Appliance Reviews

I bought this product 2 weeks back. It is a very good microwave & delivers quality. I use it a lot and did not have any compains so far. Panasonic brand is a very renowned name in the marketplace. The only feature I wish it had, was when opening the door the lights would be switched on automatically. That would have helped in cleaning. Otherwise it performs to perfection. The food gets heated evenly & in less time. I am glad I bought it.

This is a GREAT microwave. It's amazing how quickly it heats things up compared to my old one. This is definitely a great buy and you'll LOVE it just like me!

For sure this microwave is big. It has a sensor that stop the microware when it think it's hot enough. When I put water it stop when boiling. When put food will stop when hot. I had problem to see the LCD with some angle. Seem Panasonic expect the user to install the microwave at the high of the face of the user, but I guess few user put this microware in front of the face like 5 - 6 feets high. The turntable go out of track too often.

After having an 18-year-old Sharp finally bite the dust on us, we started to shop around for new features with the standard tools from our older microwave.

The Panasonic microwave blended the two together nicely. Controls are simple and straightforward. The system is rather light in comparison to the older models. Take into consideration the dimensions before you buy.

Take time to study all the menu options that are available. For instance the popcorn button is nice due to the different bag size settings. Many of the function menus have multiple functions if you press multiple times to find the ones best suited for the need.
We have trusted the Panasonic name in many of our household appliances and have decided to try the ones for the kitchen, with better than expected results.

I absolutely love my rival 18qt cooker, its quite large, but its great for big family dinners!

Christmas 2001 I received the Rival 18 Quart Roaster Oven . I thought my how huge !!!! I'll never use it !!!! Boy was I wrong !!!! After Christmas , well let's see , I made chili for the foot ball game . I acually thought 18 quarts of chili would be more than enough and I would have some left over .... not at my house !!!! The guys ate every bite that very day !!!!
Then in March we had one day set aside for all the march birthdays and out came the 18 Quart Rival Roaster Oven .... this time it was ham and beans ... none left that time either .... then one weekend the guys got together to cut wood for the neighbor man that had cancer and I made chicken and dumplings .... then the fourth of July bar-b-que of course ....
and May let's not forget memorial weekend .... everyone loves my Spanish Rice .... you guessed it none left again .... and Labor Day Weekend Chicken Gumbo .... Seems like I was wrong in my
original thinking . I use to keep it stored in my pantry but now it sits on my counter top all the time , that way it's there every time I need it , and that's alot at my house . I plan to give cousin Richard a 'Thank You card' this year for Christmas . And I also plan to use the Rival Roaster too .
Deer season is comming up and I will have hunters in and out and the Rival Roaster will make it easy for them to eat hot food all the time and get back out there and get that deer .
Thanksgiving I will be thankful for my Rival Raster .... I'll fix some wild game wild , turkey or deer .
I am currently planning gatherings for next year too . I believe I'll store my menu plans inside the Rival Roaster .... that way they will be there when I need them along with the Rival Roaster on my counter where I can find them !!!!
I just don't know how I made it without the Rival Roaster .
Next weekend we are having a birthday gathering for my mother-in-law she will be 67 . Yep I'm using my Rival Roaster !!!! Honey glazed Ham this time . And Christmas I'm going to roast my first turkey in my Rival Roaster too . I know it will be just absolutely yummy !!!! And clean up is a breeze too . I REALLY like that !!!! Thanks Rival !!!! For making my life more enjoyable and giving me more time to visit with my family !!!! Sincerely , Gail Hirt

It's big and good to use.

What a great buy! Has it all, popcorn key, quick timer, and even has a child lock and more or less key. Very easy to clean also. Can boil water in about 2 minutes. Big enough inside to fit a turkey if you wanted. Don't let this one get away!

It's excellent if you already have a good foodsaver. They are thick and good quality bags. It works really well and does keep food fresh. Only good for small and dry foods though, but they are reuseble to a certain point.

