Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Brewer Review

I was surprised when I first saw the Hamilton Beach 49980A. I mean, I love my Keurig and Nespresso, but when I need to make coffee for a group of people I need to make each cup one by one. And back when I had a classic coffee maker, I had to make way more than I needed just for one person. It was just wasteful.

This coffee maker can fill up a single serving cup and/or a full 12 cups for everyone. Hamilton did a great job designing this product. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and brews a delicious cup of coffee in no time!

I have scoured the internet to find all the answers to your coffee questions and needs, as well as a few pros and cons to this product so you will be well informed before decided on the perfect product for you.

Design:

This coffee maker measures 14 x 12 x 10 in and is very versatile. It comes with a portable mug that fits the single serving brewer like a glove.

The large pot can hold up to 12 servings of coffee and is designed to prevent any drips or spills from happening. (We have all dealt with the little drops that come from the pot when pouring, and when you’re still sleepy this can be such a drag.)

The single serving side is large enough to fit almost any size mug or thermos.

Use:

The Hamilton Beach two way coffee maker has many different features that are easy and convenient to use. It includes a programmable timer, auto shut-off after two hours, brew options (for the intensity of your coffee,) and an easy on/off button.

To choose whether you want to use the single serving side or the multiple serving side, just flip the switch on the front of the machine.

**Note that K-cups cannot be used for the single serving side of this brewer. They can only be used on the multiple serving pot side. Also, the single serving side does not use paper filters.

Cleaning:

Easy to clean, and some parts are even dishwasher safe. For all the information you need for use and cleaning of this product, click here.

The Hamilton Beach 49980A is available on HamiltonBeach.com for $79.99 but you can find it on Amazon.com starting at $52.00 by clicking the link below:

Amazon also offers a 4- year protection plan and a 3-year protection plan for your Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Single Serve and Full Pot Coffee Maker with your purchase.

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

BISSELL 9595A Vacuum with OnePass Review

From what I’ve seen, this vacuum cleaner has been one of the top choices for anyone who needs a great vacuum with triple-digit quality and power but doesn’t want to pay triple-digit prices.

However, before you jump to purchasing this product, you should still do some research to ensure this is the product for you.

For instance, it may not be the best choice if you have 20 dogs who shed a lot, but perfect if you have one or two dogs who shed a little or a husband who misses the sink when he shaves. You know… if that’s the information you were looking for…

I have compiled answers and tips for the most searched questions about this product and vacuums, in general, to help make your research a little easier for your hairy housemate needs.

Design:

The Bissell 9595A Vacuum with OnePassTwist comes with a Snap Hose, Extension Wand, Dusting Brush/Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool, and TurboBrush Tool included with your purchase. Perfect for virtually all your vacuuming needs.

This vacuum measures the following dimensions: 14.6 x 10.8 x 31.5 inches.

It weighs a little over 15 pounds. (See below for specific weight.)

Although corded vacuums may be a turn off to some people, the cord for this vacuum is long enough that you’ll forget its even there.

The brush and bristle design on this vacuum is made so that it cycles downward to achieve a deeper clean and can reach into carpet more efficiently.

Other features: Adjustable Height, Open Foot Window, Easy-empty Dirt Container, automatic height adjustment, cord wrap hooks.

Use:

It is multi-cyclonic, which is very important to maintain powerful suction to avoid getting clogged up.

The Bissell 9595A Vacuum with OnePassTwist has the input power of 1200 watts.

The dust dispenser has a capacity of 2.27 L and is easy to empty and clean.

Amazon gives you the option for a 2 year or 1 year warranty that can be purchased for as low as $2.80.

The filtration system is known to remove the majority of indoor allergens that can trigger something called perennial allergies (usually a reaction to house dust.)

The noise of this vacuum is said to be medium, so if you’re looking for something that is silent, this is not the vacuum for you.

Cleaning:

The coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and stainless steel mixing bowl are dishwasher safe.

Features:

• Lightweight
• Upright vacuum
• Long cord
• Easy to move
• Works well in cars and tight spaces
• Strong suction power
• 1200 watts
• Weight: 15.1 pounds
• Dimensions: 14.6 x 10.8 x 31.5 inches
• Accessories included
• Easy empty dirt container
• Adjustable height

The BISSELL 9595A Vacuum with OnePass – Corded is available on Kitchenaid.com for $79.99, but you can find it on Amazon.com starting at $57.59 by clicking the link below:

Amazon also offers a 2- year protection plan and a 1-year protection plan for your BISSELL 9595A Vacuum with OnePass – Corded with your purchase.

