Optimus H-4438 14-Inch Energy-Saving Oscillating Dish Heater with Remote Control

Optimus H-4438 14-Inch Energy-Saving Oscillating Dish Heater with Remote Control
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $68.00
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Extremely quiet and heats objects/people well by radiant heat. Used in a large, open great room where heating the room's air is impractical. Replaced a small fan/ceramic heater which we would huddle around. This heater keeps us warm while sitting on couches a few feet away. Very happy with this purchase.

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I love this heater! It takes about 20s to heat up, but it's a great heater for a small room. I turn it on at 1200W when I get home and in about 20 minutes, my room is noticeably warmer than the rest of the house. Our house is huge so a central heater would be inefficient, so we use space heaters. Ceramic heaters that blow out air warm up rooms the fastest, but use 1800W vs. 1200W or 800W from this heater. It does oscillate and allows you to tilt the heater as well as change the direction of the heat manually, without having to turn oscillation on. Have not tried the remote yet as I keep it within an arm's length away.

I've hung a shirt over this heater before & took a bit too long in getting it off, so the alarm light came on because it was overheating. I was nearby and watching it, but it seems if you did something stupid like went away while you left your shirt on the heater, then it might burn out or cause a fire (or it might turn itself off). When you lift it up, the safety function comes on and it does shut itself off.

I bought a Soleus 14" as well (400W & 800W) and to compare with the soleus which is a bulb, I think the Soleus is more instant & has the 400W option, for those who want to keep the heater close by and not looking to warm the whole room. The Soleus is a lot brighter because it uses a bulb, whereas this one uses coils. I feel like the Soleus is a bit warmer at 800W than this one at 800W, but the Optimus will probably be better at warming up a room at the same 800W. The soleus, when you lift it, will momentarily turn itself off, but will come on again by itself (whereas this one will stay off & you need to turn it on again).

This one does make a bit of noise while it's starting up, but becomes quiet after. I'd highly recommend both the Soleus & the Optimus. Just have to decide whether you want 400W & 800W (Soleus) or 800W & 1200W (Optimus). I've been keeping the optimus in the bedroom to warm up the bedroom and the Soleus in the bathroom to warm myself instantly & for only a short while.

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Instead of buying the Presto heater from Costco AGAIN, I bought this one because of the new features:

* Very simple 800 or 1200 watt settings (Costco's Presto is 1500 watts, manually adjustable with the knob)

* Timer (3 settings~ save energy!)

* Remote (comes with a snap-in bracket that can be mounted on the arm of the heater) works well IF you point it right at the sensor (located at the base of the heater). I thought it didn't work in the beginning and almost wanted to return it. Finally I figured it out. IT WORKS!

* Up-down manual tilting

* Tip-over (or if you want to move the unit) Auto shutoff (Presto will make a beeping sound if you move it. This one simply shut it off.)

Overall, the quality is good with the additional features that WORKS. I just don't wanna spend the same money buying the same old stuff from Costco. This one is a keeper. The only possible concern is the warranty. I cannot found the company's contact phone number (they only provide an AOL email). :P

If you are looking for up to 1200 watts (not the highest power), additional features such as timer, remote and up/down tilt, this is a good buy! :D

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I purchased this item maybe two months ago. I never used it much until I went to bed. When I turned it on it would be on no longer than 10 to 15min. tops before I turned it off to go to bed. Last week I turned it on as usual and it made strange noises and the second level of heating did not come on. No matter how many times I tried to heat it, it would turn itself off. I wish I could get my money back even though I have 4 other dish heaters in my home that work well for the last several years. But this one from another company pooped out. I didn't get my monies worth.

I'm disappointed.

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This heater is everything I hoped it would be. It puts out great heat at little cost from my electric company.

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48" Williamsburg Fireplace Mantel

48' Williamsburg Fireplace Mantel
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $316.85
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This mantle exceeded my expectations. No need to go into great detail, but here are the bullets:

* The packaging was excellent and very protective.

* The mantel was made from solid wood not pressboard with a laminate.

* The quality of the wood was excellent.

Do I have any negative comments? (maybe) because of the above qualities, the package was so heavy that my wife had to help me carry the box into the house. Yes very heavy and made in China, but the shipping was free!

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Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter

Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $14.99
Today's Bonus: 25% Off
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I'm a big food Network fan and my favorite guy is Alton. What I saw on one of his shows was the most awesome advice for this device. Take ONE, that's right, ONE piece of newspaper and sprinkle a few drops of vegetable oil on it; then put it under your chimney starter (outdoors, please, eggman if you're reading this) and fire it up with a full can of any kind of charcoal. You won't believe how well this works. One more thing; DO NOT set a chimney starter on a gravel driveway when you start it. For some reason, the heat transfers much easier through gravel than concrete. Just put the thing on your grill grate and wait for 20 minutes. You'll have smokin' hot coals that will be almost too hot for smokin' food. I even saw Alton searing tuna on top of one of these things.

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This is the absolute best way to get your grill going. Unlike the little chimneys sold at Lowe's, this holds a lot of charcoal, enough to fill an entire kettle grill, and the airflow through it is very efficient. Two sheets of newspaper and a match, and your briquettes will be ready to go in 10-15 minutes.