I purchased a compact Tilia unit on clearance at a de[artment store...a steal at the price since I paid almost $200 for my first unit. I had it for years, but I finally wore it out. I have searched the web for prices on the bags and Amazon had the best price..with the free shipping it is a non brainer. I have had two other brands of sealers and they were terrible. Nowhere near the suction power of the tilia. These bags are great..they seal well, and last for a long time. If you are not storing raw meat in them...you can wash them out and use them again and again. I particulary like it for cheese. You take what you need and then reseal the bag. Thumbs up for this product!

This is easily the best "As Seen On TV" product ever made (I'd like to see Ronco top this marvelous machine). As I am writing this review, I am eating boneless skinless chicken breasts that were made on the George Foreman "Champ" Grill". They are so good that words cannot describe how good they are...just sprinkle some "Mrs. Dash 'Table Blend'" on the chicken breasts before you cook them, put them on the grill, and have a great chicken dinner (only other thing you have to do is find something to go along with the chicken [maybe some white rice]). Cleanup is so easy it's ridiculous! The nonstick surface allows you to clean the grill surface with a soft clean cloth or sponge (dampened with warm water, of course), and the drip tray can go in the dishwasher. Just yesterday I prepared some turkey burgers (from Wampler Foods) on the grill, and it is amazing how much fat will be drained from turkey burgers (even though turkey meat has less fat that ground beef [which is what hamburger patties are made of], it still has fat). The George Foreman Grill really does "cut the fat" from food!

I bought the George Foreman grill as a joke for my husband (it DOES say "Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine" on it), but we used it for three weeks solid after it arrived. The reason? It's EASY, and the food turns out really tasty!

This particular model is big enough only for two hamburgers (if you make them to fit... pre-frozen patties are too big and have to be cooked one at a time). More often, you have to cook one portion of meat at a time. The grill is tilted and comes with a trough so that all excess fat is drained away from your food. Pretty nifty! It's also fairly easy to clean up -- you just wipe down the grill and throw the trough in the dishwasher.

We've used the grill for chicken breasts, Boca Burgers, regular burgers, pork chops, steaks, and even bacon strips (it's GREAT for avoiding a bunch of messy bacon grease). It cooks even frozen meat in a relatively short period of time, and it cooks it thoroughly. It's easy to throw something on the grill, sprinkle some seasonings on it (BAM!), and let it cook for a few minutes while you fix the rest of the meal. It is hard to overcook things, and it's fun to have grill-lines on your food.

It was hard for me to believe the hype about the George Foreman Grills, but they are easy to use and deliver good results. In fact, this might be a good way to introduce your older children (12 and up) to rudimentary cooking. The George Foreman grill would be great for people who don't have a lot of time to cook & clean, who aren't yet confident cooks or don't have a lot of cooking experience. This small model would work in a dorm suite, a bachelor pad, for newlyweds, or anyone who doesn't want to feed a crowd (although you could do it with this one, it would just take awhile).

First, I never write reviews -- this thing is just that good. I picked this little guy up when I was trying to up the protein and decrease carbs in my diet. That's pretty hard to do -- you find yourself cooking more, but with work I'm too busy to take a lot of time. Sound familiar? This thing makes short work of everything from fish to red meat -- draining the fat is a bonus. Couple of tips: 1) the top is hotter than the bottom, so cook fish like salmon skin-up to avoid crisping the tender side. You'll want to flip burgers and steaks & 1/4 turn them -- you'll get the same grill marks that the good steak places give you. 2) don't move this to the sink to clean it...it's reliable as long as you take it easy -- I clean mine by scraping after cooking with the included spatula and then when it's cool with a paper towel...the non-stick is pretty good.

I love my Breadman Ultimate. It makes perfect, fluffy 100% whole wheat bread from the recipe in the book -- so perfect that even people who don't like whole wheat bread like this. This is no small thing, as whole grain bread (the only kind I want to eat) tends to be dense and sometimes a chore to eat. I like to make my own bread so that I know what is in it and so I can eat healthier. I love the dispenser for seeds, as I don't want to hang around and try not to miss the beep. I like that I can choose the loaf size, so when I have company I can make a larger loaf, instead of having to make two, and can make smaller loaves the rest of the itme so the bread is always fresh. I read some other reviews that say they have had problems with the bread pan and with ambient temperatures affecting the bread. All I can say is I have had none of those. I have had the machine for about three years and lived in a drafty house on the Canadian border and in a tight modern apartment in Michigan and have used it weekly for much of that time and see no problems. It is a little workhorse that gives consistent results. I recommned this machine highly.

