I own--and I own 4 Hydro Flask bottles."
"The bottle is very well made and does not disappoint whatsoever it keeps water cold forever and I mean that."
"I had a couple of prerequisites to the bottle I would end up buying: doesn't condensate, large enough, transportable, stylish, and keeps my drink cold. Outside in classes through the week at the University, the bottle kept Pepsi with no ice, cold for a solid day (so I'm example, from 9am till midnight still cold). I am very impressed and will be recommending this bottle to friends and those interested in a very solid Trusty bottle."
"BEWARE I don't think these are all authentic."
Best Kitchen Storage & Organization
These square, graduated-size containers nest together to give you more space in the fridge or cupboard. One lid fits multiple bases; Thick, durable container walls for everyday use.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A few minutes in the microwave shouldnt be too much punishment for these things to bear, I wouldnt think (it looks dirty in the picture but its not and i've scraped at them so its obvious that its like, melted, into the plastic or something) Other than that, they're pretty good."
"They were ok, some were a little smaller than I expected..."
"Overall I give them four out of five stars for the following: Pros. - Price. - the lids snap together. - no leaks. - you can freeze, microwave, and wash them in the dishwasher. - made in the usa. Cons. - you can't microwave the lid without it warping somewhat. - when dropped I have had edges break off. - they stain rather easily and I have had some of the actual containers melt/plastic bubble. They store food relatively well and despite a few flaws (that you'd expect with any set of plastic storage- if you don't want staining/occasional melting problems I would suggest paying the 3x more for a glass set) I've only had to throw out maybe three of them."
"----------. 60 piece set (30 containers, 30 lids): 6 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 6 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 5 x 2 cups (473 mL). 5 x 3 cups (710 mL). 3 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). 2 x 9 cups (2.1 Liter). 1 x 14 cups (3.3 Liter). ----------. 50 piece set (25 containers, 25 lids): 6 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 6 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 3 x 2 cups (473 mL). 5 x 3 cups (710 mL). 3 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). 1 x 9 cups (2.1 Liter). ----------. 48 piece set (24 containers, 24 lids): 6 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 5 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 3 x 2 cups (473 mL). 3 x 3 cups (710 mL). 3 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). 1 x 14 cups (3.3 Liter). ----------. 42 piece set (21 containers, 21 lids). 4 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 4 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 5 x 2 cups (473 mL). 4 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). ----------. 40 piece set (20 containers, 20 lids - Walmart only?). 5 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 5 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 4 x 2 cups (473 mL). 2 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). ----------. 36 piece set (18 containers, 18 lids): 4 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 5 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 4 x 2 cups (473 mL). 2 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 1 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). ----------. 34 piece set (17 containers, 17 lids): 4 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 5 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 4 x 2 cups (473 mL). 1 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1200 mL). 1 x 7 cups (1700 mL). ----------. 30 piece set (15 containers, 15 lids): 5 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 3 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 3 x 2 cups (473 mL). 1 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1200 mL). 1 x 7 cups (1700 mL). ----------. 28 piece set (14 containers, 14 lids): 5 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 3 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 2 x 2 cups (473 mL). 1 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 1 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). ----------. 24 piece set (12 containers, 12 lids): 2 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 2 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 2 x 2 cups (473 mL). 2 x 3 cups (710 mL). 2 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). 2 x 7 cups (1.7 Liter). ----------. 18 piece set (9 contains, 9 lids): 3 x 0.5 cups (118 mL). 2 x 1.25 cups (296 mL). 1 x 2 cups (473 mL). 2 x 3 cups (710 mL). 1 x 5 cups (1.2 Liter). ----------. One more note - I found that buying two of the 24 piece sets was several dollars cheaper than buying either the 50 or 48 piece sets, and would provide a nicer distribution that would fit my needs better."
"Sadly, half of the set was in our picnic basket when it was stolen a week ago, so I found myself in need of a new set. I tested several sized containers in the set and got the same results-- my countertop is full of Salvador Dali-esque melted rubbermaid containers like some bizarre art exhibit."
Best Bakeware
The durable, natural aluminum construction bakes evenly and browns uniformly, while the light color prevents overbrowning. Baked goods rise and bake evenly due to aluminums superior heat conductivity and the reinforced encapsulated steel rim prevents warping.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have bought so many high priced "commercial grade" cookie sheets in the past that I hesitated to buy these."
