Hamilton Beach 52204 Blender/Food Processor
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $59.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Talk about multitasking! You'll save precious counter space and cut down on clutter as this appliance performs double duty. The Hamilton Beach BlenderChef comprises a blender and a food processor that share a single base with a powerful motor and 12 settings. The food processor features a 3-cup plastic bowl with food chute and oil dispenser, a stainless-steel "S" blade for chopping and mixing, and a reversible disc blade for slicing and shredding. The 40-ounce glass blender jar has a wide mouth for easy pouring. For all it's capable of, this unit is both handy and compact. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Features

• 12-speed blender with 40-ounce glass jar; food processor with 3-cup capacity
• Powerful 350-watt motor covers heavy duty blending jobs
• 2 food-processor blades for shredding and chopping
• Oil dispenser for easily adding liquids during use
• Measures 8 by 6 by 14 inches; 2-year warranty

Reviews (50)

Great tool for the price
The motor is strong enough to make a good smoothie or salsa, and the space saving aspect of two tops for one bottom is great.It's not the best in the world, but for $[money], I can't think of a better buy in the kitchen.

Great tool for the price
The motor is strong enough to make a good smoothie or salsa, and the space saving aspect of two tops for one bottom is great.It's not the best in the world, but for [the price], I can't think of a better buy in the kitchen.

A piece of junk
This blender lasted less than a week for me.The motor burned up and all I did was make some juice mixes for my morning breakfast.Didnt even get a chance to use the food processor.I do not recommend this thing to anyone. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RDAZ
Subjects:  1. Small Appliances    2. Electrics    3. Blenders    4. (Osterizers)    5. Full-Size Food Processors    6. (Foodprocessors)   

FrancisFrancis! X1 Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $849.99 -- our price: $849.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

In chic stainless steel, this espresso machine from FrancisFrancis! is for those who relish sleek, modern design in their kitchen and an industrial decor. Leave it out on the counter, as it's too heavy to move around much. Besides, part of the fun is looking at it. The machine is 10-by-12 inches in overall size and has an instrument panel look on the front: flip switches, pilot lights, and a temperature gauge to allow for more precise temperature control, which helps prevent overheating the espresso. There's also a pull-out drawer in the bottom section to house the drip grill, a removable plastic bin at the back for the water supply, a built-in cappuccino feature, and a circular wire holder on top for warming inverted coffee cups.

This machine is designed for use with prepackaged coffee "pods," specifically Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods, or with regular ground coffee--handles for both are included. --Marcie Bovetz

Editor's note: This item may arrive with water inside from the manufacturer's pressure test. This is a normal occurrence and doesn't point to a problem with the machine. ... Read more

Features

• Ideal for making coffee specialty drinks at home; hot water dispenser for tea
• Temperature gauge provides precise control; steam nozzle heats milk to make cappuccinos
• Circular wire holder on top warms inverted coffee cups
• For use with packaged coffee pods or ground coffee; powder-coated steel finish
• Measures 10 by 10-1/4 by 12 inches; 3-month product warranty; 1-year service warranty

Reviews (44)

2001 model still going strong! Great espresso
Having worn out a Capresso machine after daily brewing 4-6 shots of espresso in making lattes/cappuccinos, etc. I went looking for a more durable machine.

I bought an X1 in 2001/2 when it was a brand new model (in stainless) and it is great:

1. It heats up quickly.
2. It brews VERY consistently.
3. The ESE thing is the best mess-preventer ever.
4. Separate steam-temperature setting is great. Heats milk much faster than other, cheaper consumer models.
5. Machine has capacity to steam enough milk for at least 3 tall lattes before needing a quick "refill" of water from the pump switch.
6. I like the simplicity and total manual operation. The switches aren't labeled, but there's only 3. Kind of a morning meditation for me.

The most important, non-obvious things:

1. Don't leave a pod in the holder and move temperature to steam setting. When you unhook the pod holder, steam will instantly blow apart the ESE pod, which, given that it is more than boiling hot, will hurt, plus will dry instantly on the wall.
2. Use INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ESE pods, unless you use them all within 2-3 hours of opening the tin. They sour very quickly, even in the freezer. I am partial to Starbucks pods, given my household's addiction to that brand, but I think that is more of a preference than a quality issue. Illy tastes fine, but you have to use them all quickly.
3. If you serve a lot of guests, the double unit (X3?) might be better. With the dual-temperature settings, you'll spend a lot of time running water through the unit to cool the steam setting back down to brew the next batch of espresso. Lots of refills of the water container, which is a bit of a pain to remove from the back of the machine.

