Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler, Stainless Review

We use our toaster oven pert near 90% over the regular oven. It is so convenient, fast, and keeps the whole house from heating up. Our old one was a cheap toastmaster with the dumbest controls I have ever seen on an appliance, but it worked good. The convection fan gave out a month or so ago and then the bottom heaty thingers stoped working and it was done. Soggy totinos pizza is not very good.

We decided to not mess around when finding a replacement. First stop was target and BB&B websites. Found a few that could of worked, but after reading reviews we kept looking. My wife headed to BB&B for some stuff and took pics of each toaster oven and their info cards. I started doing more research online of the ones she found. We had 3 things that were absolutely necessary.

1. broil function. To make the best garlic bread I find this necessary. I have a system and it works well. Also often you just want to get a bit of extra browing on something and broil is where it is at.
2. convection / fan bake. It really makes a difference and we loved that feature on the dead one.
3. good reviews. Yeah I know it is not actually a feature, but I want to hear normal folk lay it out there. Amazon you made up my mind.

I did some extensive testing using probe thermometers and found it to have a really good accuracy. It fluctuates by 25 degrees, which is noted in the manual, but stayed close to the set temp most of the time. There is a probe built into the inside top wall that monitors the temp. This has actually thrown off my usual methods because it does not fluctuate wildly like the old one. I burned a pizza and have had to learn how to do my garlic bread all over again. The peppercorn steaks took much longer because the oven was actually at 250 and not something higher. We never really toasted bread in the old one because it would take too long. This thing heats up so fast and makes toast in 2.5 minutes and it comes out perfect.

Sanyo SR-2570M 2.5-Cubic-Foot Refrigerator, Platinum and Black Review

This one is terrific. I bought it for my basement office so I don’t need to run upstairs whenever I need a sip of something. It looks really nice with the stainless steel front. It holds more than any mini-fridge I’ve ever owned. The can holder is great. If you need to stand up big bottles there is the door which will hold about two, or you can just remove the bottom shelf and then you’re all set. A 12pk of bottles fits in here easily as well as 2-liter soda bottles with a shelf still above everything for your little whatevers. It keeps things really cold on a medium setting.

Now about the noise, as I noticed that many other have commented about it, but some of the reviews are old. I don’t notice it one bit. Granted, I have a dehumidifier and an air purifier down here but even so, it’s not even remotely distracting. I’m not sure if they changed the manufacturing process since earlier reviews but the sound is totally insignificant. Yes it makes a sound because it’s a compressor but I seriously don’t notice it. Mine is made in Mexico, so I feel a little better about it than if it were made in China.

I’m a Prime member so this came next day for $3.99…I couldn’t imagine where you could get a 44lb anything shipped for such a low price in one day. Amazon rocks and so does this fridge.

Frigidaire : FFU12F2HW Freezer Review

I was actually looking for a smaller freezer to take the overload from my fridge freezer, but for the price difference, this somewhat larger freezer (12.1 Cubic Feet), which is frost-free and has an interior light was a much better deal. I remember my mother defrosting her freezer years ago and really didn’t want to have to do that. It’s a huge hassle. But neither did I need a big fancy freezer and my space is limited. This freezer really fits my needs. It is not too big (outside measurements: 5′ H, 28″ W, 26″ deep)and not too heavy so it can sit on the little platform in the garage outside my mudroom door. We got it up the stairs on a hand truck with no problem. It’s handy for me there and doesn’t seem to mind the heat in the garage. It’s well insulated.

I am using an appliance quality extension cord to the nearest outlet, which is working fine. We adjusted the front leveler legs up slightly per directions so the door swings shut by itself, which is nice if my hands are full. The door provides a secure seal. It has a pocket grasp handhold for opening rather than a latch. The door can not be reversed to open on the other side.

There are no baskets supplied with the freezer and I wanted those so have ordered some small freezer baskets Chrome Basket (Chrome) (8″H x 11.75″W x 12.75″D) for the shelves to contain my produce sealed in plastic using my FoodSaver. These baskets are a shade too wide to fit two abreast on the shelves, but I got one for each shelf and am using the other half of the shelf for things I can stack and larger items. The shelves, by the way, are non-adjustable, but well spaced.

I knew I wanted an upright freezer, but the extra space offers the unexpected bonus of allowing me to freeze homemade juice pops for the grandchildren (which need to be upright and level until frozen) and gives me room for a cookie sheet holding strawberries to be frozen separately before bagging and other unusual options my fridge freezer never really did (it is always too full).

