Home and Kitchen Reviews

I bought this pasta pot for my wife as she had and liked a "As Seen on TV" version of a pasta straining pot, but the bottom warped. I decided to up grade her to this more expensive verzion as she used the other so frequently. The Bialetti version was constructed of heavy metal, however, the lid took the strength of a body builder to get on tight for pouring. Once it was on tight, my wife couldn't open it so I always had to be there to help her open the pot. The lid even when on tite still allowed some pasta to slip out. I'm putting this one out with the trash and buying her a stainless steel version of the "As seen on TV" pot.

The Bialetti SpazioSystem Pasta Pot is one of the most practical and usable cooking utensils ever to grace the inside of a kitchen. But, it's just a pot, right? Well, while all my pots have lids, this one has actually eliminated my colander, and that's where the space saving economy of the pot really makes sense. The uniquely designed lid lets you drain everything while holding the pot with two hands; plus, it looks attractive, too.

Made of aluminum, this very durable utensil is porcelainized on the outside, coated with Teflon on the inside and it has textured nylon handles. It's lightweight and oval shaped while bulged out around the bottom -- this makes it compact yet able to accommodate a pound of any style pasta with ease. The oval shape also has the effect of pushing your hands further to the left and right thereby keeping them away from the hot steam that rises when you pour out the boiling water.

As to directions for use, the most important point about how to lock on the lid is not found either in or on the package. However, it's really not hard to do; just before draining, simply lay the lid on the pot with the drain holes at the ten o'clock or 4 o'clock position and while holding one of the side handles turn the lid clockwise to lock; it's more of a friction fit than a click-lock as described in the advertising. Furthermore, I fail to see a need to season the Teflon with any kind of oil as per the instructions; after all, boiling water in this pot will remove any seasoning that could adhere to the coating.

Whatever your reasons for making pasta or if you simply want to cook more efficiently, this is your pot. Buon appetito.

I came online to buy my second one of these great pots. I have expensive pots and pans in my kitchen. This is my cheapest pot by far, and also the most versatile, and the one I use every day. I use it for everything, and so often I am cooking and wish I had a second one going on another burner. I use it for making chili, stir-fries, spaghetti sauce, candy, pasta, boiling potatoes, steaming veggies, poaching fish, and pretty much anything I cook in the kitchen. I was so glad to find it still available. The shape of it makes it easy to handle and to manage longer items like fish and pasta.

Nice looks.

But I dont see the a great value in the snap open lids. At times I think it does not seal the contents very tightly. But I am using these containers to store dry food items in the pantry. Works well!

I'm sold! I bought one set to organize my pantry full of many kinds of baking goods, (i.e. wheat, rye, all-purpose, bread flour, and brown, raw, and date sugars), all of which I needed clear, see-through cannisters for this purpose.
The lids closed firmly and I could easily access the contents with a 1/2 C scoop (included in the set). I put flours, sugars, raisins, nuts, rices, wheat germ and various cereals in these containers.

I got 2 10pc sets and I love them. Nice and easy to handle, Clear to see through, and easy to clean. Good price too.

The unit significantly reduced dust and dander in the room. The first filter lasted about three months, which is good considering the amount of crud that it had to filter from the air. The noise level is acceptable. It's not silent, but it's not like a hair dryer either. I keep it on a medium setting with the oscillator on, and the noise level is comparable to a desk fan. Overall, I wish I had bought it sooner, as my husbands allergies are greatly improved while he sleeps at night, thanks to this air cleaner.

Also, one thing to remember with the ionizing units like Sharper Image or Oreck, is that they create ozone as a byproduct of ionization. Ozone buildup in a room can be toxic. Additionally, they are silent because there is no fan. Having no fan means the air doesn't get circulated, so the air immediately surrounding the unit is clean, but the rest of the room is not.

This is so much better than my sharper image that I paid $[...] for it really helped my allergies and makes my room smell like a hotel room, clean. Also with the sharper image you constantly have to clean the grids and that is just a pain in the neck. I would rather pay for the luxury of not cleaning the grids of the two expensive sharper image air purifiers that I own and go by replaceable filters. This machine is a little loud but if you dont mind white noise while you sleep this machine is for you.

This air cleaner works great as long as you read and follow the instructions when initially setting it up (as in, make sure you remove the plastic from the air filters before trying to use it).

I have terrible allergies. I've had to go to the ER more than once because of them. I was breathing much easier the very day my Bionaire came, though. My only issue is that it isn't quite as quiet as I was led to believe, but it isn't too noisy on the low setting. Besides, I'd rather have a little extra white noise in the background than keep wheezing.

For the price, I think this unit would be hard to beat.

The product I received was not very well "Reconditioned" It stopped working after one use.
I contacted Bissell. They are willing to replace the machine. However, I am told it will take 7-10 days to send me a shipping label, 7-10 for them to receive the machine and then 7-10 more to send me a replacement. I don't have the box the cleaner came in. I need to find a box and ship it back. At very least it will be 3-4 weeks before the cleaner is replaced. I know Amazon will make it right but the aggravation with Bissell compels me to reccomend against purchasing this item.

I don't think I'd buy reconditioned again. The pump belt broke the second time I used the machine. The belt was in pieces and some of it was stuck to the shaft. I made the mistake of tossing the box after my first use. The machine is heavy and I don't know how I'll take it to be serviced.

I received my Powersteamer last week and used it as soon as I assembled it which took maybe 2 minutes. It worked AWESOME! We have 2 boys & 2 dogs and thought that our beige rug was ruined in the high traffic areas. I only had to use the tough stain tool a few times and was not disappointed! I highly recommend this machine for anyone seeking a quality carpet cleaner. The reason for the missing star is that I had not received the TurboBrush, Scotchgard applicator or cartridge in my order. I notified Amazon and within 2 business days had a replacement machine. It was also missing those same items. Amazon.com has been wonderful in trying to rectify this situation for me in a timely manner.

NICE, GAVE AS A GIFT. THEY LOVE IT AND ARE USING.

I bought this cutter for use in bookbinding and papermaking projects. It cuts paper, even up to 240 gsm quickly and precisely. Using this cutter, a large framing square, and a sheet of plywood gives nearly the same results as a regular paper cutter, but provides more flexibility. I cannot comment on the durability of the blade, but if it is like other Fiskar products, I am sure I will be pleased.

For hardwood floors, it does a good job. On carpet it'll clean up light spills and it's convenient on stairs. For what it costs, and without the expectation that it will do the same as a "regular" vacuum cleaner, it serves its purpose well. To me, it's basically a Dustbuster with a motorized brush. I think the Dustbuster "Dirtbuster" vacuum is better and has a stronger vacuum, although the Dustbuster doesn't have the motorized head.

We got this to use in our 32 ft. motorhome. It does the job on the small carpet areas and gets in between the furniture easily with its small head. I use a small brush to remove the dust and fuzz from the catcher area when I empty it.
This doesn't take much storage space which was important to us.
Minor complaint: the catch that slides up and down to remove and replace the dust catching chamber is difficult to move.

These little vacuums are the greatest thing since sliced bread. For people like me who can no longer lift heavy things it is just ideal for doing my cleaning.' I am amazed at the pick-up power it has. I highly recommend it for anybody with sore shoulders and neck or sore legs and knees. It makes vacuuming so much easier and it is just as efficient as by big heavy Electrolux!!