
Monday, November 17, 2014
Sunbeam® Scented Humidfier Tablets, Apple Cinnamon - Model: SSTA2300-UM

Sunday, November 16, 2014
RPS Magnetic Central Air Conditioning Vent Cover - 3 Pack

For air returns, these would probably work okay if the magnetics were strong enough to hold it to the register. If you are using it for floor vents, it is fine, but I have a vent on the ceiling and it does not stay up.
Buy RPS Magnetic Central Air Conditioning Vent Cover - 3 Pack Now
The problem is that when packed three together, the magnetic fields are weakened. I found two covers placed with the right polarity stick to a ceiling vent better. You also need to cut them to the vent size to reduce weight.It's a good idea but the solution needs refinement.
Read Best Reviews of RPS Magnetic Central Air Conditioning Vent Cover - 3 Pack Here
Unfortunately, these cover are not magnetic enough to support their weight in a vertical position, which is what I bought them for.Want RPS Magnetic Central Air Conditioning Vent Cover - 3 Pack Discount?
All the prior reviews are acccurate and these don't work as advertised for the purposes of covering wall vents. However as weak as these magnetic covers are they can potentially work for you. Here's the solution I found that works ok:1) First make sure to cut them exactly to size...the smaller the better as this allows them to hold their own weight much better.
2) Double them up. After you cut it to size use 2 covers back-to-back on wall vents. They will hold this way.
If all else fails you can always use those mini-magnets which are obscure and powerful enough to hold these up and get the job done.
Jarden Consumer-Domestic Demineral Cartridge Sdc2300 Humidifier Chemical & Accessories

I recently purchased a second identical humidifier for another room. I did not immediately order one of these, and was shocked to see the amount of white dust in the room. Since installing a cartridge in the new humidifier I have noticed a significant decrease in the white dust.
Finally, a couple of thoughts. The demineralization is accomplished through a chemical process, it is not a "filter" and as such visually it looks like water would just bypass it. This makes sense as the minerals are soluble and not floating in the water. The lifespan does not seem to be that great. A continual usage may only last a month or so. Again, I have extremely hard well water (no softener), so your mileage may vary.The Sunbeam Ultrsonic Humidifier that I purchased January 2010 produces a white substance from the outgoing mist that coats furniture and appliances. I was disappointed that this Sunbeam Cartridge did not filter out the white substance elements. I use city water to fill the Humidifier. Any suggestions?
Buy Jarden Consumer-Domestic Demineral Cartridge Sdc2300 Humidifier Chemical & Accessories Now
this absolutely DOES NOT WORK. Using a glass tv picture tube with all static removed, I ran ultrasonic with and without filter. Barely noticeable change.the hell with ultrasonic humidifiers unless you have easy access to constant supply of distilled water. other wise this filter is junkI was hoping this would minimize the white dust from my humidifier, but it doesn't seem to help. What did help was switching to distilled water.The illustration doesn't show it but there are holes in the cartridge that let the water through without going through the filter media. Therefore I knew before I installed it that it wouldn't work but I wanted to give it every chance. If it reduces white dust at all it's not by much. Waste of money.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Crane Warm Mist Humidifer, 1 Gallon