I haven’t seen an electric bill yet to assess the impact and I know it will be more than a manual defrost freezer, but I’m so delighted with this unit, I’m willing to pay a little extra. The energy guide that came with the freezer estimates $62/yr. That seems low, but we’ll see. All in all this was a great purchase and highly recommended.

Ironman Gravity 1000 Inversion Table Product Description

Product Description
Whether you want to reduce back stress or fatigue or stimulate your blood circulation, the Ironman Gravity 1000 inversion table makes a great household accessory. The inversion table contributes to your body’s overall health by optimizing lumbar traction, thereby relieving pressure on your vertebrae discs and ligaments. And when your back starts to relax, the rest of your body follows. The table can also help with such areas as increasing body flexibility for improved athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging due to gravity, and relieving lower backaches due to sitting or standing.

The Gravity 1000 boasts a durable tubular steel frame with a scratch-resistant powder-coated finish. The backrest, meanwhile, is made of a tough nylon material that’s extremely durable yet still comfortable when the table is in use. Most importantly, the inversion system is a breeze to use: once you rest your body against the nylon backrest and slip your feet into the ergonomically molded ankle cushions, simply reach your arms over your head. As your arms go up, your body gradually inverts up to 90 degrees. The only inputs are your energy and gravity itself.

Users will also appreciate the tough rubber non-skid floor stabilizers, which keep the table stable while you invert, and the extra-long safety handles, which provide an easy return to an upright position. Other details include a height-adjustable frame up to 6 feet 6 inches; support for up to 300 pounds; vinyl safety side covers to protect hands and fingers; and a durable spring-loaded ankle locking system. The Gravity 1000, which folds into a compact footprint for easy storage, measures 25 by 62 by 49 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 46 pounds.

About Ironman Fitness
Engineered for endurance, strength, speed, stamina, and performance, Ironman Fitness is continually striving to define the fitness industry. Their collection features top-of-the-line treadmills, stationary cycles, elliptical trainers, weight benches, and single- and multi-station exercise machines. The features on Ironman’s fitness equipment introduced over the years have become the standards of today. With superior components, multiple patents, and award-winning products, Ironman’s fitness products have consistently exceeded the expectation of customers and are the heart of a true champion.

Product Description
The IronMan Gravity 1000 Inversion Table is built with a durable tubular steel frame with a scratch resistant powder coated finish. The table can support up to 300lbs and the user height is 6′6″. It has tough rubber non-skid floor stabilizers that provide stability when inverting. Extra long safety handles provide easy return to an upright position and vinyl covers are added for safety. The backrest consists of tough nylon that is extremely durable, yet comfortable when the table is in use. The ergonomically molded ankle holders provide comfort and security. When not in use the Gravity 1000 can folded for storage.

Homelite 3,100 PSI 7 HP OHC Gas Powered Pressure Washer Reviews

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Founded in 1921, Homelite has built a solid reputation for quality products and name you can trust. Homelite’s 3,100 PSI (2.7 GPM flow rate) Pressure Washer is powered by a 7 HP Commercial Grade SUBARU OHV Engine. Standard equipment includes a 30′ X 9/32″ non-marring steel braided Santoprene Hose, 5 quick connect tips, steel spray wand assembly with auto-lock nozzle coupler, and 10″ non-marring pneumatic wheels. 3 Piston Brass, Axial CAM, Brass Head Pump with EZ-Start. Build to withstand the rigor of everyday use, and backed by a 3 year consumer, 1 year commercial warranty. This product is CARB compliant.

Technical Details

• 7 HP Commercial Grade SUBARU EX21 OHC Engine
• CARB Compliant
• On-Board Dry Storage Accessory Compartment
• Removable On-Board 2 Gallon Detergent Bucket
• 5 TaskMatch Quick Connect Spray Tips

Customer Reviews

By B. Patterson

I bought the item on-line from Amazon and personal matters prevented me from using it in the first three months. When I did try, I was unable to start the engine. Although I live in Chicago, Homelite service is scarce and I had to drive 20 miles to drop it off at a service center. The center (Hugo’s in Addison IL) kept it for 5 weeks, and when they finally worked on it, insisted that I pay $62.16 for them cleaning out the carburator. Remember, this was a brand new machine that had gas in it for 5 days before I took it to the repair shop!

