Kitchen Reviews

Obviously, I am no expert on pressure cookers, but this has got to be the easiest way of cooking I have ever used. The Kuhn Rikon construction is solid and durable. The operation is very simple and the valve construction allows for easy quick release.

I am completely sold on using this cooker. I have made complete, tasty, hardy soups/chilis from scratch to the dinner table in less than 30 minutes. And with the flavor of a soup/chili that has been simmered for hours. I cook without oils and minimal salt and I find that the foods I make are still very tasty and extremely satisfying.

I bought the Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker after the New York Times called it 'the Mercedes Benz among pressure cookers'. And even though I haven't tried any other cookers (so I can't compare) I am totally happy with it. I'm actually spoiled, I got two of these! I use them all the time! I usually make recipes out of the cookbooks 'Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure' and 'Complete Vegetarian Kitchen'. Both books are by Lorna Sass. She is an expert on pressure cooking and gives a lot of nice helpful pressure cooking recipes, tips and charts in these books.

If you want to buy a flame tamer for your cooker (highly recommended), please get the Kuhn Rikon one! It's a bit expensive, but the two other ones I tried ended up in the trash can.

I also recommend buying an 'Ohsawa Pot'. When you make rice straight in a pressure cooker it is very sticky and can get stuck to the bottom. With this pot (which you place in the pressure cooker), you get absolutely delicious rice (especially brown and wild rice turn out great!).

It is every bit as good as they say it is. It's very easy to use. No jiggle, no hissing, just a little sound to let you know the pressure is coming up. Just two little red lines that are easy to see. 1st. line is for low pressure, 2nd. line is for high pressure. Not only does it work like a dream, it looks like one too. If all you have every owned is a jiggle pressure cooker, please give this one a try. I'm sure you will be impressed with this 2nd generation pc.

I received this steamer recently as a gift. I have only used it a few times, and only on vegetables but it has been great. The guide gives you advise on how long to cook your food and each time it has been right on. My vegetables were cooked thoroughly and it was nice not to have to use oven space so I make multiple things at one time.

I use my steamer all most every day. I use it for not only for vegetables and rice but fat-free cooking of chicken and other meats. It's so simple, add water, add food, set the timer, and then just walk away. The food comes out perfect every time.

i go to school full time and work and this food steamer is my best friend! it makes cooking dinner so easy! i can put in rice, veggies, whatever in there, set the timer, and do housework or homework while its cooking. rice comes out great everytime, veggies are so easy to cook, and apples are SOOOO good steamed in this. very easy to clean, and definately, DEFINATELY worth it! (i'd even pay twice as much as i did for it.)

I wanted to wait to write my review to see how this machine would perform. I have had it about 3 months now, and I am really pleased with my purchase. My dirt devil deluxe upright, died after 10 years....so needless to say, it was time for a new vacuum, and I was READY.

I did a lot of investigating as to what type I wanted. I couldn't decide if I wanted to try a canister or stick to the upright type.

When I found this "lift off" vacuum, it was so exciting because it did EVERYthing I wanted it to do. I use it on med. pile carpeting, hard wood floors, linoleum, and large to small throw rugs with varied piles. It has many different height levels with which to clean at. It cleans like I haven't been able to clean for a LONG time. The carpet looks new again after every vacuuming. Tt picked up things I didn't even see. It was pretty scary the first time I used it...yikes...what it picked up that the other one was leaving behind, whoa! It was also very easy to assemble, I did it myself without my husbands help, and it was a piece of cake.

It has some powerful suction and rotor brush on it too. I like that you can turn the rotor off and use it on hard floors like wood or linoleum, the other day it stuck to the kitchen floor the suction was so powerful :-). The rotor automatically turns off when you put your vacuum in the upright position and stop vacuuming for a minute. When you turn the rotor back on, it takes off practically on its own, with very little pushing, its a joy to push around. It does not come across as heavy to me, and I am a small person.

I also like the detachable canister. This also comes in handy if your kids have legos laying around and you suck one up like I did. I can rescue it easily. This aspect of the vacuum is SOOO nice. It detaches with a little lever, you dump out the junk, and put it back on with ease. I love not having to change bags anymore. But here is also where I found my complaint.