Overall, a great performer after 4 years of daily, multiple use. This thing is a great machine.

GIVES YOU A PHENOMENAL ESPRESSO IF YOU HANDLE CORRECTLY
Two months ago I bought the X1 from the new serie "X1 by appointment" at the online store azone.ch. Discount price about 500 USD including a box of 18 E.S.E pods from AMICI. The inventor of the machine Francesco Illy is a "pope" of the coffee industry. He founded the "Francis Francis" Company in Switzerland. His father and grandfather are the founder of the "ILLY" coffee brand. A name for sophisticated taste of coffee. Francesco Illy started to launch his own brand "AMICI". There are actually 4 different E.S.E. pods available. My favourites are the "Espresso" (silver box with red stripe) and "Ristretto" (..with black stripe). Please check amici.ch for more information. So, that's a little bit about history and now my review: When I read the negative postings I wonder why there are some problems when using the machine or why the coffee gives some people only average joy. Here my suggestions for a real espresso experience:

Rule 1: Strictly use the E.S.E. pods....the one from AMICI or LAVAZZA I can suggest. Not try to use non-E.S.E. pods. They will not fit perfectly.

Rule 2: Buy some high quality espresso cups. If the porcelain is robust and thick it can keep and lead the warmth much better.

Rule 3: Always use pre-heatened cup. Place them on top of the coffee machine. I never turn off the machine. If you switched of the machine, wait about 20 minutes before preparing coffee.
And important: Pour one espresso cup of water before inserting any pod. This guarantees, that the cup gets his temperature and that the machine gets its operation temperature.

Rule 4: Keep your machine clean. After every use clean the pad-holder. Put it in the machine (be sure there are no pods inside) and simply pour water for about 10 seconds trough it.

Rule 5: For the ones who experienced damages, I think, they didn't threat it correctly! After using the steam YOU MUST SWITCH BACK to the espresso mode and activate the toggle switch for espresso. Simply pour water about 20 seconds. Now the boiler will not overheat and protects the machine. If you do not follow that rule your machine could be damaged seriously!

Final commentary: Those people who wants to compare the X1 with any one from Braun for about 99 USD and think the taste is the same, I must only say, that they have no concept of good coffee taste. The Francis Francis is nothing for people who confuse real espresso flavor with the over-sweeted plastic or paper taste of any Mc Donalds or Dunkin' Donuts sewage.
The first time I have seen the X1 I knew, soon or less I will purchase it. The unmistakable design didn't relinquish myself anymore. Every day walking to the kitchen, the Francis Francis X1 smiles at me. A machine to take into one's heart.

Marcel Dubach, ZURICH

Great looker, with faults. but i think it is great.
I am going t give this machine 2 stars for looks and an extra star for function this makes it a 3 star machine.I will review it to counter another review about this machine.The review was written by : Diego Frare.
1-**You can only get a perfect espresso from a professional machine and only if you use it to make dozens of coffees every day. I think the average bar in Italy makes hundreds of cups a day, and in places like some highway service areas they easily make over one thousand every day.**
a-I don't know how is this relevant
b-It is not true, If you teach yourself the art of making espresso, then you can make "great" espresso from many machines that are on the market today, but making the "perfect" espresso is a debatable for even the professional machines.
2-**The most annoying one is the lack of a pressure relief valve, so the water remains under pressure for minutes after you finish brewing your coffee, and you cannot remove the portafilter without getting coffee grounds sprayed all over. **
a-I believe the machine has a pressure valve, that does not allow the pressure to go above a certain amount (my guess 11 or 12 bar). What Diego is referring to is the absence of a 3 way pressure relief valve.This crates what is called "portafilter sneeze" which he describes.
b-The solution for that is in the same box as the machine came with. I guess you need to read the instructions to get the best out of your machine.
c-The solution is using the providedTamping / Anti "Sneeze" Gizmo, with it you car remove the Portafilter (PF) right away with no worries of any mess.
3-**. Another flaw is the finish, too prone to get scratched, at least in the black version. **
a-I have the red one, and I do not have any problems keeping it scratch free.
4-**. Also, the front panel of the plastic drip tray should have been made of stainless steel: because it's made of regular steel, you need to remove the front panel every time you wash the tray, otherwise it will rust easily. It wouldn't be too bad if it popped out and snapped back in, but you have to unscrew the knob to remove it. **
a-I am not sure which machine is Diego reviewing here. I am completely lost.What I have is a cover plate made of stainless steel (your cup would sit on there), then I have the drip tray, and it slides out like a drawer (you could detach it completely for ease of cleaning, this is the knob you see in the picture)
5-**. I closely looked at the spouts, and it's a one piece die cast unit, so I don't think it's my particular example that's bad, but it's a design flaw or a bad die cast template **
a-This is not true. The PF is cast but the spouts are screwed into the threaded part of the PF, the cause for that problem is most probably uneven tamping.
6-**if you put a fraction of a gram too much, the system will not be tight enough and water will leak from the top of the portafilter and fall into your cup.**
a-the machine comes with two baskets, one single shot and one double shot. Single is supposed to filled with 7 grams. I filled mine with 9 grams (using an accurate electronic scale [error is 0.1]) and I had no leakage at all.I guess if you go above this for the single basket (which I do not see why) you will have a problem.
7-** consistently decent espresso with a home machine ** (steps)
a-great instructions which I think everyone should use