Afterwards, I placed a claim for my $62.16 (there was no reclaiming 5 weeks of summer…) with Homelite under their warranty program, which was a joke. They merely dismissed the claim, citing Hugo’s justification, and shrugged off my promise to advertize the experience.

I will not buy a Homelite product again, ever, and realize from this experience that Amazon is no help in rectifying a problem like this. I wish I had bought a power washer at my local home center

By R. Phillips

This is a fantastic power washer…great for all different size jobs. It is larger than the typical unit you buy at a home improvement store (and larger than it looks in the photo) but is actually quite easy to maneuver…easier than the other brands too. Great machine for personal and professional uses!

Flowtron BK-80D 80-Watt, 1-1/2-Acre Electronic Insect Killer Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Are you troubled by more insects than you can swat? Sick of citronella? Driven mad by mosquitoes? The Flowtron 80-watt electronic insect killer is just what you need to remove pesky insects from the guest list at your next picnic or outdoor get-together. This ecologically friendly device uses no fogs, sprays, or poisons and comes completely assembled and ready for use. The unit plugs into a standard electrical socket and operates for only pennies a day. It utilizes a high-intensity black light bulb to lure and eliminate light-sensitive flying insects and is designed to protect an area of up to 1-1/2 acres. An exclusive mosquito-attractant cartridge, activated when the unit is turned on, is also included. The unit’s high-efficiency vertical grid eliminates clogging that can cause short-circuits or flare-up of insect remains, and a protective outer enclosure prevents injury to children, pets, birds, and wildlife. The durable casing is rainproof and rustproof for years of trouble-free operation. A two-year limited manufacturer’s warranty is included.

Product Description
“ELECTRIC BUG KILLERFlowtron Insect Killers are patented, high efficiency, non-clogging killing grid. USDA tested mosquito attractant. FREE 3O day cartridge. Powerful U.S.A. made transformer. Rugged, weatherproof construction; will not rust, crack or fade. Easy bulb replacement operates for only pennies a day. Avoids the continuing expense and inconvenience of chemical insecticides. Model BK-40: Recommended for areas up to I acre. One 4O watt high intensity black light bulb.”

Eureka 71B Hand-Held Vacuum Reviews

Customer Reviews

By yupi

Two cats and two fabric-covered couches, can you feel my pain? After a while, I was going nuts. I’d go broke buying the adhesive type lint rollers, the rubber ones (search for “sweepa”) and the reusable brush type didn’t do the job. All I’d heard about was dysons, dysons, dysons, so I started saving. But then I thought, hey, what I want is the little motorized roller brush attachment — so I got online, started searching, and found this. I figured $40 as opposed to $500 was worth a try, especially with the good reviews.

and it *was*. It gets all the cat hair off my couch, and the nice thing is that the hose just tugs right out and you can also get the little cracks and crevices without missing a beat. The “riser visor” thing, I thought was kinda silly til I started using it — and it’s great. You can vacuum horizontally and vertically, and for furniture, stairs, etc–a great feature.

My only complaint is that it’s just a *bit* heavy, especially for longer use. Wears that arm out, but that can be a good thing, too.

I’m still hoping to get a dyson eventually, but for the job I wanted to do, getting pet hair off my furniture — this is *perfect*.

By SLP

I’d planned to get the small Dyson, but the reviews of this vacuum persuaded me to give it a try. It’s absolutely excellent. It’s the best handheld vacuum I’ve ever tried, and I’ve thrown more of these things away than I can remember. Fortunately, I’ve always saved the attachments. Sometimes they fit another model, sometimes they don’t. Since there’s no fancy coupling required to attach tools to the hose end of this one, its just friction, most fit it.

This is a solid, powerful vacuum. The filter is heavy-duty and seems very durable. It’s easily removed and reattached. I use those over-priced compressed air duster cans to blow all the dust and dog hair off of the filter. Between this and my full-size Dyson, there’s probably more of the family dog outside the house than in by now. As for the weight of this machine, it is a little heavy, but then I only have to support its weight when doing vertical surfaces or carrying it around. When it’s vacuuming stairs and furniture, I let the horizontal surfaces support most of the weight.

Everything about this machine suggests its maker really put a lot of thought and effort into making an absolutely excellent product. And, I commend them for packaging it in protective plastic that can be easily removed without knives, pliers, bolt cutters, or a chain saw. The engineering on this one was obviously thoughtful and thorough.