The aluminized finish on this resists heat and rust quite well. Other reviewers have commented on the helper handle, but the really key feature of this chiminey starter is the conical wire grid inside that holds up the charcoal. Unlike perforated metal plate inside the no-name chimeny starters, this wire grid lets all of the flame from the newspaper through to the charcoal, resulting in the charcoal lighting in half the time.

All of that, and it isn't any more expensive that the no-name brands. Bigger, faster, and more durable. What more could you ask for?

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I usually cook in small batches, so I have a small Weber Smokey Joe. Since the grill is so small, I figured I could get away with using a perforated coffee can as a chimney starter to save the $13. I took the can, removed both ends with a can opener, and made a bunch of holes along the bottom with a bottle opener. I then put a sheet of newspaper inside, pile the coals on top, and light it. The can worked, and I used it for over a year, but then I finally decided that this starter was cheap enough that I should give it a try.

The difference is night and day -my coals start in half the time with the Weber, are much hotter when started, and, if I need to, I can start a LOT more coals at once. When they call this "Rapidfire" they mean it. If I had known what I do now, I never would've gone the coffee can route. This thing is so cheap, and works so well, that everyone with a charcoal grill should have one.

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This starter is bigger than I thought it would be when I ordered it. It is big enough that I have never filled it more than about halfway with briquettes. Even at about half-full it is enough to supply two dutch ovens (12 inch and 14 inch, stacked) with enough firepower to cook a good meal.

I really like that this requires no lighter fluid and will start the charcoal faster than the lighter fluid ever could. Applying a little cooking oil to the paper you place in the bottom does seem to start the charcoal faster, although it will temporarily smoke a bit more. Without adding oil I have found that I sometimes need to wait 10-12 more minutes longer or add more paper to the bottom before the charcoal is fully going.

To stress again the size of this, filling the starter completely as shown in the picture would probably use between one-quarter and one-third of a 20 pound bag of charcoal.

By consistently filling my it to approximately the same level (between the second and third holes on the side) my starter has developed a nice dull ring around it from the oxidation of the aluminum at high temperatures. Yes, the can was red hot (actually glowing). This does not in any way affect function and is almost certainly the reason for the aluminized steel, since this layer of oxidized aluminum will help to prevent oxidation of the steel (rust). I suspect that this would extend to cover the whole can after several years of use or a few big barbecues where the whole can is filled.

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I've had several of these. They are great. Word of warning when done dumping coals look into the chimney to be sure all coals are gone. In the process of transporting my chimney to bare ground, I hadn't noticed that a small piece of coal dropped out and rolled near the house on my deck out of sight. Dog woke me up at 2AM my deck and house were on fire. Got it under control and repaired. Very thankful to my dog and that my home is brick. Since then I have seen coals stuck in the chimney grate after pouring. Please be careful folks. I was fortunate to have a persistent dog. Still use one today.

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Panacea Fireplace Tool Set 5 Piece, Oak Leaf 30", Colonial Brown

Panacea Fireplace Tool Set 5 Piece, Oak Leaf 30', Colonial Brown
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $78.26
Sale Price: $37.30
Today's Bonus: 52% Off
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I use these tools a lot. The stand seems a bit unsteady, however, we have it standing up on our hearth and my 2 children (ages 4 and 6) have poked at it and removed tools from it and it has never fallen over.

The tools themselves seem very well made. I really like the "log-grabber" which has 2 prongs on one side and 1 on the other. I have seen some sets where it only has 1 prong on each side; this design is much better and allows for steadier handling of the logs.

The tools work great, and the set looks nice.

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with the cooler months coming...I needed this set for my two fireplaces. I wasnt sure of the quality, so i only ordered the 5 piece set and the log holder. BOTH are beautiful. They nicely match each other and arent too bulky if you have a smaller fireplace area. I worried about the 5 piece set not standing up and my toddler getting to the pieces too easily...but the stand is sturdy and the toddler cant readily slip the equipment off the handles (he doesnt know you have to lift them). I was very pleasantly surprised. I use the set everytime i start a fire...and the log holder holds up to 16 split pieces of logs...I will definitely order another set for the other fireplace

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I love it. The company it came from was great, it was shipped quickly. Not only is pretty, but it is sturdy, and well put together.

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I was not sure as what the quality was going to be on the Panacea Oak Leaf Screen and tool set for my fireplace but when it arrived it was excellent and so easy to put together (just open the box!) The shipping was so fast I was amazed.

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This was first backordered, then finally arrived, but in a damaged box which I had to refuse. Amazon was amazing handling the refusal/return, as always. Now finally I have a tool set and a stand with all the pieces but, the whole upright piece leans to one side and one of the hooks is bent but still functional. It appears to be a repackage, as there were some clipped zip ties in the box. I'm still going to take a look at it and see if I can make it stand up straight. It would be a hassle to repackage it and send it back, even though I know Amazon would be awesome about it. Just beware when buying this, it is one of the cheapest fireplace tool sets on amazon so don't expect top quality.

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FIRE STARTER STICKS, better than fatwood or chemicals, made from RECYCLED BOOK SPINES

FIRE STARTER STICKS, better than fatwood or chemicals, made from RECYCLED BOOK SPINES
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $9.77
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Don't waste your money on any of these things... If you have a dryer, or you know someone with a dryer, just collect the lint from the lint catcher and add a small amount of hand sanitizer... One spark, and you're in business...

