KitchenAid KSB560MC 5-Speed Blender with Polycarbonate Jar, Metallic Chrome

Search for the holy blender...
I have been looking for a blender for a few weeks now. We have started making smoothies at home and burned up our old one. Our girls like the "Chocolate Elvis" recipe from the local smoothie place which contains peanutbutter, bananas, yogurt, ice, and milk. I guess this is really hard on blenders. I bought one at Target 2 weeks ago that had "700 watts peak power" on the box. It died in 2 days. The power spec on the bottom of the blender said 450 watts. I think that is false advertisement. I have seen this on 2 different blenders now.

I have been leery of buying any blender with the little plastic teeth couplers because of all the bad reviews here on Amazon. I also wanted to stay away from anything with only 450 watts.

I was in another store and saw this blender. It has a new design for where the blades couple with the motor. "Commercial quality couplers with 12 interlocking teeth....coated for quiet operation".

We have had it for a few days now and...

They Redesigned The Container (carafe)!!!
We bought this Kitchenaid blender over a year ago, and after several months the container started to leak. The leak was small, and we put up with it for awhile. We finally got tired of the mess, however, and called the factory. We were told that the container had been redesigned, and they would send us a new one immediately even though our warranty had expired. When we got the new one we could see that it had indeed been redesigned, and have used it for some time now, and NO LEAKS. A leak proof container plus the other great features of this blender now warrant a definite five stars.

3/24/12 update. Our blender is now five years old, is used every day, and has been problem free since they replaced the container in 2008.

Do Yourself a Favor and Buy this Fantasitc Blender
My husband and I make smoothies almost every single night (as in, 6-7 nights/week), so we're really hard on our blenders. We have been through 4 blenders in the last 3 years alone. We started with a cheap Oster blender, but quickly realized that it was pretty much useless for the thick smoothies we like to make. Next, I bought the Back to Basics Smoothie Elite, which was great for as long as it held up, but as it turned out, that was only 6 months. So, we upgraded to the Back to Basics Smoothie Professional, which was great until I dropped the glass jar into the sink and broke it, only to find that you couldn't buy a new one ANYWHERE so my $120 blender was now worthless.

After all this, I decided to stop fooling around and buy a Kitchenaid. This blender has all the power you need (way more power than any of the first 3 blenders I bought; both the smoothie blenders came with a stir stick, but such a thing isn't even necessary when you have the power of this Kitchenaid),...

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Circulon 80486 10-1/2-Inch/4-Quart Covered Tapered Sauteuse

Good piece of cookware with some problems
I bought this sauteuse as part of this amazong deal from Amazon where I got a 14-piece circulon 2 set + a circulon 2 griddle + this sauteuse + a dutch oven for just $200. So I am very happy with the price. I used this piece yesterday and though I like this just like I like all my other circulon cookware, it has some issues. I really love Circulon 2 compared to Circulon Elite though because of its steel lids and high quality plastic handles, so I dont have to worry about breaking the lids accidentally.

Here are the pros and cons of this piece.

Pros:
-It is not as heavy as I thought it would be. So easy to handle (weight wise).
-Food does not stick to the bottom. Love that
-Food cooks well and evenly.
-Easy to clean

Cons:
-The handles for the sauteuse are made out of steel instead of high quality plastic like the other Circulon 2 pieces I have. These handles get hot after a while. It is cool enough that you will not burn yourself...

Great Pan...nothing ever sticks!
I have a complete set of Circulon, but composed of the regular and Circulon 2, and Elite, with the soft silicon rubber handles. I much prefer the Circulon 2 or Elite for its non-stick sides, which makes it much easier to clean. Nothing ever sticks inside, so there isn't any scrubbing needed, just a normal dish rag or sponge, a bit of soap, and thats it!

I have had most of my pieces for well over two years, use them almost daily, and they are still looking like new. One must not ever use any non-stick on high heat. However, Medium-High is fine, and I use that setting for the grill pan 100% of the time.

Without any doubt, Circulon is the finest cookware I have ever owned!

Workhorse
I bought this pretty much as a chili pot, thinking my old 5

Chef's Choice 130 Professional Knife-Sharpening Station, Platinum

A review from a Chef
I am an Executive Chef and have worked in a kitchen for over 25 years. I purchased this sharpener about a month ago and so far I am very satisfied. If you read the manual, it is very easy to use. I was at first worried about taking too much metal off of my kinves. As long as you don't over use the first stage that should not be a problem.

It put a good edge on my knives quickly and easily. I have a 10 inch wusthof that is my main kitchen knife. I put an edge on it with stage 1 over a month ago and it has remanined very sharp since. All you have to do is run it through stage 2 ( which is just like a steel) every once and a while and it maintains it's sharpness.

So far I am very satisfied.

Good but not great
As a user of Chef's Choice model 110 and 120 for over ten years I had greatly anticipated the release of this new model.Unfortunately some poor design choices prevent me from fully recomending this product.The older M120 provided 3 stages and created a triple bevel edge.The new M130 can create at best two bevels and only one if you use the sharpening steel.The first stage creates a single edge that can then be steeled with the second stage.If the third polishing stage is used the steeled edge is ground away.That being said the number of bevels is secondary to sharpness of the blade.In comparing the sharpness of the two machines they are very similar with the new 130 seeming slightly sharper.The major issue with the machine is the need to have it out on the counter at all times.The whole point of a sharping steel is to hone your knives each time you use them in order to maintain an edge.This means you need to lug out the box every time you cook, or to have it out on the counter taking...

Now this is sharp
When I bought my Henckels (not the el cheapo Henckels International, mind you) knives I was looking for a sharpening steel but ended up with the pull-through gadget they call a "sharpener". Someone's already pointed out the difference, that the device is a "honer" that merely sets the blade straight. It returns usability but doesn't actually SHARPEN, i.e, shave off metal and recreate the edge. After reality set in that I could keep running my knives in this honer until I was blue in the face and never increase the sharpness but merely prolong it, I decided to look for a way to really sharpen a knife.