Both models are very similar in the way they generate steam, but there are a couple of significant differences that makes me prefer the Vicks model over the Crane.
For starters, the low setting of the Crane outputs about the same amount of steam as the high setting of the Vicks, and it turns out that the Crane is a 400 watt unit, while the Vicks is only about 275 watts. I keep the Crane on its low setting overnight in the bedroom, and the water tank is almost empty by morning. The Vicks needs to be on its high setting to go through the same amount of water in the same period of time.
Second, the design of the water tank on the Crane makes it harder to fill than on the Vicks. Neither one has a tank that will fit under my bathroom sink faucet, so I have to fill them in the shower. And although the filler hole on the Crane is wider, it lacks a handle like the Vicks model has, and filling it under the shower faucet is kind of awkward.
Next, once the tank is in place on the Crane model, the bottom of the tank sits in a lot more water than does the Vicks. Not sure this is really a problem, but when you remove the tank for cleaning (there's both daily and weekly cleaning recommended for both), it drips more water on the floor. Also, the filler cap on the Crane has developed a little bit of a musty odor, and again I'm not sure if it's from sitting in more water on a constant basis.
Finally, I find the Crane model to be a bit more difficult to clean than the Vicks. The space around the heating element is much narrower, making it hard to wipe around with a cloth. The Crane also accumulates more rust deposits than the Vicks, which is probably because of its higher wattage heating element.
Buy Crane Warm Mist Humidifer, 1 Gallon Now
I tried this for several days and it really does work well as far as boiling the water and throwing out steam. The design leaves a lot to be desired though. The tower comes apart from the base very easily and it is next to impossible to clean inside completely. The mineral buildup is really bad since there is nothing to collect it. I ended up going with the Vicks V790.Read Best Reviews of Crane Warm Mist Humidifer, 1 Gallon Here
We bought 2 warm mist humidifiers previously, a Sunbeam and a Holmes. They both were terribly noisy.We bought this from Home Depot, same price as Amazon. It is much more quiet. Good misting output. BUT, even though this web site says it is operational for 8 hours, on the product's box, it represents 7 hours AND, when in continual use, it lasts only about 5 1/2 hours. Not very practical.I ordered two of this humidifiers from Amazon later last year,they were used for around 3-4 months so far.This year we started to use them again, but with the first time using, I got smoke from one of them. I opened up the bottom cover, found the heater part melted the plastic in the bottom. This unit was in my kid room, couldn't image what would happen if adult was not there that time!!!! I checked back another unit, saw similar problem, the symptom was not so serious yet, but no doubt, it will get smoke and fire very soon. This product has fire danger, manufacture should recall this product!!
Honeywell H32012 Dirt Devil Style 12 Replacement Belts

Buy Honeywell H32012 Dirt Devil Style 12 Replacement Belts Now
Friday, November 14, 2014
XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI

Like most, when I received the Xikar Hygrometer I wanted to get it calibrated and in my humidor as quickly as possible. Per the instructions I first set up my hygrometer at a perfect 75% relative humidity using the Salt Calibration Method. Unfortunately, as one of the other reviewers mention, once I placed the hygrometer in my humidor the relative humidity reading fell below 60%. After a few more tries my first inclination was to fault the digital hygrometer, chalk up the experience as a bust and return the hygrometer to the seller.
Before doing so, I recalibrated the hygrometer one more time using the salt calibration method. This time I threw a couple analog hygrometers in the bag. Once I obtained my 75% reading on the digital hygrometer I also recalibrated the analog models. Once again I placed the digital hygrometer in the humidor (along with the analog) and after a few hours checked my humidor only to find that the relative humidity had plummeted not only on the digital but also on the analog hygrometers.
After a conversation with my local tobacconist and some time spent googling I realized that it was probably not the digital hygrometer that was at fault but my humidor. So here's my point. The product instructions, however scant, leave out an important point that I'll emphasize here. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR HUMIDOR HAS BEEN PROPERLY SET UP (OR SEASONED) BEFORE USING THE DIGITAL HYGROMETER. THIS MEANS YOU HAVE TAKEN THE PROPER STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVEL OF HUMIDITY IS PROPER AND STABLE AND THAT THE HUMIDOR HAS A GOOD SEAL. A moment spent googling this topic will save you hours (or days) of frustration.
Once you've done so you'll find (as I did) that the Xikar Digital Hygrometer is a great addition to your humidor, is accurate, and will help you maintain your investment in an optimal environment.I got this hygrometer as a replacement for the analog hygrometer that came with my humidor. I also bought a calibration kit with the hygrometer and I highly recommend doing the same. Calibration of the unit couldn't be simpler; put it in the calibration bag overnight with the display visible through the clear side of the bag. I then simply hit the "calibrate" button on the front of the unit while it was still in the bag and that was it. I've checked it's accuracy three or four times over the past couple of months and it's always been right on the money. The same applies to the thermometer. The unit is solidly built and well packaged. It has a magnetic back and comes with a metallic attachment plate with adhesive on the back. It fit perfectly into the hole that my old analog hygrometer was located in so it looks like it came from the factory that way. Couldn't be happier.
Buy XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI Now
Pros:This XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI Looks sleek and is a small round shape. It attaches from humidor to the Hygrometer using a magnet! Much better than using Velcro.
Cons: Calibration does not work properly. After doing the simple salt calibration test and following all directions that came with my XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI it was still misreading by 5%. My analog hygrometer was reading the correct humidity but the XIKAR was not. Disappointing but I guess I was that 1 out of 100 who received a defective product. Hopefully the new one I ordered will work properly.
Read Best Reviews of XIKAR Digital Round Cigar Hygrometer 832XI Here
Don't expect a whole lot from this item. Not all that consistent. Hardly ever reads the same twice. Better than nothing though.I have found this to be a great product. i already own a Xiar torch lighter so slightly biased, but the product performs well and is accurate. Ensure that you follow the instructions to properly calibrate it. I use this in addition to the built in hygrometer from my humidor. I have yet to find those built-in ones accurate so I bought the Xiar to ensure my cigars are fresh and maintain my level of humidity.Skuttle Model 2001 and 2101 Saddle Valve
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Rps Products Inc 32Oz Wtr Treatment (Pack Of 6) 1T-6 Humidifier Chemical & Accessories

