Appliance Reviews

It's inexpensive, doesn't have to be plugged in and doesn't need ice or salt--three things plenty of folks are looking for in an ice-cream maker!

The ice cream turns out pretty good (if you use a good recipe!), and it is just the right amount of ice cream for 2-4 people after dinner--just start it about 4 hours before! Also, since it's such a small amount of ice cream, you don't have to worry about hard-to-find additives that will make it still "scoopable" the next day--it will be eaten by then!

It cleans up easily, as long as you don't overfill the cups and rubberband the top on so it doesn't slip.

IT'S STILL CHEAP, THOUGH. I use mine a couple of times a week, and it definitely shows some wear (gears slip occaisionally). In my case, having this machine for a few months has convinced me that I WILL make ice cream often, and therefore a heavy-duty machine will be cost-effective for me.

But for people who will only use the machine a few times a month and are on a budget, this ice-cream maker is ideal!

This ice cream maker takes AA batteries and your refrigerator's freezer to work. It takes 4-5 hours for it to complete the ice cream. The results? Two scoops of creamy tasty ice cream. If you are willing to wait so long for so little reward, this ice cream maker is well worth it.

I purchased this model from a retail outlet about 8 months ago. In fact, I purchased two - one for myself and one as a gift. It really does a very good job of keeping beverages cold, and because of its small size, it's really handy. The bad news is that after the first 6 months, the motor got really loud... REALLY loud... and then died. I thought perhaps it was just mine, but the one I gave as a gift went through the same process and is now gone, as well. At these prices, I guess they're a disposable item, but they should really have lasted a bit longer than they did.

I bought this machine in May 2003 and seemed like a great idea to have in my office. However, the motor on the fridge now makes really loud sounds and when I bought the machine it was quiet.
Also you really have to store/buy really compact containers and juices to fit in fridge, because it is rather small. I'm not sure if the motor is planning on giving up but it sure sounds that way. If you are a person who eats kidsize portions of food and doesn't bring leftovers in big tupperware dishes, then this product may be for you. Otherwise, invest in a quality fridge that will last longer than this product seems too.

The features of this fridge are all good. Keeps food cold but can also warm things up! Only $80 thats a pretty good deal. But don't be fooled all; all that fits is a lunch bag and a bottle of pop. Anymore stuff and your out of luck. I always like to keep at least 3 kinds of soda on hand and maybe some cheese... you know a bunch stuff to nibble on throghout the day. If your like me. Look at the size of the fride before you buy it!

I was so thrilled to receive this large food processor for Christmas after having to use a 2 (or 3?)-cup Proctor Silex for 3 years. I almost gave that little chopper away.... Thank goodness I didn't!

My first day with the food processor started out wonderfully. I chopped tomatoes, apples, pears, lettuce - whatever I could find in the fridge that warranted a good chopping :). Then I made hummus. As soon as all the ingredients turned into a lovely paste, I heard a horrible grinding sound. The machine stopped. A suspicious smell of burning plastic wafted through the air. It would only work in spots after that - and then it just wouldn't work at all.

We exchanged the machine for a new one exactly like the first, hoping that the first one we got stopped working because of a manufacturing fluke. After washing all of the pieces (except the base, of course)and putting them all together, the second food processor made a short grinding noise and then wouldn't start at all. What a joke.

If you want to save time and spare yourself some aggravation, don't buy this product. I'm back to using the little chopper until we can find an affordable and functioning larger food processor. It may be less convenient, but at least it works. :)

This Food processor just didn't make it.
We had it less than two months and it stopped grinding while the motor continued going and it started to smoke.

I was able to get it to work a little longer but it won't turn off unless I slam my fist against the button or twist the top off. It is also a pain to clean. Food gets stuck under the stem and whenever I am blending liquids (ie eggs) of some sort, the stuff leaks out.

My daughter cut her finger on the slicer disc while taking it out of the dishwasher.

Maybe there is a better one out there.

When I went shopping for a food processor, I passed on the low-slung, low wattage belt-drive models. True, all I'm mainly doing is prepping veggies and meats before combining them in a slow cooker but I don't enjoy replacing cheapie small appliances on a regular basis. I prefer to get the best I can afford, instead of saving money on a throw-away gadget.

The Black & Decker FP1500 has a much more substantial look and feel than the rest of the B&D line. Although the specifications don't mention whether it uses belt-drive (bad), gear drive (better) or direct drive (best), the shape and the weight distribution of the base unit suggest it's one of the latter pair. The clincher for me, aside from its power and capacity, were those 5 magical words: "Removable parts are dishwasher safe."

The FP1500 isn't the quietest food processor on the counter, compared to those whispering workhorses from the likes of KitchenAid, Robot-Coup and, to a lesser extent, the latter-day Cuisinart line. But it also doesn't drain your checking account or credit card limit of 3 to 5 C-Notes. As a quick chopper, slicer and mincer, it's ideal and looks like it'll last a long time. Though it's not really up to, say, weekly batches of bread dough, a dough mixing blade is included. For about a quarter the price of a set of fancy knives, it'll get you through food preparation tasks quickly and, unlike those knives, it cleans up in the dishwasher.

I bought one for my mother. It lasted about 4 months. It might be ok for occasional use but not for continuous use.

Great little frige. Good size and keeps everything cold. Only one thing, it stops working after one and a half months!

Great while it lasted, died after about 3-4 months of occasional use.

This blender was plugged in in my room. It then exploded, and destroyed all of my possessions which cannot be replaced. Do not buy this blender.

After only a half-dozen uses, the the round white piece that connects the glass pitcher part to the base, called the "jar base," cracked, making a mess and rendering the blender useless.

I have purchased 2 of these blenders and I am sorry to say it was a BIG mistake!!! We had to by a new ring for it within 2 months and then the blade assembly cracked. so we bought a new one and less then 4 months later the new one also had the blade assembly cracked... Very shoddy blenders!!!!

While it was working it was a great product. When the power supply went out I could never get a replacement.

I purchased 2 of these units for my daughters. One has been returned and the other is about to be returned. Out of the box they run constantly for days and eventually do not operate any longer.

Great little wine fridge that worked great and was pretty quiet. However, the unit would never shut off (even after actively cooling for an entire day) then died after just two weeks. Forget about the warranty, I am returning this one for a refund.

The cellar is perfect for smaller spaces but the low hum is not enjoyable. The fan is on constantly so we decided to return it.