Hoover F5914-900 SteamVac with Clean Surge Reviews

Product Description

Amazon.com
This powerful home steam vacuum saves you the expense and hassle of having to rent a steam cleaner and keeps rugs, upholstery, and bare floors (other than hardwoods) looking like new. The powerful 12-amp motor combined with five spinning brushes that operate at either high or low speed lift the usual dirt and grime out of carpets. By pulling on the trigger in the comfortable upright handle, this deep cleaner releases the included carpet/upholstery cleaner and hot tap water. For more stubborn stains or for high-traffic areas, this SteamVac also has a Clean Surge feature, which sends an extra blast of cleaning solution into the stain by simply pressing a button on the handle. When cleaning is complete, release the trigger and the SteamVac forces hot air into the cleaning path so you can do a few dry strokes over the stain. This deep cleaner has two separate water tanks to keep clean water apart from dirty water. The top tank holds the detergent and 1 gallon of hot water and automatically mixes the two so you don’t need to get your hands wet. The lower tank holds the dirty solution picked up from the carpet and unlatches to easily pour out into a sink without spilling. For cleaning stairs or upholstery, this deep cleaner has a long 8-foot hose and a special stair/upholstery nozzle that scrubs out spots. Other features of this deep cleaner include a brush indicator, which informs you that the brushes are spinning; an on/off foot pedal; a handle release pedal; and a 27-inch wraparound cord. The Hoover SteamVac is covered by a full one-year warranty. –Cristina Vaamonde

Product Description
HOOVER® STEAM VACUUMS SteamVac SpinScrub Hoover steam vacuums clean spots and stains on your floors with ease. Hoover vacuums use a powerful 12 amp motor to propel 5 spin scrub brushes that wash and wipe away spots and stains. Includes extra long 24L power cord for efficient use in large rooms. Tool kit includes spin scrub powered hand tool, on board hose and upholstery tool. Includes 16 oz. detergent. 1 year warranty.

Customer Reviews

By Lissie

If your new machine LEAKS, see note #2 below. I am just amazed at how many people write that their machine leaked from day one, and they returned it. It will leak if you skip a crucial one-time set-up step.

Paid $170 at Best Buy. This is my first carpet cleaner so I have nothing to compare it to except my own expectations. Even though the name is SteamVac, like all the others in this class of cleaners, there is no Steam to it. That’s just false marketing, but all the manufacturers do it, so no particular knock on Hoover.

First, let me say I’m ashamed to admit that our carpet hadn’t been cleaned in 4 years, and that we live in the country where lots of dirt gets tracked in from outside. So the carpet was pretty darn dirty. The Hoover F5914-900 did a very nice job the first time I used it – a drastically noticeable difference in the appearance of the carpet. The water in the dirty water receptacle was black. Did it return the carpet to new condition? No, impossible. Will it take another treatment or two to really get it clean? Yes, that is the price I pay for ignoring wet-cleaning the carpet for years. One of this cleaner’s best features is the ability to dry the carpet quite thoroughly. Since the front of the machine is made of clear plastic, you can see when you’re vacuuming up water. If you want to dry the carpet as much as possible, keep vacuuming until you no longer see water being pulled up. As time has passed, the SteamVac has done an excellent job of maintaining my carpets.

My only gripe is that the dirty water container fills up too quickly and should be a little bigger. Ideally, the dirty water receptacle “should” be full right as you run out of clean water. Then, you shut down, empty the dirty water, refill the clean water and back to work. But this process gets out-of-sync with the dirty water receptacle filling up before you run out of clean water. So this can be a little inconvenient, but not a show-stopper.

The machine is well constructed but it IS plastic, with lots of compartments and latches and hose holders, etc, so one must simply be careful or those things will no doubt break off.

A few other notes:
1. If you are not the type to read manuals, do read this one. Assembly and operation are easy if you sit down and read the manual through before starting. It’s not like a vacuum cleaner where you just plug it in and go.

2. My machine leaked badly BUT it was my own fault. There is a one-time only setup procedure where you squeeze the trigger and push the Clean-Surge button to lock a rod into place. Push the Clean-Surge button firmly. There may be a loud SNAP which sounds like you broke something, but you didn’t. Until you get that snap, the Clean-Surge (which releases extra water-cleaner solution) is on all the time, hence the leaking. I didn’t push the button hard enough initially, so I had the leak problem.

