Bodum Coffee Solo Personal 10-Ounce Drip Brewer Set with Cup and Filter Review

For a long time now, I've been hooked on single-cup brewing with a certain plastic cone-shaped mug-top device, but this little guy took me by surprise. My favorite thing about it is the plastic-inside-plastic design of the top, which all photos advertising this thing anywhere completely fail to demonstrate.

Coffee grinds go into the black container, the bottom of which is a flat metal mesh filter. A second plastic container slides tightly inside, without pressing down on the coffee, with an evenly perforated bottom. When you pour in the hot water, it drips through, distributes evenly through the grinds (no floating!), then filters to the included mug (or any mug).

With NO need for specialty paper filters or hand-washing (like more popular single-brew gadgets these days), and a price at or below ten bucks (if you can find it--if Amazon doesn't bring it back, check your favorite kitchen store or outlet), this is yet another nail in the coffin of electric auto-drip machines.I value a 'cons' section in all reviews, though:

1) I've had mine for a very short time. I can't say anything yet about durability, but if it seems to wear, stick to hand washing.

2) Includes one set of instructions on the box, and a completely different set on the product itself. Not sure about coffee:water ratio? Stick to a tablespoon for every 3oz H2O. Medium-fine grind.

3) Having to boil your own water. I've noticed this puts off a lot of auto-drip addicts. Once your water boils, though, let it rest for a few seconds before pouring. Or do what I do, and plug your kettle into the opposite wall of the kitchen. Walk it back leisurely. :)

4) You'll feel guilty when a guest comes over and you're just not in the mood to bust out your vacuum pot, and the thought of auto-drip now makes your tongue cry.

Yeah. I hate it when cons are just pros in disguise, too.

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Product Description:
The Coffee Solo is not only a must have in a single household, but it is useful for everyone who enjoys a cup of perfectly brewed coffee!The concept: fit the drip brewing system into an easy to use single cup serving.The permanent metal filter is built right into the Coffee Solo Set.Just add coffee to the upper filter top and then pour hot water through.Your hot brewed coffee will be ready to drink in minutes. All parts are dishwasher safe.

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Cuisinart 12-cup Coffee Maker - Stainless Steel with 30 Paper Filters Review

This unit is a step-down from the DCC1200 model. It doesn't have the self-cleaning feature and doesn't include a gold reusable filter (but it can use one if bought separately). However, its lower price makes it well worth it, as all the most important features are included such as the variable auto shut-off and drip-less carafe (the carafe really works well, it pours better than any other coffee maker I've owned). The one drawback (shared by the DCC1200 model) is that the water level in the tank can be a bit hard to see. Overall, this is an excellent coffee maker that will not disappoint whether you use it just occasionally or every day.

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Product Description:
Includes 30 paper filters MODEL CBC-00PC6

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Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker Review

This review is based on a latte a day for about a month now.

-Customer service was great: one part got jammed during shipment (despite how extraordinarily well the manufacturer had it packed inside the box!).I called and a person answered the phone right away who helped me figure out the problem.

-Thus far, the espresso comes out hot with a great crema, and my milk is also nice and hot (from 120-160 Fahrenheit depending on how you want it) and well-frothed (meaning microfoam(!) not seafoam).With the frother it's essential to keep the full rubber head (meaning the fat part) submerged in the milk to get it hot (including the intake air vents on the side).

Bottom line: I am very impressed that this quality comes at such a great price.

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Product Description:
Re-create the flavor of authentic Italian cafe drinks with the Cafe Roma espresso maker. Style-conscious coffee lovers will treasure its attractive, stainless-steel housing that conveniently sits on a countertop. Espresso enthusiasts will delight in the 15-bar Thermoblock pump which forces water through coffee grounds at the ideal pressure to create delicious, rich espresso shots. The machine also produces an abundance of crema--the light brown liquid that sits atop an espresso and characterizes a well-pulled shot--via its dual-wall filter system. Filters synchronize with heated and pressurized water to perfectly extract and caramelize coffee oils, resulting in a velvety, flavor-packed crema that will impress purists and novices alike.
The machine is simple-to-use, with a removable 1.3-quart water tank and an external water window that indicates when the tank is low. The tank is much larger than most consumer machines, so espresso enthusiasts can pull shot after shot without running low on water. As with any good espresso machine, the unit also includes a warming plate to prevent shots from prematurely cooling when poured into cups. Additional features include a froth enhancer for flavorful lattes and cappuccinos, and a removable drip tray and grid for easier cleanup. As a bonus, the machine also comes with a stainless-steel espresso cup set and a frothing jug.

