Programmable Clock and Timer / Stop & Serve Mode / Easy to Read Water Reservoir Markings / Removable Brew Basket / WhiteCustomer Review: Dribble Carafe
Purchased to replace a Mr. Coffee that finally gave up the ghost. Had comparable features like auto brew timer and auto shut off. Will be replacing it soon with another Mr Coffee. When you pour the first and second cups you can expect to make a mess with the dribble carafe. It is difficult to fill the coffee maker with water without making another mess. I dont know why they added a splash bar across the fill area but it does make filling it with water a challenge. On the positive side the brew timer and suto shut off work well and it makes coffee as you would expect. The big down side is that useability is lacking.
Customer Review: Stay away from this one
I have had this coffee maker for about a month. I thought the longer I had it, the easier it would be to pour coffee into a cup or water into the maker without making a mess on the counter top. I was wrong. I am going to return this one and get one of the 'real' Smartbrew Black & Decker coffee makers. This one is not a 'Smartbrew' model. The Smartbrew models have what B&D calls a Perfect Pour spout. These carafes are a breeze to pour. No dribbles, ever. Why they don't use the nicer carafe on all their models is a mystery to me. I have had a non-programmable B&D Smartbrew coffee maker at my camper for 7 years. It makes way better coffee than this one and the carafe is way better.
We've all seen those air purifier infomercials. But can a little $449 home air purifier really help allergies? Last year over 4 million air purifiers were sold in the US. And while allergies rank #1 as the reason people bought an air purifier the rise of childhood asthma (up 60% over the last 10 years) is a close second.
With 106 air purifier manufacturers and 12 technologies to research I was overwhelmed. I wondered what type works best for allergies? Or asthma? And the strong competition between manufacturers is creating confusion for consumers. According to one industry analyst:
"Manufacturers are battling over whether ozone purifiers, ion purifiers, and the no-replacement-filter-type purifiers are best in the minds of consumers"
According to Rich Mayer, a Research Scientist who specializes in Air Purification Technology 3 things stand out:
1) Most air technology on the market has been around over 40 years.
2) Most people didnt know what technology matched their needs (to know see below)
3) Most people are paying too much, and for the wrong technology.
5 things you should know before you buy an Air Purifier
#1: Replacement Filters are Over-Priced
In Japan air purifiers include 2-3 extra replacement filters. WHY? Because the Japanese think ahead.
U.S. manufacturers realize American's dont think ahead so they overcharge. Once you purchase an air purifier youll be stuck paying what they ask. (Reminds me of my $89 inkjet printer the replacement cartridges are $28!)
Remedy: Ask for filter prices first. Every 6-12 months youll need to change filters. And anything over $25 is too much.
Buying Hint: Ask for a discount on extra replacement filters before buying.
#2: Avoid Purifiers That Say: No Replacement Filters
The idea sounds great but once you've seen a dirty HEPA filter (HEPAs are a cloth-like filter which holds dust and pollution) you realize the ones without filters aren't catching very much dust or pollen YOUR LUNGS ARE!
No Replacement Filter Models include:
Ionic Breeze
Oreck Models (they contradict themselves on their website. You have to replace filters, but they aren't HEPA)
Remedy Get an air purifier that has affordable replacements. HEPA is important if you have allergies.
#3: "Fanless" Air Purifiers Wont Move Enough Air
The ionic purifiers sell you on how quiet they are and how little electricity they use. The problem is they dont move any air.
(Note; Because of this problem Sharper Image went to fans in their new models)
Remedy: Avoid purifiers without fans.
#4 Avoid Loud Fan Motors
A few people have emailed me that after buying an air purifier they couldn't sleep.
Remedy: For a super quiet fan ask for one with brushless motors. Read the box for decibel levels. 20-35 decibels is quiet enough for sleep.
#5: It Wont Do The Square Footage On The Box
I called Oreck when their new $700 tower was listed as covering 1100 square feet. How Many Times Does It Change The Air In The Room? (which means how many times it will change all the air in that room).
They didnt know. Finally a tech said: One per hour. Thats poor.
Remedy: Make sure to ask for 4-9 Changes Per Hour per Square footage.(You may have to call the manufacturer) Square Footage as listed on the box is also based on an empty room.
How to Choose The Right Technology
Here are some guidelines to match the basic technologies to your needs:
#1 HEPA, Pre-filter, Neg/Ion, Plasma Grid = Helpful for allergies and asthma, some odors
#2 Carbon, Charcoal, Ozone = Helpful for odors, smoke, animal smells, chemical sensitivity, VCOs, and immune system
#3 UV, TiO2, Plasma Grid, Ceramic = Helpful for immune system (colds, flu, viruses, pathogens), and eliminating musty odors
New Sensor Technology
There is a cool new technology from Japan that detects pollen. It promises to bring greater allergy relief. It continuously adjusts the purifier to the room saving electricity and guesswork.
In the end the home Air Purifier I found became one of the 3 parts of the plan that eliminated my allergies.
Mark Richardson is a Los Angeles based Health Practitioner and Author. He has been interviewed on over 300 radio and TV stations across the U.S. on how he cured his allergies and asthma by changing 3 things in his external and internal environment. To compare and find purifiers at wholsesale prices try http://www.airpodcleaner.com you can email Mark at healthideal@hotmail.com
spacemaker coffee maker