Accessories Reviews

This product is comfortable, however only when you put a regular pillow where your back rests. The wires are very hard, and the pillow makes it hard for the massage aspect of the product to work well. The light is always hitting me in the head also. This product does do what is is supposed to, however it is not the most comfortable product on the market. If I could do it over agian this is not the product I would choose.

I just got this for my boyfriend for Christmas. He loves it. I think it has just about anything you might need, all in one item. If only it had a built-in refridgerator, it would be perfect. The messager is not wimpy (I was afraid it might be). The light is brite for the reader, but not disturbing for anyone else that might be in bed at the same time. The pockets hold a book or two, along with the remote control for the heater and messager. If you know someone who reads in bed alot, this is a great item.

I got this about a month ago and everybody who comes over I make sit in it and EVERYONE, myself included, falls asleep in under 10 minutes when the massager is on. A book light - a massager - a heater - this thing rocks and it isn't that much more than a regular bedrest without any of these features. BUY IT NOW - seriously.

This product is very useful and works as advertised, but has some flaws to be wary of.

Good points:
1. I juiced three pears in a little over a minute.
2. I don't have to find counter space for a separate juicer.
3. I can go from one fruit to the next quickly.

Bad points.

1. Pressing too hard on the intake tube causes it to brush up against the rotating shredder points on the bottom, causing it to shave off slight bits of plastic. I'm assuming this will be self correcting after using it a couple of times.
2. Pear peels tend to accumulate quickly and to thick levels on the mesh sides. I assume apple would too. It made it a bear to clean, even with a good soaking.
3. Cleaning means scraping your knuckles on the grater grid on the bottom.

I love this juice extractor attachment. If you already own an 11 cup processor and you like fresh vegetable juices, than this product is great! I've always wanted to make my own carrot juice, but hated the juicers I've used at friends places. They are such a hassle to clean! I also didn't feel like having another machine in my kitchen. This juicer attachment only has three parts which you place in your processor and all are easy to clean and even dishwasher safe.

But most importantly - I didn't really expect it - it works! It's as fast as when you use a disc attachment. You push the vegetable in, the pulp is collected and the juice comes out. I highly recommend this attachment!

I already owned the Kitchen Aid juicer attachment, but it has one flaw. You have to cut things small enough for the feeder. Seeing an infomercial for Jack Lalane's juicer, they put everything in whole. Since this attachment addicted me to juice (and the pulp, which is even better), I bought that juicer as well. What a huge mistake. The cleanup associated took me twice as long as chopping a few things up to start with. And my entire dishwasher was full of parts. Juice splattered all over the place, and dripped out for several minutes when I was done. That unit will go in the back of my closet, only to be brought out if I need to make 100 gallons of juice. It might be worth it then. I'm going back to my wonderful KitchenAid.

What I have learned from a few years of using Vacu Vin products is they work very well if you wet the lid seal and the stopper ribs and slit before pumping down. The pump also does better with a shot of water down the neck. I love these products and water makes them work. I am in the process of ordering more.

After using the wine savers, I was eager to try the canisters. They do tend to come unsealed for some reason. However, when they hold (more often than not) they do a wonderful job, and have saved me a lot of food that would have otherwise gone to waste. I have kept rice cakes in these things for weeks, and they were as crisp as the day I opened the package. I kept store-bought cookies in one for close to two months - again, not a bit stale. I have noticed that any particles that adhere to the rubber seal or the rim of the canister seem to affect the seal, so I always check that no crumbs have stuck to either. The water trick suggested by another reviewer sounds helpful. My only concern there would be that that might introduce moisture into the canister. However, I am going to give it a try. All in all, these canisters are good. The seal does occasionally fail, but when it holds, it is wonderful. I am on this page because I am thinking of adding another to my set (I already have six canisters and two rectangular marinaters/containers, but I would use more if I had them). BTW, the marinater does a wonderful job, and I've never had a problem with the seal while marinating (shorter time in use, perhaps?). ...and it really does work fast!