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This product was a perfect gift for my book loving friend to display by his fireplace and use when necessary.

He loved this little bundle of book bindings!!!!

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They are scented, like apple cinnamon. I didn't think they were supposed to be. Plus they are all coated in pink, waxy looking stuff. They don't look like the picture. I am not sure about their burning qualities, as they are a gift...

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M-16 BBQ Lighter

M-16 BBQ Lighter
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $14.75
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This is a great gift for someone in the military or retired. It is one of those manly gifts. I made it one of the prizes at a military function and everyone wanted to win it. It's a manly BBQ lighter adds a lot of flare and fun to lighting your BBQ with friends over. For military gals it really makes a statement to light your candles with friends over. The dog tag is a great added touch. It was works great.

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My brother is a Call of Duty enthusiast and he bbqs every week weather permits. So this was the absolute PERFECT gift. He laughed for like 5 min when he saw it and all the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. Works great.

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Achla Designs B-37 Plate Wall Hanger

Achla Designs B-37 Plate Wall Hanger
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $15.98
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I ordered this to hang a plate on a wall. Although the product itself seemed to be of good quality, I did not realize it was so deep. The measurements are correct but I never checked the depth. If putting a single plate in this rack , the would be half lying down.

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We installed this about two months ago to hold TWO serving platters, one large behind one small, with a weight of about 25lbs. We didn't use the included wall hangers and instead located a stud and used 2" brass pan head screws. Over the past two months, the hanger hasn't bent out of shape and our platters show no sign of falling off. Very satisfied. Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware sell a very similar product for $30. Now we're debating ordering another one to hang below our platters to put a serving bowl.

The thing about this hanger is using the depth to your advantage. Yes, it's 4" deep, so a single plate is going to slouch, so don't put a single plate in it; use it for a SET of plates.

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Ordered this on a whim to see if it would work to hand a big decorative plate on the wall. FANTASTIC! The metal that you see in front of the plate is not distracting (well mine is colorful, not white...so not sure about that). Very sturdy. Will reorder and look for other items in this brand is needed.

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It is heavy enough to hold my large pewter turkey platter on the wall. It works perfectly for what I wanted it for.

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I had a large square platter to hang. I have been looking for something that would hold it safely on the wall. This item is just what I was looking for. Very pleased with this plate wall hanger.

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e-NRG Bioethanol Fuel for Ventless Fireplaces

e-NRG Bio Ethanol Fuel for Ventless Fireplaces
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $79.00
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Perfect Flame, no fumes. I've tried numerous bio fuel products for my fireplace and this is by far the BEST.

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I Googled this problem and a backpacker's forum confirmed, this is a soot-producing fuel that (according to its MSDS sheet) contains up to 10% isopropyl alcohol, causing it to be unsuitable for indoor use and unsuitable for cooking use. Amazon apparently does not accept returns of this product.

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Needed to refuel. This was a great replacement for my original fuel and was inexpensive. Well priced and very affordable

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I used a different brand before that claimed to have no odor but I could smell it burning, especially at burnout. I had just accepted that "odorless" might not exisit, then I ordered this product and it burns so cleanly and is truly odorless! I thank you for the reasonable price and will continue to order this brand of fuel.

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I purchased this for the price as it was less expensive than others. It lasts a very long time and am happy with the product

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Carts Vermont Super Chuck Firewood Cart

Carts Vermont Super Chuck Firewood Cart
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $225.00
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This cart has changed our lives. We heat totally with wood. Our woodstove has room on either side for stacks of wood that will last approximately 4-5 days. Carrying in this wood was a minimum of 16 trips. Now with this cart it is a total of 4. It is well built, handles easily and has saved our backs. Thank you Vermont Cart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I have used this cart for three seasons now and it is the best way to haul firewood! It handles heavy loads with ease, is well built and balances nicely. Perhaps the best feature are the large, spoked wheels. They will negotiate steps or other obstacles easily and contribute to the overall balance of the cart. If your wood storage is a distance from your stove and you want an easy way to haul your wood, this is the way to go. I also maintain some chickens and turkeys and this also serves well to haul feed bags from the truck into the barn. You can't go wrong with this cart.

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UPDATE: Excellent customer support from Carts Vermont. Responded next business day. They are replacing this pellet pallet with one that's preassembled since I'm not the only customer with this issue. On the assumption that this process will run smoothly, I've updated my rating. If you order it, make sure it has the preassembled pellet pallet.

Original review:

This wood carrier is well made but it comes with a "pellet pallet" that is virtually impossible to assemble into the cart. A separate set of instructions are included for the pellet pallet (this is the wide plywood piece that sits above the wheels in all photos). It's clear that the pellet pallet is post-engineered onto the cart. The assembly of it is a complete kludge. You're supposed to clamp some cross bars onto the bottom of the plywood but the ends of the bars are flattened which makes them too wide for the clamps provided. From all appearances, the plywood doesn't add anything structural to the cart, so toss it or use it for firewood. If you need the flat surface that the pellet pallet is supposed to provide, you're almost certainly out of luck.

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Received as a gift. Dump liner, the piece of wood one would remove to dump the load is warped. Upon further inspection, the sides, bottom and back liner made of cheap, and I mean cheap press board. I called the company headquarters in Vermont...NSA Industries and dealt with two very unfriendly people, Kathy and Jeff. Jeff asked me to send pictures which I did. I was told the unit was at least two years old and looked like it had been used outside. How foolish of me to think a yard cart would be used on outdoor projects. As for the quality of the unit, I looked for the label "Made in China". Jeff refused to warranty the piece and I was directed to their web site where I could purchase the piece for 27.00 and 15.00 shipping.

