Epinions Recent Reviews for randomroyalty

A rare find - a small kitchen appliance that actually delivers

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:15:11 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - BackgroundFirst I have to make a confession. I gave up on "food processors" after a a rather middling experience with a Braun Kitchen Machine many years ago. While that machine was a reliable workhorse, it was only good for making cat food...

At this size, do you really need 1080p?

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:17:55 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - This TV is our first flat panel display after our ancient (but high-end) JVC 27" finally bit the bullet. This panel was purchased primarily for casual TV viewing, as we have a projector setup with a 100" screen in our basement for watching...

Great looking, bad coffee

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:05:59 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - After seeing this gorgeous machine at the local Costco for $200 CDN I couldn't resist buying it.Compared to my Saeco Armonia, which has a rather down-market dowdy...

The best entry level "prosumer" grinder

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:06:12 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - For most people who routinely drink automatic filter coffee or have the occassional latte or cappuccino, spending $200 on a coffee grinder must seem absurd. A few years ago, this was precisely my attitude.5 weeks working in Turin, Italy...

Great Dishwasher but Not Perfect!

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:02:19 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - Unpacking:The build quality of this dishwasher is impressive. There are no stray bits hanging off the sides, back or bottom of the machine, as plastic shrouds cover virtually everything under a rather thin sound deadening layer. Connections for...

We smokin' turkeys...we smokin' ribs...we smokin' salmon...we is up in smoke!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:45:13 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I have owned a Bradley smoker for about 2 years now. I bought this unit mainly because it can cold smoke, which means you can make authentic jerky and gravlox (cold smoked salmon). For those who don't know anything about smoking food, there are two...

3 year report: solid performer but getting dim

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:38:44 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I bought this projector as a refurb "boxing day" special from NCIX for under $500 in December 2004, along with an inexpensive 120" diagonal 4:3 pull-down screen. At the time, installing a home theater with a screen was considered pretty exotic, and I...

Zoom-Zoom on the Cheap-Cheap

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:56:19 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I did not plan to buy a Mazda6, as I was in the market for a subcompact with maximum fuel efficiency. I was looking at mainly Ford Focus (fire sale prices) Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. This was in December of 2007, and I was eager to buy as...

A Solid flip phone with great features ( you don't need an iPhone)

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:02:56 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - This is a review of a GSM version of the 550a locked to the Fido network in Canada. There may be a few differences in features with other carriers. I have been using a Treo 650 smartphone that was starting to show its age. As part of a life...

Great Value, but audition first!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:01:50 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I admit right away that all speakers are compromises and very subjective. I have friends who swear by Cerwin Vega and Bose, but I really can't stand them. In a bass-reflex design I much prefer the British IMF. Kef is a British company, known for...

Bryston B-60 SST Integrated Amplifier: A true bargain in sound

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:48:33 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I am an owner of the 2nd generation B-60, which is virtually identical to the current SST (according to Bryston tech support). The Bryston B-60 was my first foray into high-end audiophile equipment. I purchased it brand new 6 years ago, and it...

Works OK for one season

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:30:38 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - I am on my second above-ground automatic pool vacuum, and I am beginning to wonder if they aren't all the same trouble. In a nutshell, it will work OK for one season, but beyond gets stuck in a pattern and won't clean the entire pool. This seems to...

Good for what it is - a cheap grinder that grinds well

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:49:19 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - When I bought my http://www1.epinions.com/conte
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I realized that my old Mr. Coffee blade grinder was not going to be up to snuff in producing a consistent grind fine enough for this machine. While many coffee purist sites say that you...

Robust and versatile for tough kitchen jobs- and I say whip it, whip it good!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:29:07 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - Like some of the other reviews here, I had also lusted after a KitchenAid stand lift mixer. A few years ago a "Heavy Duty" stand mixer came on sale at the local Costco, and I bought one. I was never so disappointed in a product. I burnt out the motor...

Simply outstanding performance

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 23:31:54 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - We have been on an eco rampage, and reviewing our consumption of energy and water. Of course this has to do with rising energy prices, but also in our municipality we receive 2 water tax bills based on consumption. Our last bill showed that we...

Great starter machine for beginner baristas - goodbye Starbucks

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:40:50 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - After returning from a 5 week consulting gig in Italy in December 2007, the first thing I did was shop for an espresso machine. I had no experience with pump machines, and we usually make cappuccinos with a stovetop Bialetti "mocha". We did not have much...

Samsung Electric Self-Cleaning Range FTQ386LWX/LWUX: Nice looking range - great for cooks and bakers

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:22:49 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - Scroll to bottom for 1st year updateWe recently bought this range to replace a circa 2002 Kenmore (built by Frigidaire) that was of very poor design and quality and not very durable. We use our range daily with 3 cooks in the...

Worked fine for about 9 months

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 13:45:08 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author randomroyalty - We bought this toaster because of its 3 year warranty, high power for a 4 slice, dual controls and previous good experience with Cuisinart products. Also we were tired of buying toasters every year or so. We have been through the gamut of dirt cheap to...