OK, from the very first line of "Features", it states: * Replacement container for Vacu Vin Coffee Saver. This is a replacement container. The picture, title, and description clearly states so. Of course it doesn't come with a pump.

The Vacu-vin system is great. I've always wondered about those noisy machines that vacume seals your food but never wanted to spend the money for it. This system is cheaper and it really works. I love the hiss I get when I open the canister. If you form a tight enough vacuum you can actually feel the container expand a little when you open it, proving that air was drawn out thoroughly. Personally I prefer to pump rather than hook it up to a machine every time.

Great product!

OXO is a great company with a lot of great products. I love all of their kitchen stuff. If you don't cook much, this is a good set to get. If you're like me and do a lot of stuff in the kitchen, get the 19pc. set. It will have more things that you can use and you won't have to spend when buying items individually.

We got this set for our wedding and also received some individual OXO utensils. Just about anything from OXO is great. It's hard to see how basic kitchen utensil design can be improved upon, but OXO has done it. That being said, the plastic on this set is not the same as the individually purchased utensils. The plastic on these is more flexible, but they were cheaper if you do the math so it makes sense. Despite this, I still think they are just fine for using in applications where metal might scratch. I use everything in the set, but sometimes I reach first for the stronger OXO ones depending on the application. If strength for really thick stirring and such is your priority, I suggest buying your pieces individually from OXO, but if you want a pretty good deal for how many utensils you get, this set is a great way to go!

The cause of the spoon or spatula falling out of the pot when you leave it in the pot or on the pot is just that ... leaving it in or on the pot. Take the spoon or spatula out/off of the pot and place on a dish close by your pot, so that it can easily be used.

I have had this grinder for about two years now, and find that for the most part it does its job well, but it isn't exceptional. Previous reviews mention a few of the problems I have with this model. I have to upend it to dump the grinds into the lid, and if you aren't fairly careful about pulling it apart, coffee can go everywhere. With the finer grinds that I prefer, it makes a lot of coffee dust, that gets packed in under the blades, sometimes nearly 1/4" thick. I have to wipe this dust out every time, and usually need to use this to make my coffee. This is fine if I am using a paper filter, as it catches this dust, but if I am using my reusable filter, the dust goes through and I end up with sludge at the bottom of my coffee pot.

This grinder isn't very easy to clean. I use a damp paper towel to wipe out the bottom stainless steel portion, but getting close to and under the blade is a pain. I have cut myself doing this. The top portion is simply rinsed out in my sink or occasionally run through the top rack of my dishwasher.

Another problem I am having is that the motor occasionally simply doesn't work. So far, banging the grinder on the counter while depressing the on button seems to kick it into gear, but as this problem is slowly becoming more frequent, I expect that sooner or later it just won't go.

I have had this Krups coffee grinder for over 15 years now. When I first decided to buy coffee beans and grind my own, I knew nothing about it. Just went into a cook store, saw several grinders, and chose Krups based on its looks and simplicity. I have not been disappointed.

I make 2-3 pots of coffee a day. [multiply that times 15 years and that's a lot of use!] It has had the usual wear and beating [oops, I dropped it, etc] and now is yellowed and has brittle teeth around the lid edges from use and abuse, and that's the ONLY reason why I have decided to get another one. The motor is still going strong and the blades still work great.

This is a simple machine to use. Put in the coffee beans, and depending on how strong you want the coffee, grind the beans longer for a finer grind. It took a bit of experimentation at first [which I enjoyed since it was a new thing I was learning] to decide how much and how long depending on how much water I was using, but now it is just automatic to measure, grind, rap the sides, and pour.

I like the safety feature that won't allow you to "accidentally" grind without the lid being seated - the trigger to start it is on the lid. That's the only "button" to push.

Spilling coffee isn't a problem either. After grinding, and before taking off the lid, just rap the sides to help loosen the coffee from the lid and sides. Then take off the lid and dump the coffee into the filter of your machine. The only thing easier would be if the grinder was in your coffeemaker already. However, the more bells and whistles on an appliance, the more possibilities for things to break or go wrong. [My Krups grinder has outlasted at least 3 coffeemakers already. It's worth it to me to keep it separate.]