I used it last year for my whole-house Sears humidifier.
One set of filters lasted all of the heating season here in Connecticut.
There was absolutely no scale build-up anywhere in the humidifier.
It was all trapped in the filters.
I'll be ordering all of my humidifier supplies from RPS from now on.
Thanks so much, RPS.
Buy Rps Products Inc 32Oz Wtr Treatment (Pack Of 6) 1T-6 Humidifier Chemical & Accessories Now
MALLARD DUCK Magic Steamer Woodstove Mister Humidifier - BRUSHED ALUMINUM

Buy MALLARD DUCK Magic Steamer Woodstove Mister Humidifier - BRUSHED ALUMINUM Now
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
NEW HW Warm Moisture Humidifier (Indoor & Outdoor Living)

Quality Importers Desktop Humidor

The newly manufactured humidor was a little dryer than ideal (50% humidity) upon arrival, so I followed the manufacturer's suggestion and placed a shot glass of water in the box, allowing it to season overnight. The humidity rose to the desired (70%) humidity level and has stayed there with periodic charging (a few minute soaking ever week or two) of the element that came with the box. Within a couple of weeks, once dried out cigars that I had stored badly were restored to their original moisture content. The scent of the reconstituted cigars and the humidor's cedar liner are immediate evident when opening the box. There is no need for any of the other gels, beads or other advertised moisture balancing devices to make this product work exactly as advertised.
The glass top and exterior hygromerter both add interest and functionality to the humidor and are worth the few extra dollars over the more stripped down product versions. If you have a few dozen cigars, this is a very elegant and cost-efficient way to store them.The Capri Glass Top Humidor, is one very nice humidor for not a lot of money. It is actually far better than I imagined at this price point.
The finish is about the same as Bombay Company furniture; that means very nice clean smooth finish over heavy stain on clear wood. Nobody would ever mistake this for a fine furniture finish, but it looks nice all the same. The top has a glass insert that is very heavy. So when you lift the lid, this thing feels very expensive and solid (remember guys love heavy and hydraulic things). The lid seals very tightly so there is virtually no cedar odor outside the humidor. The interior is finished with nice smooth knot free cedar. There is one movable divider.
Included with the humidor, a nice dial hygrometer with brass ring, a humidifier disk, a brass name plate for engraving, and an instruction sheet. Pretty darn simple, exactly what you would expect.
The instructions are excellent and crystal clear. Add one of these, DryMistat HumidiTube Cigar Tube Humidifier, Single Tube, and controlling humidity is almost bullet proof.
For the person with a nice small collection of cigars, or the occaisonal smoker, this is just about the perfect humidor. The humidor is about the total size of three wooden cigar boxes. It is discreet, well made, and a nice size.
Buy Quality Importers Desktop Humidor Now
I will start by saying that yes, this is an attractive box to store your smokes in. The glass top is a nice touch. It feels heavy and the lid closes tight with some good weight to it as well. I dont mind having this on display in my living room. Seems to hold about 40 cigars or so. Maybe you could squeeze in 50 if they were a bit smaller gauge. Now there is really only one negative for me. Its a pretty big negative which is why my rating went from a 5 to a 3 star.The Hygrometer does NOT come attached to the humidor. It comes in a separate little box along with the humidifier. Sounds like no biggie, right? Well I really cant believe noone else has said this, but the Hygrometer doesnt fit properly in the hole in the from of the humdor. It comes with a Magnet for the back of it, but if you try to use the magnet to hold it in place, Ait will not read correctly, BIt does not seal tight or proper. It just kinda hangs there waiting to get bumped so you have to adjust it again. It came with a rubber ring around the base which made it so I could not even push it in the hole in from of the humidor. afer I removed the rubber ring it was simply too loose. wiggling around and not sealed proper, with a cheap magnet holding it in place.
My solution was to Super Glue the hygrometer to the humidor. Now it is in place and not moving around. I think I set it well enough to keep the humidity in pretty good. So now that it is GLUED in place it is totally just for looks. It reads at just over 50% humidity no matter what I do. Bah, whatever. I have a humidity stick in there so i know the cigars are fine, but the hygrometer is usless and a pain in the arse. Really just dissapointing that it did not come already attached to the damn humidor. I would not buy another one. Ill make sure to research better in the future. But it serves its purpose now, and looks attractive enough.
Hope this helps.
Read Best Reviews of Quality Importers Desktop Humidor Here
