Reviews about Home & Garden

ecw2000 says "Sadly, it didn't meet my expectations..." about West Bend Stir Crazy - Popcorn Popper

ecw2000 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:47:23 GMT

Sadly, the West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Maker 82306 didn't live up to my expectations. I was so excited because it made me remember the nostalgic taste and experience of popping popcorn with a little bit of oil, butter and salt and watching the butter melt down onto the kernals. I was not impressed with the lack of an on/off switch. I was disappointed when the non-stick coating started flaking after the second use.

On a positive note, I did like the top's ability to double as the bowl. It was relatively easy to clean up and my daughter really enjoyed watching it stir and pop. (I did too!) This did pop more kernals than some of the other poppers I have used.

I feel the one from my youth was built better and performed better than this one and that it isn't worth the price I paid. However, I would still recommend it to my friends/family if they are looking for an electric hot-oil popper with a warning that the outside gets very hot so caution is needed - especially around children...

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DizzyKiz says "Hubby's Favorite" about Pampered Chef Large Round Baking Stone - 1370

DizzyKiz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:43:34 GMT

I purchased the Pampered Chef Pizza Stone and removable rack holder as a gift for my husband several years ago. He is a pizza fanatic and had always wanted to try cooking pizza on a stone. Needless to say, he was thrilled with the gift and has used it many, many times since receiveing it.

I personally think it works well, but I also have used aluminum pizza sheets that seem to work just as well to me. I dislike cooking stones, as they are not really made to be washed thoroughly, and I definitely like to scrub my dishes clean using very hot water. I have the scrapper that you are instructed to use to remove any stuck on food from the stoneware, and that does work well. However, sauces and oils just are not able to be removed as easily. (I have tried cornstarch or lightly flouring the stone before baking, which seem to improve the amount of food sticking to the stone.)

Overall, a good piece of kitchen equipment, but perhaps not totally necessary.

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ecw2000 says "Love it!" about Presto Presto Hot Air Popper

ecw2000 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:35:20 GMT

I really like Presto's Hot Air Popcorn Popper. This is the 3rd one I have purchased. One was from a yard sale and after several years, I decided to replace with a new one. They have always been very good and I have no complaints. I love the fact that the top of the popper (little round tray) is removable to measure and pour in the popcorn kernals and/or used for melting the butter, if you choose to have butter on your popcorn. This works great for those that want popcorn without the additives that are found within the numerous microwave popcorn bags/products.

I have forgotten and placed the yellow "shield" and butter melter/cup in the dishwasher - top rack - and haven't had any problems, though the manufacturer advises against placing them in the dishwasher.

If I had one thing I would like to change or add to this product, it would be adding an on/off switch. I do not like having the machine automatically start as soon as I plug it in. Nor do I like the fact that I have...

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TanaEdge says "Does the work for you -- especially on grout!" about Sonic Scrubber Sonic Scrubber with medium brush head

TanaEdge — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:29:41 GMT

Every few months, I spend a good portion of my day on my hands and knees, scrubbing the grout on our kitchen floor with a toothbrush. My husband came home with this dandy little tool last week and it has made my life so much easier!

The Sonic Scrubber is small and battery operated, so it's easy to store and transport. It comes with labels, so you can label which heads are used for certain jobs, that way you don't use the one for the toilet on your kitchen sink. You can also purchase extra brush head sets to fit all your needs. Cleaning my kitchen grout was virtually effortless compared to the toothbrush method! And the brush head is very durable - after cleaning the entire kitchen floor, the bristles aren't bent at all. I can't wait to try it on the shower grout, though I'm sure it'll do just as good a job.

The scrubber is a bit loud, which my cat and 3-year-old son didn't appreciate immediately. But it's totally worth the noise and $12 we spent on it!

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jstapp101405 says "The Swiffer Sweeper Vac is a great option for everyday cleanup." about Swiffer Sweeper Vac Vacuum

jstapp101405 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:09:47 GMT

I recently moved to a home with a lot of ceramic tile. Keeping up with daily dirt and dog hair was a pain. We need clean floors with a baby crawling around. A regular vacuum was just blowing stuff back out and using a broom and dustpan takes forever and is not friendly to those with back problems. I saw a coupon for the Swiffer Sweeper Vac and figured it was worth a shot. I'm glad I did.

The Swiffer Sweeper Vac is light weight and easy to assemble and use.

You plug it in to charge, and the charge lasts long enough for me to zoom around about 800-1,000 square feet. This is not the vacuum option you want to use for big jobs. This is just an everyday tidy-up kind of thing.

