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Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances
Bialetti Brikka 4-Cup Stovetop Percolator Produces Tasty Espresso
March 5th, 2017
Want to spend a lazy afternoon sipping espresso at a sidewalk café in Italy? Why not bring a taste of Italy home with the Bialetta Brikka 4-cup Stovetop Percolator. This stovetop brewer makes 4 2-ounce servings of real Italian espresso in just minutes, making you feel like a true Italian barista in no time! Featuring a pressurized process to aid in rapid brewing and a transparent lid, coffee enthusiasts can view all of the espresso brewing action. Measuring just 4 x 7 ½ inches, this stovetop wonder will easily fit on most counter tops when not in use, plus the unique shape is eye pleasing in your classy kitchen.
The majority of the reviewers of the Bialetta Brikka marveled at the smooth, rich, authentic Italian espresso this little system was able to produce. Many claimed that the espresso was identical to espresso they had enjoyed in Italy. The cons listed by those that reviewed this product included that the coffee pot was somewhat cantankerous, spewing coffee all over the stove if not watched closely, while others thought the espresso bitter and undrinkable but commented that they needed time to experiment. This stovetop percolator might take more work than many people want for their morning cup of joe, but could be a fun way to enjoy a hand crafted espresso.
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Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances
The Presto Pizzazz Pizza Oven Makes Tasty Counter Top Pizza
February 28th, 2017
Dislike heating up your house to cook pizza? Does the time it takes to preheat your oven frustrate you? The solution can be right on your counter top. The Presto 03430 Pizzazz Pizza Oven features both top and bottom heating elements that are independently controlled. As the pizza pan rotates, the heating elements allow you to control how crisp your crust becomes and how brown your toppings get. The size of the non-stick pan allows for cooking frozen or fresh pizzas that are 12” and smaller. It is recommended the pizza be removed from the pan to avoid marring the non-stick finish when the pizza is cut. It is also simple to clean.
The unit comes with a timer which has an automatic shut off feature. It will also shut itself off if the unit overheats. The oven can reheat already cooked pizza. It can also cook other items such as frozen appetizers and toast garlic bread and toasted cheese sandwiches as well as a variety of other items. For a fun and unique way to cook your pizza, check out the Presto Pizzazz Pizza Oven. No need to heat up your house for a tasty pizza cooked just the way you like it.
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Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances
This Presto Electric Coffee Percolator Delivers The Flavor
February 27th, 2017
Many people simply cannot start their morning without a cup of coffee; its rich flavor and savory aroma is a great start to the day. A coffee percolator can be a great option for that first cup of coffee, often invoking a sense of nostalgia while delivering a perfect, hot cup. The Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffeemaker is a stylish and chic choice for the percolator-inclined. There is no aluminum to be found here as both the inside, including the perk tube and filter basket, and outside are crafted of stainless steel. The Presto Electric Coffee Percolator also serves up coffee at a good rate, brewing anywhere from four to twelve cups and one cup per minute.
When the coffee is ready, a signal light lets you know you’re good to pour that cup. It also keeps coffee at a consistent, piping hot temperature. When ready to clean, keep in mind the unit needs to be cooled down and is not able to be immersed in water. Clean up is simple with warm water and a mild detergent; harsh cleaning agents or scouring could damage the nice finish. Reviews are overall very positive with many satisfied customers.
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Bikes & Accessories
This Kids Trike Offers A Smooth Transition From Stroller To Trike
February 21st, 2017
There are a number of tricycles on the market these days with a wide range of prices and features. If you’re looking for a trike that can help transition your child from a stroller to a tricycle, then give this Kettler Kettrike Air Navigator Trike a look. For use with children as young as eighteen months, this kids trike offers parent control in the form of a locking steering system that disables the steering capacity for the child, a pushbar that allows the parent to guide the trike and an Auto Freewheel system that lets the rider rest his feet on the pedals.
When your child is ready to pedal, there is an on/off switch that puts the steering and pedaling back into the child’s hands. All three Komfy-Ride tires are air-filled and designed to grip the riding surface. A handy rear bucket is handy for carting items. Crafted out of high carbon steel, the trike also features a finish that is resistant to fading. The weight capacity is 200 pounds. Some customers have noted that the stated age for beginning use of this trike might be a too young.
