Home and Kitchen Reviews

I need a few new pieces of stovetop to oven cookware, and after looking at a lot of amazon cookware offers, decided that instead of buying a couple of ultra-expensive LeCreuset pieces, I would buy American. After reading amazon's various Corningware offers that kept mentioning "stoneware" instead of pyroceram, I just called Worldkitchen company that now markets (and perhaps manufactures} Corningware. They said that Corning no longer manufactures any of the extremely strong, durable pyroceram that Corningware used to be made of.
Anybody who has used the real thing knows that "chip-resistant stoneware" is definitely not the same. Pyroceram doesn't "resist" chips, it just doesn't ever *get* chips. This is sad because I wanted to buy a set of American made cookware and bakeware for myself and one for my sister. Unless I can find a source for real Corningware, I won't be buying anything from this source. We can get cheap "stoneware" anywhere.

I give this product "4" stars instead of "5" only after reading others reviews and realizing that I do not use this product for some of the things they do (i.e. stove top cooking) so it's possible that it may not be suitable for everyone. What I do know is that I have owned this set for over 3 years. In addition, I have owned individual pieces for over 6 years, which is why I asked for a full set on my wedding registry! I think this is an incredible product. I recommend it to everyone. I use these to bake all sorts of things and have never had a problem. Not one piece that I own is chipped. And you know, if they don't work well on the stove top....isn't that why you buy a set of pots and pans? The only complaint that I have is one of the glass covers got a little stained after 5 years and I can't seem to get it off, but even that is minimal! As far as the pieces themselves, I can't say enough. I cook everything from casseroles, meatloaf, lasagna, you name it....and my absolute favorite feature is that no matter what I throw at it....NOTHING sticks to these dishes! After 6 years, I'm still amazed....so amazed that as I washed off last night's baked on manicotti gunk I thought, "I'm going to write my first ever review on Amazon so other's know about this stuff!"....even though I bought it eons ago! In my opinion, you could not spend a better $50 for an all around versatile cooking set. And....they are nice enough that they can go right from cooking to serving on the table and look good! Buy it...you won't regret it!

I would edit my stars and give the set 4 stars, because it was not the same as the set I had received at my wedding shower 11 years ago...I was not able to edit the stars...

12-4-2005 I have had this set for over 10 years (white set)... Nothing is stained. I use it in my oven, microwave, and refrigerator with no problem. I cook A LOT of Italian food in them (all marinara sauce and no staining and no sticking). I would be lost without them and caught my sister trying to walk out with one! I guess I have just found the perfect gift for her.

12-30-2005 This set was delivered on Christmas Eve (for my sister)... when I went to her house and we unloaded the set, I was surprised at the difference. It still looks nice, but it does not have the same glossy, smooth bottom like my set. It does appear to be more of a stoneware on the bottom. (read review further down/up by Luminosa)... We are still happy with it though... You cannot go wrong with Corning products. My sister is COMPLETELY thrilled and VERY happy with the set. (That is all I care about... and keeping my pans at home!)

You must find out what kind of water source your utility uses BEFORE you use this product - or any carbon filter. The manufacturer states, "Not intended to purify-not for use with water that's not microbiologically safe." Surface water systems are unstable and generally microbiologically questionable by nature. Many utilities are adding surface waters to their ground water systems to stretch supply.

Brita traps, but does not kill bacteria. Because the filter cannot kill bacteria, it actually becomes a breeding ground for the microorganisms if not changed regularly. An old, unchanged Brita filter can be dangerous because its use may add bacteria, which had been killed in the tap by chlorine, back into water.
By the time you discover the problem, you and your family could have ingested millions of bacteria.

The manufacturer's disclaimers need to be more specific and in layman's terms on the packaging in bold letters - just like the Surgeon General's warning on cigarettes.

And even if you live in a stable water condition, if you don't change the filter often enough - you can experience the same problems.

The Brita parent company, Clorox, uses that simple disclaimer - but in this case - Buyer beware!

NYC water clogs faucet filters fast. I've tried a few systems and so far this one has lasted the longest. It'll go for a month+ before it needs replacement. Not the full four months Brita claims but the other brands I tried lasted less than two weeks. I've had the system for 6 months.

I was cautious after reading the disgruntled reviewers state the Brita On Tap's alleged weaknesses but figured it was so easy to put on and take off that worst case scenario I'd just return it. The first thing I learned is that my sink faucet has threads on the inside. This means I had to use the Brita's included adapter. The adapter fit easily but without the washer. I could never get it on with the washer attached. This would be a problem if I had leaks or erratic water flow but so far that has not been a problem. After installing the base system to the faucet three minutes later, I was done. Now it was time for the taste test. Very good. The water didn't have the normal bad aftertaste from normal tap water and I'm now poised to cancel my water delivery, which is costing me about 650 dollars a year and which for all I know has more impurities than the company is willing to divulge. Compared to my Brita system--30 dollars for the unit and then 60 dollars a year in filters (every 3 months you have to buy a 15 dollar filter), I'd say I'm ahead more than 500 dollars a year. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Update: I discovered I couldn't put in the supplied washer in with the adapter because the old washer was "hiding" in the faucet. Once I took out the old washer, I was able to put on the adapter as prescribed in Brita's instructions. I tightened firmly by hand and there are no leaks or spattering problems. For the money, a very good unit indeed.