EDIT December 2007
Apparently many people are assuming that without a loud snap, the Clean Surge will not work. All that matters is that your machine doesn’t leak. If your SteamVac doesn’t leak, it is assembled properly and the Clean Surge will work!!! The only reason I emphasized the “snap” was because so many people were having leak problems, which are easily solved. And it’s possible that Hoover has changed the design after getting so many returns from people who didn’t read the instructions in the manual. So don’t get hung up on the snap. If your machine does leak after assembly, you know what to do.

3. ANY time it seems like there is no suction, the problem is that something is not seated properly. It is easy to snap the lid onto the dirty water container without lining it up properly, which causes a vacuum leak. If there is a vacuum leak, there is no suction at the bottom of the machine, where it is needed to suck up water from the carpet. So recheck the dirty water lid.

4. If you have velvet or velvetine furniture, do NOT use the powered tool, use the utility tool. The powered tool is too strong for delicate fabric.

5. Like others have suggested, find a cheap alternative to the Hoover brand carpet detergent. One gallon of water doesn’t clean a lot of carpet, and at 5 oz of soap per gallon, you go thru it fast.

6. Always be sure to dry vacuum your carpet with a regular vacuum cleaner first before using this machine to wash it. Be sure to remove and clean the brushes when you’re done using this machine. Otherwise hair, thread, and balled up carpet fibers will dry on them and between them. Then the brushes won’t turn. These are not “use and put away” machines like vacuum cleaners, they’re “use, clean, and put away”.

7. Here’s something I do which you *might* want to try. For a very dirty carpet, I fill a cheap plastic 2 gallon watering can (or smaller for a smaller carpet) with hot water and a tablespoon or 2 of Oxy Clean. I then sprinkle the carpet heavily, being careful not to soak it. This saves trips to the sink to load up on clean, soapy water. Then use the Hoover normally.

8. Others have suggested using boiling water. Not for me, thanks. Too dangerous to handle and unnecessary, unless you’ve spilled or tracked in grease.

After reading countless reviews here, I have concluded that the problems people have encountered are from failing to properly set up the machine initially, failing to seat the dirty water lid properly, or failing to clean the machine after use. I recommend this Hoover. It won’t perform miracles, but I think if it is not abused it will last a long time and do an excellent job of maintaining a carpet.

Black & Decker SZ360 3.6-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Power Scissors

Amazon.com Product Review
These scissors offer way more cutting power than just about anyone can muster with muscle alone, and best of all, it’s effortless. You can’t help but love a product that makes life so much easier, especially for folks who suffer from arthritis.You can cut nearly anything with these, from delicate pattern paper to sheet vinyl flooring and window screening, with just the press of a button. Our favorite job for these, though, is to easily slice into that impossible-to-open, hard plastic packaging that seems to be on most everything these days. It’s no match for these scissors.

When power scissors first came out, there wasn’t too much concern about ergonomics, but we know so much more these days about how important that is. Black & Decker’s made this power tool a treat for the body to use, with a nice cushy grip, super light weight and no force needed.

One charge will keep you cutting for 70 minutes, and then you just plug it in and charge it again. There’s no end to what you can use these power scissors for – gift wrapping, sewing, scrapbooking, decorating, jobs around the house, crafts, clipping coupons.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source

Amazon.com Product Description
There are many times when extra power is needed, but not available. If an outlet is not within reach or plugging into the dashboard cigarette lighter is simply not an option, you’ll be pleased that you have the Xantrex Powerpack 600HD. This 600-watt device is an all-in-one unit that is not only powerful enough to start your car, but robust enough to provides portable power for small appliances — it even comes with a built-in air AM/FM radio and digital clock.

Enough Power to Jump-Start Your Car
Powered by a rechargeable battery, the Powerpack 600HD can jump start most 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines, and will operate a wide range of DC-powered products. It also has a built-in emergency light for extra illumination to keep you out of the dark and to provide light so others can see you if you’re stranded.

Runs Multiple Appliances at Once
With three AC outlets and one DC socket at your fingertips, the 600HD is the right power solution for people with demanding applications or the need to run multiple loads simultaneously. Use it to operate small power tools or at your outdoor worksite so you can get the job done even without an outlet nearby. It will also charge cell phones so you can stay connected.

Built-in AM/FM Radio
This unit also has an integrated AM/FM radio and digital alarm clock that provides access to music, talk radio and news, weather, and important information in critical emergency situations.