Metrokane Manual Ice Crusher, Chrome 7106
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $49.99
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Editorial Review

This retro ice crusher with a chrome-on-metal top says cool in a 1950s kind of way. Patterned after the original Metrokane ice crushers, this attractive unit creates the right size of ice for shaken martinis, perfect margaritas, and frozen daiquiris. The ice is great for soft drinks, too. Use the ice as a bed for fresh vegetables, as well as for shrimp, crab, and lobster cocktails. Simply pop the ice in the top, close the lid, and hold it with one hand so your fingers stay clear of the handle. With your other hand, crank the handle clockwise and the ice is quickly crushed into fine bits. Turn it counter-clockwise for coarse pieces. There's no need to remember which direction to go, because the directions are embossed on the inside of the flip-top lid. The chromed base holds a quart of crushed ice. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the moving parts. --Dale Steinke ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty on moving parts
• Produces fine or coarse ice chips with turn of crank
• Renowned '50s design
• Makes cool drinks and ice beds for shellfish and vegetables
• Heavy chromed-metal crusher fits on white plastic ice catcher

Reviews (24)

OK Product, Lousy Support from Company
I purchased this product, and used it successfully to make large crushed ice. When I followed the instructions for fine ice, turning the crank counter clockwise, the nut holding the crank came loose, and the crusher assembly fell apart. I believe this was due to poor design or improper assembly.

I wrote to the company on April 3, 2004 to request warranty assistance. I received no reply, and wrote again on June 3.

Again I received no reply, so I filed a complaint with the New York State Consumer Protection Board on July 31.

This ultimately resulted in my receiving a call from the company, sending the unit to them at my expense, and receiving a replacement unit a month or so later.

The company told NYSCPB that they had no record of my first letters, although they went to the same address to which I sent the unit, and did not come back in the mail.

I believe the company simply ignores complaints unless they are pressured from a higher authority.

The product does its job fine if you only turn clockwise; if you decide to try counter clockwise, tighten the nut frequently. There is not much difference between "fine" and "coarse."

Crusher blades fell out easily
This crusher does the job better than a hammer and a tea towel. But the ice cup is chrome colored plastic so it's fragile.

After 10 uses the blades fell out of the crusher.Even with a set of jewlery making pliers we can't get the parts back together again.

Awfully expensive for the amount of use we got out of it.

It Does Its Job
I bought this because my refrigerator doesn't have an automatic ice crusher.My only suggestion is put it on a towel so it doesn't slide around when you're grinding.Other than that mine's worked great - I haven't yet experienced the 'falling apart' problem that others have.If you want to crush ice this gizmo has worked just fine for me - it's not perfect but I wasn't expecting perfection.It's a functional device that does its job. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RDB4
Subjects:  1. Barware    2. (Bar Ware)    3. Bartending   

Hoffritz 16-Ounce Chrome Cocktail Shaker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $33.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

From your mai tai to your martini, make traditional cocktails at home with this 16-ounce cocktail shaker. With a precision fit between the top and bottom, this bar accessory gives you the freedom to shake away with no fear of leaks. Use the shaker top to measure your spirits and liqueurs to precise quantities. Part of the Hoffritz Platinum Series, this shaker offers expert craftsmanship and high-nickel-content steel (18/8), providing a rust-free and durable product. --Madeleine Miller ... Read more

Features

• For each purchase of this item, $1.25 is donated to Share Our Strength
• Create bar-style cocktails at home
• Shaker lid doubles as a standard 2-ounce shot glass
• Made of 18/8 stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe

Reviews (8)

Looks nice but I wish I had bought a different one
I bought this based upon the reviews that said it didn't leak. They are wrong. I have used it three times and it leaks when you shake it. If I had bought it at Target, it would be returned. Kohls has one with a gasket. I would buy that one.

Stylish but Lacking in Functionality
I got this thing out of the box and was really impressed with it's looks but the fun stopped there.While I was checking my nice little chrome shaker out I tilted it to the side and the top proceeded to fall off.Worried, I put some ice and a bit of simulated gin (H20) inside, gave it a few shakes and it leaked everywhere.Good thing this wasnt real gin! I dont know if this is just mine but I wasnt impressed with the the functionality.Going with Oneida.