In summery Diego might have a bad apple, and should have sent it back to the company under it's warranty.But also it might have been an older X1, the new X1's have been almost completely rebuilt as of 2004.
MY NEG for this machine are as follows:
1-Single shot basket is hard to perfect (I still have not perfected it), yet for sure you will need to put more ground coffee than what the instruction say.
2-The new boiler thermo controller is very accurate è it turns on and off the boiler at least 3-4 times during the process of brewing 1 shot of espresso. This is good, yet the problem is when the boiler goes on again, there seems to be a small drop in electricity to the pump that is driving the coffee through.I think this is missed thing when the company made the 110V version of their European 240V.
3-Stem wand is too short and that strong.It is hard, but you can do some micro foaming with it, but not with too deep of a pitcher.

4-The absence of a pressure gauge.

I will not go and list the PLUS things since the Negatives should be a good indicator of the quality of the machine. If you need to read more go to coffeegeek.com and check their review of this machine.
[...] ... Read more

Asin: B00004RBRD

Calphalon Professional Nonstick II 10-Piece Cookware Set
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $534.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Any cook would happily welcome this cookware set. Five pans and a big stockpot, four of which have domed glass lids, can handle nearly every cooking task. Durable nonstick coats the cooking surfaces. Every piece goes into the oven up to 450 degrees, adding versatility to the set. The big stockpot alone can simmer stocks and soups, cook chili and boil pasta, stew, and, braise. The saucepans can do all that, plus make sauces and cook vegetables. The thick-bottomed omelet pans can sear and sauté as well as cook omelets and frittatas. This cookware is anodized for hardness. Rolled stainless-steel handles are double-riveted for durability and balance and stay cool on stovetops. Holes in handles facilitate hanging on a hook or peg. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum, pans cook without hot spots or warping. Hand wash with mild detergent and scour with a plastic or nylon scrubber. --Fred Brack

What's in the Box
8-inch and 10-inch omelet pans; 1-1/2-quart and 2-1/2-quart saucepans with lids; 3-quart saute pan with lid; 8-quart stockpot with lid ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty against defects
• Ten piece set includes 8-inch and 10-inch omelet pans; 1-1/2-quart and 2-1/2-quart saucepans with lids; 3-quart sauté pan with lid; 8-quart stockpot with lid
• Heavy aluminum heats evenly, quickly
• Anodized for hardness, with nonstick coating oven-safe to 450 degrees
• Hand wash

Reviews (23)

Go commercial instead...
I had a Professional Nonstick II frypan for about two years, and loved it, using it nearly every day. I even wrote reviews on Amazon attesting to how wonderful the pan was. BUT, then my Professional Nonstick II surface started to wear out, with an increasingly sticky center (arggh!). I will probably have to take advantage of that Lifetime Warranty.
However, I now have bought the Calphalon Commercial Nonstick 12" pan, which is occasionally on special for around 25 bucks. The Commercial Nonstick line has the superior LRS3 nonstick coating compared to the cheaper LRS coating on the Professional line. It can cost a little more, but it's worth it.
Believe me, it makes a difference!

So, go commercial, you won't be disappointed.