It may just be that I am not used to this type of system yet. But I thought that the container filled up very fast. I have to learn to pay more attention to it, or the dust bunnies start getting up into the filter area too high, and you have to scoop it out with your fingers, and it tends to get the dusty fuzz all over your floor if you are not careful, and you will have to re-vacuum what fell out. Just an FYI, if you are used to bags in your vacuum, you will have to keep a closer eye on this type of system.

Well after I left the dirt container on too long 1-2x like I mentioned, the filter and filter housing had to be cleaned out. However, this job is actually quite easy. The filters come out very easily for cleaning. The main filter (the one that got backed up) is a foam ring in side a plastic housing...it is washable. I already took it apart and cleaned it with water, and it looked like new after it dried. It returns to its location with ease.

With this purchase I got the little shark vacuum as a bonus, and I used it to vacuum the filter housing with its little pointy attachment. That also worked GREAT.

One other small complaint that I have found is the length of the cord. I don't feel it is quite long enough, or maybe I'm just lazy, but I find myself unplugging it more often than I did my old dirt devil. I do like (and use) the quick release lever for the cord. I just wish there was a quick way to wind up the cord :-/...oh well.

I do feel that the price of this unit is very reasonable for the quality and usefulness of this vacuum. Shipping with Amazon was free, plus I got that little shark hand vac. I would definetely recommend this vacuum to someone. At the middle of the road price range, I think this is a sweet treat to work with. It is a nice sparkly red machine that zooms along!! Plus it does so many extra things with all its attachments and the lift off system can go up the stairs with ease.

I am sure that there are more expensive vacuums out there that may claim to be more powerful, but I didn't want to spend more money...and I am VERY happy with my Bissell purchase. Plus I like to see my carpets looking so new after I clean them, so I clean them more often just to see it do its job...its a good feeling...to WANT to vacuum eh? That may wear off after awhile though ;-)

This is the best vacuum ever! Huge back wheels make it really easy to move around, garage to house and up and down stairs (even pregnant). I cannot believe the amount of hair, lint and general dust I got off my carpet. If my old vacuum had done that well the bag would have filled up twice as fast. The attachment for upholstery let me do my couch for the first time and I got more dirt off my couch than my floor....eeewww!! Plus, I will never have to buy bags again. The color is beautiful, the canister is lite weight and the price is a bargain.

If you are looking for a do it all vacuum cleaner that will not cost you your first born child, this is the one for you. I bought it to replace an aging 20 year old Electrolux and it works GREAT. It will truly do it all. Carpets, hard floors, ceiling fans, everything. It comes in a candy apple red color too that looks very sharp. I don't want to get mine dirty! All in all, this is a very good vacuum and I am pleased immensly. Thank you for posting reviews Amazon, it helped me find and purchase this fine product.

I love this vacuum cleaner. I would like it better, I think, if the attachment hose was a little longer, but that's my only complaint. It cleans like no other vacuum I've ever tried. And the spin duster is a special little added gem that is just the icing on the cake.