My coffee filter order split off from the rest on my Amazon order and "given" to NetGrocer. Intead of the free shipping I was expecting, NetGrocer charged $10.54 shipping and handling for a $5.15 (100 paper Melitta coffee filters) item.

I feel like I was raped.....

These are great, high-quality filters. The person who gave them a poor review was giving that bad review to the vendor, not the product. These are inexpensive and it doesn't make sense to pay shipping for them. You can buy these at the grocery store -- and I would recommend doing that on something this inexpensive.

This opener does not last. It cuts all the way around and fails at the end of the cut, leaving a shred of metal that must be twisted off. This endangers the user. I have used three and all of them fail after used a while. A new cutting wheel would solve the problem, burt where can you buy them?

The SwingAway can opener still seems to be terrific after all these years. The real question will be if it will hold up over the long run. I am extremely pleased with it after two months of use. It cuts easily and smoothly, even on dented cans. I like it a lot.

The other reviewers have said it all, but here's my take on this very affordable (I got mine from a local well known chain store for $3.00 less than A'.com's affiliate offers it for) to replace an old entry level Swing-A-Way that had seen better days.

This unit is designed with the usual top gear wheel turned by the handle, BUT has incorporated a SECOND GEAR WHEEL for the can underlid rim advance wheel that meshes with the top gear wheel making for truly EFFORTLESS can opening.

My $18.00 Rival Xtra-Tall electric can opener was JAMMING on the large 34.5 oz solid lid coffee cans, but THIS Swing-A-Way had NO TROUBLE with these cans opening them with great ease.

BUY THIS ONE and let the others--including the "side openers" (a fad that I feel will fade quickly)--gather dust on the shelves. Swing-A-Way--in this configuration--is the BEST!!!

Their claim is that the Dyson doesn't lose suction with use. If kept in top condition, clean and emptied then it might not lose suction. But if you allow the canister to fill up or the filter to get dirty then it definitely looses suction.

The beater brushes were never really effective. I have thick plush carpet, all one length, and I never got vacuum tracks with this vacuum. So I knew it wasn't really beating the carpet very effectively. They claim the height is auto adjusting but it doesn't seem to adjust at all and therefore is only effective on certain carpet heights.

The wand wore out early due to design errors. The hard part of the wand tube rubs against the flexible hose causing it to wear early and break. Each of the attachments broke early too.

I got about a years use out of this vacuum and threw it away. I bought a Bissell lift off upright to replace and it is already 100% better than the Dyson. In the first vacuuming with the Bissell I filled the dirt canister with dust and dog hair from my first floor alone, which shows the Dyson had been missing it all along. I now get vacuum tracks with the Bissell and my carpet looks 100% better

We bought the Dyson in Dec. of 2002, and it gets used for approximately 1 hour x twice a week on carpet.

In the vacuum cleaner market which, in our opinion, is dominated by poor product design, plastic parts that break easily, motors that burn out, belts that stretch and break, expensive bags that fill up virtually instantly, and a very short useful life, our Dyson has acquitted itself rather well.

Many of the other favorable comments apply and will not be repeated here.

We would add that Dyson has good telephone customer service as well as an on-line diagnostic guide.

We note the following negatives:

- The "off the floor" hose suction is not as strong and is much more awkward than with a "tank type - non upright" cleaner. If you are doing mostly off the floor cleaning, probably no upright is recommended.

- While the parts that you can access are easy to remove for cleaning and "unclogging", there are some critical non user serviceable parts on the Dyson. Even the drive belt and hepa filters are supposed to be changed by a service center.

- There are very few designated service centers capable of fixing the Dyson. So keep the box in case you have to ship the machine back to the company and hope you never need to use it. I would guess that with parts and labor, a major repair could easily be between a quarter and half the price of a new machine.

- The hepa filter, which is supposed to last the lifetime of the machine, doesn't. But notwithstanding instructions, it can be removed and replaced by the user (special replacement filter must be purchased from the company or from a dealer). We found it necessary to replace the filter (ourselves) when the machine constantly cut off due to overheating.

- While it is NOT in the instructions, customer service will tell you that vacuuming up powder (plaster, carpet cleaner, carpet deodorant) will clog the hepa filter and eventually destroy the machine. If you plan to do this kind of work, get something with a disposable bag.

- Periodically, the regular filter and basket need to be washed. Not a big deal but it needs to be done.

- Periodically, the tank needs to be thoroughly washed by running water through it and letting it dry.

Notwithstanding the above, this is probably a better and more reliable machine than anything else available (which, as noted, says something about vacuum cleaners in general), so with reservations, we recommend it.

Product designed to meet user needs and convinience.Does outstanding job on the carpet and hardwood floors, but can't reach under limited hight spaces without taking the house out.Best product i ever have to vacuum hardwood stairs.Looks and works like new.