After years of use, Calphalon stands behind their warranty
After using and loving my set of Calphalon pans for about 9 years, the nonstick surface finally began to shred on the omelet pans.I decided to see if they really stand behind their lifetime warranty, andcontacted the factory about replacing the pans.They told me to mail the pans in, and they would evaluate them to see if the failure was due to abuse, or normal wear and tear."Ah, the old escape clause", I thought."They just have to declare that I abused the pans, and not replace them".But this week the brand new pans appeared on my doorstep!Thank you, Calphalon, for really standing behind your warranty!

Calphalon Professional nonstick
Great cookware.It is really nonstick.Handles get hot but not as hot as most cookware. Heats up fast and cooks evenly.You will not be disappointed ... Read more

Asin: B00004SY9G
Subjects:  1. Cookware Sets    2. (Cook Ware)    3. (Calphlon)    4. (Calaphon)    5. Kitchen    6. Cookware    7. Gifts    8. Cooking   

Weber 741001 22 1/2-Inch One-Touch Silver Kettle Grill, Black
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $89.00 -- our price: $84.70
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Weber One-Touch Silver kettle grill is perfect for anyone who wants a well-designed, no-nonsense grill that cooks up food deliciously. Perfect for backyard barbecues or just whipping up an evening meal, this impressive grill has a cooking surface (22-1/2 inches in diameter) big enough to accommodate six large steaks, twice as many burgers, or up to a dozen kebabs. And the One-Touch Silver's classic kettle shape radiates heat evenly and keeps charcoal flare-ups to a minimum.

The barbecue pioneers at Weber--they've been making grills since 1951--know how to design a grill that lasts. The One-Touch Silver's porcelain-coated steel bowl and lid are exceptionally strong and designed never to rust, fade, or peel. The grill's hardware is of the highest quality. The aluminum vents and ash catcher won't rust, and the grill's tripod base, nylon handles, and all-weather wheels combine to make this Weber both exceptionally sturdy and easy to maneuver. Weber's patented One-Touch cleaning system--a clever setup of lever-activated blades--sifts ash out of the kettle and into the grill's removable catch pan. You never have to get your hands dirty--and emptying the kettle takes only a few seconds.

For those in search (or need) of culinary guidance, Weber includes a 31-page owner's guide filled with cooking tips and time-tested recipes for grilling everything from pork chops to bratwurst to Cornish hens. ... Read more

Features

• One-Touch cleaning and venting system
• 22-1/2 inch diameter
• Black heavy-gauge porcelain-enameled steel lid and bowl
• Rust-resistant aluminum legs and ash catcher
• Weather-resistant molded nylon handles

Reviews (34)

Replacing after 25 years
I got one of these for my husband 25 years ago.We're still using it, but the closing vent on the bottom bit the dust last summer.I think it's time for a new one.Incidently, ours was never stored in the garage or covered.

An honest review
Alright,

I am one that loves to grill, but doesn't know anything about grills themselves, really. Due to monetary situations I had to grill on the cheapest possible grill... The green Sunbeam camper grill. I'm sure you know what grill I'm talkin' about. For over 6 years it has been my grill of choice (hey it was only $10!) and has treated me well. Over these years I always dreamed about owning a "real" charcoal grill. I wanted the American icon, I wanted the Weber One-Touch. I heard all about how durable and well built it was, how it will last for 10 years+ and how it's just a step above the rest. After actually purchasing this grill I have a bit of buyers remorse. You see, before actually buying this I was looking at a grill from Char-Broil. It had the ash catching pan like the One-Touch gold, it had space to put plates and such (sorta like the One-Touch Platinum) and it had grates with adjustable height, not to mention all of this came at a price just $5 higher then the One-Touch Silver! Anyways, for the last 2 years I wanted nothing more then the Weber so I got it. Once I started puting it together I realized that this grill just doesn't seem to have $80 worth of craftsmanship. The legs are super-flimsy hollow aluminum pipes, very cheap. The itsy bitsy tabs that hold the bottom grate are slightly uneven so my bottom grate is a bit wobbly (also it's possible for the bottom grate to fall because the tabs are pretty small). A wobbly bottom grate probably doesn't make a lick of difference when it comes to grilling, it's just that it wasn't right, it's just one of those little annoying quirks. I guess I expected everything to be heavy duty. I expected solid metal legs and such. You can find an identical grill from Char-Broil for less then half the cost! I hear that Weber is a step above because they are built to last... well my cheap $10 Sunbeam is 6+ years old and I've never had any problems with it, it's all about how you take care of it. Personally, I think for the $80 price tag of the One-Touch silver, you should at least get the hinged cooking grate, but you don't.