I spent a good 2 months analyzing all the vacuums available when my trusty Kenmore canister of 20 years started showing it's age. Basically, I was tired of having to replace the hose -which is now only available through the long process of ordering it as an outdated item. So, from inquiring through friends and reviewing the opinons on-line, I narrowed my choices down to either the Eureka Whirlwind Litespeed models, Hoover models, or Bissel. Eureka eventually won out mainly due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews on this site as well as Epinions.com. Even my dad encouraged me to consider Eureka. With an indoor cat, I really needed a good vacuum! My husand's allergies demanded no less!! So, off to Sears I went to see what they had in Eurekas - which wasn't much as I found out. Costco was just up the street and that's where I went next. Although the one I really wanted was not supplied there, the 5843AZ looked promising. I liked the duster included and thought it pretty neat that the machine even cleaned it after use!! Pulling out my cell phone, I called my husband and asked him to see what the reviews said. Only one reviewer and she gave it a two thumbs up! So, I decided that I was going to have to just bite the bullet and buy it!
As soon as I arrived home, I went to work putting it together. Actually, my husband did the work - which wasn't much. I was impressed with how easy it was to assemble!!! Within minutes, I had it plugged in and vacuuming! WOW!!! And I thought all these years I had been vacuuming!! WRONG! I was totally amazed at the amount of crude picked up by this vacuum! Our rug was new in 1971, so there was quite a bit of build-up!! I went over the same area many times and continued to get stuff sucked up into the canister. Even that nifty tubo brush did a bang up job on my husband's lounge chair. Our cat, Buster, loves to sleep ontop of it just above where my husband's head would be! Obviously, it was a source of frustration all the way around because of the cat hair left behind! But, that little turbo brush got it all!!! Trust me, Eureka does not pay anyone to say these things!! I believe these reveiws, now, because I've experienced the results! I paid $129.99 plus tax for my wonderful vacuum ( I've only had it a day, but I can tell it's going to be a good unit!!). Bad thing, though, about buying it at Costco, there are so many great 'other' things to buy there and I have to say my Eureka was not the only item I left the store with!! But, that's another story!! :) As a side note re: Costco, they have the best customer relations re: items that don't live up to the hype, so I would encourage anyone looking for vacuums to try them first!!
One thing that I was disappointed with is that this model does not have a washable HEPA filter. The one inside the canister is, though, so that's better than having none that are washable. I am going to inquire about the possibility of using the washable filter in place of the one that came with the unit. However, this little glitch has not dampended my enthusiasm for my new 'friend'!! Even my husband commented that he didn't smell any 'after burner' that he usually associates with vacuums! Another words, no dusty smells!!! HEPA really DOES work! :)
I highly recommend this unit! Certainly ran circles around my Kenmore - which is now permanently retired!

Amazon.com was enormously helpful in researching vacuums. We landed on this vacuum which we finally bought from Costco for pricing reasons. This vacuum is a great deal. It's quieter than out last Hoover, it's powerful, and it's easy to clean.

I just cleaned ours, we have had it for about a year, and cleaned it about 3 or 4 times. We use it EVERY day and have a 1 year old, who is sleeping on our carpet in the living room right now. She never has had a problem from vacuum dust either. Normally all I have to do is empty the can when it gets a little full. Cleaning can be a little labor intensive, but it's all pretty easy. 1 screw and I can have the hose off, the rest of the filters are easy to get to. This vacuum has never left a real alergy problem with us. We never sneeze using it. It will eventually get a vacuum smell as you use it, but if you keep it clean that is minimized.

After researching different options, this is what I found.
Baglass vs Bag Vaccums: Some people like bagless, some like bag. It's really a personal preference issue. I like being able to see what is in the can.
Drive systems: Beware of the Hoover. It uses a plastic geared brush drive mechanism which the salesman at Sears told me has been a real weak spot. The Eureka has a Belt driven brush, which is reliable.
Hepa filter vs Micron Filtration: Hepa filters can filter out particles below .3 Microns. This means your vacuum will filter out smoke as well as other things. Some vacuums claim to have 'Micron' filtration, which filters between 5 Microns and .3 Microns, but it's not Hepa.
Sealed Hepa Filtration systems: The Eureka has a sealed Hepa system, meaning no air gets out past the filter. This includes motor exhaust. This is the only real way to run a filter system. If it's not sealed, it's not doin' much.
Changing HEPA Filters: Do the 'light test'. Hold the filter up to a light. If you can still see light filtering through your filter, it's still good. But DON'T LET YOUR HEPA FILTER GET CLOGGED. It can fry your motor. The Eureka has a very easy to access Hepa filter, so you don't have to dismantle the vacuum to check it.
The hose is a nice addition. My Vacuum did not come with the duster, and I think that would be a nice addition.

Overall, I am glad I did my research and I'm gald I bought this vaccum. Thanks Amazon for posting customer reviews.

I received my Hoover SteamVac yesterday and couldn't wait to try it out. I put it together using the very easy to understand instructions. I just finished cleaning my daughter's bedroom carpet which is bubble gum pink and it looks GREAT!! I was surprised at the color of the dirty water that it extracted and I thought it was fairly clean. I have a Bissell Big Green Clean Machine that is very cumbersome to use and does not have rotating brushes, only the small brush across the edge of the extractor and only cleans a well as the muscle you put into it so I didn't use it very often and is collecting dust in the basement as I write this. Although the Hoover is a little on the heavy side, it's still much easier to use that the Bissell. I can't wait to try it on my other carpets! I wish I would have purchased the Hoover long before this!!