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Review

This KitchenAid Tilt-Stand Mixer received a near perfect score all around on KitchenAid.com. It is perfect for just about all your mixing needs, and just in time for some holiday cooking!

Design:

This lean, mean, mixing machine has the following dimensions: Depth: 14 1/8 inches, Height: 14 inches, Width 8 3/4 inches.

Lucky for you, KitchenAid designed over 20 colors to fit any kitchen type or style! Some of these colors include: Empire Red (As shown above), Liquid Graphite (a matte grey color), Onyx Black, White, and Almond Cream (an off-white, eggshell.) You can see all the colors by clicking here.

**Important: This is not a lightweight mixer. Without any contents in the mixing bowl, this mixer weighs 26 pounds. Basically, you are going to want to find a nice home for it to sit on your island or kitchen counter, because it probably isn’t something you’re going to want to keep moving from cabinet to counter.

This mixer includes your basics for using your mixer right away. It comes with a wire whip beater for whipped cream, etc., a dough hook for mixing bread and sorts like that, a flat beater for a variety of basic mixing needs, the mixing bowl, and the pouring shield.

A cool new feature thy have included in this mixer that helps it stand out is a handle on the mixing bowl. If you are a big mixer yourself you know that it can be tricky trying to pour straight from the mixing bowl and/or trying to fit the bowl into the mixer. The handle makes these processes much easier.

There are also a variety of accessories you can buy separately that are compatible with the KitchenAid KSM150PSER Mixer.

Use:

The 5-quart stainless steel bowl has the capacity to mix 4 loaves of bread, 7 pounds of mashed potatoes, or 9 dozen cookies.

Whatever task you are giving your mixer, there are up to 10 speeds to choose from. This and the 325 wattage makes it powerful enough for almost any task, whether its whipping cream or kneading bread.

Something unique this mixer has to offer is a feature which by simply adjusting a small screw you can move the mixer head closer to the bottom of the bowl to avoid any unmixed ingredients hiding at the bottom of the mixing bowl.

Cleaning:

The coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and stainless steel mixing bowl are dishwasher safe.

Features:

• 10 speeds
• Stainless steel 5-quart mixing bowl
• Over 20 colors to choose from
• Handle on mixing bowl
• Adjustable head for close to bottom mixing
• Weight: 26 pounds (empty)
• Dimensions:  14 x 14 x 8 3/4
• 325-watt
• Basic accessories included
• 59-point planetary mixing action

The KitchenAid KSM150PSER is available on Kitchenaid.com for $429.99, but you can find it on Amazon.com starting at $215 by clicking the link below:

 

Amazon also offers a 4- year protection plan and a 3-year protection plan for your KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red with your purchase.

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

Oster TSSTTVMNDG Convection Oven Review

This versatile toaster oven is easy to use and can cook a variety of foods from casseroles to a ham– just in time for Thanksgiving!

Exterior/General Design:

The exterior measures 19.76-inches wide, 11.38-inches high, and 15.37-inches deep.

It features both black and stainless steel accents and is very similar to the look and feel of most microwaves.

Slice capacity is six slices. The larger size is also perfect for home-cooked meals without the hassle of using a fully conventional oven. This will save you time, energy, and money in the long run.

The user-friendly digital controls make it very easy to use. The buttons are clear so there is no guessing when it comes to using it. To adjust the temperature and time, both have their own respective “plus” and “minus” buttons to raise and lower cook time and temperature.

This oven includes a nice variety of functions including Toast, Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Warm, Defrost, and Pizza (up to 12 inches in size.) It also included a clock and timer, of course!

A baking pan and broiling rack are included with the purchase of the Oster Large Capacity Countertop 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven, Black/Polished Stainless, TSSTTVMNDG.

**Important: The Oster website states that the exterior does get hot while in use, so they recommend keeping the oven at least 6 inches away from the wall. So, while you are measuring your kitchen space we recommend keeping those extra 6 inches in mind to be sure you have the sufficient amount of space needed.