It picks up small particles and some large (though not dog food) and is great for pet hair.

I have to empty the dust cup after every room (but I have a lot of dog hair to contend with). You just press the button, the cup pops out, empty into the trash, pop it back in and go on your way.

I highly recommend this to anyone...

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jstapp101405 says "The Cuisinart Custom 14 is by far my favorite food processor." about Cuisinart Custom 14

jstapp101405 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:55:45 GMT

I love to cook and spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I wanted a good quality food processor, and I found that in the Cuisinart Custom 14.

This food processor is easy to use and easy to clean. I give it a quick rinse in the sink and then pop it right in the dishwasher.

The base is a bit heavy and I wish there were cord storage.

The 14 cup bowl size is big enough for just about anything I want to make. It's great for making lots of pie crusts to freeze, or large batches of whatever's on your menu. It does just as good a job on small batches.

The blades are easy to switch and use. I didn't need it, but there is a DVD (and a recipe selection) included that teaches you the ins and outs of the Cuisinart Custom 14.

The feed tube is large and very safe to use.

It's great for shredding and slicing.

I use this item quite frequently, so I keep it out on the counter, but if you were looking to store it in a cabinet between uses, it is a bit large.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone who...

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jstapp101405 says "Not quite the washer of my dreams." about Bosch Nexxt Washer - 500 Front Load

jstapp101405 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:40:13 GMT

I did a lot of research before purchasing a new washer. I wanted a front loader with a large capacity, and something quiet. The Bosch Nexxt seemed like it was going to be the best option and the best price. It was quickly delivered and easily installed.

I was disappointed with the level of cleanliness this washer achieved. The cycle times were very long. Sometimes the spin cycle didn't actually get the water out of the laundry and it would be dripping when the cycle ended. The same load at other times would be almost dry when it was done.

It's an attractive model, easy to use and can fit large loads. It is almost silent.

It does not always get things clean and I found the spin cycle unreliable. You really must make sure the door stays open after use to dry out, or mold/mildew grow quickly and there's an "off" smell.

I'm not sure I would purchase the Bosch Nexxt again, due to my experience.

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kat9948 says "Did the job, but not that impressive" about Dyson Animal DC17 All Floor Vacuum

kat9948 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:33:52 GMT

I work at a small company and we recently needed a new vacuum. My coworker was dying to get a Dyson, so we decided to get one. It was more expensive than the boss wanted to pay, but since we heard nothing but good reviews he figured it was worth the investment. Unfortunately it did not live up to our expectations. I will admit the business does get plenty of foot traffic, so vacuuming every night it needed to pick up a lot of dirt. But even so, after the first month it did not pick up as much, and now about 6 months later it hardly picks up anything at all. It is not very powerful and is hard to clean and put back together. Understandably the filter needs cleaning all the time, but even when it has just been cleaned it still has a hard time cleaning anything up. It does an ok job, but I would get something else next time.

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kwhipkey says "Goes with me everywhere!" about Sigg Water Bottle

kwhipkey — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:20:19 GMT

I was originally attrached to Sigg waterbottles last year for a few reasons. First, I was not happy with how many plastic bottles I was wasting daily. We do not have a water cooler or even good tap water at my work, and I knew the plastic I was going through (even though I recycle) was not very green. Second, I love how Sigg bottles look. I have a 20oz bottle that I use all the time and the art on it is awesome. I like the 20oz size too because it is easy to carry or fit in a bag or purse. Finally I chose this bottle over some cheaper plastic options out of concern for BPA in them. I have been very happy with my Sigg waterbottle all along. I will admit that when I first started using it I thought the taste of my water was a little off, but I am used to it now. I have never put other beverages in my bottle, but I know you can put other hot and cold bevs in there. The only other downside is they are a bit hard to clean since you are not suppose to put them in the dishwasher. ...

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kat9948 says "BGE is a great investment for awesome food!" about Big Green Egg Big Green Egg

kat9948 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:04:13 GMT

My husband was bugging me to get him a Big Green Egg (BGE) for his birthday this year, so I finally caved and got it. It was more expensive than I wanted to pay, so I was leary about how good a grill it would be and was hoping it wouldn't disappoint. It definitely didn't! This grill/smoker/oven is fantastic! Everything we have cooked on it has come out great. It's good for beginners since it's nearly impossible to mess up the food. We've smoked ribs, grilled salmon, steaks, chicken, and more. We even made pretzels in it. They all came out great. My husband said it is awesome how moist everything comes out. We never got that on our old BBQ. The only drawback on the grill is you have to be careful when lifting the lid. If you do it too quickly the top vent flies off and hits the ground. It is fairly expensive (we got the medium sized one) but it truly is worth the investment.