Elegant in its Simplicity
This shaker will bring out the dashing martini or margarita drinker in just about anyone.Looking to impress chicks with your suave mastery of the bar - this will do the trick. Looks great, chills drinks, and of course goes well with cool glassware (invest in Martini glasses or margarita glasses).You don't have to worry about spillage and the built in strainer makes any drink easy. Now if I just had a cool tray to put all of this stuff on. Seriously though, it's a great addition and will make you more likely to tinker with what's in your bar, as opposed to reaching for yet another beer. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RHNL
Subjects:  1. Spirits    2. Martinis    3. Cocktail Shakers    4. Barware    5. (Bar Ware)    6. Bartending   

Frozen Drinks : With or Without the Buzz
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (20 May, 1997)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $10.17
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (3)

A Keeper
My drink mixing will be moving to the next level, thanks to Mr. Weinstein.I will make blackberry daiqueries in June, a frozen watermelon drink in July, a honeydew drink in August and a peach drink in September.I will use the right liqueurs and blend until silky smooth.A shame there are no photos.

Great Book
I am an amateur at the art of mixology and this book has some great recipes for folks like me. Also because I don't drink, I appreciate the book's focus being on the drink itself and not on alcohol. It has a a little box on the bottom of add-ons for those who want to "kick it up a notch".

good to the last drop
What a find!I am so happy to have a book that lets me fix down-and-dirty as well as froo-froo drinks for all my friends, both those who imbibe and those who don't.The drinks in this book and inventive and new--not the same old boring stuff in other drink books.It makes a great housewarming present, and a great Fourth of July resource ... Read more

Isbn: 0517706539
Sales Rank: 133728
Subjects:  1. Beverages    2. Beverages - Non-Alcoholic    3. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    4. Cocktails    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Frozen foods    8. Fruit drinks    9. Cooking / Beverages (non-alcoholic)   

Pfaltzgraff Summer Breeze 24-Ounce Cooler Glasses, Set of 4
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $47.50
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Editorial Review

When you're really thirsty, you don't want to keep refilling your glass every few minutes. Grabbing one of these giant cooler glasses will cut down on your trips to the refrigerator. Standing 6-1/2 inches high with a very wide 3-3/4-inch mouth, each glass holds a whopping 24 ounces. If you have small hands, you'll want to grip the glass near the base for a comfortable fit. The glasses are also a pleasure to look at, with a brilliant cobalt blue base accenting the delicate etched-leaf pattern. As with all Pfaltzgraff dishes, single replacement pieces are available for broken items. Dishwasher-safe. Three-year warranty. --Doree Armstrong ... Read more

Features

• Safe in oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer
• Highly chip resistant
• Long pattern life

Reviews (4)

beautiful but hard to handle
These glasses are the most gorgeous blue color and compliment the Summer Breeze series so beautifully.Unfortunately, their size and shape makes them awkward and hard to handle unless you have Shaq O'Neill hands!!!

They are hard to load and unload in the dishwasher, having almost dropped them many times.I do not have small hands, medium to large actually for a lady.

I do love the glasses just wish they were maybe a 12 ounce size.

Pop goes the crack?
This is a follow up review. I have had these glasses for 17 months now. I have lost two in a very odd way. On two separate occasions when the glasses were at room temperature, while filling with water from the dispenser on my refrigerator, POP! a crack appeared through the center of the thick portion of the base of the glass (it does not go up the sides though). Both times it has always been in the exact same place through the bottom portion of the glass? You actually here the pop noise of the crack as it happens. The glasses were not hot so it was not from thermal shock. It is frustrating to loose a glass just because your doing what the glasses were designed to do, hold cold liquid. Still, I do love these glasses. They are attractive and wash up nicely. Also, it's very hard to find a drinking glass in a 24 oz size. My husband likes these glasses for his iced tea and I am sure he will want me to buy more if the inventory goes any lower. Amazon was very helpful in getting these replaced and the customer service at Pfaltzgraff was generous and conscientious beyond belief. When the first glass cracked, I let it go, when the second glass cracked, I contacted Amazon. It had been less than a year. They contacted Pfaltzgraff who in turn sent me two new glasses with their apologies. I was so impressed by that. Also, something that concerned me, the new glasses were heavier and felt of an even better quality than the originals. Never the less, the experience was enough to make me a customer of Pfaltzgraff for life, if nothing else.