So much for this company. Cheap product, poor customer service equals a trip to the John Deere dealer where at least they are friendly, sell quality merchandise, and back up what they sell.

One other item...I can't believe how stupid I was to use an outdoor cart outdoors.

Jeff I am guilty and understand fully why you would not honour a warranty.

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I bought a version of this cart that was sold without the pellet pallet (NOT from Amazon!). It was fine initially, but it is NOT durable. The tubes collapsed and bent, and I called to get them replaced. The cost of replacement of the parts was nearly the cost of a new cart, so I had a friend solder the joints and put on a metal stabilizing brace to give the cart more support. That lasted less than a season and now I have a useless cart once again. I would not buy this cart again.

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Woodeze 5DA-FB-F Cast Iron Fireback Feet

Woodeze 5DA-FB-F Cast Iron Fireback Feet
Customer Ratings:
List Price: $36.00
Sale Price: $27.78
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I found these fireback feet to be functional stable and decorative. There are much more expensive feet available that look very industrial rather than colonial era. If you have a decorative fireback these will do it justice. This is especially important when the fireback is moved forwards during the summer for display. The unfavorable reviewers who stated the feet are 6" deep and take up too much of the fireplace have a point but all feet and firebacks are going to reduce the useable depth of your firebox. Measure your grate and determine this for yourself before you buy any fireback feet. You don't need the full 6" clearance as your grate in all likelihood will be elevated above the feet and touch the fireback directly which will be closer to 4.5". Plus you can move the feet side to side and avoid hitting one of the grate bars to create more room. Another advantage these feet have is that they only elevate the fireback 1/4-1/2" unlike others that elevate the fireback 2" off the bottom allowing coals to go behind the fireback reducing the efficiency of the fireback to protect the back of your fireplace and at the same time radiate heat forward. The feet hold the fireback at about a 20-25% angle from vertical (tilting away from the front of the fireplace) depending on the thickness of your fireback.

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I purchased these feet as it appeared necessary to hold the accompanying fireback. Unfortunately, they require about six inches of depth space, so in a small fireplace they leave no room for a fire grate or fire after the fireback is installed. The vendor should really explain the problem with using these feet and fireback in a smaller fireplace other than a non-descript "measure your fireplace." Depth is actually just as important as height and width.

I ended up reshaping my old grate with a sledgehammer so it could hold both the fireback and the burning wood. If you're purchasing a large fireback and have a large fireplace, I sure these would work.

Should return, but shipping costs make it not worth the bother.

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These work just fine,and the price was right. They do the job they were intended to do. I recommend this item if you are installing a fire back.

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does not allow much room in firebox. feet should be shorter or with out dso much off set would not buy another

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Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle

Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $94.99
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I love this kettle. I just got it and have only used it a few times. I'll try to post an update on durability after further use, but it feels sturdy and I expect I will only be happier 6 months from now. I made the best cup of pour over coffee I've had. With the accuracy of temperature and the quality of the goose neck spout, the coffee grinds rose as they are supposed to on the initial pour and the follow on pour was consistent, which is just what pour over needs.

I've been waiting for an electric kettle where I could select any temperature desired (as different coffee beans require different brewing temperatures as do teas), hold that temperature for a reasonable length of time, and have a goose neck spout. The Bonavita is the first solution I've found and it is perfect. The controls are simple, the digital readout is large and clear, and the functionality is better than I expected.

I previously had a Hario goose neck stove top kettle and I am way happier with the Bonavita. Here's why.

1. Holds a Temperature: With the stove top Hario, after boiling, I would have to remove the lid to put a thermometer in as I let it cool to my desired temparature. Often, I'd get distracted and have to reboil and cool the water. What a waste of time and energy. The Bonavita lets me select a temperature and let's me choose to hold that temperature for up to an hour once it is reached. I can set it and when I return, it is at the right temperature no matter how long I'm gone. Also, my probe thermometer fits in the vent holes in the top because they are larger than the ones on the Hario. If I want to verify temperature accuracy of the unit, I can do so easily. Since the BonaVita maintains the temperature, if I need 10 seconds or a couple minutes to get my coffee ready, the temperature is still exactly what it should be when I start my pour, instead of a few degrees too cool with a stove top kettle.

2. Won't boil over at max fill: With the Hario, if I filled to the max level and didn't remove it soon after boiling started, it would boil over. The BonaVita can be filled to the full 1 liter mark and will not boil over.

3. Pours well: I found the Hario challenging to pour slowly when full and challenging to maintain a consistent stream when trying to pour slowly. The BonaVita seems to pour better throughout the range of volumes of liquid inside.

4. Lid secures well: With the Hario, the lid just slips in. This means that you need to use a hand to hold the lid on as you tip the kettle to pour. The BonaVita secures the lid with adjustable tabs so that you can set the tension as you desire it. This is safer and keeps my second hand free.

5. Count up timer: I didn't even know the BonaVita had this feature when I purchased it. After you pick it up, a simple touch of the "+" button starts a timer (mintues & seconds) which will count up to 7 minutes. For the best pour over coffee, you are supposed to time your pours and pauses. Now I don't need a separate kitchen timer out on my counter. The Kettle doubles as my timer. AWESOME!