Local and mail-order services didn't appeal to me because I didn't want the knives out of my hands or tested on stuff I wouldn't cut in my kitchen. So I went looking for sharpeners I could use in the home.

- As I read opinions, the whetstone seems to be the best possible way. The electrical sharpeners are about the only alternative that actually re-create an edge, so...

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KitchenAid KMTT400OB 4-Slice Metal Toaster, Onyx Black and Stainless Steel

Very Satisfied
This is one toaster thats a bargain for the money. Very well constructed with quality stainless body, removable crumb tray, oversized controls, and thick commercial electric cord. This is no small toaster! Toasting different breads was easy, and it toasted to perfection. I have found the best setting of shade control (10 settings) at 4 for perfect results. I have looked at almost every toaster in the 20-100 dollar range with disapointing results, until I seen the Kitchen Aid. I highly reccommend it!

GREAT TOAST!
This toaster does a perfect job at it's unique requirement-to make great toast. The wide range on the light to dark dials (1-9) gets it just right for everyone. It has been nice to move up from a two-slot to four-slot with the addition of kids and not spend all of breakfast processing bread through the toaster. The bagel feature really works. It looks very handsome on the counter, but it is large - as large as some small toaster ovens, so measure first. The only thing that hasn't fit well are long slices from a round of sourdough, I just cut them in half and it was fine. It has been so nice to have toast that is perfectly done on the entire surface of both sides of the bread!!

What a machine!
This toaster is all and more than described. We make our own whole grain breads and it was always a problem to get the dense breads browned without burning. This toaster's settings allow the bread to brown perfectly! The bagel setting is a dream as well. Looking forward to many years of use.

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Lenox Holiday Nouveau Fabric Tablecloth 60x120

Lovely tablecloth
Bought this to go with my Lenox Holiday Nouveau 108 inch runner. It is so pretty I kept it on even after the holiday season was over.





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Waterford Achievements Toasting Flutes, Pair

A COMPLIMENT TO DINING ELEGANCE
These toasting flute pairs are a must have for a complete, elegant, and festive dining experience! I have purchased numerous home items from the Waterford collections, but these are the first pair of Waterford flutes I have purchased. I prefer these to the other styles and I love the way they stand out elegant on a table. The price was a steal and the delivery was ontime.

A great gift
Beautiful glasses in a nice presentation box, well packaged for delivery. A hit with the recipient of the gift, who had no other Waterford crystal.

For My Wedding Day
This is a great buy! I comes in a protective case that quickly displays the quality of the flutes. The weight of the flutes makes you keep a tight grip and they look great. I would recommend these flutes for any couples wedding day. I can't weight for my big day to uses these glasses.

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Kitchenaid Stainless Steel 4 Slice Wide Toaster

5 stars for Support, 4 stars for performance
Note: I was not able to change the rating from my first review which was based on a defective toaster. The new rating should be 5 stars. We've discovered the best bagel toaster ever!

In my first review I said I'd be back when KitchenAide sent a replacement toaster. Not only did the one I ordered from Amazon not toast, the stainless steel stained with fingerprints and smudges of all things. That was three weeks ago. The replacement came last week, and I'm quite satisfied with the new one. It does not retained smudges and fingerprints and, more important, it toasts just fine. I especially like the way it handles bagels -- crisp on the outside, toasted on the inside.

It still has a minor "problem" with English muffins which I don't understand, and buyers note that you have to use the "bagel setting: to toast English muffins. Still, they need a higher setting, perhaps because they're thinner than bagels and regularly sliced bread.

Why not 5 stars? Because...

Finally a toaster that does the job
I have tried them all, good brands, brand x, expensive, cheap. For nearly 30 years, I have been unhappy with every toaster I have tried until this one. What could one reasonable expect from a toaster? That it browns evenly on both sides of the toast without flipping mid-cycle? That bagels fit? That it stays cool? Well, this one delivers the most basic of my requirements. It is large and solid, but I would build a room for it, if necessary. You can't go wrong with this one.

Finally the perfect toaster!!
Apparently, toasting a slice of bread evenly IS rocket science. After trying too many toasters, we purchased this Kitchen Aid model and our search is over. It does exactly what it was meant to do, toast bread evenly and handles bagels easily.

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Nylon Washers for CO2 Regulators - Set of 6

Well worth it
Recently got a Beer Fridge, but my regulator didn't come with any washers like these. I was getting a minor but consistent leak in my connection between the regulator and the CO2 bottle. A friend told me I needed one of these, so I bought these. Shipping was very fast (shipped out the day I ordered them and came in two days via US Mail). After using one of these I didn't have to tighten the regulator as tight and there is no gas leak at all. Well worth the cost.

Got these for my CO2 tank
Got these for my CO2 tank for my grow room. they work great and last a lot longer than the cheap ones at the grow store.

Not a universal fit
I expected these to be a universal fit. When I pick them up in a brew shop I simply ask for a CO2 Regulator washer. They always fit. These are to large. It cost more than they are worth to return. Caveat emptor.

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Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus Tea, 100 Tea Pouches

Is a delicious! I enjoy it
I drink tea and continually try different teas. This one in my opinion It is the world's finest tea. I'll continue drinking this tea





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VitaMix Drink Machine #5006 Commercial Blender

Virtually Indestructable!
We used this product for 17 months in our coffee bar and it got a great deal of use. We had no problems with it and it just keeps going and going. Great for commercial or personal use (for those who like frozen drinks at home or to entertain).





