Reviews by Jeanmo

Jeanmo says "Waffles or pancakes -- your choice in one" about Black & Decker Grill and waffle baker

Jeanmo — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:54:47 GMT

I've trusted the Black & Decker brand name for many years. And this waffle maker is proving no exception to that rule. I've used this small kitchen appliance for years (I can't even remember how long ago I bought it) and received reliable service from it. Years of reliable use makes this a good value in my eyes. The heating is still uniform, without any overly-hot or cold spots. Waffles come out evenly done. But like most waffle cookers, you have to keep a close eye to catch them when they're perfectly done.

It's not the prettiest waffle maker on the market; just a plain chrome finish. But I buy things for their function and value more than their looks. The size is generous enough that you can make a family-sized batch of waffles in a short time. The cooking plates will reverse (not too difficult to snap out and reinsert) to become flat griddles, so you can cook pancakes or make grilled cheese sandwiches just as easily. The removable plates also allow for easier...

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Jeanmo says "Small but mighty" about Holmes Heater - Space Heater- 1 Touch HFH5505

Jeanmo — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:36:15 GMT

I work at a desk situated in a large open warehouse. Such large open spaces are difficult to keep comfortably warm in the winter. Having a sedentary desk job, normally on the phone or a computer, I don't usually move around enough to keep my body generating its own heat. I needed a space heater.

This Holmes 1-Touch heater is exactly what I needed. It's compact enough that it doesn't get in the way of my rolling desk chair. It has enough power to keep the space at my desk (and me) warmer even on the coldest of days. I like the adjustable low-to-higher settings so that I can easily regulate the temperature. A safety feature that I also value is the automatic shut-off if the unit ever gets too hot, but I've never had that happen. I think that function would kick in if you forget to turn it off.

The unit isn't very expensive to begin with, so this seems like a good value. It has worked reliably even in a dusty environment. The heat-producing elements are...

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Jeanmo says "Economical popper that works well" about Presto 04820 PopLite Popcorn Maker

Jeanmo — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:50:05 GMT

I've used a Presto PopLite popcorn popper for a few years now, ever since my original hot air popper (I forget what brand that one was, but it served me for about 20 years) finally bit the dust after many years. So far, it looks like this one is proving just as reliable. Since this wasn't very expensive to begin with, I feel like I've gotten a bargain.

I've loved popcorn ever since I was a little kid and we still made it in the special stove-top pan that had the internal crank arm attached to the lid to keep the kernals from sticking and burning in the hot oil. But ever since these hot air poppers appeared on the market, I've used nothing else. The popcorn has a better taste (and is healthier, too) when popped with hot air instead of in hot oil.

I do find, though, that butter or margerine doesn't melt quite as well in the melting tray provided. My personal fix for that is to use a spray butter, which I just pump onto the popped corn as it blows out of the plastic...

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Jeanmo says "Economical safety measure for every home" about First Alert Smoke Alarm model # SA92B

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:39:20 GMT

Every dwelling should have a smoke alarm, whether you own the home or rent. Smoke detectors save lives. The First Alert Smoke Alarm (virtually any model that First Alert makes) will provide a sense of security for every day. No matter if it is a house, an apartment, or a condo, you need to have one of these.

These are not expensive units. They're easy to install (just a couple of screws) and since most of them run on batteries, there's no extra wiring to fuss with. A convenient test button on the outside of the unit's lid allowas you to check on your battery, and most of these units also include an intermittent beel when battery life runs low. To silence one of these alarms, just open the cover. Batteries (9 volt) are easy to replace.

The owner's manual gives you all the information you'll need for installation. It also gives recommendations for placement within your house, as well as recommendations for how many units you may need for proper coverage.

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Jeanmo says "Economical identity-theft protection" about Mainstays compact home/office paper shredder

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:26:09 GMT

Several years ago we purchased a Mainstays home office paper shredder (model # WM6X) for use in our home to destroy sensitive documents. We wanted an easy way to make it harder for someone to go through our trash and find any kind of information that they could use for identity theft. A paper shredder seemed like a sound investment, and this one has worked reliably all that time. I think we got a good bargain, because this wasn't very expensive to begin with.

This Mainstays model # WM6X comes with a waste basket to collect the shredded bits. The shredder will cross-cut, meaning that instead of just long thin strips, you get smaller bits of paper (say, an inch-and-a-half to 2-inches long) that are much more difficult to piece back together. This helps ensure that names, addresses, credit card numbers on statements, account numbers on bank statements, etc., are all harder for someone else to reconstruct.

The shredder indicates that it can shred a maximum of 6 pages at a time;...