"I wouldn't feel comfortable putting any food DIRECTLY on this pan. Don't trust all that gray metallic colored residue that comes off in the washing process. Update Feb 20, 2012: I sent Nordic Ware an e-mail asking if they could explain the reason for all the gray metal color all over everything when I wash this pan. I told them I was very happy to buy a pan made in the USA and the product did perform flawlessly. Update Nov 19, 2012: After almost a year someone commented on my feedback suggesting I try contacting Nordic Ware customer service again. I just got an e-mail saying they received it, reviewed the information, and they're sending me a new pan because THE GRAYING I'M EXPERIENCING IS NOT NORMAL."
"The cookies on my old sheet started burning on the bottom so I took them out a few minutes earlier than the nordicware."
"The prefect pan to make Texas sheet cakes in!!"
"This is the best commercial baking sheet that I have ever owned."
"Doesn't say made in the USA."
"The pans would warp when heated, often causing the food on them to 'jump' when taking something out of the oven as the pan would shift/flex abruptly from changes in temperature."
"I was planning to return them, as I already had two PAN USA half sheets and two PAN USA cookie sheets."
Best Dining & Entertaining
Rambler Tumbler with Lid. We over-engineered these double-wall insulated tumblers with an 18/8 stainless steel body, which means your drink still keeps its temperature no matter how much of a beating this cup takes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We have bought a few of these from Academy as gifts and my wife owns one (you can tell who make the BIG bucks in our house). I started looking for a tumbler because the one I was using at work was pretty beat up but I didn’t want to send $30 for one (yes I’m cheap). I did some research and by the time I got my Amazon Yeti I was armed with this information. I tried to label the pics: fake on the left in red, real on the right in green. 4) HEIGHT – The fake one is about 1/8” taller. 5) UNDER – The 2 tumblers have the “Design in in Austin…” sentence but the numbers after “China” are different. There is a difference in weight, I think the real Yetis are a bit heavier (also got this info from a YouTube video). If you are paying anything under $30 and/or if the cup is being shipped directly for China, chances it is a fake. My advice (if you want a real Yeti) buy one directly from Yeti, REI, Academy, Dick’s, Cabela’s, ACE Hardware…. At the end I did spend $30: I bought 3 Ozark Trails (look up Yeti vs Ozark Trail in YouTube) from the local Wally-Mart: two 20oz tumblers and one 30oz tumbler."
"Bigfoot isn't real... and neither is this YETI."
"This is a fake YETI."
"I originally purchased one from REI and noticed that the two I recently ordered from Amazon did not look or feel right."
"The lid has started to crack after 3 weeks."
"The image pictured has a YETI lid."
"Counterfeit items!!!"
"There are many videos available online that show the difference between knockoffs and authentic Yeti Ramblers which I recommend everybody look at."
Best Food Service Equipment & Supplies
With our Full Sheet and Pick-A-Size paper towel options, you can get the job done at the right value – without sacrificing performance or style. Case of 24 giant plus paper towel rolls with 107 sheets/roll = case of 37 regular paper towel rolls.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The price is just as good as Wally World, and it was delivered to my house in a box that was *not* crushed."
"No other paper towels beat these Very absorbent and I love the half sheets."
"Love that this comes in bulk - the entire family shares!"
"These were on my S&S list, then Amazon options got revised."
"Not that absorbent but does clean up a mess..great price for the quality."
"Average type towels, not much special (in comparison) and only 3 stars since they're not "GIANT PLUS" rolls!"
"We have been buying these in bulk for some time now and saving a fortune."
"I just absolutely love the convenience of having paper towels or toilet paper delivered to my door in bulk so that I don't have to worry about this until the next purchase."