Since I had such good luck with the first one, naturally I'm getting another. It's still the same number as the one I bought years ago. When something works great, why change it. 15 years... Now, that's pretty good for any appliance!

I've used one of these (or a very similar predecessor model) for 13+ years. It works great - produces a pretty consistent grind for a blade grinder. Just hold down the switch longer for a finer grind. I like near-expresso grind, which takes 45-60 seconds. Just tap on the lid, remove it, and dump the ground coffee into the filter. (If you don't tap the lid, you'll get more of a mess on the counter.)

When it dies, I'll probably replace it with a mill grinder, but 13 years of service for <$20 is a pretty good deal in my book.

The motor did freeze up once several years ago. I opened up the housing, tapped on the coils, blew off the dust, and closed it back up. Maybe just lucky, but it's worked flawlessly ever since.

I use this jigger at home, and it is definitely well made and high quality, having been dropped on the floor many times with no dent or crinkles.

However, as other reviewers rightly point out, this is not the usual size for a jigger, and it is an odd measurement amount of 1-1/4 and 3/4 oz, when most drinks are calling for multiples of the half-ounce in the ingredients.

Still, this is handy for some of those classic cocktails that require some odd measurements/rations of ingredients (such as the Aviation or Floridita), where you will need 1-1/4 ounce.

So get this one, because you will likely need it if you truly venture into the world of classic cocktails, but get yourself first the standard size jigger first. Or better yet, get both and a bottle of marschino liquer (if you can find it) at the same time, and go home and whip up yourself an Aviation, and wax nostalgic of days gone by when bartenders knew how to bartend, and the US hadn't yet invented the abomination of the blended Daquiri or blended Margartia.

Also get yourself a copy of Paul Harrington's "Cocktail: THe Drinks Bible for the 21st Century", the essential cocktail book that will explain and show you how to make a true cocktail, sometimes even how to enjoy it, and teach how not be a cultureless alcohol-obsessed buffoon who thinks sugary, alcohol-taste-covering drinks are "all that" so that you can go to a fine bar like the Rainbow Room and order drinks like Cary Grant or James Bond knew how to do, and not order them like you're a college Freshman or a newly-minted MBA on an expense account. Then get yourself a copy of the Waldorf-Astoria cocktail book.

Also you'll want a good shaker, martini glasses you left in the freezer, and some good friends for conversation as your lips become loosened and the words and ideas flow like water from your mouths.

If you're making drinks, you need one of these whether it's this one or another one. It's cool looking and solid, and it will last forever. It also goes perfectly with the Pedrini Stainless Steel Shaker

Sensible, yet affordable. The functionality of a double jigger and the bragging rights "Oh this, it's Italian."

Despite this being a wedding gift from my brother, I've given up on it. It has become nearly impossible to open! Several people have spilled drinks trying to pry it open. I like it, but it simply doesn't work, and it makes you look like a fool when guests are waiting for their drinks.

Ok...so this isnt a review,but a question I have on this product. Where is the instruction manual to this thing? What do the lines above the alcohol names mean. There are two, three, even four lines above some of the alcohol names. Does it mean the amount of alcohol that is supposed to be put into that particular drink. Please answer...for it has left many of us flustered. thank you very much

I hate to be the voice of disappointment, because I had high hopes for this critter. But I'm a little disappointed.

Out of the box, it was a little clumsy. The sheath with the holes cut in it fits pretty loosely, and is secured only near the base. That meant it wobbled a little in my hands when I was holding it, which was kinda annoying -- not criminally unpleasant, but irritating, and if I'd been using it all night, it might have led to spillage if you know what I mean.

But then I used this thing twice, maybe three times, before the metal sheath with the holes cut in it pulled free of the shaker body. That was irritating -- it looks kinda goofy like that, and it's difficult to make any use of the recipes at this point.