I bought the capri-elegant glass top humidor from Quality Importers for $35.31 after taxes and shipping. Let me say upfront that I consider this a great buy and well worth the money. I was tempted to give the product 5 stars since the price of the humidor more than makes up for the issues I had with the humidor.This humidor will do a great job keeping your cigars moist and perfect. Your cigar collection's happiness has little to do with the humidor and more to do with the operator of the humidor. For a humidor to be effective it needs to seal tightly enough to create a "mini-climate" tailored to your cigar and this humidor seals nicely (tighter than many humidors I have seen, but not too tight). You will have to "season" the humidor (as the manufacturer recommends and as all websites will tell you), as the wood inside the humidor upon arrival at your house is extremely dry and will absorb moisture in the air until it is no longer drier that the climate it is currently in. Seasoning a humidor is a way to quickly "undryify" the wood inside your humidor. Its more important to season this particular humidor because it is lined with dried Spanish cedar which is drier than other linings you might find in a humidor.
Please read this document below, as it mirrors my opinions about humidors.
Cigar Humidor Myths Exposed:The Good
1. Looks nice at a distance.
2. Larger than I expected.
3. Quality hinge work.
4. Seems to be well assembled (except for the one small issue I had with the sticker on the glass).
The Bad
1. Included brass hygrometer is a pain to get to work. This was the biggest hassle of the product. (a) The needle of the hygrometer was resting against the dial of the hygrometer (which was making it so that the needle couldn't move freely), so I had to pry the back off of the hygrometer and bend the needle so that it floated above the dial. (b) The screw available to calibrate the hygrometer is almost useless. I had to pry off the back of the hygrometer (which isn't and easy task) and hold the needle while I turned the screw, as just turning the screw simply turned the needle and accomplished nothing. (c) The hygrometer comes with a silicon ring/seal which fits around the hygrometer and is used to create a compression seal into the hole drilled into the front of the humidor. This works well, except that the silicon ring/seal was too thick and I had to use a knife to shave it a bit so that the I could push the hygrometer flush into the hole on the front of humidor. Before I shaved bits of silicon off, I could only push the hygrometer in 95% of the way, causing it to stick out a bit.
2. The people that assembled the humidor left a sticker on the glass that said "Tempered Glass". The sticker was partially underneath the wood that encased the glass and was a bit difficult to remove. They should have removed the sticker before installing the glass, or put the sticker in a place that is easier to remove.
3. The finish on the outside of the humidor is not terribly high quality. I am going to use my own furniture wax (I may apply a coat of poly) on the humidor to compensate for that, but, it would be nice if they had applied a few more coats of sealant at the factory.After reading all 37 prior reviews of this product, here is what it boiled down to for me as this is my first humidor (Capri-Glasstop). I wanted a cheaper, starter humidor that can hold my stash (11 as of right now, cigars). This has/will do that perfectly. I wanted to wait about a week before I wrote a review so I do have some experience with it. When I got it, it was nicely packed, no damage and the hygrometer came pre-installed, mine fit perfectly without any problem of that rubber seal. Although I did have to take it off to calibrate it with the infamous salt test (as you do with any hygrometer), mine was off by about 10% and I fixed it with a flat-head screwdriver. I put it back in and it looks and works perfectly. As far as the humidor itself, it has good materials, the hinges work well, the box has a nice seal. The only problem is that tempered glass sticker that another reviewer mentioned, it's under the lid and somewhat difficult to take off, but I did so and then used some goo-be-gone to remove the adhesive residue. The humidor doesn't look cheap at all, just remove the QC stickers and the made in china stickers and you'll be left with a very nice looking and functioning humidor. The humidifier seems to be working, I put distilled water in it and no issues with it so far. I had to season the box for about 3-4 days, I did wipe it down lightly with distilled water with no problems, so I think you can do that with this particular humidor. I plan to get another form of humidification such as the beads or a tube, I don't think that the included humidifier will be able to hold the RH for very long without recharges, and I also plan to get a digital hygrometer because they are rumored to be more accurate. The humidifier comes with a magnet so that you can take it out and replace it easily, I originally soaked the whole thing in distilled water before I realized that. Next time, I would consider a humidor that is a little smaller (this is a true desktop humidor) and that doesn't have a glass top, it's pretty, but fingerprint and sunlight prone. The wood divider works well and has a very nice fit. If you're having problems seasoning, let me assure you that it does take a few days, I used the wipe down method and a shot glass of water and the humidifier, the box is very dry (as if should be) when it comes to you in the mail. This humidor deserves 5 stars without a doubt and I only paid $34 for it, what a steal!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Cigar Mechanic Large Humidifier 100