There are good things however. First, it's just nice to have the American icon. There is a certain feeling that comes with grillin' on the good ol' Weber kettle. There are a TON of accessories made for it and replacement parts are extremely easy to find. The one-touch system is pretty handy (although hardly one-touch).

Overall I am still happy with the purchase, I love looking at that grill. It's probably gonna grown on me more and more as years pass by. Based on price I decided to get the Silver version, but the Gold might be worth looking at. Afterall you get a much better ash-pan (I modified my silver to be just as good though... just a little creativity should do the trick) and you get the hinged grate with the gold (although you can just buy this grate for $15-$20 and stick it on your Silver if you wanna)

Choose... but choose wisely.

Seems well-built and functional with very few annoyances.
I bought myself this grill for Christmas when nobody else got it for me, and now I've had it almost three months and have used it quite a few times.I bought it based on the Amazon recommendations, and the recommendation of FoodTV host Alton Brown in his book, GEAR FOR THE KITCHEN.Also, in perusing the internet, I found the "Blue's BBQ" web site from Australia.One reader asks, "How did the Weber become the icon for the Australian BBQ?"Blue had to disappoint the reader by informing her that the Weber is actually American.But if it has that kind of reputation in Australia, is must be good.

Judging from the reviews here, I'll have to wait 20 years to see how it holds up.It does live on my back porch, but with the Weber cover.

It is fairly easy to assemble, and in my humble engineering opinion, seems well-made and designed with few exceptions.The Silver model has an ash catch-pan hung between the legs.The pan sits on top of spring clips clipped to the leg.After how well everything else went together, this seemed really cheesy to me.If you're a prefectionist, you'll go nuts trying to level the pan.

I guess that the "one touch cleaning" feature is the vanes on the bottom that also act to adjust the temperature in the grill by adjusting the airflow.If you swish them back and forth, opened and closed, it'll push some ash through the vent in the bottom.The problem is that the vanes themselves are wide and flat, and half of the ash just rides back and forth on them.I think Weber overstates this "one touch cleaning" feature.

The vanes closely fit the bottom shape of the grill when assembled, but after a couple of uses, one warped.I don't know if this is from heat, or something I lodged under it.I had to disassemble the vanes, and bend the offending blade a bit, and it's been perfect since.

I am a bit disappointed in some of the accessories, like the tool rack and little side table.They hang on the edge of the grill, and compromise the otherwise pretty good seal between the lid and grill.They also sell a lid rack, but note that the lid does comes with a hook in it so you can hang it on the edge of the grill, although it is certainly not as easy as using the optional rack.

Based on recommendations here, I got the 22" (larger) model.I can't disagree with that.Unless you just don't have the extra 4" of storage space or REALLY need a good grill, but just don't have the money, get the bigger one.It doesn't use that much more charcoal.

The other thing I scratched my head over was whether to get the Silver or Gold model.The differences were not completely clear to me until I actually got the grill.First, the Gold model adds a catch can that fits closely to the bottom of the grill instead of the pan I complained about.That would be nice.Maybe when you're grilling, hot specks of charcoal won't fall out the bottom and burn your legs, and if you grill somewhere where you don't want a lot of ash, this might be worthwhile.But the Gold is almost twice the price of the Silver, and I had a hard time justifying the additional cost.

The other feature added by the Gold is a grate with folding sides to allow you to add more charcoal when doing a long roast.A handy feature for sure, if you're cooking includes that, but I found those replacement Weber grates locally for twelve dollars, so wouldn't pay for the Gold model to get them.

And I guess that's another advantage of the Webers in general: They're so popular, replacement parts are easily found locally.


Sometimes, I long for the built-in side table of the Platinum, but that's a lot of money.

The grill came with a small cookbook that has proved useful.I don't know getting burgers and steaks done right has been such a hit or miss, trial and error, proposition that most people make it out to be.You look up in the little book, "Beef, 1-1/2 in thick, well-done (I know, Alton Brown wouldn't like me), 10 minutes first side, 9 minutes second side" and they come out perfectly.