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Rose Milk Tea Bubble Tea Powder

Sweet, milky, and most importantly rosy
I was craving rose milk tea and found this product. I found the powder easy to mix with hot milk. If you want it cold, it's easy enough to heat a small amount of milk and mix with serving's worth of powder and mix, then mix that with cold milk and ice. It tastes milky and sweet, maybe a little too sweet, but it's not a everyday drink. It did satisfy my rose milk tea craving, as it did taste very similar to the ones at the bubble tea places.





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Hillsdale Cierra Baker's Rack

Great Buy
Love this rack. Very study and assembled nicely. I looked at a bunch of racks and this was medium-priced and excellent quality.

Great buy, easy assembly
I looked at a lot of baker's racks and this was the one with the most contemporary, cleanest lines for south of $200. It's very sturdy and went together easily, with very clear instructions. One star off because the bottom-most shelf is shown in the instructions to rest on top of the side supports, like the other shelves do, but it didn't fit in between the front and back legs unless I put it underneath the side supports (and the sides of the bottom are solid units, so it's not something that could've been impacted by my construction of it). On further examination, the way the holes were drilled also indicate the placement underneath, contrary to the instructions. It went together fine once I figured it out, and it's still solid, but I was planning on storing some heavier items down there, and I'm a little concerned that that shelf won't be able to support as much weight since it's not resting on top of the side supports, but rather suspended from them. Still, it's solid and lovely...

Sturdy and attractive
Since our recent move, my husband and I have put together LOTS of ready to assemble furniture. This baker's rack was a breeze compared to many other brands... labeled well, the instructions were easy to follow, and it was a snap to put together with just an allen wrench. Just make sure you have two people.

The finished piece very attractive and looks expensive. I would definitely buy more furniture from this manufacturer.

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Margaritaville DM1000 Frozen Concoction Maker

I was skeptical...
I distinctly remember making fun of the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker when I first saw it advertised in the Front Gate catalog. ("Who's going to buy a three hundred dollar blender on steroids?!? Hah-hah-hah...") Imagine my horror when my wife announced that she wanted one for her birthday. Looks like that "who" was going to be "me".

The vast majority of positive reviews on Amazon calmed my fears a bit and I ordered one up. As usual, Amazon delivered quickly and it was unpacked and setup in a couple minutes.

Exactly true to its claims, the thing actually makes perfect consistency margaritas and any other frozen drinks you can think of. I think I like it more than my wife. It has a "power tool" vibe to it that guys appreciate. Spinning blades and high speed motors. What could possibly go wrong?

There's a few things/tips to be aware of:

1) It's BIG. It just barely clears the front of our kitchen cabinets and is too tall to go...

Awesome
When I saw this item for sale I just had to buy one for my husband as a college graduation gift. Margaritas are his favorite drink and he just couldn't duplicate that restaurant quality consistancy with a blender. This Margaritaville machine actually shaves the ice instead of chopping it like a blender would do. This creates that nice smooth consistancy of the drink instead of a lumpy texture.

It's very easy to operate. All you do is fill the ice chamber with ice, pour the correct amout of your drink mixture into the pitcher (it will make 1-3 servings at a time), set the machine to how many servings you would like, then turn it on. The machine automatically measure,shaves and blend the perfect amount of ice according to the amount of servings. No more watery drinks.

When my kids have friends over for pool parties they love me to make them alcohol free strawberry daiquiris or pina coladas or fruit smoothies.

One nice feature about this machine is that...

This blender works GREAT
I have been looking for a blender that would make perfect margaritas or daiquiris and this is the one. It makes 1, 2 or 3 drinks at a time, and perfect everytime, as long as you read and follow the directions and put in the right amount of mix. Easy to use and clean. I had been looking for an Island Oasis Blender on Ebay, but the Margaritaville Frozen Conconction Maker is so much smaller and priced well below what a used Island Oasis was going for. This is perfect for travel and I plan on taking it to many Jimmy Buffett concerts. The only downside is the ice storage on top, they need to have an attachment that will hold a bag of ice so you don't have to refill as often.

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Cantaloupe Bubble Tea Powder

It tastes like real cantalope
When mixed this tastes like real cantalope. I spilled a little on the counter and the kitchen smelled like cantalope all day. This is the best.





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Ricci Anvil 2-Piece Stainless Cake Knife and Server Set

Beautiful set!
My husband and I recieved this item to use in our wedding for the cake cutting. We wanted a set that we could continue to use and enjoy for years to come. We have been using it on special occasions, and it still looks great. It is a simple, beautiful, and elegant set. It is heavy, and you can tell it is quality.

Nice Set, but not perfect
My (new) wife and I were looking for a nice set of serving tools to use for our wedding. This set was very nice, solid construction, good weight, and at the right price point. We wound up returning because of some flaws in the face of the server, which, since it was for the wedding, we needed to be perfect for the engraving.
Overall, as a guy, I wouldn't have noticed, but the bride to be picked up on the flaws right away. So in short, if it's just for everyday use, or if you get lucky and get a perfect set, by all means, go for it!



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Hamilton Beach Ensemble Tall Can Opener, Red

Mostly pleased
I am very happy with the color and the height of my new can opener. The only complaint I have is that the magnet that holds the lid isn't very strong and often drops the lid in the can of stuff so I have to be careful My old $8.00 can opener didn't do this.

Ho Hum product
Bought because it is red, works poorly, hard to get the can to "catch", magnetic lid snatch gets it the way. Would not buy again or recommend to others.

Can't catch, can't hold
My experience was similar to other negative reviewers'. After a few months, it became almost impossible to get the opener to "catch" on the can and actually begin cutting. You need to jiggle and push and give it a running start.
Also bothersome is the weakness of the magnet, which is essentially useless.

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Vita Mix Vita-Prep Variable Speed Blending System with 48 Ounce -- 1 each.

