Koolatron TCXU-24 Total Chef Automatic Coffee and Wine Urn 24-Cup Capacity, Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned two (2) of these 24-cup coffee urn products, over the past 3+ years. The first one began leaking at about the end of the first year, so we liked the product enough to locate and purchase our second unit. The second urn worked well for about ten (10) months, but, this past week the device that controls the flow of liquid from the urn broke. Although we can still make our coffee, we must now LADDLE IT OUT OF THE URN. Not the best way to start one's day, I'm very sure.
I've had the device completely disassembled and attempted to repair the faulty item (it is a clear plastic unit, rather barrel-shaped, with a slot that allows the fliud to be discharged when the barrel is turned to the opening. The shaft that connects to the lever on the outside of the urn has snapped off and will not accept any of the glueing products that I've tried, attempting to repair it (even tried to re-enforce the device, inside, to no avail).
Since this is my second urn, and the problem is NOT A REPEAT OF THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST URN, I feel the consumer should be aware that the life expectancy of these products seems to be far less than the average consumer might expect, for an in-home electronic appliance, and incredibly short for any possible commercial use.
When working, the product was more than satisfactory, but, the unexpectedly short projected life of the product should be noted on the product, and/or these faults should be reflected in the pricing of the unit(s). If I could have found a parts supplier, I might not be so negative about the product either, but, having to purchase a new unit EVERY YEAR seems totally unfair to the consumer likely to purchase this product.

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Total Chef 24-cup coffeemaker Versatile coffee machine prepares coffee, tea, mulled wine, and keeps them warm too. This Coffeemaker/wine urn is great for parties.

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Fagor 670040240 110-Volt Portable Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)This was my first experience with induction cooking, and, like everyone else says, it's fantastic. Keeps the kitchen cool, heats things faster, offers precise control, environmental, easy to clean - all good stuff.
But I'm going to try a different brand next time I buy an induction cooktop. Here's why:
1) There are only six heat settings. I've found that to simmer many items, I need a setting in between 2 and 3. So I have to stand over it and manually switch between the two.
2) It appears to cycle on and off (at least on setting 3). A pot of stuff will bubble for a while, then stop, then bubble for a while, etc. I don't know if this is normal for an induction cooktop, but obviously it isn't very smooth.
3) The controls are indeed difficult to get used to, though it can be done. You need to give them a rather sharp tap, instead of just pressing them. There's also a delay, so if you want to turn the heat down from 6 to 1, you have to tap at certain intervals.
4) It seems to produce a hot spot in the center of the pan. That part will bubble when the edges stay cooler. I don't know if this is normal with induction cooking. I use All-Clad pans.
All told, these negatives don't outweigh the positive experience of using an induction cooktop. But I'll try another brand next time. And there will be a next time, because compared to my lousy electric stove, induction cooking is wonderful!

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Sleek and efficient, this induction-powered cooktop brings the comfort and health benefits of home-cooked foods to the office, dorm room, cabin, or anywhere in need of a portable heat source. The 110-volt appliance features a large burner and six adjustable power levels, with a temperature capacity that ranges from 190 to 430 degrees F--perfect for everything from gently soft-boiled eggs to hearty soups, stews, and more. Convenient to transport and simple to use, the energy-efficient unit heats instantly when needed, while the surface around the pot remains cool to the touch. For added safety, the cooktop's auto-pan detection sensor automatically shuts the unit off after 60 seconds if no cookware is detected to prevent scorching, heat-related injury, and power waste. Even more, the cooktop provides a digital 180-minute countdown timer that aids in properly cooking all dishes, reducing the risks of overcooking. Additional highlights include an easy-to-clean glass surface, a touch control panel with a digital display, a child safety-lock system, a low- and high-voltage warning system, and a diagnostic error message system for simple troubleshooting. The cooktop works with all induction-ready cookware, such as cast aluminum, enameled iron and steel, stainless steel with a magnetic bottom, and cast iron (all Fagor pressure cookers and cookware are induction compatible). The UL-approved induction cooktop measures 14 by 12 by 2-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Max Burton 6200 Deluxe 1800-Watt Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)
... for your learning dollars, that is.
Had this for a month; free-shipped, it arrived intact and within a very reasonable time. Manual is brief and to the point.
Works fabulously with simple time-proven cast iron cookware, but don't expect omelets to come off whole easily - might do with enameled cast iron which I do not have. It is great to have minimal heat dumped into the house when you are paying for your air conditioning and it is 90°+ outside. That it worked just fine with some of my older - cheaper stainless steel pots that didn't pass the magnet test was a pleasant surprise. I plan to move it to the back porch before I try my heavy-flavored grill-pan fried fish!
Took away the 5th star since (a) heat is so localized over the center that it charred stir-fry veggies and burnt the thin-gauge pan when I got a bit over zealous with the power settings and (b) the temperature preset increments are too far apart for my liking. It shouldn't be a big deal to have more numbers of and more uniformly spaced steps since the controls are all electronic. I would use cast iron cookware exclusively unless heating a liquid, -the thickness helps distribute heat more quickly and evenly- but you will want to be extra careful of the delicate-looking ceramic cooktop surface.
All in all, a great inexpensive tool to learn induction cooking and what to look for before you plonk your money down for that big-bucks 4 or 5 element full size induction cooktop kitchen upgrade. I am happy with the purchase.