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Jeanmo says "better light bulbs for us all" about CFL's (Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs)

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:07:15 GMT

Using CFL's (Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs) may be the easiest thing you can do to help Mother Earth. Although initially more expensive to purchase than regular incandescent bulbs, they can make up for it in extended life and lower energy bills. Use these in the lamps that you use most frequently, and you'll help your budget and the environment at the same time. CFL's use less electricity, which means that less coal is burned to produce the electricity (as the majority of American electricity comes from coal-burning power plants), and that means less air pollution and global climate change emissions.

A couple of "cons" that I can think of: I haven't yet found CFL's that function in 3-way light switches, where you can choose from lower to mid to higher light levels. But as these bulbs grow in popularity, I'll bet someone will figure that out and 3-way CFL's may show up commonly on store shelves. As another reviewer noted, they don't work well with dimmer switches (again,...

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Jeanmo says "Helps with household allergies" about Ionic Pro Ionic Breeze Compact

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:34:03 GMT

We purchased 2 of these units several years ago, hoping they would help with some household allergies. And they seem to be doing just that. No matter how many times you dust, you simply can't get everything that is in your household air. This Ionic Breeze purifier will help.

One we placed in the bedroom for a better night's sleep. The other is in our main living area. Though small, it still does the trick. Actually, the small size is one of the things we like best. Most of our house guests don't even notice it. It runs silently, and it leaves the air in the immediate vicinity with a pleasant slight scent of ozone, much like how the air smells after a rain shower. It's easy to clean the collector blades when they do get full of the "gunk" in the air (just a swipe with a slightly damp paper towel, then a swipe with a dry cloth). You'll be amazed at how much black crud collects on these blades and wonder what that stuff could be doing to your lungs instead.

None...

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Jeanmo says "We feel like we got a good bargain" about GE crock pot

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:21:08 GMT

We purchased our GE crock pot (slow cooker) years ago. It has performed reliably ever since. No troubles, so we're definitely getting our money's worth from this kitchen appliance. Since it wasn't over-priced to begin with, we feel like we got a bargain.

This model is deep enough and wide enough for a medium-sized pot roast. When we cook a pot roast, the 2 of us can have a hot meal and still have leftovers, to give you a better idea of the size. This is a great way to make soups and stews, too. It's user-friendly; you really don't need to read the owner's manual to figure out how to work it. However, the instruction manual offers excellent cooking tips and helpful advice for folks who have never used a crock pot before.

Clean up with this model is easy, too. Sometimes kitchen appliances had a very short cord on them, and it makes it difficult to reach an outlet from the desired position on the counter. However, this one seems to have an adequate-length cord,...

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Jeanmo says "Works great for a small household" about Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Toaster 22145 BC

Jeanmo — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:25:30 GMT

Unlike the other reviewer here, the Hamilton Beach # 22145 toaster has performed just fine for me. I can't even remember how many years ago I bought mine; I have experienced no troubles with it. It was an economical choice that seems to have paid off in its value.

It's easy to operate and you don't have to read the owner's manual instructions to figure it all out. The bottom crumb tray opens easily for crumb removal, and still shuts securely. The cancel button allows you to stop toasting if you want to remove the bread before the pre-timed setting thinks it should stop. A handy feature is the "lifter" to ease in removing the toast. It's the same button that you press down to start the toasting function -- you just push up on it to raise the bread out, making it easier to remove. The setting dial is simple -- just turn it to a higher number if you want your toast darker, lower number for lighter toasting.

The only complaint I have is a common one for many kitchen appliances. ...

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Jeanmo says "Been sleeping comfortably on it since 2000." about Denver Mattress Company mattress

Jeanmo — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:44:28 GMT

I purchased a Denver Mattress Company queen-size mattress set in the year 2000. I can't even remember now which specific model it is, but I can tell you that I have had a comfortable night's sleep ever since then. The mattress seems to be holding up well to years of use. Lots of mattresses seem to break down over time and develop depressions where your body usually lays on them. I flip my mattress over about once every 6 months, and I seem to have avoided that pitall.

Denver Mattress sets are reasonably-priced for the value-conscious. They provide excellent back support without feeling like you're either sleeping on a marshmellow or sleeping on a rock. I recommended Denver Mattress to a friend with back problems, and she said it improved her quality of sleep. I think you can get as high a quality from this company as from other nationally-known brand names without the high price tag.

Denver Mattress makes a number of different lines of mattress sets. You'll have to find...