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Bodum New Kenya 34-Ounce Tea Press, Black Review

I purchased the Bodum New Kenya tea presses in both the small and the medium sized models. I really enjoy good quality loose tea, and the tea presses make it very convenient to brew this way (although the tea presses do also accommodate bagged tea, according to the instructions). For the small press I add about one and one half tablespoons of loose tea to the strainer, and about three tablespoons for the medium sized press. The amount you add, as always, will depend on your own preferences.

I would have given the New Kenya presses 5 stars, but for one feature that I believe has the potential for eventual failure, due to extended use. The plunger portion of the tea press is surrounded by a soft plastic gasket, to seal it closely to the basket when pressing the tea leaves. Because this gasket is made of such a soft material, I can see that it has the potential to wear out over time, much in the same way that other gaskets can become worn.

It doesn't appear that this gasket comes off or separates from the plunger, so I imagine that if it does wear out, the entire lid and plunger assembly will have to be replaced. Potentially, that could be costly, but with the reduced price that Amazon currently offers these models, it might be a moot point.The New Kenya models are the first Bodum tea presses I have purchased, so I do not know if all of the Bodum models have this same type of plunger assembly.

Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I depend on the reviews of others many times when making purchases, so I want to be as honest as possible. (You can decide whether or not my concern is important to you!)

The most significant points are that this press is simple to use, allows you to control the strength of your brewed tea, and is also very easy to clean. Oh, yeah, and did I mention that it makes one heck of a great cup of tea!? Cheers!

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Product Description:
The Bodum New Kenya tea press is a confluence of tradition and modernity in design.The New Kenya tea press is entirely made of plastic and glass for convenient everyday use, while offering the best brewing method for that perfect cup of tea.The handle remains cool while the plastic frame protects your tabletop from the heat of the glass teapot.Drinking tea no longer belongs to the past but will be a luxury of the future.We set out with a goal to make an innovation in tea brewing and the patented Bodum tea press system was born.

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Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review

I recently upgraded to this model from a Krups steam espresso maker and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.I can't believe I did upgrade sooner.

The espresso comes out perfect, just like those at places like Starbucks.My favorite part about this model is the minimum work required for cleaning.It has a bin that collects the used grounds so you don't have to empty and clean after every cup.

The steam for the milk frother comes out super fast and super hot.It takes less than 30 seconds for me to froth milk.And when you're done, just rinse the plastic nozzle and you're set for the next cup.

Now the only downside about this model: it doesn't store too much water.If you have 2 or more people using this thing every morning, there's a good chance someone will always have to refill the water in the tank after the machine pumps out a half cup of coffee and blinks its red light.Even then, for the price, it is well worth it and provides great value.

Update 4/7/2010 - Still turning out great coffee/espresso with ease after 3 years of service.Must've saved me $1000 from morning trips to Starbucks annually.

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Product Description:
Equipped with 15 bars of pump pressure, this 1500-watt automatic espresso machine grinds, doses, tamps, brews, and dispenses quality coffee, preparing one to two cups at the same time. The machine's built-in ceramic grinder ensures the best results without altering the flavor of coffee; it quietly delivers a more consistent grind, allowing perfect dosing and blending, plus offers more control over the density and body of coffee. In addition, the espresso machine's pre-brewing cycle maximizes flavor extraction, while its Pannarello frothing device produces steam in three different directions for cappuccinos and lattes, dispenses hot water for making hot beverages and soups, and can be completely removed for cleaning. Other thoughtful details include a 1-1/2-liter removable water tank; an Aqua Prima water filter that removes impurities from the water and protects the machine from limescale damage; a drip tray that can be raised or lowered manually or electrically with a simple touch, which means it easily accommodates different cup sizes such as espresso cups or glasses; and a removable Saeco brew group for easy, chemical-free cleaning. Sleek and stylish, the espresso machine measures 15-1/6 by 11-3/7 by 14-1/2 inches.