Interior Design:

The interior dimensions measure 12 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 5.25 inches high. It is large enough to fit a 9″ x 13″ baking pan (without handles.)

This oven features a light for clear sight of your food while its cooking and can reach a temperature of 450 degrees.

Use:

There are 7 cooking functions: Toast, Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Warm, Defrost, Pizza (up to 12″)

Many people have said that this toaster oven’s convection feature is very quiet when in use.

**The toaster function can be a bit tricky. Many people say you need to keep an eye on it as it can burn your toast very quickly.

The advanced technology incorporated into this convection toaster oven includes fast heating,

Cleaning:

The majority of online reviewers say that cleanup is very easy for this product. All you will need is a damp cloth or sponge with a drop of soap. Try to stay away from scrubbers, as this can cause scratches on your oven.

Additionally, there is a front access removable crumb tray for easy crumb cleanup.

Features:

• Timer up to 90 minutes
• Automatic shut off
• Interior light
• keypad controls
• Toast, Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Warm, Defrost, Pizza (up to 12″)
• Removable crumb tray for easy cleanup
• Slice capacity for toast: 6 slices
• Bagel capacity: 2 to 3 average sized bagels
• Pizza size capacity: 9″ to 12″
• Weight: 20.3 pounds
• Dimensions:  19.76 x 11.38 x 15.37
• 1300-watt

The Oster TSSTTVMNDG Convection Oven is available on oster.com for $79.99, but you can find it on Amazon.com starting at $55.22 by clicking the link below:

 

Amazon also offers a 4- year protection plan and a 3-year protection plan for your Oster Large Capacity Countertop 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven, Black/Polished Stainless, TSSTTVMNDG with your purchase.

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

Keurig K55 Coffee Maker Review

Design:

The K55 is very easy to use. It has 4 buttons, one power button and one for each of the 3 brewing sizes: 6, 8, and 10 ounces. Additionally, there are lights that tell you what step of the brewing process is taking place. These lights read: Add water, Descale, Heating, Auto-Off, and Power.

Additionally, there are lights that tell you what step of the brewing process is taking place. These lights read: Add water, Descale, Heating, Auto-Off, and Power.

The system has a 48 ounce water reservoir that is sufficient to make 8 cups of coffee before it needs to be refilled. When it does, there is a light that will indicate so. The reservoir is detachable for easy refilling and cleaning.

The drip tray is removable for easy cleaning. This is also useful to accommodate larger cups. such as travel cups, as it adds more room for the container.

There are no unnecessary screens or buttons, and no annoying sounds so in the morning when you’re still groggy and need your cup of coffee, the machine will work with you and make your drinks very quickly.

The coffee maker measures 9.8″ wide by 13″ high by 13.3″ deep and weighs 12 lbs.

Use:

This machine can make a variety of drinks including hot chocolate, tea, coffee, specialty drinks, and even iced coffee.

It takes about 4 minutes to heat up, but once it is heated it can make several drinks without having to heat up again. This is useful for if you are used to making more than one cup of coffee or are serving several people.

To make your drink using the K-Cup, you simply lift the lever, put in the K-Cup of your choice, bring down the lever, and select the size of your drink.

If you prefer using your own coffee rather than the K-Cup, you can use the Keurig coffee maker which measure

Keurig strives to make machines that will brew your coffee in less than a minute, and this machine lives up to that standard. It can brew an 8 ounce cup of coffe in an average of 60 seconds.

Cleaning:

Keurig recommends descaling your machine (Simply click the descale button) every 3-6 months and should be wiped down with a damp cloth regularly.

It is also recommended that you change the water filter every 2 months, if used every day.

Here is a step-by-step video on how to clean your Keurig 

Warranty:

Keurig has a 1-year warranty included with the purchase of this machine.

Features:

• Compatible with all regular k-cups
• Compatible with regular coffee not in K-cups by using coffee filter
• Reusable coffee filter
• Auto-off feature
• 3 brew sizes- 6, 8, 10 oz.
• 48 ounce detachable water reservoir
• Measurements: 9.8″ wide by 13″ high by 13.3″ deep and weighs 12 lbs.
• Quick heating
• Multiple beverage options

The Keurig K55 is available on Keurig.com for $119.99, but you can find it NEW on Amazon.com starting at $75.39 by clicking the link below:

 

Amazon also offers a 4- year protection plan and a 3-year protection plan for your Keurig K55 Coffee Maker, Black with your purchase.