slippery when wet
These are elegant high quality glasses, but I feel they have a couple negatives to their design. Watch it when loading and unloading them in the dish washer as when they are bottom up, and/or wet, they are very hard to handle. They are also a little big for the small hand to hold. My husband with his large hands has no problem. I use two hands to hold them as they are almost to big for me. I prefered the Pfaltzgraff 20 oz. Maison blue glasses. ... Read more

Asin: B000050XJN
Subjects:  1. Barware    2. (Bar Ware)    3. Bartending    4. Drinkware    5. (Drink Ware)    6. Glassware Sets    7. Glasses    8. Bar Glasses    9. Casual Glasses    10. Glassware    11. (Glass Ware)   

Precidio Acrylic Cactus Stem Margarita Glasses, Set of 6
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

The margarita, a classic Mexican thirst quencher, shouldn't be served in just any glass. As with many cocktails, the right glass enhances the experience, from the visual presentation to the flavor of the drink. These margarita glasses have a wide top, so the rim holds plenty of salt and the ice can circulate. The stems, shaped like a cactus, keep the Mexican theme and complement the color of a well-made margarita. When serving drinks outdoors, the sturdy plastic really comes in handy--it won't break, no matter how clumsy your thirsty guests become. --Laura Cuthbert ... Read more

Features

• Six glasses in a set
• Ideal for a margarita or any summertime drink
• Break-proof plastic
• Shallow design leaves a large rim for lots of salt
• Cactus-shaped stem keeps the margarita theme

Reviews (1)

great for that college party . . .
The only reluctance I had towards this product is the fact that they're plastic.I'm the kind of guy who likes his stainless steel and glassware.At any rate, these turned out to be great for the apartment when I washaving a few people over for margarita night.In fact, I'd probably bedown to 3 of them if they were glass because they tend to get knocked over.

The glasses themselves are a bit tacky for "real" social typeparties, but if you're just having a casual drink or rowdy party peopleover, then they're perfect.The base is big enough so they're fairlysturdy, but again, since they're plastic they're not quite as heavy andthey tend to get knocked over if bumped.

If you're in need of someinexpensive "authentic" margarita glasses or you're just tired ofdrinking them out of a styrofoam cup, then these should be right up youralley. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SZ75

Modern and functional, this light-colored wooden tray is an attractive way to serve your guests in style. Measuring 18-1/4 by 12-1/2 inches, it's large enough to accommodate several drinks and a big bowl of chips and dip, or to serve someone a hearty breakfast in bed. The creamy white tray is made of melamine, a plastic laminate often used in contemporary furniture, and the sides are smooth, naturally finished alder with dovetailed corners. The 2-inch raised sides prevent items from toppling off, and the wide-grip handles ensure easy, balanced carrying. --Marianne Painter ... Read more

Features

• Natural alder wood with easy-clean melamine base
• Slot handles
• Wipe clean with damp cloth
• 2-1/2Hx13Wx18-3/4L"

Asin: B00004S7TJ

Boston Warehouse Terracotta Salsa Chip & Dip
Average Customer Review:

list price: $25.00
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Editorial Review

Boston Warehouse's two-bowl chip and dip set saves lots of table space at a party and provides numerous entertaining opportunities. Just fill the dip bowl with salsa, guacamole, or bean dip, and set it in the middle of the chip bowl; you can refill them separately, as the snacks get snatched up. Also, you might try filling the larger bowl with veggies and the little bowl with dressing, or filling the outer bowl with chilled strawberries and the inner bowl with chocolate fudge warmed in the microwave. Your guests will rave. In addition, the festive terra cotta bowls will make any party table look brighter. --Shannon Borg ... Read more

Features

• Terra cotta with glazed interior
• 13 1/2" Diameter
• Removable bowl 4 oz. capacity

Reviews (2)

Would be wonderful if wasn't delivered in pieces
I think this product is lovely and of good quality.However, I've ordered it twice and each time it arrived broken.Very poorly packed. It's not worth it.