Best Home Brewing & Wine Making
The Standard of Measurement Practical for both indoor and outdoor use, the Lasergrip 774 lets you safely measure surface temperatures from a distance while still maintaining laser-sharp accuracy. With user-friendly operation and a temperature measurement range that surpasses boiling points, the possibilities are endless. Versatile Design: Infrared Technology makes this thermometer handy to use when cooking and barbequing, performing auto maintenance, doing home repairs, and a host of other tasks; Measure all the from -58℉~ 716℉ / -50℃ ~ 380℃. The measured temperature for humans or animals will not be correct; FDA, FCC, CE approved; Class 2 laser, optical power 0.5-0.9mW; 2-Year Warranty by Etekcity.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Etekcity Line of Lasergrip IR Themometers ( 1022D, 800, & 630) compared to Klein IR1000. I am not a Professional HVAC or auto mechanic but I do a lot of work myself on my home and vehicles.. An IR thermometer has many uses. I bought this as a homeowner to verify hot/cold spots around my home. I decided I would go with Etekcity Line IR thermometer based on Amazon Best seller Etekcity 774 (best seller most reviewed and priced very affordable at $16.88). After researching other Etekcity models I found many different options that offered different ranges, features, and spot/distance ratios up to 16:1 with 12:1 being the higher standard and what most higher end brands have.. spot/distance ratios range from 8:1 to 16:1 in this class of IR tool. I submitted a question to them through Amazon and Etekcity responded within the same day offering to call me , as I had a lot of questions..I was able to immediately open a chat conversation with Etekcity customer reps and they were VERY helpful in explaining to me the advantages / differences in all of their IR thermometers. Etekcity 1022D- $19.99 Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D Non-contact Digital Infrared Thermometer, Dual Laser, Blue. my first IR from Etekcity: I like the idea of Dual lasers & adjustable emissivity. Etekcity 800 Lasergrip - $25.98 Etekcity Lasergrip 800 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun, Yellow/Black. Features: Single Laser. 16:1 distance to Spot ratio. Emissivity- FIXED at .95. Range: -58℉ - 1382℉. After a disappointing test of the Etekcity 1022D I read reviews and decided to look at the 800, It features better accuracy at range with a 16:1 distance spot ration. *** Etekcity 630 Dual Lasergrip - $29.99 Etekcity Lasergrip 630 Dual Laser Non-contact Digital Infrared Thermometer, Gray and Black. First impression was how it was packaged in a nice solid cardboard box ( unlike the plastic blister packs of the others including the Klein. The most features, options and in my tests most accurate ( accuracy is negligible between 800 & 630 both are well with in the +/- .5 to 2.0 tolerance). Features: Dual laser for better accuracy. 16:1 Distance to Spot Ratio. Emissivity: ADJUSTABLE. Range: -58℉~1076℉. Multi function menu options ( MAX/Min temp setting, AVG and Diff/ TD). I chose the 630 over the 800 mainly due to the extra menu options ( AVG, MAX, MIn , Diff) adjustable emissivity ,and dual laser aside form that the 800 & 630 perform identically. the 1022D and 774 are priced well at under $20.00 but for more features and higher specs I think one will not go wrong with the Etekcity 800 or Feature rich Etekcity 630."
"This device is probably the best single purchase that I have made on Amazon in my three-plus years of Prime membership. It functions wonderfully as a distance thermometer, shining a tiny red dot on what I'm measuring and, based on comparison with a thermoscan camera at work, is pretty accurate across a range of temperatures from 0°F up to about 400°F. The button that turns on the device has a very soft click, barely perceptible, so it won't distract your faithful (or in the case of cats) persistent companions. *Probably won't reliably measure the temperature of flames at a safe enough distance, so don't get too close to fire."
"I bought this product because I thought my refrigerator was not cold enough, and I saw the tech that previously came out using a lazer thermometer to gauge the temps inside."
Best Kitchen Small Appliances
Instant Pot Duo 8 Quart is a 7-in-1 programmable cooker, it replaces 7 kitchen appliances as it has the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker & warmer. 14 built-in smart programs (Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep-Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize & Jiu Niang) cook your favorite dishes with the press of a button. It passed the stringent UL certification giving you uncompromised safety and peace of mind and protects you with 10 proven safety mechanisms and patented technologies. Duo, the number 1 selling multi-cooker, combines 7 kitchen appliances in 1, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Marker and Warmer, prepares dishes up to 70% faster to support your busy lifestyle.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You can cook multiple items in it ( which you can also do in a regular stove top pressure cooker by stacking vessels- my mom used to do it all the time , so when ppl say you can cook multiple items in the IP as if it is a new thing - no it is just "re-inventing the Cycle". It cooks rice in less than 4 minutes( sometimes even in less amount of time) - yes it does but BUILDING UP THE PRESSURE takes some time around 8 to 10 minutes( sometimes even more than that for very big quantities of food). So total time is almost same(give or take) when compared to stove top pressure cooker. For stove top pressure cooking , you need to monitor continuosly for whistles, and turning off the stove - This you can avoid in Instant pot. Since it is electric pressure cooker with built in settings, it will automatically turn off the cooking for you , so you dont have to stand near by the. stove all the time. So many BUILT IN functions : There are so many functions you can use for multiple cooking , some of them are Yogurt mode to make yogurt , Rice mode for rice, Slow cook mode etc. Great for people who want to experiment in their cooking to find out the fastest times for. their cooking , which saves lot of time than to use preset functions. ONE POT COOKING ( multiple , if cooking multiple dishes by stacking) so less clean up. and so many more... SO PEOPLE who are looking for stainless steel cooking pot, cooking multiple items at once, dont want to stand in front of the stove baby sitting , busy parents, who wants fresh homemade food with less efforts, One pot cooking, Bulk cooking .... etc etc ... YOU MUST BUY THIS. It happens to everyone .. it takes time and some trial and error to get the exact recipe timings to your taste and texture. I do like to cook 2 things at a time and never tried 3 at a time as I am little afraid that some how they might get spilled while boiling and cooking. 3. Saves time, one pot to clean , so my cooking time on stove is greatly reduced."