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

When I first saw the George Foreman GRP1060B grill I must say I was a bit skeptical. I’ve used George Foreman grills in the past and it completely satisfied my needs, so, I never really saw a reason to upgrade. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this new George Foreman grill.

What stood out to me the most about this grill, in particular, was the variety of ways that you can use it. Whether you’re cooking vegetables, grilling a sandwich, or need to evenly cook any kind of meat, I found that it is perfect for all those things. This grill has convenient two-sided heating surfaces that will satisfy your cooking needs.

Additionally, the George Forman indoor grill has a unique patented feature that tilts the grill at a slight angle to eliminate unwanted grease and fat. This makes for a healthier meal in a way you can only find with these grills.  The only less than perfect feature I found was that the chord is about 10 inches shorter as the previous grills. This can be a bit of a problem for some people who grill in areas farther away from the outlet.

I read some reviews online from people saying the grill doesn’t char the meat. On the other hand, I read more reviews from people saying their burgers, chicken, or whatever it is they are cooking comes out with perfect lines each time. Perhaps they weren’t leaving the meat in for long enough- I guess I’ll leave that for you to make the decision.

It has a 60 square inch cooking surface that can hold up to 4 burger patties at once. It doesn’t matter the thickness of the food you are cooking because it has a unique hinge that can adjust to the thickness of the food, allowing it to cook evenly.

Additionally, I found that the non-stick coating makes for easy cleanup and better yet, the plates are completely removable. All you will need to do is press the two spring release tabs on the side of the plates and pop the plates right off.  I have read that hand washing the plates with soap and water can extend the products lifetime, but they are dishwasher safe if you prefer washing them that way.

This grill is selling for $49.99 on the George Foreman website, but you can find it on Amazon.com NEW for less than $30:

Pros

• Easy to use
• Two lights- green and red
• Takes about 4 minutes to heat up
• Cook meals in 10 minutes
• 2x more durable coating
• Cooks up to 4 servings at once
• 35% faster heat-up than previous models
• Dishwasher safe removable plates
• Removes up to 42% of fat
• Can be used to cook meat, veggies, and sandwiches
• Has a rear foot to keep grill angled or flat for sandwiches
• Stands vertically for storage

Cons:

• Shorter 25 inch chord (as opposed to older models which have 35 inch chords)

If you want to find out more information about this  grill or are interested in purchasing the George Foreman GRP1060B then check it out on amazon. Happy grilling!

Although I may receive compensation for sales on Amazon.com through this website, the opinions above are sincere and based on the experiences of first-hand users and reviews found through online research.

These next few recipes are not for the kids, because adults deserve Halloween treats too! I found these amazing drink recipes for you to kick back, have a drink, and enjoy your Halloween holiday!

Black Magic Punch

Ingredients:
1 (750 ml.) bottle dark dry red wine
2 c. dark fruit juice
1/4 c. brandy
1/3 c. elderflower or raspberry liqueur
1 c. blackberries, plus more for garnish
1 c. sliced black grapes
2 sliced plums
Orange twist, for garnish

Directions:
1. Mix red wine, fruit juice, brandy, liqueur, blackberries, grapes, and plums in a large pitcher. Chill 1 to 2 hours.
2. Pour into glasses and garnish with blackberries and orange twist.

Mr. Hyde Potion

Ingredients:
8 ounces vodka
4 ounces parfait amour liqueur
1 ounce blackberry liqueur
2 ounces tarragon simple syrup (recipe follows)
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce lavender syrup, available at most liquor stores
4 lavender sprigs
8 blackberries
dry ice (optional) Note: Always observe dry ice safety measures: Never touch dry ice with bare skin and do not swallow. purple sanding sugar for rim (optional)

Instructions

1: Prepare the tarragon simple syrup by placing 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan.

2: Heat over medium-low heat until it reaches a low boil. Add two sprigs of fresh tarragon and reduce heat to low. Heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove tarragon and allow syrup to cool.

3: Place 2 blackberries on each lavender sprig and set aside. Tip: For best results, insert a toothpick through blackberry first to make a small hole for the lavender stem.