Would be wonderful if wasn't delivered in pieces
I think this product is lovely and of good quality.However, I've ordered it twice and each time it arrived broken.Very poorly packed. It's not worth it. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RHMJ

Lidco L2065 Electric Flamingo Patio Lights, 10 Light Beach Party Set
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $24.99
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Editorial Review

Transform your patio, deck, or porch with these festive lights, sure to dazzle your guests with their colorful cheer. This very bright 10-light set features flamingos and palm trees on a 14-foot string and can be used either indoors or out. Each fanciful bulb cover measures 2-1/2 by 4 inches, and up to three sets can be connected for an extra-long string of whimsical twinkles. The beach party light set also makes a charming decoration in children's rooms, hallways, or college dorms, turning even the dimmest of corners into a cheerful celebration. --Ariel Meadow Stallings ... Read more

Features

• 14' long
• 10 light party-patio light set for festive entertaining
• Beach party lights measure 2-1/2 by 4 inches
• Complete with bulbs and add-on connector (connect up to 3 set maximum)
• UL listed for indoor & outdoor use

Reviews (1)

Pink Flamingos - They should rate 10 stars!!!
What more can you say?Tacky christmas lights with pink flamingos.Let you're neighbors know you have bad taste at night when they can't see your lawn ornaments.My wife and love them! ... Read more

Asin: B00005041Y
Subjects:  1. Outdoor Lighting    2. Decorative Electric Lighting    3. String Lights    4. Party Lights    5. Lighting    6. Lights    7. Party Decor    8. (Decorations)   

Wilson/Power Brand JXTA - Jeep Boom Box Translucent Series (Aqua)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Custom Jeep accents and cool translucent color
• Includes AC adapter and uses 8 D batteries (not included)
• Weather-resistant, rugged casing with tire tread grip
• Multifunction CD player with special CD disc compartment
• AM/FM stereo tuner with weather band

Reviews (3)

Lots of sizzle, but no steak
I'm tired of replacing my boomboxes monthly (I do house renovations and always ruin my boxes with plaster and sawdust) so I gave the Wilson a shot.

It's a great design, with the whole sha-bang safe from dust and harm inside it's own gasket-sealed toolbox.The switches and controls are tougher than I thought they would be, too.All in all, it's well-enough made and designed.

EXCEPT for the sound!It sounds so bad, compared to other boom-boxes I've owned.The speakers are at the sides of the box, facing away from each other, and the sound is the worse for it, with all the bass phase cancelled out.And, injury to insult, it doesn't get very loud.I couldn't live with such crummy sound, so had to send it back.

It's Pretty Neat
This product got my attention when I first saw it at Sharper Image.You won't find it there anymore, probably because it was too expensive.The Jeep Boombox is pretty neat.It has what a usual boombox has, except it's shaped like a box that you can close, which is what really convinced me to buy it.

Pros:

Shaped Like a box for convenience

Has CD Storage of 6 CDs

Can be bought in 3 different colors

Is affordably priced

Cons:

It's very heavy

Takes a lot of batteries (if you even want to take it anywhere)

AWESOME!!!!
This boombox is AWESOME!!!!!! It plays CD, cassetes, and even the radio! It also has an extra spot to store CDs! If you need a new boombox, one that's easy to carry around, I wounldn't recommend anything but this boombox!!!! And you can even get it in colors, instead of boring ol' black or silver!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00004WFYP
Sales Rank: 140570
Subjects:  1. Portable Boombox (Boomboxes, Personal Boom Box, Stereo)    2. Cassette Radio CD player   

Whale Ride-on
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Finally, a Shamu of your very own: an inflatable Orca, minus the teeth. At 6feet long, he'd take up the whole bathtub, but is ideal for endless rides in the pool. Thereare two big grab-handles cemented to the sides. Unless you have an Orca's deep-sea lungsyourself, we recommend a good pump for this one. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for those thin kids, bad for thick!
Shamu is ready for you to ride him! Be gentle though... he hates rough tubers and riders, he can't withstand heavy duty people on him! If a heavy rider tries to "Inner Tube Giddy-Up" him, he'll be over forced in his body chamber and will POP! BE CAREFUL! Listen

whale to go
I have several ride on pool animal toys and my kids and their friends all prefer the whale. It holds up well under their rough play and is easy to get on and stay on. This toy has the handels which is a plus. I have bought this item for others. You wont regret getting this pool toy.