"The pot visually lets you know when it's safe to open the pot, by the float valve (the little silver post that pops up when the pot is pressurized) dropping back down flush with the lid instead of being popped up. The sauté function has three temperature settings: 'Normal' heats to 320 degrees, 'More' heats to 338 degrees, and 'Less' heats to 221 degrees (all in Fahrenheit). For pressure cooking, you will probably use 'manual' nearly all the time (nearly every Instant Pot cookbook I've read relies on the manual setting almost exclusively). The preprogrammed settings each have their own timing, and *variable* pressure, which the pot manipulates by manipulating the temperature of the contents (the higher the temperature, the higher the pressure). After you hit 'manual' to start cooking, you then set the amount of time you want it to cook at pressure, after which you will have a 10-second grace period (for example to add more time, etc. So you need to take into account the time it will take to reach full pressure (which depends on many variables, including what is in the contents of the pot, what temperature they started at, and your altitude), *and* how long it will take for the pressure to be released and normalized (i.e. for the float valve to pop in, which of course is really "dropping in", but you get the point). All Instant Pot recipes will include (or *should* include) either one of these terms: natural pressure release (also known as NPR), or quick pressure release (QPR or QR). What these mean is simply either "let the pressure dissipate on its own" (natural pressure release), or "force the pressure to escape immediately by turning the steam release handle counter-clockwise to the open position (quick release). A really good example of a food needing quick release is poached eggs (which come out *perfectly* in the Instant Pot (see how to poach eggs in the Instant Pot below)). For example, for any recipe that includes sautéing in the pot first, then adding ingredients and then starting pressure cooking, you definitely want to have everything lined up before you start. I didn't fully appreciate, until several days in, just how amazing this aspect of the Instant Pot is: you can start something cooking in it, and then *walk away* - even leave the house, and it will finish cooking just like you instructed, and be *perfectly done*, and then it will *keep it warm for up to 10 hours*! (I think this is the thing that pressure cooker purists who try to talk people out of getting an Instant Pot, rather than a stovetop pressure cooker, fail to understand. You definitely will want this steamer basket for your Instant Pot (the Instant Pot comes with a little steaming trivet, but this steamer basket is *way* more useful - in fact it's how you make both poached eggs and baked potatoes). There are different reasons for doing this, ranging from "I only want to cook a small amount of something like oatmeal" to "I want to cook a cheesecake in my Instant Pot" to "I want to cook two different things at the same time in my Instant Pot (like cooking beans, and having a bowl of rice on a trivet (see why you want a good trivet?). Personally, I like to have a physical book when it comes to cookbooks, and so I like this one...you can't go wrong with America's Test Kitchen cookbooks, and their pressure cooker cookbook is no exception: Pressure Cooker Perfection. I also happen to be a strict vegetarian, and for vegetarian and vegan Instant Pot cooking, this book by J.L. Instant Pot Meals, Plant-Based & Oil-free. ..and this one: Vegan Under Pressure: Perfect Vegan Meals Made Quick and Easy in Your Pressure Cooker. And speaking of recipes - here is how to make those poached eggs, and baked potatoes. Put a cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot, put a steamer basket or trivet in the pot (making sure that the water doesn't come over the top), and set your Pyrex cups in the steamer basket or on the trivet. Just put water in the bottom of your Instant Pot, flip the legs down on your Oxo steamer, put the steamer in the pot and then dump your potatoes in on top of the steamer. Using the Manual setting, set the cooking time for 12 minutes, using high pressure."