- Maintains a 70% humidity level
- Perfect for storing 75-100 cigars
- Bi-directional humidification unit
- Unique Nano Pearl Technology
- Keep your humidor mold free
Buy Cigar Mechanic Large Humidifier 100 Now
Bought this, thinking that I'd be receiving the large rectangular Cigar Mechanic humidifier, but much to my dismay what I received was the small round 25ct capacity humidifier, which was marked on the box by a sticker stating "large humidifier". Suffice to say I was far from pleased; however I ended up putting it to use in one of my humidors (24).Read Best Reviews of Cigar Mechanic Large Humidifier 100 Here
This humidifier is pretty easy to use and it works ok. However, I just looked in my box a few days a go and found a ton of mold growing on the bottom shelf. I also had a cigar ruined recently due to mold. Will have to keep looking for a better solution.EDIT 1/4/12:
After dealing with the mold issue, I tried raising the unit off the wood panel of my humidifier by 1/2 inch. I've gotten no mold since then and am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way.
SPT Evaporative Air Cooler with Rotating Louver, SF-616

Update 1.17.03:
Stopped using when it started to leak. Still works if you put a cookie pan underneath, but I recovered my previous portable AC unit (cooling fins needed cleaning, covered in lint/dust causing it to shut down) and switched back to the AC unit.This swamp cooler does a reasonable job in a small room. I agree with the comment that it is a pain to fill, but most portable swamp coolers I've ever owned are difficult in that way. It would be better if it were easier to disassemble to clean.
I ordered two of these units. Both are fully operational, however the ionizer LED does not operate on one of them. However, it's not worth returning it for that. The owner's manual leaves much to be desired. There are options on the control panel that are not explained, such as "sleep" and "natural" modes. When engaged, they seem to somewhat randomize the operation speed and temporarily shut down the unit for a few seconds, which I find extremely distracting.
These were shipped under Amazon Prime, which promises two day delivery. However, it took four days for these to be delivered.
Update: in the middle of the second season of use, one of the units started leaking badly. I won't be buying another from this manufacturer.
Update 2: Exactly one year later, the other unit started leaking like a sieve.
I only give it one star as I can't give it zero.
Buy SPT Evaporative Air Cooler with Rotating Louver, SF-616 Now
I am a college student in a dorm that has no air conditioning. I bought this and It was delivered aprox. 2 hours ago. I am so glad that I got it! Since I'm not so experienced with it, I've only mastered the air cooling feature. So for that, I will give a review: It is absolutely wonderful. Since we are not able to have our own air conditioning units, this suffices! I love the large fan with the rotating louver. When you are sitting in one place you feel the cool air circulate around you! Adding ice makes the air extra chilly. I cannot believe there are no other reviews for this product! I am in love with it!Sunpentown Evaporative Air Cooler Humidifier
Read Best Reviews of SPT Evaporative Air Cooler with Rotating Louver, SF-616 Here
We bought this cooler to help with the heat on our screened in porch. It works well and allows us to stay on the porch on even the very hot days.Want SPT Evaporative Air Cooler with Rotating Louver, SF-616 Discount?
If you are looking for an alternative to a high-power fan, this is not the item to order. Although it does push cold air, it's just not enough to cool a bedroom. It doesn't have enough power behind it. Also, if you use the water feature and plan to sleep in, the water feature doesn't last that long. You would have to wake up, refill, then go back to bed. Not intended for any teenager.Monday, November 10, 2014
Purified Cool Mist Humidifier By Holmes
Quality Importers Pompeii 100 Cigar Glasstop Humidor, Cherry