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Sleek and energy efficient, this high-quality cooktop brings the comfort and health benefits of home-cooked foods to the office, dorm room, catered affair, or anywhere in need of a portable heat source. Unlike standard electric elements, it supplies an induction heating element, which delivers the same precise control over the heat as with a gas burner, but without the danger of an open flame. The single burner provides 10 power levels from 500 to 1800 watts and 10 temperature settings that range from 140 to 450 degrees F--perfect for everything from gently soft-boiled eggs to hearty soups, stews, and more. Its user-friendly push-button control panel features an easy-to-read digital display and a 180-minute timer with auto shut-off that aids in properly cooking all dishes, reducing the risks of overcooking, burning, and waste. The cooktop delivers instant heat to induction-compatible cookware; it can also accommodate non-induction cookware with the use of an induction interface disk (model 6010; sold separately). For added safety and convenience, the appliance comes with an in-line fuse, overheat sensor, an unsuitable-cookware detector, and a smooth design that wipes clean easily. Attractively housed in durable stainless steel, the induction cooktop measures 13-2/7 by 12-1/2 by 2-3/5 inches.

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Max Burton 6000 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)There's good news and bad news. I bought this unit as a training unit to check out the technology and have a good extra hob on hand for times when we strain our kitchen resources. The intent is to eventually equip our kitchen with an induction cooktop for energy efficiency.
The good news is that the technology works as advertised. It's remarkably quick and has plenty of power despite running off a normal power outlet. The bad news is that on this unit the heating element (if that is the correct terminology) is only about 7 to 8 inches across. It worked fine when we made soups, though we did notice that only the middle boiled or simmered. However, when frying, the limitation of the element size became a problem. We used a lodge 12" cast iron skillet to fry fish. The center of the pan put a beautiful tan on the panko, but the outside of the pan was relatively cool, requiring that each piece of fish be flipped to four positions before it was properly cooked.
We tested the unit by wetting the bottom of a cold pan and watching how it dried. The center bubbled and dried, but the outer bottom was only warm to the touch. I thought perhaps it was defective, but other reviewers have commented on the problem.
I notice that most of the units on the market do not specify the size of the heating element. Whether this exposes a problem with the technology or is just marketing avoiding a problem with inexpensive units I can't tell.
I am hopeful of the technology, but returned this unit because of it's limitations. If you only use smaller pans, or rarely, if ever, fry, I recommend it.
As has been mentioned before the first unit arrived broken.

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Sleek and efficient, this induction-powered cooktop brings the comfort and health benefits of home-cooked foods to the office, dorm room, cabin, or anywhere in need of a portable heat source. The 1800-watt appliance features a large burner and adjustable heat settings, with a temperature capacity that ranges from 140 to 450 degrees F--perfect for everything from gently soft-boiled eggs to hearty soups, stews, and more. Convenient to transport and simple to use, the unit heats instantly when needed, while its cookware detection and overheat sensors prevent scorching, heat-related injury, and damage to pots and pans. Even more, the appliance provides a 180-minute timer that aids in properly cooking all dishes, reducing the risks of overcooking, burning, and waste. For added safety and less excess heat in the kitchen, the cooktop stays cool except where it comes in contact with the pan. Other details include a user-friendly push-button control panel with an LED display, a compact design, and short legs for secure placement on a countertop or table. Please note that the unit only works with cast iron, carbon steel, magnetic stainless steel, and other stainless steel with magnetic properties. It does not work with aluminum, glass, 18/8 or 18/10 stainless, or copper cookware. The ETL-listed induction cooktop measures approximately 14 by 12-3/5 by 2-1/2 inches.

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