Five-Star Pummeler
This superior blender (which I prefer to regard as a "pummeler" as almost nothing would withstand its deconstruction-efforts) is manufactured in Cleveland from whence only a limited number of superior products originate (Cleveland Clinic being in the same league.) If you're looking for an industrial strength product, practically impossible to intimidate or overload, this would be it. I've had one for over ten years, now; so infatuated with it that I've given them as gifts to friends and lovers on over half-a-dozen occasions. They aren't cheap, certainly, but are worth every penny!

One tool to do it all!
The Vita-Mix blenders are known to be rugged and long lasting. Why own and throw away 10 blenders when you can have one long-lasting blender from Vita-mix.
This blender does it all--crushes ice, blends smoothies flawlessly, grinds coffee, cooks delicious soups, can even grind your grains! Keep in on the kitchen counter and you'll use it with nearly every meal.

No chunky ice, no blend & reblend. Amazing speed and motor.

LOVE IT!



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Loose Leaf Wooden Presentation Box with 6 Fruit & Flower Teas

Great gift for Tea People
I sent this to my Mom for Mother's Day. She's a very picky person when it comes to gifts so when she wrote me saying what a surprise it was to get such a wonderful box with such nice teas in it I was very happy. As I am far from home I'm taking her word for it.





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Bubble Tea Tapioca Pearls (Black) - Case of 6 Bags

Boba Tapioca Pearls.
URAsian suppliers are the absolutely BEST!!! I received six bags of 6.6 pounds each of tapioca bubbles and not only were they packed carefully, they are absolutely wonderful in texture and quality! Lighting fast shipping, but I did pay for the three day shipping, and they arrived the VERY NEXT DAY!!! These folks are the best as are their products and I will be ordering from them again and again!!!





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KTec Champ HP3 Blender - Identical to the BlendTec Total Blender

It will blend
We have had a Blendtec for several years and love it. It is expensive but we save hundreds of dollars making our own smoothies on hot summer days. There may be other blenders that can make a good smoothie but this is the first one the we have found (we have tried a half dozen others and spent hundreds of $$ before we found the Blendtec). We liked this blender so much that we bought one for each of our kids.





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Stash Premium Christmas Eve Herbal Tea, Tea Bags, 18-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)

Best Tea EVER!!
I ordered the White Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Morning blends last year for the holidays and fell in love with the Christmas eve. It's the smoothest of the bunch and has such a wonderful flavor, I use it for iced teas all year round. I can honestly say that I never got into tea that much until I tried STASH teas. I sent the licorice and lemon flavors to my father, and he called me to ask where I'd gotten it, because his neighbor wanted to get some for his wife, too. Once tried, you will be addicted. Visit the stashtea website for lots of tea related bits and baubles. These make perfect hostess gifts over the holidays along with a plate of cookies.

Makes everything better
Christmas Eve tea (which does not actually contain tea) is not just for Christmas Eve. (Although if you are frazzled, it does releave the stress.) Christmas Eve is good any time. I do not know anyone who doesn't like it, and have often given it as gifts. It is especially nice in the winter when mint teas are a little too brisk and do not produce the same level of cozy comfort as Christmas Eve which is a soothing combination of spices and mint. It is almost as comforting as a cup of warm milk, but without the calories.

She loved it
She is very happy with this tea she wished she had more, too bad christmas only comes once a year

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Stash Premium Christmas Morning Black Tea, Tea Bags, 18-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)

Stash Christmas Morning Tea
I love the flavor of this tea. It's wonderful for the whole year, not just Christmas time.





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Emile Henry 339004 16-Inch Oval Au Gratin Cerise Red

Great dish
America's test kitchen rated this as the one to buy, can go in the oven on broil, into the dishwasher and the freezer. I love it.

Great product but not as large as prior equivalent pan
Went to replace my beloved old large-size Emile Henry gratin and discovered that the new version may have the same measurements, but in reality is smaller. While the stated measurements closely matched my old cracked gratin, the current version's length measurements include the outside handles. So the real cooking capacity is considerably smaller. My old gratin was about 16" long (without handles) and the new one is 16" long with handles but only about 11 1/2" measured interior length. I love the product but wish there was an even larger version so I can roast the same quantities of vegetables, etc as I did before!

We Love This Dish
We have used this dish many times since purchasing it. Easy to use, clean and goes from oven to table as a service dish. Festive red color is a nice addition to the table as well. Highly recommend.

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Green Power Twin Gear KPE-1304

Fresh Squeezed Juice = Life
The Green Power Kempo Pro is in a class all its own. My wife and I went from the high speed juicer to the masticating type of the Green Power Kempo Pro and have never looked back. There is no comparison to how delicious the juice tastes from the Green Power Kempo Pro. We have been juicing for over two years now and there is not a day that passes with out the little red switch getting flipped on, and those twin gears hummm. If you care about your health and want the best tasting and healthiest juice money can buy, I highly recommend buying this juicer. Fresh squeezed fruits and vegetables will change your life.

Superior for Serious PH Micracle Diet/"Green" juicers
(preface #1 -- If you have a prostate issue, no juicer (none!)is a substitute for a highly qualified, experienced board certified Urologist)

(preface #2 - If you intend to follow Robert O. Young's protocol, you will juice 1 part green juice to 10 parts high alkaline water. In plain English, 100 milliliters of juice for every liter of combined juice and alkaline water. Juicing "gallons" of pure juice is not his approach)

(preface #3 - support from family and friends is very critical if you intened to use this juicer daily. If negativity surrounds your use of it, think twice before buying this expensive juicer.)

My review:

For individuals who are serious juicers and who are following:
--- Robert Young's PH Mircale Diet (for diabetes or prostate),
--- following a modified "Gerson" protocol(for the modified Gerson, you will need to purchase a press and use the no filter set up, but considerably less expensive than the Norwalk and...

