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This little gadget makes the best coffee (read about it long ago in a Tony Hillerman novel, and what do you know!, it really was as good as Joe Leaphorn said!). Anyway, I've had a couple of these for twenty years and broke one. I have been searching high and low for years to find a replacement. I'm so happy to be able to buy it again and now I can get extras for gifts. People are always so surprised when they taste the coffee. It's always perfect and tastes much better than coffee made in most coffee makers. As long as you can boil water, you can have a great cup of coffee wherever you go.

This is the way to make coffee if you are like me -- love coffee but hate the sour bitter watery flavor you get out of most coffee machines.

In regular machines, you usually can't taste the difference between brands of coffee. That all changes once you figure out how to make coffee the right way -- in one of these.

Coffee recipe in the melita:

3-4 tablespoons of medium ground coffee grinds. The amount depends on the roast of the coffee. Darker more flavorful beans get about 3 tbsp, light breakfast roast beans get 4 tbsp.

12 oz (1 1/2 cup) cold water in microwave safe measuring cup.

Microwave 2 1/2 minutes in microwave (until bubbles start forming on the sides of the container) The goal is 155-170F water. (If you happen to have a meat thermometer -- that is medium well.)

***DON'T boil the water**** it leaves the coffee tasting bitter and horrible.

Hotter water gives you more bitter coffee, but takes less grinds. Cooler water gives less bitter more flavorful coffee, but uses lots and lots of grinds to get full flavor.

Now, pour the water through the grinds in your melita filter and into your cup.

Mmmmmm java-licious.

This little doodad is a great item to have. Not only is it quicker than waiting for an entire pot to be made, but it's a fresh cup every time you need it. Only criticism I have, is that it's a little difficult to find in stores.

This product does the job with any application. I've re-plastered the interior of my home and using the 925-40 it the kept dust down and picked up the old material off the floor with no problem. I highly suggest using hearing protection as this unit is rather loud. However, once the switch is on you know you'll be ready to tackle any mess! BTW..purchase the universal adapter you'll find a ton of uses for it!

A must buy from Amazon.com for the do-it-yourselfer or the professional.

I got tired of the filter keep falling down my Ridgid 10-gallon shop vacuum (not to mention the hose keeps getting pulled off the unit), so I ordered this Shop-vac on a whim.

What a pleasant surprise! Superior suction, much quieter motor and accessories that fit together like a glove (including a locking hose to unit connector). This is a well-made basic shop vacuum at a very attractive price!

This is a very good vacuum. I love the longer cord so you don't have to drag out extension cords and it can get all the way around my Excursion using it's own cord. It is often the little things that make such a big difference.

While this vac is fairly loud when it is on, it is also extremely powerful. Shop Vacuum is the originator of this type of vacuum. All of the components are strong and this machine should last a long time. While you can buy cheaper prices units, you can't buy a better vac for the money.

After using a 5 gallon "classic" Shop-Vac for a number of years, we decided it was time for a change. The 5 gallon was noisy, hard to maneuver, and took up too much space in our apartment.

We purchased the 1.5 Gallon Shop-Vac "AllAround" after searching through Shop-Vac's website. For our use, the 1.5 gallon is quite adequate in size.

We were amazed to find that it was indeed a significant improvement over our "classic" 5 gallon model.

First, the 1.5 gallon model has 1.5 horsepower; this is the same amount of power that comes from the classic 5 gallon model we owned. Additionally, the 1.5 gallon model comes with a locking hose (Making it easier to pull along) and a carrying handle right on top of the motor housing.

Additionally, upon opening the box, we were impressed to find a bag retainer for the dry filter bags. This is a wonderful addition; our 5 gallon classic model was always losing the dry filter bags, making it very cumbersome to keep clean.

The other features of the 1.5 gallon "AllAround" that are worthy of mention include an elongated 6.5 foot hose and an 18 foot (!) power cord. Shop-Vac obviously has designed this unit to be used around the house! Standard 1.25" Shop-Vac accessories fit; the unit includes most of the accessories anyone will need.

In terms of suction, this vacuum is as powerful as our classic 5-gallon model was, with one major difference... ...One can talk while using it! It's extremely quiet for a wet/dry vacuum. I no longer have a headache. It was a joy to clean around the edges of carpet and made short work of the kitchen floor.

The squat unit is very attractive, with a grey/green design in comparison to the industrial red or yellow found on the classic Shop-Vac models. It rolls easily and hasn't tipped over yet.

The unit comes with a 3-year warranty; based on my experience with the Shop-Vac brand, I expect no problems.