I've had this bread machine for about a year and a half. It really does a nice job and is quite easy to use. We use it fairly often, especially with colder weather coming on, whenever a hot, fresh loaf of bread is desired! We've tried several of the recipes in the instruction manual and have enjoyed them all. I noticed one reviewer complained about not being able to order replacement parts. I accidentally tossed my kneading paddle in the trash and was able to quickly reorder one using the number in the manual for $8. The customer service rep was very kind and helpful. I'm planning on buying one of these machines for my parents for Christmas this year and would recommend the Breadman to anyone who is looking for a reasonably priced, quality machine.

I really did like this product. I bought my first one at a department store and had to return it since the corner of it was shattered. I do not think Amazon is causing the damage to these machines. I noticed the next one I got had better packing materials from the manufacturer, so hopefully the damaged ones are a thing of the past.

The machine itself is great. I'm not a cook and even I could make really good bread.

...P>Well anyway, I bought this Cuisninart...

I did the charcoal filter soaking and a rehearsal run with plain tap water and then the actual first brew, just like the book said. Guys, no pretense, this is a cool looking coffee maker that goes nicely with my stainless steel appliance kitchen, but as for performance - there is not a whole lot to write home about. .

First, the manual [did not meet my expectations]. If I had not read the reviews here, I would not have realized that the power cord could be hidden. Also the manual never talks about the gold toned permanent filter that is supplied.

Second, whatever the charcoal filter is supposed to do, at the recommended changing frequency and the price of the filter (7.50 for two), I don't think I will ever buy a replacement.

Third, the one feature that I thought was cool just reading the Amazon.com reviews was the three different temperature settings - but it turns out the temperatures are just the hot plate settings for the carafe not the brewing temperatures. And yes, the coffee is not that hot right out of the carafe. ... I will continue to use my ... 4 cup Mr. Coffee for everyday use and only use this for times when I have guests over.

And oh yeah, it doesn't take much to put your finger prints all over its body.

After purchasing 3 other coffee makers, the 4th one is the charm! This coffee maker makes great tasting coffee. I never knew there was a difference -- it's worth spending a few more dollars on. It also has all of the features I was looking for such as: adjustable warming plate, 1-4 cup selection, water filter, programmable. It is a rather tall machine, but certainly not a problem as it fits fine underneathe most cabinets. Als, the carafe is well-made and has a spout that pours nicely without spilling. No complaints about this one!

I researched my new coffee maker for a long time before deciding on this model and, after a month of use, am still satisfied with my decisions. I thought I would give my opinion on the common complaints about this model.

1. It's too tall.

Yes, it is tall, and you'll probably have to pull it forward to fill it, but this has been true of all my coffee makers.

2. The resevoir area is small and difficult to use.

Again, true to some extent, but workable. I make a point of always programming my pot so I don't have to deal with it when I'm groggy, but still occasionally splash - then again I'm a Klutz.

3. You can not "seat" the pot correctly leading to "accidents".

Again, true - but you'll only only do it once - and if you're reading this you've been duly warned!!

4. The Brewing Alarm is Loud and Obnoxious.

If the Cuisinart people are reading this, this really should be an OPTION! However, given that it is not, it doesn't bother me. If you're bedroom is close to your coffee maker it could be a problem, but I don't find it that loud.

5. The included filter clogs with small grounds leading to "accidents".

I use a paper filter - for me it's less messy - and I think there's a health reason for using paper anyway, but this could be a real concern if you want to use the gold filter and small grounds.

All in all I am very happy with my choice - if the situation changes I will post it here.