4: Cut and juice lemon. Strain to remove pulp, if desired. Add spirits, syrups and juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until very cold (about 20 seconds).

5: Pour drink into beakers, add a small piece of dry ice (optional) and a lavender-blackberry skewer. Note: Drink is safe to consume only after dry ice has completely dissolved.

Tip: Alternatively, moisten the rim of a cocktail glass and dip in purple sanding sugar. Add cocktail and small piece of dry ice. Lay lavender-blackberry skewer across the top of the glass and serve.

Bloody Orange Cocktail

Ingredients

4 ounces vodka
2 ounces Licor43
8 ounces Orangina or 1:3 orange juice to club soda
3 ounces raspberry syrup (recipe follows)
1 orange
plastic syringes (available at party stores)

Instructions

1. Puree 2 cups of fresh raspberries in a food processor. Press the puree through a fine mesh strainer to extract the pulp, then discard the seeds.

2.Place the puree in a small saucepan with 1/4 cup of sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until thick and dark (about 10 minutes) and let cool

3.Fill each syringe with .75 ounces of raspberry syrup and set aside

4. Add vodka and Licor43 to a shaker with ice, shake until very cold (about 20 seconds). Add Orangina and stir. Pour into iced glasses and place filled syringes in drinks.

5. Add an orange wedge to the side of each glass and serve.

The Brain Cocktail Recipe

You won’t believe how easy this super creepy cocktail recipe is!

All you’ll need is: 

1 1/2 oz. peach schnapps
1 1/2 oz. Bailey’s Irish cream
dash of grenadine

Preparation:

Pour peach schnapps into a glass. Slowly add the Bailey’s Irish cream and top with a dash of grenadine.

These next few recipes were picked out for someone who is looking for some quick and easy treats that are also very festive.

Mini Pretzel Pumpkins Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound white candy coating, coarsely chopped
• 24 miniature pretzels
• Orange colored sugar or sprinkles
• 6 green gumdrops, cut into four lengthwise slices

Directions:

In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip one pretzel in candy coating; let excess drip off.
Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets. If desired, fill pretzel holes with candy coating. Decorate with orange sugar or sprinkles. For stem, dip the back of one gumdrop piece into candy coating; place above the pumpkin. Repeat. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Yield: 2 dozen.

Banana Ghosts and Berry Ghouls Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups white baking chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 3 medium firm ripe bananas
• 18 Popsicle sticks
• 1 package (14 ounces) vibrant green Wilton candy melts, melted
• 12 fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• M&ms to fill cups

Directions

1. In a microwave, melt white chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Peel bananas; cut in half widthwise. Insert sticks into bananas. Dip into melted chips, coating fruit completely; allow excess to drip off. Insert stick into a styrofoam block to stand.
2. Insert a stick into each strawberry. Dip into green coating; allow excess to drip off. Insert into styrofoam block. Let stand until set. Using melted chocolate, pipe faces onto ghosts and ghouls.
3. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 20 minutes. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Goblin Chewies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup crisp rice cereal
• 1 cup diced candy orange slices
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips or raisins

Directions:

1. In a bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, cereal, orange slices and chips or raisins.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a fork. Decorate with raisin or chocolate chip eyes and orange slice mouths. Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Yield: about 6 dozen.

Brownie Spiders

Ingredients

Chocolate Pumpkin Spider Donuts

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening, divided
• chocolate sprinkles
• candy eyes
• black string licorice

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a mini and large donut pan with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, sift together the baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
In another mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, yogurt, pumpkin and buttermilk and blend well. Slowly add the flour mixture until just mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
Spoon the batter into a large plastic bag and cut the tip off. Pipe the batter into a mini and large donut pan, filling the cavities at least half full. Bake the mini donuts 4-5 minutes and the large donuts 8-9 minutes.
Let the donuts cool for a few minutes in the pan and then carefully remove them and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
In a microwave combine the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until melted and smooth. Dip the tops of the donuts in the chocolate. Sprinkle the small donuts with chocolate sprinkles. Attach eyes and licorice legs with chocolate to the tops of the small donuts too.
Melt the white chips and 1/2 teaspoon shortening the same way and drizzle over the large donuts in a web pattern. Makes 24 small donuts and 10 large donuts. Store in a sealed container.