Get a 1/2 lb (I got a full pound) of Heartfelt beads and you are good to go!
Looks really nice for the price.This is a beautiful high quality humidor and is very well constructed. I really like the glass top. The analog hygrometer is not very accurate as you would expect. I will need more time to see how well it holds the humidity during the dry winter months, but so far I am very pleased with this purchase and I would recommend this product.
Buy Quality Importers Pompeii 100 Cigar Glasstop Humidor, Cherry Now
Sunday, November 9, 2014
GENERAL AIRE 13156

Mabis Steam Inhaler

I was shopping for a new humidifier, and not finding much, when it occurred to me that there might be a better steam inhaler than the one I used to have. I came to Amazon and looked around, and decided on the Mabis. I am glad I did! This item definitely does the job, giving off copious amounts of hot wet steam, which is the perfect remedy for my dry burnt-feeling sinuses. You can even adjust it for the kind of steam you want!
My only quibble is that it says in the instructions that the operating time is 6-9 minutes; it seems to be closer to around 15, which is OK with me. The main thing is that, because of this device, I've gotten some sleep that I otherwise would have missed.The design of the inhaler is revolutionary. I found it easy to use and it has done a wonderful job for me. I use it with the attached aromatherapy chamber. It's doing an excellent job of relieving my allergies. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this unit to friends and family. I had a question for customer service. I called the toll free number and received courteous and prompt service. You won't be sorry with your purchase.
Read Best Reviews of Mabis Steam Inhaler Here
Having used both this and Vicks inhalers, I lean in favor of Vicks.This unit generates lots of visible fine mist, mixed with actual steam. I suspect this is what prompted some users to comment on how much steam this unit generates. I admit the possibility that this may be the optimal approach to some medical applications, but I think for chronic sinus problems what you need is the actual steam. Vicks produces more steam, which is invisible, and no mist. This unit's design is convoluted and in some aspects just plain bizarre (in-line power switch for example). Adding water, regulating mist size all these functions are inconveniently designed and awkward to accomplish.
So it gets the job done, but in the hindsight I wish I got another Vicks.
Want Mabis Steam Inhaler Discount?
I was worried about reading the lack of steam by another reviewer but most reviewers seemed happy with it, so I bought it. Using plain tap water (our Maryland water is hard), the inhaler made strong, gentle, steady steam in less than 45 seconds. The steam lasted about 9 minutes before it decreased.I would like to have the steam last longer but as it was with trying to breath as fast and as deeply as I could, I was almost hyperventilating in the 9 minutes. The unit has to cool down before you can add more water and you are warned not to over-fill the unit.
The mask is made of a soft, flexible plastic so it was comfortable. I found it easiest just to hold the unit to my face, since resting it on a tissue box caused me to have to bend down. You will probably need an extension cord, since the cord is not very long (if you are using a wall outlet) although if you are using a higher bathroom outlet, it would be fine.
It was very easy to fill open white top, unscrew lid, add measured water, put back together, and turn on. The only little complaint is you should disassemble the pieces and let them dry, so I have had to leave the unit in pieces on a towel to dry for a day.
I have always hated using the old fashioned method of putting my head over boiling water with a towel to breath in the steam. This was much nicer and my face didn't get hot or feel burned. I found this inhaler to be comfortable and convenient.
I had a cold and with using this unit three or four times, I didn't get a sinus infection and I think it helped the cold to be less severe and go away faster. I also rinse my sinuses with a Neti pot with a baking soda/salt solution and very warm water. I have used the Neti pot before and still got a sinus infection but this time with using the steam inhaler, I didn't.
For people with sinus problems, allergies, or prone to cold, I do think using a Neti pot to rinse your sinuses is very helpful. I read about it in a "Sinus Survival" book and my good friend said she hasn't had a sinus infection in years since she started using a Neti Pot every day. I only use the Neti pot when there is a lot of pollen, after yard work, been with lots of people (especially sick ones), when I have a stuffy nose or feel "something" coming on.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
BestAir H65-C Holmes HWF-65 Replacement Wick Filter