DEFINITELY pick up a Weber charcoal chimney if you don't have one yet.It's the best way by far to start the grill - no kabooms, no fumes, no smell, no dangerous fluids stored in your house, and a good use for Florida Today newspaper.If you want to try something different, pick up the book AMERICAN PIE by Peter Reinhert and try the grilled pizza.
... Read more

Asin: B00004RALU
Subjects:  1. (Barbeque)    2. Grilling    3. Outdoor Cooking    4. Charcoal Grills    5. Barbecue    6. (BBQ)   

Omni Castaway Rope Hammock
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $99.00 -- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Hammocks provide the ultimate relaxation, so let the gentle swinging motion and free-floating midair suspension transport you. Be surrounded in total comfort, taking advantage of that well-deserved moment of respite. The Castaway rope hammock is a classic design, with special wooden spacer bars that keep the hammock spread open at all times. Clearly designed for comfort and durability, the Castaway has nickel-plated fasteners, weatherized natural-cotton rope, and triple-varnished hardwood bars. The hammock's craftsmanship is fantastic, with hand-braided reinforced edges and a woven body with macrame ends for added support. With its superior materials and great design, the Castaway is sure to provide season after season of use either outside or inside. ... Read more

Features

• Woven and braided by experts
• Weatherized natural-cotton rope
• Varnished hardwood spreaders
• Nickel-plated fasteners
• Bed size 6' 10" long by 5' wideOverall length 13'. 12 lbs

Reviews (43)

Just a Swinging!
I bought this for really cheap and I cant wait until spring when I can use it!I didnt think that I wanted a rope hammock, but the price was right and now that I have it I love it and cant wait to use it outside!

Give it time
It is funny to read these review of people complaining of the hammock sagging.Of course being a cotton hammock, there is some stretch to work out of it.The first time I sat on it, I was on the ground rather quickly.However, unlike the other negative reviews, I simply retied the knots to make it tight again.Magically, the hammock stayed up, some people need to learn patience!I spent most of my summer taking a nap, and reading books on it. I recommend it to everyone.

I love mine!!!
It does stretch a little, but I weigh 190lbs, and set at the tightest links, it is heaven on earth. The stand was super simple to assemble (no screws!) and with a pillow, stress just melts away! ... Read more

Asin: B00004SBE6
Subjects:  1. Feng Shui    2. Patio & Garden Furniture    3. Hammocks    4. (Outdoor)    5. Camping Furniture    6. Apartment Patio    7. Classic Garden   

Bring your green thumb inside with this herb windowsill box. You can plant directly in the box or fit four 4-inch pots inside. Either way, you'll be charmed by the planter's old-fashioned details, from the green lettering spelling HERBS to the delicate golden accents. The box has handles, so you can easily lift it for watering and take it outside when the sun shines. This is a great gift for both gardeners and cooks, as any good cook will tell you fresh herbs are the star of any dish. Plastic drip catcher included. --Ariel Meadow Stallings ... Read more

Features

• 7-inch high x 19.25-inch wide x 6-inch deep
• Includes liner for planting and drip tray
• Plant directly into liner, or place potted plants in tray
• Holds 4 4-inch potted plants
• Indoor only window garden

Asin: B00004Y56G
Subjects:  1. Herb Gardening   

When you've finished mowing, the handles fold back, making it easier to store this mower in a tight garage or shed. It comes with a 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and a manufacturer's full two-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Convertible mulcher/rear bagger
• Cuts up to 1/2-acre losts on one charge
• One touch height adjustment (1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches)
• Lifetime 19-inch 3-in-1 deck
• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty

Asin: B00004DTMQ
Subjects:  1. Cordless Tools    2. Landscaping Tools    3. Mowers    4. Cordless Mowers    5. (Lawn Mowers)    6. (Lawnmowers)   

Ryobi 825R 4-Cycle Curved Shaft TrimmerPlus
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $169.99 -- our price: $124.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A 4-cycle, 26cc variable speed engine powers this dynamo around your borders, trees, and against foundations. Ryobi’s eliminated the need to mix messy oil and gas with this unit, which runs on straight gas, saving you time and trouble. It’s fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly and runs quieter than its 2-stroke competition. Easy starts are assured, too, because of a primer bulb. The bump feed advances more line whenever you need it, and the SpeedSpool Line Replacement lets you put in a new line without taking the head apart--a great idea. In hand, it’s well-balanced, relatively light, and very comfortable, thanks to the D-shaped handle and its ergonomic soft grip. If it were only a trimmer, it would be a great purchase, but add to it the capability to attach a range of different heads, and you’ve got a highly versatile, multi-purpose yard tool. The Trimmer Plus attachments (sold separately) turn the trimmer into an edger, hedge trimmer, tree pruner, leaf blower/vac, garden cultivator, and snow thrower. The attachments connect in a second with a solid "click," and you’re off on a new task. It’s an ingenious system that will bring professional-type lawn tools to the average homeowner. Bravo, Ryobi!--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2 year warranty
• 26 cc 4-cycle curved shaft grass trimmer with TrimmerPlus and SpeedSpool
• TrimmerPlus feature allows optional add-on tools
• SpeedSpool allows for quick line dispensing and replacement without removing the spool
• Lightweight 4-cycle that requires no mixing of oil and gas and is environmentally friendly