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Cookware & Utensils
This Chinese Chef Knife Comfortably Handles Most Kitchen Tasks
February 19th, 2017
If you have spent any amount of time in the kitchen, you have surely come to understand just how important it is to have a good knife at your side when you need it. The Shun DM0712 is a great Chinese chef knife that will help you ensure you are able to cut through whatever food you have handy. The slightly curved cutting surface rocks gently and maintains its razor-sharp edge. It’s a little pricey, but most report that it is a sturdy item that holds up well under a lot of abuse. The blade is expensive, so if you don’t cook often you may want to consider a cheaper alternative, like the Shun DM0706 Classic Chef Knife, which costs almost half as much as this one does.
The most frequent comment about this shun knife is the distribution of weight. People seem to love how well balanced the knife is. It comes right out of the box sharp and stays that way, too. Many people are amazed at how little effort is required to cut through raw food while preparing it with a knife like this and report that they will never go back to traditional cleavers or other chefs knives. The two major themes running through all negative comments seem to contradict each other. Some are afraid to use the shun knife on bones and report that it doesn’t work that well. This knife should not be used on bones, as it is not designed for them. The other negative comment indicates that when used on a wooden cutting board it is easy for the shun knife to damage the board. Some others complain about the price, but there are no comparable blades at such an affordable price.
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Women's Makeup & Skin Care
Promote Healthier And Shinier Hair With This Moroccan Oil Shampoo
February 11th, 2017
From Moroccanoil, the same brand who offers a line of products and treatments for hair, comes Moroccan Oil Shampoo. Popular in the hair care world and with celebrities, there are several claims on this brand’s bottle of what this product can do for hair, extensions and even wigs. Ultimately, consumers using this product should see smoother, silkier, sleeker hair. The Moroccan oil in Moroccanoil Shampoo and the line’s other hair products is Argan oil, which is found in southwest Morocco. It is this oil that is said to restore hair’s cells naturally, resulting in smoothing out frizz and repairing damanged hair.
Though oil is a prominent ingredient in the shampoo, the formula is said to be non-greasy, safe for all hair types, and when the right amount is used, hair comes out clean, repaired and healthy. Moroccanoil does recommend those with non-damaged, “virgin” hair use less of the product to start; this will promote healthier, shinier hair without overdoing it on the oil. Those with dry, frizzy, damaged and/or treated hair should be prepared to use a bit more of the product for better results. Amazon reviewers were overall positive about the product. One word of caution before purchasing, however, is to make sure you are getting the real deal; some reviewers chimed in on purchasing what they thought was a Moroccanoil product, only to have received a fake product. Most reviewers, were happy and felt the product did improve the overall quality of their hair.
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Women's Makeup & Skin Care
Bio Oil Scar Treatment Improves Scars And Pregnancy Stretch Marks
February 6th, 2017
Bio Oil is a specialized skincare formula that is meant to reduce the signs of stretch marks and scarring. The patented formula combines unique vitamins and plant oils to provide moisture to dry skin and improve the overall tone. Bio Oil Treatment is hypo-allergenic, will not clog pores and contains zero preservatives. The manufacturers claim that Bio Oil will help to minimize the signs of aging, and will smooth and tighten wrinkled or sagging skin. The oil is said to prevent the appearance of stretch marks when used during pregnancy, and to help reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks and scars.
Bio Oil Scar Treatment contains the natural essences of Rosemary, Calendula, Lavender and Chamomile. Reviews of this product are extremely mixed, with some fans claiming that they saw dramatic results after use and others claiming to see little to zero visible reduction of stretch marks or scars. Those that did report seeing a marked improvement in the appearance of marks, cautioned that the results do take time and that users need to be patient when using this product. More than a few reviews mentioned developing a rash or other skin irritation after use, so users should think about performing a skin test before liberal application.
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Indoor Toys
The Melissa And Doug Food Groups Offers Fun Pretend Play Food
February 5th, 2017
Don’t play with your food, unless, of course, it is Pretend Play Food! The Melissa and Doug Food Groups pretend play food set includes 21 pieces of food representing all 4 basic food groups with each group stored in it’s own separate compartment. With a healthy assortment of fruits and vegetables, dairy, proteins and grains, children can practice assembling well-balanced meals. This set is recommended for kids ages 3 and up. This pretend play food set received high marks from reviewers who appreciated the high quality of the solid wooden pieces of food and the separate wooden crates for storing each food group.
Reviewers mentioned that this set had quickly become a favorite for the young chefs in the family. One major drawback reported with this product was that the paint seems to chip off relatively easily. One parent mentioned that the paint chipped off when she rinsed a piece under water, while another reviewer complained of the paint flaking off after a piece had been dropped. This product seems to be a good bet for those looking for a wooden food set for kitchen-minded kids, but due to the paint concerns, should probably not be given to kids who still have a tendency to put toys in their mouths.
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