6. Handle comfort & Safety: The Hario wasn't uncomfortable. There are a number of exposed metal components near the handle which could lead to burns. The BonaVita has one of the most comfortable handles I have ever used. I has a good thickness and curve and is designed so that you can primarily use your thumb and pointer finger which are your strongest fingers. It also has plastic between the grip of the handle and the side of the kettle which should prevent accidental burns.

Overall Features:

+ Boils Quickly

+ Set temperature to any degree is simple: The last setting is retained when turned off (but not unplugged) and displayed when briefly when turned on. Pressing +/will modify that temperature. Pressing the Set Temperature button will cycle through the 6 factory presets. I do not believe you can customize these presets, though even if they are not the exact temperature needed, they can get you close so that you only need to hit + or a few times.

+ Recall stored temperature settings for various beverages is simple, though you might want to keep a notepad around with what beverage is brewed at what temperature as it just displays the temperatures

+ Switching between Fahrenheit and Celsius is simple. Press one button.

+ Holding temperature for an hour is simple (push one button) and can be re-selected after a pour for the remaining water in the kettle.

+ Temperature Display: Clear and continues to display even after the unit stops heating water (while cooling down or holding temp).

+ Lights: One light lets you know whether the unit is on (heating) since the temperature display remains on for a time (don't know how long yet. Instructions claim 1 hour if not removed from base after temperature is reached, and 7 minutes if unit is picked up and returned to base). One Light lets you know that the "hold" setting is on or off

+ Count up timer is simple press one button when the kettle is off the base and the timer starts. It stops when you replace the kettle and resets to zero to be started again when picked up again.

+ Looks Great

+ Pours well

Resources:

Manual

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I have had the kettle for four days now, and here is my impression.

What I like:

It appears to do a pretty decent job holding temperature, seemingly staying within +2 degrees of target.

It only requires a handful of button presses to input the target temperature.

The cord keeper in the base is handy, and built so you can adjust how much cord extends out of the base.

The digital readout is bright, very legible, and nicely angled.

The buttons are tactile, and click slightly when you press them.

The handle is reasonably comfortable, and the lid attaches securely, yet it is not difficult to remove.

The pour is very controllable.

The one liter capacity is more than enough to do a pourover for two 8oz cups.

What I don't like:

The build quality is questionable.

While the goose neck spout appears to be braised or welded to the body of the kettle (it seems pretty sturdy), it was attached crooked (c'mon, seriously?).

The curved bend of the spout is showing a kink in one spot.

The ends of the spout both where it meets the body and the end where the water exits are poorly finished. The inside where it attaches to the body has hanging "chads" or filings that are obstructing the flow of water, and the end where the water exists has burrs. I suspect that these obstructions are what keep this from flowing as fast as and smoothly as my Hario. I may clean these up myself at some point.

The outside surface finish of the metal is kind of rough. They could, and should, have taken it to another step of smoothness. The surface is rough enough where I could file my nails on it.

The black heating element cover that is attached at the base of the kettle is not seated evenly.

The logo is printed as opposed to being stamped into the metal, and I fully expect it to wear off (this could be a good thing).

The steps to follow (button presses) to set the temperature are easy enough, but I have to press the power button each time I return the kettle to its base.

It comes with a thin, translucent, PE cover for the base to protect it during "frequent use". Seriously? You mean that this kettle base wasn't made to handle the inevitable splash of water, and so I have to keep it covered with this ugly plastic cover that looks like I left the packing material on?

The 1 liter max fill level line is stamped on the inside, and while not a big deal, is not easy to see.

Sometimes when heating up, it seems to slow down to a crawl as it approaches the target temperature.

The base feels like a thin piece of plastic.

In conclusion: It operates well, but a bit more attention to fit and finish is needed.

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Wow, what a detailed instruction manual this comes with!

There are 6 buttons on the base, along with an LED display. I was expecting something more basic, but it's certainly not a bad thing that the kettle has so many features. It's not as easy as "plug in and turn ON."

Once you've reviewed the instructions and set up the kettle with your personal preferences (using the afore mentioned buttons), it's simple enough to use. The exterior does become hot to the touch, and it is recommended that you place it on an uncluttered surface where it won't come into contact with anything else. If you have hard water, it is recommended that you use a brand-name product to remove the inevitable scale build-up. You cannot put the kettle into the dishwasher to clean it. The manual explains what temperature setting to use for coffee and tea (even specifying temperatures for black, green and oolong teas.) Allowing for differences in elevation is also recommended when selecting the temperature. (As I implied above, it does get a little technical.) The "boil" temperature is said to be 205 degrees F (at a relatively low altitude.) You have the option of using the Celsius temperature measure. The goose neck DOES allow for a very controlled pour. The kettle does not whistle, nor will you see steam escaping from the spout at the specified temperatures. I am happy with the coffee and tea I have made using it. The one-liter kettle heats your water very quickly--16 ounces only takes 1--1 1/2 minutes. You must wait 1 minute before refilling it to use it again. Just make sure that you have the necessary space for this on your counter and be prepared to spend some time familiarizing yourself with its operation.