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livlrluv7 says "Woodwick candles are relaxing and romantic, I love them!" about Virginia Candle Company WoodWick Candles

livlrluv7 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:56:12 GMT

About six months ago I recieved a Wood Wick Candles as a gift, As soon as i lit it it smelled amazing and it sounded like an actual wood fire! I then went searching in stores to find more! Since then I have purchased about 5 Wood Wick candles for myself. They ome in different glass containers and different sizes. When you put them all together and light them all it is so romantic, and just sit back with the person you love and listen to these amazing candles flicker, it is one more thing to add to the list of romantic setting right along with the rose petals all over...

these candles re perfect for those would love the soud of a crackling fire, or who love great sents, or those who are looking for something to help set a romantic setting.

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patterson84 says "Pergo's can't get too wet" about Pergo Hgardwood Flooring Antique Oak

patterson84 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:53:36 GMT

I recently replaced carpeting and tile on the first floor of my home. The carpeting was present when I moved in two years ago and if I didn't clean it weekly, stains were constantly marring the appearance. I started thinking about hard wood mahagony and received an estimate from the local flooring store. As this seemed prohibitive, I considered pergo.
Unfortunately it was sold to me as low maintenance and with a 30 year warranty. I am a single woman and travel frequently for my job so I was looking for a "simple but elegant" product. I voiced my concerns about placing it in the kitchen and the vanity bath, but the sales person assured me that this would be fine. The final cost of the material and installation was between $7,000.00 and $8,000.00 dollars.
Unfortunately I have regretted this purchase almost from the time it was installed. I too have experienced scratches, smudges and spots. Being a single woman, furniture is going to be moved by sliding not lifting and instant deep scratches...

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RudiXeno says "Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill: Enough for most homeowners" about Ryobi Variable Peed 3/8ths inch Drill

RudiXeno — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:49:54 GMT

Unless you do none of your own work at home, one of the most valuable tools you can own is a power drill.

A trip to either The Home Depot or Lowe's might convince you that unless you have the latest, greatest lithium powered portable drill you are seriously challenged. I say no.

Now if you're among those of us who seem always to have a next project on the board you probably can benefit from the latest cordless drill. But for the overwhelming majority of homeowners and apartment dwellers, your needs can be more easily addressed with a simple, inexpensive corded drill.

Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drill

The Ryobi 3/8ths inch Corded Drillis a basic yet totally serviceable alternative to the cordless drill for most homeowners. For most projects around the home, other than drill bits, you might need an extension cord. It has a key-less chuck so you won't even have to search for a missing chuck key.

Ask Yourself

How often are you really going to need to use this tool. If not on a frequent...

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KelliRank says "I use mine all the time." about Aroma Rice cooker/steamer 10 cup

KelliRank — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:49:04 GMT

I received my aroma 10 cup rice cooker and steamer as a christmas gift and I'am thrilled with it's versatility. It is really easy to use and super simple to clean and store. I really like that it doubles as a steamer. Since I recived my rice cooker and steamer I find myself eating vegetables with every meal. As a rice cooker it works really well. The rice always comes out perfect. Not just white rice either it makes wonderful brown rice to. I had always used the stove top to cook rice and found brown rice to be either tough or rubbery not appealing at all. It is not just for rice and vegetablesit makes perfect asian dumplings. I love being in my kitchen cooking and baking and can honestly tell you that this is a product that is worth purchasing. If your looking for an easy healthy way to start eating this is the appliance for you. this is one of the sides my whole family likes even the kids. If you steam the veggies then put them in a bowl with a little parmasan cheese a...

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destinie3535 says "Comfortable, easy to put together, but a bit pricey" about IKEA Poang Chair

destinie3535 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:36:41 GMT

I love IKEA. They have some nice stuff and as long as you are willing to put it together, most of it is worth it. I bought a Poang chair because I really like the way they look and feel. I was lucky and got the chair itself in the 'as-is' part, but had to buy the cusion. Now I bought the vinyl cushion ( as my boyfriend tends to spill things, so fabic is not good for us) and it was abit expensive, but worth the money. It is very comfortable to sit it, light to move around and you can change the cusion to match different decor. Plus, unlike some of IKEA's things, it was relatively painless to put together. It wasn't in too many pieces and I managed to get it put together with a friend in about thirty minutes. I have it in the corner of my room and plan to get an ottoman as soon as I can find one in the 'as-is' room. The only drawback is it is a bit pricey. I mean not compared to a lazyboy or something, but considering you have to put it together. Keep an eye out in the 'as-is' and get one...