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Jeanmo says "Excellent value for the price" about Member's Mark Litter Clean Scoopable

Jeanmo — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:22:11 GMT

I have used the Member's Mark Litter Clean Scoopable litter for many years. All of my cats took to it quickly. It clumps well and the clumps hold together when scooping them out of the box. The litter contains odors satisfactorily.

This item is sold at Sam's Club, so you have to be a member there to purchase it there. Membership costs a yearly fee, but even with that yearly fee, the savings on the litter will make up for that. It is one of the most economical scoopable litters that I have found on the market.

This litter comes in an plastic 40-pound bucket with a lid that seals tight, so even if you don't use the entire bucket to fill your litter box at one time, you can safely store the remainder without worry about spills. You can find other uses for the plastic bucket, too(remember that reusing and recycling is better for our planet). Everyone needs a bucket for cleaning around the house, washing the car, etc. Or you can use it when you scoop the clumps out of...

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Jeanmo says "Don't need the manual to figure it out." about GE Sensor Microwave

Jeanmo — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:07:53 GMT

I purchased a GE Sensor Microwave Oven when my old microwave finally died. I have to admit, the first unit I bought blew out electronically within a month, and I was surprised by that. There had never been anything metal at all in the oven, but an electrical arc popped out the back venting panel under normal use. Hoping that it was just a fluke with one bad machine, I exchanged it at my original store of purchase for another unit of the exact same model. So far, so good, and I use it every day.

This is an easy microwave to use. You can start using it without having to read the manual. There are 6 "express" buttons, and I like the convenience of putting something in and pressing just one button to have it heated for up to 6 minutes (i.e., button 1 will heat for one minute, button 2 will heat for 2 minutes, etc.). Of course, you can also use the "timed cook" option for any other length of time that you want. There are options for thawing frozen foods and a button to adjust...

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Jeanmo says "Easy to use and economical" about Black & Decker DLX1050w type 1 12 cup Coffee Maker

Jeanmo — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:27:14 GMT

After years of service, my old Black & Decker coffee maker finally burned out. I chose to replace it with another Black & Decker coffee maker, knowing the reliability of the brand; this time the DLX1050W model.

This model gives a nice amount of ammenities for a very reasonable price. The feature that I appreciate the most is that it has an automatic shut-off after 2 hours. That avoids the nagging feeling of, "Did I remember to turn off the coffee pot before I left the house this morning?" With this unit, you don't have to worry about that. Even if you forget, it won't stay on all day and burn your coffee carafe.

This model is also programmable, so that you can set up your coffee in a filter the night before, pour the water into the reservoir, and set the time that you want your coffee to start brewing so that it will be ready for you as soon as you wake up in the morning. I'm one of those folks who just doesn't function very well until I get a little caffeine first...

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Jeanmo says "A superior alternative to buying bottled water" about PUR Faucet Water Filters

Jeanmo — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:57:55 GMT

The Pur Faucet Water Filter is a fantastic alternative to buying bottled water. Just think of all those plastic water bottles that -- if they don't get recycled -- end up in the landfill, where they will remain virtually forever. Economically and environmentally, it is much better to get one reusable water bottle and refill it with your own filtered tap water.

Pur filters provide clean-tasting water that is free of many of the chemicals (Chlorine, Benzene) added to it in water treatment facilities. The carbon microfilter will remove microbial cysts and giardia, which can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. It reduces heavy metals in water such as mercury (which causes nerve damage) that seeps into water from the environment as a result of coal-burning power plants, and lead (which causes physical and mental development problems in children, kidney damage in adults) that can be absorbed by water from household plumbing.

The fawcet-mounted unit may be a bit bulky and...

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Jeanmo says "incredible photography" about Planet Earth

Jeanmo — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:27:14 GMT

I watched this series when it aired on TV, and couldn't wait for the next episode. The Planet Earth series showed our homeworld in all it beauty, diversity, grandure, and sometimes even in its ferocity. I'm usually very picky about how I spend my time in the evenings after work. Frequently, I don't even turn the TV on if the shows don't seem to offer anything worthwhile. This series, though, is definintely worthwhile.

The thing I remember most about it now was the incredible photography. Shooting the HD digital "video" using new techniques that had not successfully been tried before, the photographers were able to capture stunning views of geography, amazing wildlife shots, and high-quality slow motion action sequences.

Whether you love the mountains or the oceans, the plants or the animals, there is something interesting for everyone in this series. I believe the educational value of each episode would merit its being shown in schools. But it's a far cry from the dry,...