Also--and this may be an issue for many people--it is recommended that you NOT plug it into an outlet connected to a circuit with any other appliance requiring a heavy load. (I may not have worded that correctly but hopefully you'll get the idea.) Apparently it uses a lot of "juice."

I'd say that it is a premium product. This is probably one of the best choices if you want something that will go the distance and that will last. It's solid and does not slide around on your counter. It works efficiently and quietly, does more than you think you'd need, & is attractive. I would say that it's worth the price, especially given the problems/complaints people have about other electric kettles (even those with very recognizable import brand names, most of which are made in China anyway.) I was very surprised to find out that those French and Italian brand names did not indicate the country of origin. So don't be lured into thinking you're buying something made in a European country synonymous with style or craftsmanship. Pretty is as pretty does. Almost forgot to mention: you can even adjust the fit of the lid (to make it as snug/secure [or loose] as you'd like.) It's very thoughtfully designed!

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This is my first electric kettle and I would have gotten one years ago but I was waiting to find one that had a goose neck to take advantage of improved control for pour over coffee. I LOVE the settings of the Bonavita, the ability to hold the temperature for an hour, and the fine pour control. It is simple, easy to use, and has great features.

Unfortunately in under a month the lid and very top of the kettle (where the lid snaps into the kettle top) already has rust :-( . After each brew I pour the remaining water out of the kettle and hand shake it dry and do the same with the lid, and then set the lid on top of the kettle perpendicular to its natural resting state when it is on the kettle for brewing.

If you are ok with the rust, or know how to prevent it, I would go with this kettle. Otherwise I would look for something made with higher quality metals.

Pros:

Excellent options for settings.

Hold temperature for one hour.

Easy to adjust in 1 degree increments.

Presets.

Fine pour control with goose neck.

Con:

RUST in under one month of using it.

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I have been looking for this product for years. Set the exact temperature and that's what you get. Increments of 1 degree plus a few preset options. All stainless. There is plastic inside at the top where the handle is attached, but it is not submerged in water. It is above the max fill line. They put a strip of plastic against the outside of the kettle in line with the handle so your fingers won't accidentally touch the hot surface. Good thinking on Bonavita. The hold feature is priceless. It holds the temp for an hour and then shuts off. They even include a waterproof protection cover for the base. I have emailed Bonavita and they responded immediately. Great company. I believe they worked with a standards committee in order to get this thing to market. Excellent for coffee, tea, hot cocoa, ramen noodles, or whatever. Not to mention much less expensive than the competition. Highly recommended.

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Jerdon HSKC Warmrails Kensington Wall Mounted Towel Warmer, 39.5-Inches

Jerdon HSKS Warmrails Kensington Wall Mounted Towel Warmer, 39.5-Inches, Nickel Finish
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $300.00
Sale Price: $149.00
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We have purchased several of Warmrails over the years and been quite satisfied. The construction and finish were as advertised. However, the latest units are JUNK. They have a painted "brushed nickel" finish, not even close to real brushed nickel. The attachments of the rails to the vertical supports is now a cheap poorly made screw. Most were loose when received and impossible to tighten because the wires run thru the middle of the nut. The old ones were brazed or otherwise solidly connected rails to supports.

The pictures from the suppliers show the old (good) style, but that is not what you will get. This is gross misrepresentation of the product and should be pulled by Amazon.

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Ok, where to start...

The item is cheap! Don't mistake it for a high end warmer.

The bars are curved and are not tight enough to stay in one position. With no way to tighten. So the top bar is doing 360 (hope there isn't a wire I am gonna twist off and break inside).

The coating is a nickel-colored paint. Not too realistic, but would be fine if it didn't chip away easily. (Someone else mentioned same)

Would be also nice if the paint on the unit matched the wall mount piece.

The shipping is cheap! Unit arrived in a plastic bag (that's it!) So before I even received it it was already banged up and missing the "nickel" paint in a few places. But it's large and annoying to have to ship back, so... I am going forward with the project.

For the person who said this is an easy install: you sir/madam are full of ... (or are employed by Warmrails).

If you are going to plug it into an outlet that's NOT an install. That's how you hang a painting. And you would need to rip it out of the wall when you vacate/sell the place. (And close 8 huge holes you've created hanging it up).

If you want it to actually increase the value of your bathroom, you need to do a WALL MOUNT install. (Read: add half a day and if you can't do electrical work, add $80 for an electrician).

And this is where it all goes south quick.

1) you will need additional parts and a whole bunch of tools. (At least the right grade of an in-wall aluminum wire ($10) and 2 screws for the wall mounting plate which are for some ungodly reason missing.

2) you will need to shorten the (wall-to-unit) pipe that comes with it. because it is TOO LONG. (For NO apparent reason. It's not like the wall can SOMEHOW miraculously be at a different distance than the PLASTIC LEG of the warmer 2 inches away! I recommend a dremel. But any metal saw will do. Also, the wall cover is a sliver larger than a traditional mount box giving you zero chance to get that right.

3) There are no templates for the wall cut out. So... good luck eyeing it. There are also no plastic/metal box to host the wiring OR the plastic ends for merging 3 wires. (I guess that's part of #1).

4) If you have a huge bathroom with lots of wall space near the tub you are in luck. If you live in/near a city you are OUT of luck. As the "easy to remove" tiny screws could be impossible to reach once the warmer is mounted on the wall.