This is an excellent carpet cleaner! I just purchased one to take care of my new carpeting which is cream colored and in a house with 2 kids and two dogs. I had an extra piece of carpet bound and use it as a mat at the front door so people could take off their shoes. Even with all of the precautions it is amazing at how much dirt builds up! When I took the mat up to clean the carpet, the carpet under the mat was a good two shades lighter than the rest of the room. I used the Hoover, and now the whole room matches the color of the carpet that was covered! I did have a noticeable line in the carpet where the mat ended. Two passes with the clean surge button and the dirt was out. I was a little concerned with the amount I spent on the machine, but considering how much carpeting costs and how well this machine made the cream colored carpet look like it was just installed, I think it is well worth the money!! I would suggest this machine to anyone, the only drawback to the machines I used to rent is the water capacity is about a gallon which means more trips to the sink to empty and refill, but because the tanks are easy to remove and put back this is tolerable because it doesn't take too long to do. As far as cleaning it is superb!

My hubby and I had been seriously considering new carpet a few months ago due to very worn looking, dull (once light colored) carpet, but don't ring up my sale yet carpet man! I finally gave in to spending money on a carpet cleaner to replace my old Kirby shampooer, and now I wish I'd bought this Hoover Steam Vac a long time ago! It is amazing! My carpet, that I was ready to rip up myself, looks like the day we moved in..brand, spankin' new! I am so impressed with this machine! Very easy to use- easy to fill and dump water tanks- even the attachment hose is easy to clean out when you're finished. It looks heavy, but pulls itself along just fine when running and tilts back on the wheels very lightly to move from room to room. I really enjoy cleaning my carpets now, and as another reviewer stated, it is not much more than vacuuming-very easy and not time consuming. I was so impressed the first time I used it that I took all my floor mats out of my van and shampooed those, too! They were beautifully clean in about 10 minutes! I LOVE THIS STEAM VAC!
Great machine! Go buy it now! Mine's going with me to grandma's next trip so I can clean her floors too!

My first Calphalon item, a 1-quart sauté pan w/cover, was a housewarming gift from a French friend. Next, I bought a starter set with assorted pieces. Since then, I have never used any other brand of cookware because the Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized pots and pans are so wonderful for cooking. I have added many pieces over the years, including the newer Calphalon Commercial nonstick brand (which I prefer for omelet/fry pans).

This Calphalon Hard-Anodized set is a perfect starter set and is a good value. I use my 2-1/2-quart saucepan more than any other pan. (Later, you may wish to add the Calphalon double boiler insert and/or universal steamer insert for use in this pan.) The 10-inch omelet/fry pan is a good size for two-to-three servings of eggs. The 8-quart stockpot is great for cooking pasta (and you will want to buy the Calphalon 8-quart pasta insert), boiling corn, simmering stock, or making soup. The 4-quart chef's pan with lid (which I do not use that often) would make a good casserole pan. This set is a good way to begin your own Calphalon collection or to give as a gift.

I have used a very similar but discontinued set (10-piece, with a workhorse 3-qt sauté and a not-too-useful 8" omelette) for the past two years. The Commercial Hard-Anodized line has been absolutely superb, and it's hard to imagine having ever cooked with anything else. These pots and pans can definitely get you addicted to cooking.

The thick, heavy aluminum results in great heat retention and excellent conductivity, which is crucial for properly searing meats and seafood and sautéing vegetables without overcooking. I've lived in a city environment for the past 10 years where gas stoves are hard to come by, and the heat retention and conductivity have been tremendously valuable when bound to electric stoves.

Although we don't cook with them every day, they've taken a beating and still perform as well as ever. The "stick-resistant" hard-anodized material is an excellent balance in terms of cleaning ease and performance: a brief soak and a Scotch pad will clean them off, but you can still get a good sear that isn't possible with most non-stick cookware.

The only concerns are very minor:

1) The aluminum interior and exterior have stained a bit after prolonged use. A minor concern, as it hasn't affected performance at all.