Small, light weight/very portable and powerful! This is a great little vacuum for multiple uses. My 16 Gallon 5 HP is great, but difficult to use in the car and around the house. Not a problem for this little beauty, it does perform! With its 18' foot cord and various attachments it will collect almost anything (excluding the cat or dog!) up to its 1.5-Gallon capacity. This unit is so small the attachments need to be stowed separately and a canister filter option is not available. If these things are important then a larger capacity selection is in order. However, I believe most people will not find these things to be of any issue. And the relative "micro" size of the unit gives it an unmatched advantage over larger, cumbersome units. I was surprised and impressed by my purchase!

Small, light weight/very portable and powerful! This is a great little vacuum for multiple uses. My 16 Gallon 5 HP is great, but difficult to use in the car and around the house. Not a problem for this little beauty, it does perform! With its 18' foot cord and various attachments it will collect almost anything (excluding the cat or dog!) up to its 1.5-Gallon capacity.
Note: This unit is so small the attachments need to be stowed separately and a canister filter option is not available. If these things are important then a larger capacity selection is in order. However, I believe most people will not find these things to be of any issue.

I ordered this during the free shipping special. It arrived within a week, it was easy to put together. All of the pieces were there and intact. It's a great asset to my kitchen. It's extra storage, counter space and when I want to roll it into the middle of the kitchen I have an island, I can also roll it into the dining room if I need a buffet during a party. It's very versatle.

Item arrived very quickly, ordered on Saturday and I received it on Thursday! This cart was packaged carefully by the Mfg. and arrived in perfect condition. All of the pieces were in the box and was assembled quickly and easily by my 12-year old son. I love it! It is a beautiful piece and very roomy. One drawback was that I did not like the knife block...it does not have individual slots for knives...so I left it off!

I love this island! It is so helpful to our small apartment kitchen. It's one of the biggest islands out there for it's price range. Ordered from a different company that was offering free shipping and that made it a little cheaper. IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET HERE! (About 2 months) I think this is more of a problem with the supplier right now and not the company you buy it from. But I still think it was well worth the wait. Very easy to assemble, only small problem was that one of the drawers rubbed the top a little when you tried to pull it out. My husband and I shimmed the top up with a little paper and it's perfect. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! I'm really glad I got the natural wood top and not the stainless because it's easier to keep clean and dents don't show as much.

I have had my Alto Aero II for over two years now and have used it extensively, and it is still going strong even though I have probably over worked it by continually using a worn out cartridge filter. Because filters are rather expensive compared to Shop Vac brand I recommend this- always use the bag filters with your vacume, you can actually use Shop Vac brand bags, (at 1/3 the cost of Alto bags, and every hardware store carries them), this will make your cartridge last longer as well as making the whole process of cleaning a lot easier. For parts call Alto USA @ 800-237-2368, or American Cleanway @ 510-483-7394. I also use a Shop Vac which is actually just as quiet and performs just as well. The difference is that the Alto has better tools, nice detailing, and an electrical outlet for a sander or other tool for dustless working.

It's a great vac! Lots of power and very quite. Like the other review finding bags and filters is complicated. Amazon has the bags (not that there customer support folks seem to know that fact) but no filters. Amazon referred me to the Alto Corporation and they will direct you to a local distributor. My representative in Elgin, Il was very helpful--Lorchem Technology 847.468.8800.

Alto USA:
Phone: 1-800-237-2368
Fax: 1-800-720-2226
Email: wapusa@ix.netcom.com

This is a great vac, strong, quiet, etc...., but don't buy one unless you find a source for the bags and filters. The bags are expensive as well. It doesn't come with many tools & the hose end doesn't fit other brands of attachments. Too bad the company that makes it doesn't understand the importance of supporting a great product with the items needed to use it! When I run out of bags it will get listed on e-bay!

This is the perfect addition to the coffee lover's kitchen. This machine delivers all the flavor and aroma of espresso without the expense and bulk of a cappuccino machine. I highly recommend this product whether you are in a dorm in college or sharing a home with your spouse. Well made from a reputable company, and all the class and style that comes with its practical Italian design. You will not be disappointed with your purchase. Enjoy!

Works great on the stovetop, works great when you're CAMPING..!!! No plugs, no cords, no nonsense -- fill the lower half with water to the indicated mark, put your grounds in the upper basket, join the two halves, wait for it to gurgle and you have EXCEPTIONALLY DELICIOUS espresso the way it ought to be made.

The device is simple and beautifully made. I'd recommend the six-cup version, the smaller versions just don't make very much espresso -- I mean, get the six-cup version if there are two of you, since that will make an adequate amount.