THIS BREAD MAKER IS THE WORST AND ONLY ONE I HAVE OWNED THAT WILL NOT MIX BREAD EVENLY.
THE DOUBLE PADDLES PUT DISAPPORTIONED AMOUNTS OF FLOOR AND YEAST INTO BOTHSIDES OF THE PAND RESULTING IN A TORPEADO SHAPED LOAF OF BREAD. HIGH SIDE TO LOW SIDE, NOT EVEN ON TOP
DONT BUY

After major research of available breadmakers, I chose the Zo a couple of years ago and have never been disappointed. It was my first breadmaker. My final choice was based on features, reviews, and support from both manufacturer and the breadmachine community (web forums, etc.).

In my mind the important features are the size and shape of the loaf, the ability of the machine to produce a properly kneaded loaf, the flexibility to create your own bread making process flow (knead, rise, bake, etc.), and the durability to make any kind of bread (white or whole multi grain). The Zo was the only one that combined all of these in one machine in a way that suited my needs.

The folks who have had problems with this machine either received a bad machine (and should return it) or can't follow directions. There is no margin for error when using a breadmachine. You must follow the recipe EXACTLY (unless you are at higher elevations).

If this is your first breadmachine I also highly recommend the books Bread Machine Magic and More Bread Machine Magic. These are well written books with a nice variety of recipes that always worked the first time for me. The machine comes with a good manual with a few recipes that are also good but is a little short on bread making theory (which is nice to have when things go wrong).

Is it perfect? Nearly, but my wish list includes more flexibility with some of the settings (sometimes there is no need for the preheat cycle) and more programs (create your own bradmaking process). The window leaves a lot to be desired as well, but that applies to almost all of the machines. Don't expect those little windows to work like they do in a regular oven!

At our house this machine gets used not only to make bread, but for bread dough for baking in the oven and fresh made pizza dough (one of life's important little treats).

All of our recipes are made from scratch, but in the beginning I also used mixes from King Arthur Flour---highly recommended! The premade mixes are great in the beginning of your breadmachine adventures as they eliminate one source of error (measuring ingredients).

All things considered, when the time comes, my next machine will be a Zo 20 as well.

My mother taught me to make homemade bread as a child and I have been making it ever since, but a breadmaker certainly is easier. I've had two, a Magic Chef which stopped working after I accidentally left the pan soaking overnight (the mechanism that turns the paddle won't budge), and a Zojirushi, which I now use every week, and don't leave soaking in the sink. (I chose the Zojirushi because it had good reviews and because I have their rice steamer and love it.)

Features I like: Double paddles. This is absolutely the way to go if you want a horizontal loaf, otherwise some of the flour can get stuck in a corner and not get mixed up. You can solve this by scraping the sides during mixing, but having to do that sort of defeats the purpose of a breadmaker.
Another thing I like is the "Homemade" setting, which allows you to customize the cycle times. The default is for French Bread, which, incidentally, comes out very well. One caution, their recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of yeast, which caused it to overrise. I now use 2 teaspoons and get great results. Also, the "default" setting for Homemade/French Bread wasn't set correctly on mine at first, but the instruction manual listed the correct settings and it was easy to reprogram. Good instruction manual, by the way.
One other nice feature is the preheat cycle. The trickiest part with bread machines is getting the right amount of yeast for the machine's timed rise cycles. Cold liqueds slow down yeast action, warm ones speed it up. I've found that the preheat cycle helps give more uniform results. (Age and amount of yeast affects it too, but the breadmachine can't compensate for that.)
Most of the other features, like jam and cake settings, I never use.

Disappointments: The window gets steamed up during processing and opening the cover causes it to pause so you can't really watch what it is doing. Also, the delay timer only works with the "Basic" bread setting. I wanted to set it to have French bread ready when I came home, and couldn't.