Juicing Excellance
When my Nutritionist explained to me why I needed a twin gear juicer, I knew that I had to say goodbye to my juicer that grinds and spins the fruit or vegetables to make juice. What I needed was a juicer that did not create heat from friction and would press the fibers to release the enzymes so that nutritionally I could benefit from it. My Nutritionist does live blood cell analysis and I was able to plainly see that without the enzymes I could not heal on a cellular level.

I was most impressed by the Green Power KPE-1304 Twin Gear Juicer Wheatgrass, Vegetable & Fruit Juicer and I was able to get it at the right price from Amazon.com. I expected to wait for delivery at least 10 days, but instead it arrived about 30 hours after ordering it. I was blown away at the service! I have not been disappointed after it arrived and I have used it everyday since.

I love everything about it! It truly does everything it says it does. Wheatgrass and greens are fantastic...

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Emile Henry 13-Inch Oval Au Gratin Citron Yellow

Excellent...
I have several pieces of Emile Henry and love them all. This in particular is very useful for serving four or two with left-overs. In addition to Au Gratin potatoes, good for roasting root veggies, or anything really. Cleans up nice, but flat top handles prone to some staining... not sure how that happened, all other pieces I have don't have that issue, but this is my favorite nonetheless.

Beautiful baker
I purchased this as a gift for my son because he really enjoys the quality and results of cooking and baking with Emile Henry products. He loved the shape and size and looks forward to using it.

Size Matters
The product description said this dish has a two quart capacity. In reality, it has a six cup or one and a half quart capacity. I bought it for a specific recipe and I'll make it work...cause it's so stinkin' cute...but I was not happy with the size discrepancy.

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5 Piece Japanese Sake Set (4 Cups & 1 Bottle) - Small Bamboo Tree

Great gift idea
Recipient loved this gift, paired with a bottle of Sake. Decorative as well as functional, and doesn't take up a lot of room.

Great
I bought this to go with dish set. I love it and it goes very good with the set. Love the whole set.

good
Bought this as christmass gift. Looks really stylish, as a display, or if you like Sake you can drink out of it. Dont forget to wash it first. Really fast shipping. Thanks

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Home Solano Collection Flatware Service for 4

Not what I expected.
This product is not 18/10 stainless steel. I received it this morning and it says 18/0 which will corrode a lot easier. If you are looking for 18/10 do not buy this product.

muy perfecto
I am amazed at the quality for the price. I purchased the Solano silverwear, which I have been eyeing for a while with its funky fun design.

I hesitated because of the price, I thought wow these are kind of cheap they have to be cheaply made. I was wonderfully wrong, and glad I decided to risk it and make the purchase.

It matches up great with my Corelle "Hot Dots" dishes. It is thick and sturdy, appealing and worth every single penny. I have purchased much more expensive silverware and it doesn't even compare.

Very happy with this purchase, they are easy to clean and wear well.

Here is the Dishset that match up perfectly: Corelle Livingware Hot Dots 16-Piece Set, Service for 4

Beautiful modern flatware
Got this flatware for my son.I have now had a chance to see it in person.It is even prettier than the picture shows and very sturdy.Will last him for years and is a welcome addition to any home.

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Shank for Draft Beer System: 3-inch

Perfect for keg-orator
I bought these to turn a fridge into a keg-orator. Great product. Turns out I probably could have gotten shanks 2-2.5 inches and been alright. The only thing that would make these better would be if they were made of stainless instead of chromed brass but hence the price.





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VitaMix Vita-Prep 1002 Blender with 64-Ounce Carafe

Lovely
Spoiled by these in professional kitchens, overjoyed to finally have one at home. Best blender I could ever hope for.

Wow!!!!!
A wonderful machine that does everything except cook. It has opened a new storehouse of cooking for me.



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WonderMill Grain Mill

WonderMill Grain Mill - Powerful, fast, gets the job done!
Let's start right with - I LOVE my WonderMill! I also have a hand-grinding mill (Back to Basics) that I have used, but decided to look around for an electric mill, because even though the B2B is great, my hands and arms got tired, quick. Have no fear though, I'll keep the B2B for when the power is out, or we go camping, it does a great fine grind. So, I did some research, and then I saw and read some comparison tests. Well, I chose the WonderMill.

Just to clear up some things:

YES, you can turn off your WonderMill in the middle of grinding. Whether you can do this with the older models, I don't know, but the newer models you can. The manual still states (shown below) that it 'should' never be turned off, but if you go to the video link that I included, John shows you how to do to it. The manual has not been updated, per phone call.

Here is the information from the manual:

"You should NEVER SWITCH OFF your mill during its milling cycle...

powerful and reliable
This is a very capable machine and is a second time purchase. The first one I bought was called a Whisper Mill and has worked flawlessly for several years of regular use. This new machine the Wonder Mill was purchased as a gift and appears identical in function with very minor cosmetic differences.
The new title is more appropriate as it is anything but quiet. IT IS LOUD. If you follow the very simple directions it will probably last a lifetime. Be sure to keep the filter and cyclone clean on the receiver/container and make sure the lid snaps on tight or you will have a kitchen full of flour. NEVER put grain in the in feed hopper with the unit off! NEVER turn the unit off till all the grain is finished milling, then wait a few seconds after the in feed hopper is empty before shutting it down. This is clearly stated in the instructions.The Wonder Mill does a great job of making rice flour, great for the gluten intolerant. Highly Recommended!

LOVE IT!
I make bread on a weekly basis, and so I use this every week to mill my flour. It makes the flour so fine you would almost think it was unbleached white. The bread from the milled flour has been so good. The only thing is I do wish is that I could get a nice course grind from it so I can make things like polenta with it. Other than that I recommend this mill for anyone that is really serious about milling their own grain.