Buy BestAir H65-C Holmes HWF-65 Replacement Wick Filter Now
This filter is of good quality and at a great price. I would highly recommend this filter. We stocked up for next winter.Read Best Reviews of BestAir H65-C Holmes HWF-65 Replacement Wick Filter Here
I have had good luck with these though others report spotty quality. For the price it is a good dealWant BestAir H65-C Holmes HWF-65 Replacement Wick Filter Discount?
Ordered off-brand replacement filter for our humidifier. What a difference having a new filter makes, really sucks the water from the container now. Should have replaced sooner.Venta Airwasher -White, 5524536

It's light weight and small enough to be unobtrusive. I had a problem with mine the second year...called the company and within 3 days had a replacement part that was a snap to install, free of charge of course. Fantastic 10 year warranty.
Proof of how much we love this unit...the day it broke was a Sunday and dry as a bone...temp in the teens. Within an hour I was home from Bed and Bath with a new unit. Didn't even want to go 3 days without one running. Now we run them both on low speed most of the winter.
Check out their website...commercial buildings all over Europe use them as well as musicians with expensive wooden instruments to protect. Little known product just introduced to the US a couple of years ago. Highly recommended. My family owns two Venta Airwashers: this one and the Venta #5014436 LW14 Grey Airwasher. I am writing this after having used them for about two years. We live in a dry apartment, and we are also musicians with wood instruments, so it is important for us to keep our apartment well humidified. We are also sensitive to sound, so we need to make sure that whatever machines we purchase work quietly.
Before we purchased these, we measured our apartment to make sure we were purchasing the appropriate models for the space we live in. I think this is crucial, as you cannot expect a model that is too small to properly humidify a space that is too large, and vice-versa. This seems obvious, but I think a lot of people overlook this and purchase the wrong model.
I think people are missing the point when they complain about the level of humidity and whether it reaches an optimum level or not. Ventas humidify and purify at the same time, and once a room has a certain level of moisture, it will essentially stay that way if you leave it set to a certain level. It's not like it ill keep ramping up the moisture until you are living in a rainforest. It can only humidify so much, unless you use the largest model in a closet-sized space.
Regarding the noise issue with the fan, I found that when it starts making that subtle clicking noise that some reviewers mention, it is because the fan mechanism has lost lubrication. A few drops of light oil (such as lemon oil) clears up the noise immediately.
As long as you follow their directions--and we all know how much Germans love accuracy and directions--these will last a long time and provide and work excellently.
The reason I am giving this four stars is because I am convinced that they could have designed these with less hard-to-clean crevices. There are many hard-to-clean spots, and a few spaces that are almost impossible to clean. Granted, you won't see them as they are deep inside, but I like to know that I can clean every bit of gunk that I see. You really need to thoroughly clean the Venta every month or so, which should only take a few minutes, but there are an awful lot of crevices.
Another tip: the way to clean the rotating disc assembly inside the Venta is to use a soft brush, and scrub in-between the discs, and it can also be washed in the top rack of a dishwasher. They offer a special substance that also cleans gunk from inside and off the bottom half of the Venta, but vinegar works just as well.
Also, as mentioned by others, you need to use their additive in order to allow the water to sheet off the rotating plastic disc assembly. Some folks mention using a few drops of dish washing soap instead, but I haven't tried that yet. When you consider that other models by other companies require you to purchase filters and the like, I think buying a few bottles of this additive is not so bad. Each bottle lasts ca. 3-4 months.
Now the crucial information: does it really clean the air and humidify well? Although we have not tested our air with any gauges to see if there is a marked difference, I can assuredly say that the air in our apartment is cleaner and definitely moister. The air even seems to smell cleaner. Our wooden floors creak when we don't run the Ventas, and after a day of running them, they are silent. The truth is in the water: when we clean the Ventas and replace the additive every two weeks, the water is definitely filthy. The Ventas must be doing something right.
All in all, we have no regrets. These are simple, yet well-built humidifiers, albeit a little pricey. They are a little difficult to clean, but if you are even somewhat attentive and can follow directions, they should serve you well.
Buy Venta Airwasher -White, 5524536 Now
We have two of these units. They work well and humidify efficiently and quietly. I find them easier to clean than other humidifiers and like the fact that I don't have to buy filters that cost $20-$40 depending on the brand. I gave it three stars, because the fan mechanism seems to be poorly made. In both units the fan was defective and had to be replaced. The first did not engage the discs, while the second made a rattling noise. Venta sent me replacement parts without questions, however that should not happen at that price level.Read Best Reviews of Venta Airwasher -White, 5524536 Here
It's of course bogus to point out the German social system as reason for the price. A free market is characterized by supply and demand setting the price. I asssume there is a free market in the U.S.?. What you effectively pay for in this humdifier is the idea and patent, not the material. It's the same why an Armani suite costs 2000$ and why Microsoft Office costs more than the CD it is burned on.I have this humidifier now for a year. I am an allergy sufferer and dry air makes it worse. I live in CA. Thye humidifier extends on the principle of what my Mom always recommended: Put a bowl with water in your room. Since it does not heat the air you don't have problems with overheated air that then condenses on windows etc. The dryer the air the more it will pick up the humidity. It's kind of self regulating.
It does the job for me. I measure it and I get usually a jump from 45% to 55% of humidity in my room. I personally think cleaning is very easy. You have to use their cleaner, I do it every 8 weeks or so. It's true there will be mineral deposits on the air cleaner. I wipe them away every 2.5 months. It's not a problem as you can dissassemble this thing completely.
I think this is the best humdifier out there. It avoids all the problems of heated humdifiers and it's self regulation is ingenious. I don't believe it does a good job of cleaning the air however. That's why I have Friedrich B as well. BTW speaking of which it costs 500$ and is a set of metal plates with a fan made in the U.S.
Want Venta Airwasher -White, 5524536 Discount?
True to form, the European reviewer praises the Venta's holistic simplicity, while an American criticizes the cost!I have some criticisms of my own. First, the simplicity of design means no control over humidity level. If the water feels like evaporating, it does! The manufacturer claims a typical range of 40%-55% humidity, but for me it never even reached 40%. Like the American that I am, I returned it to the store for a less "elegant" model that just boils the water, and keeps doing so until you get to the level you want.
I also don't understand why a simple window to indicate water level is not included, and agree that -however sturdy the case is -it really, truly is just two pieces of plastic. This thing should cost fifty bucks, tops.
But I also agree with the German commentator about the effectiveness of the unit in cleaning the air. The room just smelled clean -much more so than with the Ionic Breeze ripoffs, or even some smaller filter-based units I have used. It generates only a very soft hum, it definitely is well-constructed, and the "natural" approach of simple, cold evaporation has appeal. I just wish it worked as well as the alternatives at doing its primary job, or had a price advantage.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Quality Importers Milano 75-100 Cigar Humidor, Cherry