The thing I use most: The "Dough" setting. I prefer to let the breadmaker mix everything up for me and do all the initial risings, and then throw it in a pan for the last rising and bake it myself. This way the paddles don't get baked into the bottom of the loaf, and I don't have to worry about over or under rising. Honestly, it is the yeast that causes most problems people have with breadmakers. Old yeast, or not enough, and your bread comes out like a brick. Too much and it either overrises and sticks to the top, as it did the first time I made French bread with 3 tsp. of yeast, or it caves in during baking and you have a U-shaped top. (If it rises but the top is flat, rather than rounded, it's not the yeast. You probably have too much liqued or too little flour - adjust accordingly.)

I don't use mixes, so I can't comment on that, but I have an electric wheat grinder and often use fresh ground whole wheat (which they don't recommend), and this breadmachine handles it beautifully. I like being able to use all healthy ingredients, like whole wheat instead of white flour, and honey instead of refined sugar. In this case though it does need extra yeast, since the whole wheat flour is heavier.

I recommended this breadmaker to both my step-mother and my best friend, so I guess that's a pretty high recommendation. (My mother still does it by hand. Maybe someday I'll get her to try a machine.)

The BEST coffee I've ever had. Once you go grind and brew you'll never go back. I don't remember exactly when the machine had it's first malfunction. Maybe 9 mos or so after purchase. The cover to the grinder, which is made of plastic, broke so that it didn't close properly. This prevented the grinder from...well grinding. We rigged it up with some very attractive duck tape and voila...It worked for about a week. Then one morning I (the wife) heard a 747 landing on our house. Actually it was the grinder malfunctioning again. (Don't think that didn't wake up our very young children. Now we're talking inconvenient). Husband did some rigging in the garage with the blades, and it worked again for a short time. We were so desperate for our delicious coffee that I would get out of bed before my normal time, go downstairs and HOLD the lid down so it would grind. Although there was a slight burning smell, the coffee still tasted heavenly.
Well, now I'm finished with the 5:30am trip downstairs so we put her in the Coffee pot Graveyard.
I only hope my new Cuisinart tastes as good as Melitta. And she sticks around longer.

I researched a grind and brew coffee maker for 3 months before purchasing this one. I'm thrilled with it. I used to work at prominent kitchenware store and didn't hear good customer reviews about the Cusineart Grind and Brew and the Capresso.... The Melitta makes a great cup of coffee, it's easy to use, grinds the beans quickly and you get your choice of course to super fine. The only programing is easy as is the clean up...no hassle which was important to me. The only thing I have noticed is that you need to use more scoops of beans than specified. (I make 4 cups each morning and use about 3 scoops of beans for strong coffee)...

In August of 1991, after 2 weeks with the Melitta Mill and Brew, I rated it 4 stars, reserving a 5th star for longevity of use. Well, 2 years later, it is still brewing great coffee and has not given us a problem.

As I wrote originally, we came from 2 years prior use with a Capresso, at about [money amount]. It broke down 3 times and had to be repaired at a cost of [money aount]per time. Made good coffee, but was noisy and relatively messy.

Now, two years later, I can report the Melitta has held up well and still makes the best cup of coffee we've ever had. I took to heart some of the comments others made about the lid of the unit being "weak" or fragile...I just don't slam or force it. Gentle is all it takes.

Compared to the Capresso, it is faster, cleaner (no coffee dust residue), quieter and has a smaller footprint. The grinder-in-the-basket is ingeniously simple and superior to the messy chute design of the Capresso...no stuck beans and nothing to have to scrub out. And, did I mention it is only [money amount]?

Initially, you need to adjust the bean volume to your taste by trial and error, but you can definitely make a strong (full-bodied) cup of coffee. Once you find your "formula", you will get a very satisfying cup of coffee every time. It will make you want to get up in the morning.

I bought a back-up unit in case I run into any problems others have reported. So far it is just gathering dust in the basement. I may buy a couple more just to be sure I have one in the years ahead. It's that rare device you hope doesn't disappear...well-designed, reliable, and does the job expertly day after day.

One last comment. One reviewer complained you couldn't turn off the warming plate after the coffee was made. You can. Just press the on/off button...the unit turns off as does the warming plate. No need to unplug.

"Can it really be better than Capresso for only [money amount]?". Yes, it can.