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J.A. Henckels International Forged Synergy 3-Piece Starter Set

Love 'em!
I purchased these knives over two years ago, and I am still loving them! As soon as I opened the box I was impressed with how well balanced they are, and how sharp they are. And although other reviews have some complaints about the fact that these Henckels knives are made in China rather than the more expensive ones made in Germany, I have had no problems. They have remained super sharp over the years (yet to be sharpened a single time) and although they have been put into the dishwasher (against both the Mfr recommendation and my own wishes) I have not seen any rust spots as other reviews have mentioned.

They are still excellent and I much prefer them over the cutco brand because of how well balanced they are. My only complaint is that I wish I would have purchased a larger set with a block back in the beginning because I now know how high quality they are. I want the bread knife, santoku, and steak knives to match at a minimum, but to purchase them individually is similar...

Already rusting after three months
After first opening the package I was very impressed with the weight, the feel of the knives and how extremely sharp they were. Now that I've used them for a few months I'm still impressed with how well they cut but I'm starting to notice rust spots. I have never put them in the dishwasher nor let them soak in water for any length of time. At first it was only the smaller of the knives and though I wasn't happy I could have received a single bad blade. Now all three are showing small rust spots. I have owned much less quality knives and not taken nearly as good care of them and non of the previous sets have rusted. These knives are not worth the money you pay for them. I'm still giving two stars due to the fact that the knives are well balanced and sharp but for this price I would like them to last too.

J.A Henckels rocks!
Yes, yes I read all the reviews bemoaning this set was made in China but bought it anyway and by far, this is the best set of knives I've ever owned, the weight and feel in the hand is superb, and when I first cut vegetables I applied the same pressure I used with my previous knife and the blade shot through the carrots making a bang on my cutting board - startling me due to the sharpness and ease of cutting with a real blade. I appears Henckels is mandating strict quality controls in the china facility - hey - every magically precise iPhone is built in China.

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Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press

J'adore ma petit panini grill! Or something like that.
I feel like I am back on the streets of Paris every time I plug in my beautiful Cuisinart Panini and Sandwich Press. This press makes the best grilled cheese sandwich you ever ate, I guarantee it. I love how you can stick a whole hoagie roll or chunk of french bread loaf with sandwich makings inside into it and squish it into a hot & yummy hunk of cheese-oozong goodness. Or, you can use regular bread and make toasty club sandwiches or grilled cheese.

This guy hangs out in the cupboard and is easy to pull out, just plug in and wait for the green light to come on. You can have a quick french dip dinner ready in 5 minutes that everyone will love- also perfect for grilled cheese and tomato soup night- or just want to make some garlic bread to go with your spaghetti without heating up the whole oven? I LOVE my panini press.

It is really easy to clean- although I haven't tried grilling meats or anything beyond sandwiches and bread. Gooey cheese comes off easily...

Panini anyone? You know it!
Normally I'm not one to go crazy over kitchen appliances but I am compelled to sing the praises of this little wonder. This is sad, but my wife and I eat grilled cheese sandwiches a couple of nights a week because we love them so much. It's sort of our dirty little secret. This little miracle has opened up a whole new universe of possibilities. Our old-style Salton grilled-cheese maker would invariable push the top slice of bread out from the rest of the sandwich because of the operation of the hinge, and forget about putting anything in there other than bread and a couple of slices of cheese because it couldn't handle the thickness. With the GR-1 though, you can put a Dagwood-sized sandwich (the floating hinge allows HUGE sandwiches) in and in just a few minutes, the weight of the top plate has compressed the whole thing into a critical mass of concentrated goodness. Anything I can put between two piecs of bread is becoming a panini these days. This will probably take five years off...

Ignore the cost and go for it!
After reading the reviews of similar products and this one and knowing that I'm always disappointed when I go for the cheap stuff, I bought this one. I am SO glad I did. My son has been a big fan of grilled cheese sandwiches for 5 years now and it's not slowing down. I hate getting out the frying pan (and the butter) and making them the old-fashioned way. With the Cuisinart, I don't have to use butter. The taste is still great! My son gives it a thumbs up. Plus in less time than it takes me to make one the old-fashioned way I can make two. And my son can use it too. It's so easy, just put the cheese in the bread, wait for the green light, put the sandwich on the griddler and watch it do all the work. I've experimented with other kinds of sandwiches and they all turn out perfectly. I even use it to do quesadillas and heat up fish sticks. It works and makes them crunchy. Plus it doesn't heat up the whole house like the oven does.

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Emile Henry 14-by-11-Inch Lasagna Baker, Cerise

You will not be disappointed in Emile Henry products
This lasagna baker is pricey, but so worth every penny. This is my second one as my husband dropped the first one and, well, yes, it cracked. We contemplated whether we should just buy a cheap version of this size or pay the extra bucks and get the same one. With my really good experiences with the first one, I decided I did not want to chance it. The following are the positives of this baker:
1) Great size for family sized lasagna, potato gratin and generously sized dishes;
2) Bakes evenly with no "hot spots";
3) Glaze is so smooth and without defects so often found on cheaper bakers that clean up is super easy;
4) You can stick this in fridge, freezer, oven, dishwasher without worrying wheather it will crack (the only place you cannot use this is the stove);
5) It looks so good that it can go directly from oven to table; and
6) The handles are perfect for getting a secure grip when handling in mitts, but not too protrusive that storage in fridge...

cleans easy
Wow! I just had to make two back-to-back dishes of my Crepes Ensenada and needed to hurry doing it. So I made one full dish, cooled it, took it out, and without cleaning it first (I never would do that with any other dish!), baked another full dish. Yes, I had to use a scraper on it after it soaked, but it came out clean, without too much time spent doing it too. No scratches and lovely crepes to boot. The only thing about this dish is that, because of its size, one has to be very careful washing/rinsing it, so it is not banged in the sink. If banged, like glass, it may crack at a future date.