I live in a dry climate, and have found that it requires supplemental humidification to keep it at the correct level. In addition, the adhesive on both the hygrometer and the humidifier puck have failed. Any given time I open the lid, it's quite likely one or both have fallen off and into the cigars on the tray below.
Overall, if it had a larger humidifier unit and reliable adhesive, I'd give it 5 stars as the box is beautifully made.great, definited fits 80 large cigars, and fits 100 of 6 x 50 cigars. comes with meters and kit that provide humidity. key works well with lock. tough, great wood quality.
Buy Quality Importers Milano 75-100 Cigar Humidor, Cherry Now
Honeywell Feed Tube Nozzle (32000408-001)

- Replacement feed tube nozzle for Honeywell units
- Designed for models HE360 and HE365
Buy Honeywell Feed Tube Nozzle (32000408-001) Now
I had to replace mine, this small piece of simple looking plastic is similar to a "T" used in aquarium plumbing... but 10 times the price. I decided I could use some kind of fastener to hold it in place, like a Red Green fix. Long story short, didn't work and the hose shifted slightly over a matter of hours causing a leak and a puddle to form around the back half of the furnace.My advice, it's not overpriced compared to having water damage from trying to jury rig a cheap fix.
Read Best Reviews of Honeywell Feed Tube Nozzle (32000408-001) Here
I accidentally threw this away when I discarded the old humidifier pad and a replacement was supposed to be over 200 dollars. I was able to putchase it here for about 70 dollars, and it works like a champ. I can't tell if there is any difference from the OEM.