5) One of the screw threads on the switch box was busted. Which caused a bunch of grief during the install.

Easy install this is not. PAY SOMEONE TO INSTALL IT you will not regret the 1/2 a day wasted.

Add $30 in additional parts to your cost for *proper* install.

Another gripe this thing requires a full 3 wire install. Which means you can't mount it off of an electric switch (hot+ground) you need a full blown outlet (or a new run). Which is unnecessary and complicates things.

I was planning to buy another one for the second bathroom. I think I'll skip on that.

Does it work? YES.

Does it look ok on a wall? YES.

Do I wish they would spend extra $5 on parts so I don't have to spend $30? Yes

Do I wish ill on whomever designed it and didn't consider tight working conditions? Indubitably!

Quality of the unit itself: 5/10

Difficulty of an outlet install: 3/10

Difficulty of an in-wall install: 10/10

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Decent build, fairly easy to install (after all, I installed it myself). The most important issue to remember if you are thinking of buying this is this device will not produce steaming, hot towels like you would get at a spa.

The temperature is not adjustable.

Otherwise, works as advertised.

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I've been very happy with this towel warmer. I recently renovated my bathroom and had the builders install this, so I can't speak to the difficulty of hardwiring this personally, but after a professional installation this works very well. Keep in mind, your towels don't get toasty hot, they get dry (and warm). My only quibble is that Warmrails puts some really cheap-looking clear plastic stickers on this. Once you take them off, which you'll want to do because they don't even bother to put them on straight or to make sure they aren't crimped, they leave a sticky residue. I haven't been sure how to clean this off, but I guess it hasn't bothered me that much because I'm sure I could figure it out pretty easily. This is an easy and inexpensive way to turn your bathroom into a bit of a spa, and I'm glad I purchased this.

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We purchased two smaller Warmrails towel warmers from Amazon for our master bath in the spring of 2007 and liked them so much we decided to add this large Warmrails towel warmer for our guest bath. All of them are superb. One of the best features is that, in the humid summer weather here in Vermont, the towels get quite dry within several hours. In the winter, of course, the towels are toasty warm. If someone wants really hot towels, this towel warmer is probably not the best choice -towels get warm but not hot-hot. We fold our towels so they are 4 layers thick, and put them over the towel warmer (i.e., 4 layers over the front and 4 layers in the back), and 3 of the layers are quite warm.

We purchased the towel warmer with a plug-in option. The cord is fairly long, and our electrician was able to thread the cord through a hole right behind the towel warmer, and plug it into an outlet in a closet behind the bathroom. This made the cord practically invisible in the bathroom. Finally, the towel warmer metal rails are quite warm, but I can put my hand on them for a few seconds without feeling like I will get burned. I would highly recommend the Warmrails product.

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Crane EE-6490 Space Heater 600/1200 Watt

Crane EE-6490 Space Heater 600/1200 Watt
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $34.99
Today's Bonus: 13% Off
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The copy on this description is missing information:

( From )

PERSONAL CERAMIC HEATER

* Compact design

* Designer brushed aluminum finish'

* 800 & 1200 watt' heat settings

* Overheat protection & tip over switch'

* Whisper quiet operation'

* Height: 8"

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Wow this thing really cranks out some serious heat. It uses less energy than most ceramic heaters and is very stylish. I leave it on low and am wowed by its ability to heat a room up. The build quality is second to none. I love that it has a quality dust filter on back that will make for easy cleaning. My only complaint would be that the front grill get super hot making it difficult to pick up when it is on. If they made a little handle or recess in the back to help protect your fingers it would get 5 stars hands down!!!

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I bought this little guy because it was the same price as similarly specced machines, and it had the lowest wattage setting of them all (600W/1200W on LOW/HI respectively).

Pros:

It heats my little 10x10 bedroom super fast. Because it is a lower wattage, I do have it plugged into an extension cord, and have not noticed any weird behavior. Both the heater plug and extension cord plug are cool to the touch after two hours of running the machine, which is about all I ever run it for anyway. The back, sides and bottom of the machine also say cool to the touch (at least on the low setting), which puts me at ease having is only 1ft from the wall in a corner of my little room. It is also quiet enough that I can watch TV and listen to music at pretty conservative volumes (I have roommates and like to watch TV in bed at night w/ this heater running).

Cons:

I was just looking at the unit and noticed the sticker on the bottom says the wattage is 800W/1200W... which is an extra 200W on the lower setting than advertised on both the box and on the site. This is a little disappointing, but not a total deal breaker. Also, the unit does not have any safety features (that I can see). It does not have tip-over protection, which leads me to believe it probably doesn't ahve overheat protection either... I can't be sure on this, but a quick skim of the brochure it came with didn't really tell me much.

Over, a decent heater if you don't plan to leave it running all the time while unattended; and if the 800W low setting isn't a deal breaker. It would be nice if that spec was changed on both the box and the site.

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Amazon carries another heater by the same maker as this one, it is the "Crane EE-6353 Space Heater 600/1200 Watt". The Product Features and Details seem to be switched on these two. At least this is my assumption; check them both out and you will probably agree.

For instance, the larger one is probably the one that is 20" tall, and the smaller one 8.6" tall. Another important difference: the smaller one probably does not come with a remote, but the larger one probably does.