2) As with all hard-anodized cookware, it is difficult to see the actual color of translucent sauces, stocks, etc. This is admittedly a minor annoyance, but one that becomes more noticeable with experience. Could be solved by buying a stainless-steel ladle or spooning some of the liquid into a white bowl.

I would still recommend a nonstick pan (such as Calphalon's excellent 10" Commercial Non-Stick omelette pan) for omelettes, eggs, or other low-temperature, delicate foods that don't need a hot sear, but certainly not a whole set; nonstick surfaces deteriorate and have to be treated carefully in terms of utensils, temperature, etc. The pans in this line are extremely durable, can be used for nearly anything, and should last a lifetime. I've recently started moving to All-Clad to address issue 2) above, but only because the roommate took his pans with him. ... this set is a steal.

On cooking surfaces and Calphalon...

First, it is important to note that hard anodized cookware is NOT a coating...it is an intregal part of the cooking surface...hence it does not wear off. In terms of conductivity; which is the degree to which heat is transferred through the cooking surface, copper traditionally ranks the best. Copper is followed by aluminum, stainless steel and cast-iron. If looks are an important consideration in your cookware choice, then stainless steel with a layering of copper might be your best bet. Cast-Iron heats slowly but retains it's heat very well. It is excellent for casseroles and the like. Copper is great too, but it is very, very expensive and has the drawback of reacting with acidic-based sauces. Aluminum has this same problem. However, hard-anodized aluminum removes this roadblock to cookware nirvana. Which makes Calphalon such an important tool for your kitchen.

I have 14 separate pieces of Calphalon in my collection. So I guess I "walk the walk"....As much as I respect All-Clad and Le Creuset; Calphalon Professional and Calphalon Commercial are the best, most versatile sets of cookware, in my opinion. Much for the same reason most professional cooks use gas ranges as opposed to electric ranges, would be the main argument as to why Calphalon is such a superior product over less expensive variants. It is important to have direct heat control to turn out exceptionally finished product on a consistent basis. Obviously, the expense of a set of cookware reflects to a degree the ability maintain control over heat....On the other hand, it is still very value-priced, compared to some other well known and more expensive competitors. I think the main reason for this is simply that even cookware follows "asthetic trends" and this might be one small area where Calphalon lags behind. Nothing beats the beauty of highly polished stainless steel cookware hanging from your kitchen ceilings... except maybe copper! But if you are more interested in cooking performance as opposed to how the cookware looks, you would be hard pressed to find a better value.

...just bear in mind that Calphalon is "stick-resistant" as opposed to "non-stick". This is actually good. And necessary. This is because it is important for foods to brown properly. Not to "seal in the juices", so to speak. That is a misnomer. Juices are not "sealed in" as a result of browning. What browning serves to do, besides giving a great appearance to the food, is to carmelize the base. This, in turn, enriches the taste of the finished product. And it would stand to mean that any deglazing that's done for sauces afterwards would also impart an added richness of flavor. Both Calphlon Commercial and Professional Cookware do this particularly well.

Much as there are many sound reasons as to why an oven chicken roaster is shaped oval or why a good braising pan does not have gently sloping sides; it is also important to note that with whatever you decide to roll into your kitchen with, it should most importantly reflect what you are trying to accomplish once you walk in there.

Thanks and hope this review was helpful....

This is my second waffle maker in a year. The first one (Procter Silex) was awful. This is just excellent. Perfect waffles every time. Tips: Use Bisquick mix for waffles; it's the best. Second, use a half-cup measuring cup to pour mix into waffle. This way it won't overflow and make a big mess.

This is an excellent waffle maker! I've really enjoyed experimenting with it. It makes perfect waffles every time. I highly recommend it to anyone. In fact, I bought one as a wedding gift recently!

I just love this waffle iron. It's quick, it's easy, and it does a great job. Much faster than my old waffle iron, and easy to adjust and monitor, I am very happy to have ordered it.

My sister bought this press for the house. This one works real well-- perfect for those coffee press users. Bodum is also a well known brand of coffee press, so you don't have to worry about a flimsy product. Also if it breaks, Bodum is pretty good with spare parts. As a comsumer, I always recommend you shop around for the best price.