Reviews (41)

Good for the price, but ONE BIG PROBLEM
I've had the trimmer, the tiller, edging and tree attachments for about 2 summers now. Overall, for the money, it is a good trimmer. The edger works decently, although I've only used it once. I use the tree trimmer each fall. I have used the tiller quite a bit as I have to prep one 70 sq. ft. veggie garden and about 200 sq. ft. of flower beds each year. I use it to trim every week or more, after each mowing of a 1/2 acre lawn.

The trimmer itself is good and runs nicely, its great not to have to mix gas and my wife likes it as its not as smoky and noisy. However, she wont use it because it is pretty heavy. I highly recommend getting a strap, and if I were to do this all over again, I'd get a straight shaft trimmer.

Now for the problem. My very first time out with the tiller, the cable inside became stuck in the shaft and I couldn't get the tiller attachment off until I resorted to 2 sets of vise grips and more than a little force. Turns out the cable from the attachments is just a spring type cable with a square end. this fits into a pot metal type coupler that is on the end of another spring wound cable from the motor. This is all at the break, roughly halfway on the shaft. What happened is that due to the torque of the tiller, the cable end "oblonged" instead of staying square inside the coupler. This bound the cable inside the coupler and they had to be forceably separated.

After this episode, the cable and the coupler never fit properly and every time I put the tiller or edger on, it had to be forced apart. This has also stretched the cable a little and fitting together is a dicey chore. I ended up having to buy ANOTHER trimmer and I just leave one in the tiller now. The other I use as a trimmer and with the lighter attachments. I only did this because I had the significant investment in the attachments and getting another trimmer was less expensive than getting rid of this and starting over. But I sure thought about it.

So you can see, WHAT'S THE SENSE of having these when I could/should have just bought separate units to begin with. I'd be very interested to find out if other owners have had the same trouble. Oh, by the way in case you are wondering, I carefully turned over the soil by shovel in all of these beds and never used the tiller for "fresh ground" tilling. I'm smarter than that and I borrow my brothers Troy-Built when I need to go to town from scratch. This tiller is only used to freshen a spring bed and mix in additives, and then only after a shovel turnover.

All in all, I'm pretty disappointed. I had a Ryobu saw years ago that I wasn't impressed with either. I get the sense that Ryobi doesn't spend much on engineering and quality, as in they skimp a bit on the level. I'd give this one star, but the trimmer is decent, the tiller works well now that its permanent, and the other attachments do the job. The idea was great, the execution needs a rethink, especially in coupler design.

Arrived Broken
Can you beleive it? I ordered this thinking it would be a great addition to my outdoor assault weapons which I use to keep my yard from taking over the house. Things grow fast in the my gulch.

Well, I take it out of the big Amazon box. It's already busted! The lid for the air intake snaps onto the intake itself. So I figure, "OK, I guess I gotta call up Amazon." Well, this thing runs on gas, so I can't return it to Amazon. Instead they want
me to contact Ryobi. Well, that is turning out to be impossible.

The phone number given by the Ryobi site for their outdoor products doesn't get picked up. Instead, a recording tells you
thatdue to high volume, your call won't be answered. Have a nice day!

So I got it in the backside, for the first time, from good old Amazon. Thanks, Amazon. 'preciate it.

Beware Trimmer ships with no oil in crankcase
This item ships with no oil in the crankcase. Their is a yellow tag on the gas tank to fill with gas only and add no oil. and then a statement to add oil to engine.
Their should be a RED tag telling you to add oil first before trying to start.
Some people may not know the diference between a 2 and 4 cycle engine.

Ryobi should have done a better job.
When I checked the oil dipstick I was supprised their was no oil. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R9QV
Subjects:  1. Landscaping Tools    2. String Trimmers    3. Gas-Powered    4. (Weed Wacker)    5. (Weed Whacker)    6. (Weed Eater)