Whale
A great toy, very big, very sturdy and incredibly cute. A must buy.It is pure fun in the water.Lying on it in the peaceful ocean is like lying on clouds. If the waves are rocking it,its like surfing. The vinyl is not rough but very smooth so you cannot harm yourself at the seams.Has two air chambers for safer play(The main body and the fluke). Depending on lungpower takes 4-8 minutes to inflate. ... Read more

Asin: B00004YTPV
Subjects:  1. Outdoor Play    2. Water Toys   

The Ultimate Pool Maintenance Manual: Spas, Pools, Hot Tubs, Rockscapes and Other Water Features, 2nd Edition
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (27 September, 2000)
list price: $29.95 -- our price: $19.77
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (17)

NOT the best book to buy.
This is my first Amazon review, but I feel compelled to share this experience with others.

This book as said to be for the professional and the novice. It was said to contain all the information one could possibly need. It was suggested that you could take what you want from the weighty tome, and leave the rest. In reality the book is clearly NOT written for a new pool owner. In fact, its not written for an experience pool owner. The book was written for a pool repairman. Moreover, it does not contain the practicle information a pool professoinal would require to steer clients toward pool products.

Which cleaner should you get- Vacume or pressure driven? No answer here. What about a heating- Solar, oil, gas? No advice, no direction....

In fact, the book reads more like the diary of a pool man. About how one manufacurer was driven out of business by refusing to compromise quality, or how he cared for the pool of come Malibu celebrity.

Having recently purchased a home with an in-ground pool, I have read three books so far, and gotten quite and education. This book however failed in almost every regard. Finnally, the book deliniates ways of making money of customers as a pool professional. Information I simply have no use for.

Lastly, it bears mentioning that there is a quote on the book jacket from another Amazon reviewer "If you want to buy one book on swimming pools this is it!" Why not a quote from a noted pool authority or publication? Why quote some anonymous amzazon.com user like you or me? Most likely because there were no favorable reviews from newspapers or magazines.

This book was more then a waste of 30 dollars. It was also a waste of time. Unless you need to know how to change things like light fixtures in to pool. The book is not awful, so I gave it 2 stars, but I urge you to look elsewhere.

Good for service people, not as good for owners
There are too few pool books out there that go into enough detail on maintenance and water chemistry.So, for that reason, the book is great for an owner who wants to understand how to do simple maintenance or work better with a service company.However, there were a few things that bugged me about the book.As mentioned in a previous review, I agree that there was not enough information given to help choose between one product or another, which I would have liked to see.It is more about "when the owner has made a decision, here is how to make your money..."He even goes as far as cautioning the service person to think twice about recommending something like an automatic pool cleaner (like a Polaris) because the owner may then cancel service.On one hand, it is annoying that the author seems to tell the reader to do certain things to maximize profits instead of what is the right thing for the pool and owner.On the other hand, I guess I am glad (as an owner) to read the book so that I on a more even playing field and can more easily detect if someone is fleecing me.

good for a pro, not so good for a homeowner
this is certainly an informative book, but it is written for pool care pros.It speaks in the perspective of 'servicing your client' or...'based on your client's decision'...the problem that I had with that is that I sometimes turned to this book to help me make a decision on something.eg.I looked to the book to offer an opinion on solar heating systems and the section on solar heaters said something along the lines of, 'there are many kinds of solar pool heating options.once your client has chosen one, you can make extra money by contacting the manufacturer and learning how to service it for your client, although we recommend that you let the manufacturer handle the warranty repairs'...or something to that effect.

too much info that i didn't need and not enough that i did, and I'll probably have to buy another book.

not bad, just maybe not ideal for a non handyman homeowner who wants to learn the basics to keep from hiring a service.

hope that helps ... Read more

Isbn: 0071362398
Sales Rank: 3699
Subjects:  1. Engineering - Civil    2. Engineering - Mechanical    3. Maintenance and repair    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    5. Plumbing Technology    6. Reference    7. Swimming pools    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Water-supply    11. Technology / Engineering / Civil