When using a coffee press, or any other coffee machine, make sure you FRESHLY grind your coffee for optimal taste. I recommend all serious coffee drinkers to invest in a good burr grinder-- you really can taste the differnce. Also for a coffee press the ginds must be large and coarse in thickness, otherwise your pressed coffee will taste lousy-- do not use automatic drip sized grinds. I also recommend a quality dark/French roast when using a press.

Please note that this press makes 3 French-sized cups of coffee. In Paris cafes, you're served coffee in a press with a "bowl sized" cup half filled with steamed milk (Cafe Au Lait).

Even if you find an espresso machine alluring, in the meantime, you can't beat coffee made with this elegant and perfectly functional press pot. It's simply the easiest and best way to extract maximum flavor from your finest beans (use a uniform grind slightly coarser than automatic drip). Some people even prefer it to espresso. It's durable, easy to clean, and doesn't require electricity.

One reviewer claimed they put the grounds and the water in the pot, immediately pushed the plunger and waited 10 minutes. However, they will get much better results if they wait 2-4 minutes (depending upon the coarseness of the grind) before plunging the coffee, and then drink it right away. I wouldn't even let the coffee rest, plunged, in the pot for ten minutes, as it will become over-extracted.

As for the reviewer that whined about truth in advertising, all I can say is "Duh". They themselves pointed out that the pot does make three espresso cups' worth of brew. And if they watch what they are doing next time, instead of just trying to pour 12 oz. of hot water into something, they can avoid future unpleasant experiences. I actually make coffee for two "cappuccinos" with this model. If you don't like your coffee as strong, you can simply add a little hot water to your cup after you have poured your coffee (like an Ameriano).

Bodum stands for quality in function as well as design, which is certainly evident in our Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker. Coffee is more than delicious and the preparation a breeze.

The coffee maker is attractive with a chrome plated steel top and trim. A black Bakelite handle provides a secure grip and is ergonomically friendly.

We'd recommend using a rather coarse grind of coffee as a fine grind may clog the filter, and stir with a plastic or wooden spoon rather than metal. Those two suggestions aside simply measure coffee, heat water and pour water over coffee in carafe. Let brew for about 3 - 4 minutes before using the pressing mechanism. Then, depress this mechanism slowly, and there you are - the best coffee this side of Paree.

You'll think it couldn't be any better, but next time add frothed milk (Bodum does make a superior frother) or a dash of whipped cream sprinkled with a small dash of cinnamon. Tres bien!

- Gail Cooke

As wine stoppers (the gray rubber cork element), these things are rather clever and seem to do their job rather well. (THe $10 wine-cap package Amazon sells is worth the price!)

But for long term food storage? I'm not so sure on the efficacy of this device. I had tested the vacuum ability by using marshmallows (okay, I actually used those gaudily colored Peeps). They would expand to twice their normal size. But upon leaving the marshmallowey Peep in a vacuum state for 2 hours, the Peep would slowly return to normal size. :-( Of course, when removing the seal, there was a great hiss of air (any air that might have escaped was minimal at best) the Peep shrunk in on itself - it's a cool effect that proves the seals on those canisters do work. But for how long?

I suppose the only way to tell if these canisters work long term is to vacuum up some vittles and let them sit for 3 months and do a taste test. Unfortunately, impatience is a virtue of mine so I'll just find another use for these canisters. :-)

I did one other test that's actually related to real food for once: Meat marinating. It is true that, in a vacuum, the pores of the animal tissues expand, allowing liquids to enter. The same can be said of Peeps, if you care for marinated peeps... Surprisingly, many people don't care for marinated peeps... They're kinda squishy though it's amusing how they retain their shape... Anyway, this thing does a doozy for marinating meet. I threw in some chicken breasts and yummy lemon pepper marinade sauce, pumped the air out, and let them sit for an hour. You can definitely tell the product works for marinating meats.