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Uco Ice Cream Maker Pink Review

I own a blue Play & Freeze Ice Cream Ball but when I saw this one, I had to get it for my 2 girls.Makes great ice cream just like the blue one! Its the prettiest color out there...We use it right in the back yard at home.

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Product Description:
Uco Ice Cream Maker Pink With The Unique Play & Freeze Ice Cream MakerTM, You Can Make Ice Cream Anywhere! You Don't Need Electricity, Just Add Ice And Rock Salt In One End And Ice Cream Mix In The Other End-then Have A Ball As You Shake It, Pass It Or Roll It!Made Of Durable Polycarbonate, It's Lightweight, Portable And Easy To Clean. Ideal For Camping, Boating, Picnics, Parties, Travel...anywhere! This Item Is In Category:Food & Cookware > Miscellaneous Brand: Uco

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Hamilton Beach 35135 Meal Maker Multicooker, Stainless Steel Review

Although this versatile appliance will steam and boil as well as deep fry, it was its frying ability that caught my interest and convinced me to buy it.And am I glad I did for last night we enjoyed some of the best fried chicken ever to come out of my kitchen.And yes, that's saying something.While we don't overindulge in fried foods, through the yearsI've fried my share of chicken, most of it to positive reviews.This batch was particularly moist and juicy, yet crisp on the outside, a fact which I attribute, at least in part, to the adjustable temperature gauge on the Multicooker.None of my other deep fryers had that feature.With the others, I was forced to rely on the manufacturers' preset temperature which I suspect wasn't really hot enough to prevent the chicken from absorbing some of the oil and becoming somewhat soggy.The Multicooker allows a range of 250° to 375 ° F.I set it at 375° as the manual suggests and the results weremouthwatering.

As for capacity, it's generous.The basket measures roughly 8" longby 7" wide and 3 1/2" deep.I was able to fit 4 large chicken thighs per batch with room to spare.I'm sure I could have added two more but I preferred to err on the side of caution to avoid overcrowding. Because the chicken was boneless and skinless, each batch only took about 10 minutes and was perfectly done.I fried three batches back-to-back and had no problems with the fryer overheating.

Deep frying is usually messy no matter how careful you try to be but my experience in that department was pretty positive too.The cooker is solidly built and simple to assemble.The lid fits the pot securely and the basket is easy to raise and lower with the lid in place, which greatly reduces spattering and the risk of burns.

I have no doubt that I'll use the Multicooker for boiling and steaming at some point but if all it ever did was deep fry, I'd still consider it money well spent.

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Product Description:
Housed in attractive stainless steel, this versatile cooker prepares a variety of foods and makes it easy to get dinner on the table quickly. The all-in-one appliance operates as a deep fryer, a steamer, and a slow cooker. Steaming and boiling retain foods' moisture, while frying sears food, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. When frying, the unit's roomy basket and deep oil level combine to accommodate a 2-pound bag of frozen fries or an entire 4-1/2-pound chicken. A complete chicken can be fried in about 35 minutes, quicker than oven roasting or rotisserie, making it a perfect choice for hectic weeknight meals. For added convenience, the basket can be raised and lowered with the lid in place, avoiding messy splatter and protecting the hands. The basket contains a hook to hold it above the liquid, which allows oil or water to drain off the food. Other details include a 5-quart liquid capacity, a digital timer, adjustable temperature control, ready lights, and a breakaway cord, which helps prevent the cooker from tipping over if the cord gets snagged. The unit assembles in no time and disassembles easily, making cleanup a snap. The multi-cooker appliance measures approximately 15 by 15 by 17 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Hello Kitty Shaped Ice Maker Review

Ice mould came out nicely, but due to the hot weather here in my country, it melted a few minutes in room temperature..

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Product Description:
Talk about chilling with your friends!Now you can do it ... Hello Kitty style!Pink tray makes ice in all kinds of Kitty shapes.Don't limit yourself to just ice, though.You can use this tray as a fun jelly mold, or put some juice instead of water for flavored frozen treats.This is a must-have item for your Hello Kitty kitchen collection.Wow! Size:10 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches.

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