The capacity is great -- it's perfect for a bunch of guests. And the look is pretty good, even without the sheath, if you're not close enough to notice the writing. I continue to use it, but it doesn't sit on my countertop longer than it takes to get washed, and it's now a "behind the bar" toy.

At 4.5 stars, I expected much better.

This is a very good shaver - except that it suddenly stops working, even when I follow the owner's manual religiously. I bought my first one last fall, and after about 3 months, it stopped taking a charge. The replacement lasted about 2 months before the same thing happened. Now my current replacement shaver (#3) just quit on me with no notice, so I'll have to call Panasonic again to get my FOURTH shaver in about 8 months. If this happened once, maybe twice, I'd chalk it up to bad luck. But FOUR defective shavers? ...so I figure this has a design flaw or poor quality control. By the way, my previous older model Panasonic wet-dry shaver worked just fine for over 2 years... DON'T BUY THIS SHAVER!!!

This is my first electric razor and I now keep a good close shave. Up till now I've just bic'd it off without trying to get it close. I cannot compare it to any other electric razors, but it is especially good for me around the mouth and chin. It is actually smooth around there, and I have never experienced that before, and if I were in a position to kiss a girl I could do it with a free conscience. It is not so good on the neck which I've heard is a drawback of these foil style razors. I now shave every day.

I was looking for a shaver that had as many of the features as possible for under $50 for Father's day. My wife had already purchased a Norelco for me, when this shaver popped up in my Gold Box ... You have to get used to it, especially if you shave with a razor like I did, but I'm really liking it. It's wet/dry, easy to clean, 1 hr charge in the base, quiet. Oh, and I took the Norelco back. I would recommend this shaver.

The Vin De La Vie wine glass charms are great, because they are appropriate for any wine lover. I am giving this product 4 stars instead of 5, because they changed the packaging. My first set came in a nice, clear box, so the recipient could see the charms without having to open the package. They now come in a little drawstring pouch, which is nice for storage, but it is just in a clear cellophane pouch with a cardboard header. In order to see what the charms look like, the recipient will have to open the package. Also, to make a nice presentation, you will have to go to a little more trouble to wrap them up. I bought these on sale, and for the price I paid, they were a good value. I would not advise paying full price for these, however.

These charms are quite useful at dinner parties to differentiate different guests' drinks. The quality of construction is actually pretty solid and detailed. However, the bag that came with the charms were a bit of a disappointment- rather flimsy. I got these during one of the Friday Sales, and it was worth the [money] price paid for these. While these are well made and useful, they are not worth the full regular price.

Now here is one of those wonderful "I'd never buy it for myself" things that is a FABULOUS gift. That's how I received my set. If you have a friend or family member who enjoys both wine and entertaining, these are the gift! Each of 6 guests uses one charm on her/his wine glass stem-- and no one gets confused about whose wine is whose! These charms are just too cute. I need another set myself!

This company is a crapper outfit . lowball machine and then charge you 19.95 for filters etc .
Save yourself , from buying crap . It worked fair . I have a vornado , works an the filters are easy to find .
Honeywagon not honeywell .

We bought and used this last winter season and liked the auto shutoff feature when the room reaches a set humidity. The water tank had good capacity and was relatively easy to refill. However, at the end of the season's average use(2-3 months), we discovered that the filter was completely clogged/gross and needed to be replaced. It has been difficult to find a replacement filter at stores, until just now when I found the official Honeywell online site (follow the consumer retail division) to order replacement filters/parts. They cost (...) each plus shipping, so be prepared to spend that much each year additionally if you buy this humidifier. Over lifetime that can add up, so just be aware of this additional cost per average season use, which is why I'm giving it three stars.

The Honeywell cool mist humidifier does a great job humidifying our home during the winter. The automatic on and off when it senses a change in humidity is truly convenient! And the large water tank only needs to be filled once every 24 hours if it's running all day. The 5-year warranty, while I don't expect to use it, is rare to find and tells me that this is a product that will give us years of service. The only drawback is that the fan is a little too noisy, even on low, to have running in your bedroom at night.