It's a keeper (marinating means more to me than food storage anyway) and I'm going to say 4 stars. Whether or not the product is of high enough quality to last for years is something only time will tell. :-)

This is great for what you get. I have an electric vacuum sealer that I use all the time, but it cost me over a hundred dollars. Here' you get a good vacuum seal for a fraction of that. The vacue-vin is a very versatile and useful device. You can use it to marinate your dinner in half the time, store perishables in the refrigerator for extended periods, and extend the shelf life of most of your dry goods. Admittedly, most dry goods aren't terribly perishable, but you can save things like crackers, nuts, bread crumbs and cereal flakes for a lot longer with these jars. Buying bulk spices and storing them in a vacuum is definately a good idea- see my tip below about using mason jars. I'd also say that the vacu-vin is great for wine drinkers- if simply corked and refrigerated or left on the shelf a bottle of wine will get stale overnight- the vacu-vin will preserve that half bottle of wine for a few days. (I've heard a lot of people say that the system is pretty much useless with wine, but it's always worked for me).

The company probably wouldn't want you to know this, but using the rubber stoppers in a regular old mason jar that has had a whole drilled into it works well and extends the value of this system immeasureably. My $100+ electric device seals mason jars too, but not at this price.

I'm not saying that this system is superior to my eletric unit, I'm just saying that it does some of the same things for a better price, so for SOME consumers it might be a better option. But I have both and use them quite a bit. My guess is that most people will find this a pretty useful gadget.

The vacu-vin food saver storage system is great! The container forms an airtight seal for leftovers or dry foods, allowing for a long storage time. Buy the larger, cheaping bulk packaged items at a savings, then repackage into smaller more usable portion using the vacu-vin containers. Put that extra few pieces of meat on the bar-b-que, cook and then put into the vacu-vin container for use later in the week, great bar-b-que later on.

The containers fit very nicely in the fridge, easy to clean up and are easy to use. Simply fit the vacuum into the seal and pump the handle until it "feels" firm, and the fresh food is well protected, because all the air has been removed. (Remember the old info-mercial for a product like this? But it costs about 3 times as much to do the same thing).

These items, the containers, marinater, wine stopper (bottle stopper), are a staple in my kitchen and cooking. A great product and a great price!

This is the best handy vacuuming device I have ever purchased. With 3 kids, 1 dog, 1 bird, and a very busy schedule, I wanted something for quick daily sweep-ups. I tried my dust buster, the electric brooms etc. This vacuum is perfect. I have wood floors and area rugs of various sizes and the transistion is easy. Just flip the switch. There is a handle on the top to aid handling. It's light and quiet. It empties and filters like a dustbuster. It rests upright when you want it to and doesn't klunk you on the head unexpectedly. Pick-up is great. Powerbrush works fine. The power cord is basically room size. This vacuum is the one to use for daily and weekly (even hourly) tidying up. I bought it a month ago and haven't brought out the Electrolux yet. Inevitably, I will because for the big time cleaning under the beds etc. I will need my canister vac. with the floor brush on the long handle. Buy this vacuum if you want to do the Monster whole house vacuuming less often. The Easy Vac is perfect for Quick EASY vacuuming.

I bought this to replace my old vacuum, which was essentially a dustbuster on a stick. Imagine my disappointment when I got this, and found that releasing a simple latch allows you to remove the suction unit: it's a dustbuster on a stick.

But, surprise surprise, the dustbuster is super powerful, and the stick includes a powered rotating brush that really gets up dirt from carpets. This thing rocks.

It's not only effective and versatile, it also looks good. Not that appearance makes one bit of difference to the doomed dust bunnies on your floor, but this Powerbrush just looks and feels like a quality machine. It's relatively light and easy to handle, the clear plastic removable dirt collector lets you see when you need to empty it, and it's solid--this thing won't fall apart if it falls over.

Perfect for small apartments, dorm rooms, and condos. You might want to go with a bigger unit if you've got a lot of floor space and need super-deep cleaning.

Oh, and you can shut off the rotating brush with a simple flick of a switch mounted on the handle, allowing quick transition from, say, your carpeted living room to the hardwood-floored kitchen.

Great buy. 5 stars.

If you hate to sweep, get this vacuum for your wood and tile floor. I'm never using my broom again! It picks up all the cat hair, cat litter, sand the kids track in and who knows what else. It is quite an eye opener when you empty out the dirt cup to see what was on the floor. It is light and easy to handle. I would use a bigger vacuum for a large area of carpet, but it works great on throw rugs and entry way mats. Can't recommend it highly enough for kitchen and living room cleaning.