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Jeanmo says "My cat asks for these treats." about The Goodlife Recipe Wholesome delights cat treats

Jeanmo — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:14:38 GMT

I have a cat who actually asks for these treats. Of course, many cats come to know where the special treats are kept, just like mine has. She will come into the kitchen and sit below the cupboard where I keep the Goodlife treats and meow at me until I pay attention to her. She's got me wrapped around her little paw. All she has to do is look cute and meow, and she'll get the treats she wants.

She's not looking for just any treats, though. I have purchased some other brands of treats, but she turns her nose up at them. She'll walk away from anything other than Goodlife treats. She seems especially fond of the salmon and garden greens variety.

These treats seem to be a good value for the buck. Periodically I even find money-saving coupons for Goodlife treats in the Sunday newspaper. Goodlife seems to be readily available in most grocery stores, pet stores, and even the big-box stores. And I trust their nutritional value as well. We love to pamper our furry companions,...

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Jeanmo says "A "green" bottle no matter which color you choose" about Sigg Water Bottle

Jeanmo — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:55:12 GMT

After hearing a lot about cancer-causing BPH in plastic bottles, I purchased a Sigg water bottle. This is a tough little bottle! Of course, if you drop it, it can dent. Sigg didn't make it completely impervious to our everyday mishaps. But it usually won't break -- not unless you really try hard to make it break, say, like beating it repeatedly with a sharp rock. If it falls at an unfortunate angle and strikes on the lid, the plastic screw-on top can break, but replacements are easily available through the Sigg website.

The interior is lined so you don't have to worry that drinking from an aluminum bottle will give you Alzheimer's. The lining prevents the bottle from absorbing odors and flavors from sports drinks or sodas. Sigg provides a wide variety of sizes, colors, designs, and lid types, so you're sure to find one that suits your style.

As for cleaning, avoid running it through the dishwasher. But then again, you already know that if you've had a Nalgene --...

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Jeanmo says "Tiny in size, mighty big in convenience" about Coghlan's Tent Whisk Broom and Dust Pan

Jeanmo — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:37:55 GMT

For tent campers one of the biggest problems is all the little debris that gets tracked inside. No matter how hard you try to remove you boots and shake them out, granules of dirt still find their way in your tent. The Coghlan's Tent Whisk Broom and Dust Pan will be your tent's best friend.

Grit can grind in underfoot, and soon your tent floor gets worn and dirty. Try to get that dirt out before that happens! This broom & dustpan's compact size allow it to accompany you just about anywhere that you can take your tent. Compact, durable, & lightweight, it doesn't take up much room in a pack. Ultralighters, of course, will choose to do without this "luxury" item on the trail. But once back home, this is a handy tool for that after-trip cleaning that a tent requires.

Best of all, this unit is relatively inexpensive. And it works in those smaller tents where bigger brooms just can't function. The only drawback is that a tiny broom requires more time on your knees, trying...

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Jeanmo says "The convenience factor is huge!" about REI Sahara Convertible Pants SPF 50

Jeanmo — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:10:47 GMT

OK, I admit that I have a hard time making a decision. That's why these are the perfect pants for me. I don't have to decide whether I want to wear pants or short. I can have both at the same time. Makes life a lot easier if you happen to live in an area that has cool mornings, warm afternoons, and then cool evenings again.

These REI Sahara Convertible pants stand up well to most of my outdoor activities. Hiking in the mountains frequently leads to quick changes in temperatures and weather conditions. These pants are ready for it all. Zippers at the ankles provide ease in converting the pants to shorts when the day heats up. and the pants zip back on easily when the evening cools again. I've never even had a zipper get caught or stuck. They clean easily, the nylon dries quickly if you get caught in an afternoon thunderstorm, and it can withstand abrasions pretty well. Best of all, their pockets are generously sized, not these wimpy tiny things that some other pants...

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Jeanmo says "A fascinating way for pets to stay hydrated" about The Drinkwell Pet Fountain

Jeanmo — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:45:04 GMT

I can't even remember how long ago it was now since I first purchased a Drinkwell Pet Fountain for my cats ... at my husband's suggestion. At first I thought, "That's crazy to spend money like that when they can drink just fine from any bowl." However, he proved right (which I'm constantly reminded of) and the cats love this fountain.

Another reviewer apparently had a problem with a faulty motor on the pump; I have not. Mine is still the original unit, and it has been running 24/7 for several years. With periodic cleaning, I've never experinenced a single pumping problem, and the motor still runs quietly. The filter needs changing regularly (as expected) to keep water fresh and clean, but otherwise little maintenance is required. I have found that it works quite well to disassemble the unit and put it in the dishwasher now and then (keeping the pump out, of course!) for a good cleaning. The water really should be emptied and completely replaced weekly for freshness,...

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