The color is a bit darker than the picture of the red Cherise and the yellow Citron dishes. Of course, when one is viewing colors on a computer, the type of graphics card and its settings can cause variations on the color we see vs. the color that the host site is actually displaying.

LOVE this BAKER!
I have two in this size. Absolutely, hands down --- love this baker. It cleans beautifully, I made lasagna for Christmas dinner, of course some cheese burned onto this baker............ cleaned like a champ. Looks brand new. The price can't be beat.
And as I always state with Emile Henry, Le Crueset, Fiestaware....... they are safe to cook in. No toxins being released into your food. For "me" this trumps all of the other wonderful qualities!

Great purchase.

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Sunbeam 2371 MixMaster Stand Mixer, White

SunBeam MixMaster
I refused to pay $300.00 for a standmixer, and am glad to have found this one ! The glass bowls are very roomy and the height of the mixer allows ample room to work. The assortment of beaters should allow everyone to mix away ! The 350 watts of power helped blend a peanut butter cookie which can become thick. I found clean up quite easy with the glass bowls and the shape of the beaters, not alot of crevices for sticking.

The only negative is I was expecting a metal cast mixer. This one has alot of plastic/pvc to it. This makes me nervous as far as durability over years of use, as mentioned in the other reviews I was looking for one just like my Mom had. So far it has performed as I expected.

great value for the price
After hard thought, I just bought this to replace a Sunbeam 2366 purchased a couple of years ago, which looks identical except for the size of the motor. My 2366 became unusable as a stand machine because I was too rough trying to attach the mixer to the stand and broke the rather fragile plastic thingies in the stand that supported the attachment lever (so I'll be more careful with the new one). If I'd paid $500, I would be deeply disgruntled.

But I didn't pay $500, I paid $79, and my simple math tells me I can buy 6 of these for the cost of one KitchenAid with metal gears (do read the reviews about the plastic gears if you are seriously looking at the less expensive KitchenAid!). If this machine is as good as its predessor, it will do as fine a job of mixing as my daughter's KitchenAid, it's head tilts, and you can add ingredients while it's running, all of which are important to me. I do not do bread with it, I use my incredible $39 Sunbeam bread machine for...

Pleasantly Pleased
The Sunbeam mixer was purchased for my wife and this is her review.
I like it very much. It's quiet, includes dough hooks and whisks and most important, glass bowls. I prefer glass versus steel bowls because I believe the mixing is easier and better. This mixer is made well and for the price is hard to beat.

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Emile Henry 10.75 Inch Oval Gratin Dish, Azur

Perfect for Gratin Dauphinois and other Dishes
I purchased Emile Henry before (dinnerware) and was looking into getting some new bakeware and decided to try out Emile Henry. I was not disappointed by any means. The first thing that I made was Gratin Dauphinois and it came out perfect. I also found out that this is a perfect dish for baking/broiling a steak after being seared. It is glazed inside so nothing sticks and does not retain smells. It is solid, so I have no fear of breaking it unless I drop it because it is clay. The sides are oval as is the entire dish so some cooking area may be lost, however, the baking area is 10.75" (L) by 8.5" (W). Great for using directly from the oven to the table because it maintains heat well keeping side dishes hot. The bottom is unglazed but when placed on the table, it is not visible. The purple (Figue) color is perfect and matches white bowls that I purchased. Another winner for Emile Henry.

Emile henry 10.75 inch oval gratin dish
First came across this in france and wa simpressed how the food held the heat, evenly baked and easy to clean.



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Cup of Cheer Towel Set

Christmas Gift
I gave these as Christmas gifts at a large family gathering. They were a hit. I had several different designs and since each set had two different towels in them, people were switching designs with each other for the ones they liked best. It was fun to watch everyone going around the room to see what others had.





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Emile Henry Large 3.5 Quart Oval Au Gratin, Azure Blue

Wonderful au gratin dish
I have a few Emile Henry products and my favorite ones have the interior white celadon finish. This surface doesn't get scratched up the way the other Emile Henry same color exterior/interior finishes do. This high gloss finish also makes baked on food slide right off for easy cleanup. It's a great size at 16 x 10 x 2.5 and can hold about 3 quarts. It has ears on either end for transporting from oven to table and it's lead and cadmium free stoneware. It's a great product.

Great product on after 1 return
I would have given this 5 stars if it hadn't taken 2 tries to get a satisfactory piece. I love Emile Henry (see review for other piece)but was very surprised at the difficulty of getting a piece that isn't defective. The first one in this size was defective, but the second was in perfect condition. This piece in figue came from [...]. I had tried to get one in the same color in the 8.5" size, but gave up after 2 defective pieces arrived (from Amazon). I asked for a refund. I will probably try to get more in other sizes when I have the time to deal with defective ones.

Fabulous Roaster and Baking Dish
This baby has rapidly become my favorite baking/roasting dish. I can cook the whole meal in it and serve directly from the oven in the same dish that I baked in! Emile Henry makes great baking bowl and roasters and this is a very handy item in the kitchen! It is also beautiful!

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Cuisinart GR-2 Griddler Express Contact Grill

cooks like a dream; cleans like a nightmare!
The Griddler cooks like a dream. It's fast!! I've tried hamburgers, chicken, fajitas and they all came out really well. I'm looking foward to trying paninis next. The only problem is cleaning the unit. It takes longer to clean than to cook most items. I have figured out that if you spray water on the plates once it has cooled it cleans much easier but you still have to methodically clean each groove in the grill and then when you clean down the drip trough you have to reclean the grooves. I'm considering changing over to the new George Foreman grill just to be able to remove the plates and put them in the dishwasher.