Really a brilliant product. I wish that everything was so well-designed and robust. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

About 12 years ago I was in Milan, and a friend gave me one of these to take home. I have used it nearly every day since (I don't take it out of town), so that should give you an idea of how sturdy it is. It is the best coffee maker I have ever owned. To compare, I also have a high-tech espresso machine with frother; a state-of-the-art automatic drip coffeemaker; a French Press; and a different style of stovetop maker, which, surprisingly, makes a different brew. But I ALWAYS go back to my Bialetti Moka 6-cup for the best espresso and lattes. You even will get a crema effect with this simple pot. For lattes, I simply fill half a coffee mug with milk, heat it in the microwave until it's hot, and then top it off with espresso. It's low-maintenance -- every once in a while I replace the internal rubber gasket, which costs a buck or so, depending upon where you buy it. If you like your coffee like the Italians and the Cubans, then you will like the brew this serves. I am loyal to this simple little pot, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I bought this as a gift - had a glass shaker with a stainless steel cover that is still stuck on top! No risk of that with this - the rubber gasket seal where the two parts meet is a great design. Drinks get very cold in this....END

Great for all bartenders, it's sleek, classy, stylish and the most practical shaker built.

The grips help to prevent the common accidental "shaker falling out of your hands b/c there's a hot chick eyeing on you" while at the same time let's you focus on the more important aspects of why you became a bartender. =)

To add, the quality of this shaker ensures that it'll last as long as your bachelor days.

PS: chicks dig a guy who spends a little more on the finer things in life. =)

Wonderful shaker, worth every penny. STainless steel, has a top that doubles as a shot glass, built in strainer, nice rubber wacher to prevent spills around the entire lid, and of course, the very neat black rubberized grip (similar to a travel coffee mug). A whole lotta shakin' going on. Have seen these at the kitchen appliance store at my mall for $30.

Works great! It heats the milk to 165 degrees which is an ideal temperature for coffee and even a great cup of Hot chocolate. You will love how easy it is to use and get a better than perfect cup of froth every time. Enjoy!

I just got the froth n sauce; which is the same thing but it does sauces in addition to milk frothing. I LOVE it!!! I had the best cafe au lait this morning. The foam is nice and strong and the milk is hot. Be sure you read the instructions, cream and half & half will not froth.

I love my Froth Au Lait - it's easy to use, easy to clean, makes delicious froth of just plain milk, plus I make raspberry mochas or hot cocoa and it's a delight.

I bought one of these after using one in the caffeteria at work. Then I bought another after my mother took the first one!

Possibly inspired by the French revolution, the Bagel Biter borders on overkill - but you can't question it's effectiveness. Drop in a bagel, drop the blade, start schmearing cream cheese. It's very quick, very safe (if you can figure out how to hurt yourself with this, you're too smart for that nonsense in the first place) and very easy to clean. It's nonstick blade should cleave every conceivable bagel in your life.

It misses 5 star perfection on account of messiness - its straighthrough design deposits crumbs right on your countertop. A crumb catcher of some sort would be the garlic spread on the potato bagel :-)

I've found this Bagle Biter to be a dual action tool. One that slices without dicing and also serves a stress buster after that rough mornin' commute. Never once known to fail and like those watches, it takes a lickin,' and keeps on splitin'those bagels each morning.

We use one of these at work, and it is the best thing to use to cut bagels safely. When I saw this online at such a great price, I had to have one myself. I don't know how many times I've cut my fingers using regular knives to cut bagels! This holds the bagel for you, and all you do is push the blade through the bagel. The blade is sharp enough to easily glide through with one push. It is great! If you've gotta have a bagel, make sure you've got the bagel biter!

I picked this out for a b-day/wedding gift from my brother...the only thing i don't like about it is that it isn't as deep as most "baker's racks" & it should have 2 reg. shelves on the bottom. I don't use the wine rack i use the shelves for storage of bowls/food/etc.
it looks great, holds a lot!!!! would recommend to anyone looking for storage

I bought this at a Target store and assembled it in about 30 minutes. I was skeptical to buy this online, so I went to the store to check it out. I must say I am very impressed with the sturdiness of such a light piece.It is a very good buy. It has leveling screws on the bottom of all four legs, so you don't have to worry about it rocking on a unlevel floor...very nice. The laminate shelf is a good heavy piece, they did not cut corners here. There are a few things I would change if I could. #1 As you can see in the picture, the bottom shelf only holds wine bottles. At least you know that before you buy it. It would be nice to be able to order one(or even two)extra flat shelves. #2 The instructions are a little vague. If you are even somwhat mechancially inclined you wont have problems once you understand the basic connection system. If you are not mechanically inclined, you might have a little trouble. However, there is a 1-800 number you can call to get help. One installation tip: When you do get to assembling this, make sure you differentiate between the front & rear posts before you put it together. The front ones have caps on the top and the back ones have female threads (which the shorter top posts fit into).

I was amazed at the versatility of this product. I store my breadmaker, stand mixer, set of cannisters, pasta cooking pots, and baskets for potatoes and onions on this rack. Because they are out in the open, they are easily accessible. Yet, the depth into the room is only 14 inches. Great product!