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destinie3535 says "so quiet i have to check to make sure it is on" about Frigidaire Auquasurge Mdl# FDB4315LFC3 Dishwasher

destinie3535 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:26:34 GMT

When I was looking to buy a dishwasher, I thought they wer all the same. I had just moved from an apartment with an older, basic model and it served it's purpose. I knew I wanted stainless steel, but I wasn't trying to spend too much money. I was looking at another model when the salesman suggested this Frigidaire brand. I am so glad he did! It costs a little more, but is so worth it. First off, it's energy star rated ( always a plus). It has a delayed sertting which is great if you want the dishes to start at a different time. It has a sanitizing rinse which is great for baby bottles and things that you really want to be germ-free. The best parts are that the stainless steel part is the newer kind that is fingerprint resistant and that it makes no noise. You can't even hear it when you are in the same room, so no more turning up the tv when it's running. It is a little more expensive than some of the others, but totally worth it.

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assia says "freshness everytime" about Glade Sense and Spray (Automatic Spray)

assia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:08 GMT

I got in on the Bzz campaign for the Glade Sense & Spray and love it..I love that it automatically sprays every 30 minutes and smells great!The unit came in the "Clean Linen" scent. There are 3 other scents available to purchase; Apple Cinnamon, Country Garden, and Powder Fresh,Hawaiian Breeze and Clear Springs.Easy to replace refills are available for a suggested price of $3.49. I can think of 3 other rooms off the top of my head where I would like these other scents to be.Baby's room? Now, when you have to go in there to change a diaper, the Glade Sense and Spray goes to work before I even need it. Glade Sense & Spray has a motion detector and a timer. Upon detected motion, the unit sprays once. After 30 minutes, if there is still motion detected in the room, it will spray again. Another great feature it has is a button for you to push if you need extra freshening within the 30 minute window between automatic sprays. This is the solution...

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LissaT says "Don't Waste Your Money!" about Shark steaming Iron

LissaT — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:42:42 GMT

I was researching a new iron when I came across a review for the same brand I'm replacing, the Shark w/ Auto Shutoff & Extended Steam Burst." I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but I had the same problems as one of the other reviewers. Maybe this will save someone else from purchasing this poor performing iron. At first it worked great. Then, it began doing odd things like shutting itself off WHILE I was ironing. I also had trouble with the steam. I think it's all related to the fact that it kept shutting itself off. And, there were times that it didn't want to heat at all. I would stand there and recycle it to off, then back on trying to get it to work at all. We have only had this iron 4-5 months and the store where it was purchased has a 3 month return policy. I finally had to go back to the OLD iron that this one was supposed to replace. A total waste of money!

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morganjr234 says "Ideal for small spaces." about RCA RMW966

morganjr234 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:40:06 GMT

I needed a small, inexpensive microwave for my office. This stainless steel microwave fits perfectly on top of a file cabinet without taking up too much valuable space or being too obtrusive. Friends and coworkers frequently come in to use this microwave with its convenient pre-set buttons for liquids, popcorn, potatoes, frozen dinners, pizza and more. It is a lifesaver for busy workers who do not have the time to leave the office for a leisurely lunch. It is very quiet and easy to use. I can even use it while I am talking on the phone! On cold mornings I simply pop my cup of coffee onto the turn about tray and hit the beverage button. In no time my coffee is again perfect - hot, but not so hot I can't drink it. I don't know what that special temperature is, but this RCA microwave has it down perfectly! It seems to know exaactly what it is heating and/or cooking and it all turns out perfectly.

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kmcnich says "Bounce Dryer Bar Stick it and go " about Bounce Dryer Bar

kmcnich — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:34:50 GMT

The Bounce Dryer bar is a fun way to always have your clothes soft and smelling good. I was a little apprehensive since I am used to liquid or dryer sheets. I thought that this would leave too much softener on my clothes yet I found it did not. It left my clothes with just the right amount of softness. It also was not messy inside my dryer it stayed put and then was easy to remove. It is really cost effective since it will last up to 2 or 4 months. I have done over 40 loads of laundry and am still using it. Sheets towels clothes. The only drawbacks would be If you wanted to change scents. If you had a load of laundry that you did not want to have any softener on. You can remove it but this cannot be done numerous times. Overall though you stick it and forget it....