Good, not great
Good for the price. Great would require restaurant quality. As far as non-removable plates, they are not a negative but a positive. Non-removable plates are generally more sturdy, secure and permanently attached to the heating element. Removable plates generally mean poor heating time and coverage.

An excellent panini maker and contact grill
It's large enough to handle two large sandwiches or 3-4 boneless chicken breasts. Both sides cook evenly. The floating lid adapts well to different thicknesses. It's easy to clean even though the plates aren't removable. Be sure to let it cool down before moving it. Many outside surfaces get hot

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Lemon Apron

Great Gift idea
Ended up buying 2! Would recommend to anyone looking for a gift or just a lovely apron to hang in your kitchen.





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Marquis by Waterford Treviso 6-inch Candlestick Pair

Marquis by Waterford Treviso 6-inch Candlestick Pair
What can you say about Waterford?! These candlesticks do not disappoint, they are yet another beautiful, good quality, elegant addition to the Waterford brand. The picture is an accurate representation of the candlesticks themselves. I purchased two sets as presents and I'm very pleased with them. Naturally they came well packaged and gift boxed, with care instructions.

Waterford
These lovely candlesticks make a wonderful gift for birthdays, showers, anniversaries, or for your personal use.

I have bought 3 sets.

Beautiful, contemporary looking
I like glass but some crystal looks too old-fashioned. These are very streamlined looking and sturdy. I like the height for tapers--not too fond of tall candlestick/tall taper combination.

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Luigi Bormioli Gallerie 7-Piece Mini Martini Set

They ain't kiddin about the mini
These are about half the size of standard martini glasses. They look classy and feel pretty sturdy, but they're barely larger than the olive. Just FYI.





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Escali #63W Penduline Wall Mountable Digital Scale

Nice scale.
This is a nice scale with all the features I was looking for. It measures in kg, g, oz, and lbs, has a tare function, a clock and a count-down timer. I don't use the timer because the one on my microwave is easier/more convenient to use, but it's a nice feature. I love that it's wall mounted and off my counter, and it looks very modern and fits nicely with the decor in my kitchen. All in all, for the price it is very well made. There is no way to use this scale without wall mounting it, however, so if you are looking for one that can be used on the counter this is not the scale for you.

Great scale with great support
Our Escali penduline scale worked great for over 3 years, accurate and easy to use and always available, hanging on the kitchen wall. After replacing the battery, the scale did not work properly. But the Escali people stood behind their warrenty even when we couldn't find our receipt. They took for purchase proof a copy of a Quicken entry. We received a new scale in less than a week from sending back the defective one.

Love my scale
I have used this scale for about 2 years and like it very much. I love the fact that it is easily available on the side of a cabinet, looks attractive, and does not take up any counter space. Uses an easily replaceable 9 volt battery. There is also a button battery but it only works the clock and rarely needs to be replaced. My scale did fail to operate recently and I sent it back (after two years of use) and the manufacturer replaced it with a completely new unit at no charge. Be sure to keep your receipt as a proof of purchase.

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Marquis by Waterford Sheridan Ice Bucket with Tongs

Ice bucket
This ice bucket came perfectly wrapped and couldn't have been more beautiful. I was delighted with it and so
was my daughter-in-law whose gift it was.

Sooooooooo pretty
My hubby received this as a birthday present. It is so pretty. The Waterford name is worth the price. SUPER



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Ashbys Christmas Spice Tea Bags, 200 Count Box

Most delicious tea--has a red hot taste that no other tea has!!!
My daughter & I always have lunch & Ashby's tea at this little English-type cafe in Bolivar, MO, when I visit. My fav. Ashby's tea is the Christmas spice--it takes like red hots. My daughter likes the Plum one. All of them R delicious!!! U can buy it loose 4 about half the price. Yum! Car' 4 a cu' o' tea? Oh, yes, lovely! ;)





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Hand-hammered Copper Octagonal Tray

lovely multipurpose tray
i bought this from amazon, to use it as a serving tray but liked it so much that ultimately as hanging tray in my hall.
i must say it was value for money.





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Hanna Waterptroof pH Pen HI 98127 pHep4

does what it says
Really basic, and simple to use. Easy to read and calibrate. dont waste money on cheaper items this is what you want.





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Donvier 1.5-qt. Electric Yogurt Maker.

love it!
I make yogurt once a week and it always comes out delicious. It's great to be able to use low fat milk and no sugar. I eat it with fresh fruit every day and have used this little machine for about 2 years.





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Diamond Hone EdgeSelect Plus Knife Sharpener - Chrome

Knife Sharpener that sharpens knives
I have been looking for a knife sharpener that is a quality piece of equipment that would put a very good edge on our knives. I could not find anything at the local kitchen or hardware stores excpt for the hand held slide sharpeners, which I could not get to work satisfactorily, the new edge would not hold. The EdgeSelect Professional Knife Sharpener was a good choice. It has quality guides and sharpening stones and is a counter top (not hand held) tool. I would not suggest anything less, but might go for the next model up.

Very impressive...........to look at!
It's very noisey! Doesn't particularly sharpen knives. Lot's of imperfections now show up on sharpened knives edges that were not noticable before using sharpener.



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Gooseneck Draft Beer Tower Shank Assembly

Exactly What I Needed!
This is exactly what I wanted! If you have a tower beer dispenser with a big hole in the tower where you think the faucet should go, this will get the job done! Easy install, very durable, the finish matches chrome (or chrome look-a-like) perfectly, and the seller shipped it really fast! Very happy with this purchase!





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KRUPS XS3000 Cleaning Tablets

Does the job
A little expensive, but does the job. The water came out crystal clear after the clean cycle on my Krups machine.

good
I don't know what to write about this product, but I did use it as per Krups' indications and everything worked out well.

They do what they are meant to
No surprises. The tablets do what they are meant to do. They arrived sealed and undamaged and as required by the manufacturer.

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