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This is a 800/1200 watt unit not 600/1200 if it matters to anyone. It is 8" high by 3.25" deep by about 6.75" wide. The picture and model number are now correct on Amazon. No, it does not have a remote.

Someone posted that this unit has tip-protection, but it does not (I just tried it). Disconcerting, but i'll live with it. If anyone is wondering, as it was a selling point for me, the construction is mostly metal (case & grate at least, impressive in a sea of plastic heaters), and the case does not get hot despite the warning sticker on top of the unit.

I am pleased with the performance, even though I'm downgrading from a Pelonis 4-ceramic-disk heater (It was my parents', I moved out, it stayed), and upgrading from a temporary [crappy] Lasko 'milk-house' style heater Wally World special. I wanted to get a Pelonis, but the company seems to barely acknowledge it's existence anymore and I didn't want to drop down 70 Washingtons for it. While the Pelonis is still superior to this unit, I think this little Crane comes pretty close, and I'll echo other reviews here for quiet operation and for heating up a 10x10 room pretty well. I suspect the only reason the Pelonis seemed to work better was due to more infrared heat put out of the unit and more air forced through the heating element (same fan size, but higher speed, your trade-off is loudness though).

Keep in mind that the vast majority of 'ceramic' heaters, including this one, don't use perforated ceramic plates, the kind used in the Pelonis and good infrared saunas (I have one, the plates in the heating units are similar to the Pelonis disks). To be honest, I don't even see where the 'ceramic' part comes into play with the Crane, it just looks like a metal element. But again, it still heats well, and for less than 35 dollars, it's hard to beat when accounting for it's size.

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Secura 4-Quart Electric Water Boiler and Warmer, 18/10 Stainless Steel Interior SWB-42

Secura 4-Quart Electric Water Boiler and Warmer SWB-42G, 18/10 Stainless Steel Interior,Eclipse Grey
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $49.99
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UPDATE (8/19/2013): As of today, it is a piece of junk--1.5 yrs later. I just order a Zojirushi for twice the cost but will most likely last at least 4 times as long.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (1/18/2012);

This Secura water boiler is to replace my old Zojirushi boiler (of 6.5 yrs), which finally kick the bucket; the manual pump won't produce any pressure.

Most of the reviews posted prior to mine are pretty valid, but I like to add few more points:

1. the highest setting is 208°F, but that's max temperature where the water boils, then it's kept at about 175°F the rest of the time. So if you want to brew coffee, you need to hit reboil and get the water right after it is done boiling. For tea, you should set it lower.

2. "Manufactured by Secura, Inc. Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA" was printed on the box, and printed right next to it was "Made in China". A bit ambiguous.

3. The power cord connector is a three-prong type like that used for the computer, and the plug is also three-prong. Unlike the Japanese "mag-safe" style connector, if you accidentally caught the cord, the boiler will likely come along with it.

4. Overall quality is good, comparable to Japanese ones (there's Japanese on the inside indicating the FULL line, so I presume Secura is competing with Japanese brands in their home turf), the stainless exterior looks classy, but the faceplate on top isn't glued down completely.

5. The outside is warm, but not really different than all the boiler I've come across (all my relatives and friends have a countertop water boiler--it's an Asian thing).

6. Boiling a full tank from cold to boil takes about 25 min, but reboiling takes significantly less (of course).

The quality makes me believe this unit should last at least a few years, and if it lasted more than 6 yrs, I'm happy.

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Update March 30, 2013:

After almost a year and a half using this warmer/boiler, my family still loves it like when we first got it. It's still working very nicely, like new, trouble-free. Some other things I also like about it are the night light (very cool and useful) and its super-easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior (unlike other stainless steel products I have).

Original review November 2011 below:

The design is so beautiful.

The build quality is top-notch inside and out.

The price is very reasonable.

And most importantly, it works really well.

I looked at most warmers available here and chose this one, and I think I made the right decision.

However, this is the first time I have heard of and bought a product made by Secura, so I can't comment on its long term quality. But for now, I am very satisfied with it.

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THis malfunctioned from the start by boiling over out of the vent slots on the top lid. We managed by leaving the lid open so that the pressure was relieved. After only 5 months of use, the "dispense" mechanism electronics malfunction such that the boiling hot water wont stop after you release the button...must be unplugged to get it to stop...problematic to say the least.

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It does what it said it does. Few things that I wish to see improved:

When the water is ready to be dispensed, the only indicator is the tiny boiling light turning off. If there was a beep or a chime, it would be very helpful.

Water drain on the bottom of the pot is raised almost an inch. No matter what you do, you will end up with an inch of water at the bottom that you cannot use unless you flip the pot.

When you unlock, a red light comes on. Many people think it is a infrared sensor. In other words, they think it will dispense when the light is blocked. To dispense, you have to press the dispense button or press a cup against a small white lever behind the spout.

There is no timer setting, so the pot will always be on.

Yes, the unit is warm to touch. Don't think it is insulated enough.

For the price, the product is decent. But, I will not buy another...

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It's an awesome water heater. It has two temperature settings I like the lower one at 76 deg C because I don't like my water boiling hot. The laser beam is cool, too, for those late night refills :-). The spout is a no-drip spout, so after you stop pouring water into the cup, it will not drip onto your table. There's a lock feature so kids don't accidentally push the lever to dispense water. and there are 2 ways to dispense water button on top and the lever to push cup against. Overall, I live everything about this product!

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