Better Coffee Begins At Home
Does the coffee from the local diner taste better than the stuff you make at home? Many java lovers have had that experience, and gone searching for a coffee maker that will deliver a tastier cup of coffee. Many seekers have found the answer in the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker, patterned on commercial restaurant-style makers, employing commercial-grade materials and a patented brewing technique that delivers 10 delicious and hot cups in just three minutes. Silver and black models are offered.

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A great cup of coffee from the Bunn BTX begins in the stainless steel tank that resists taste-destroying sediment and corrosion. The internal thermostat heats the water to exactly the right temperature to extract rich, full flavor from the coffee without burning it, while the patented spray head caresses the goodness out of the grounds without forcing out bitter oils. Here’s another nice option – if you live at high altitude, try the Bunn BTX(D) ThermoFresh Coffee Maker that adjusts for lower temperature requirements. Both good looking units feature sleek, modern design and a double-walled insulated carafe that is dishwasher safe. The safety switch that will turn the heat off if you forget, for security and peace of mind.

Take A Second Look
Some users find that the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker cannot accommodate a permanent, washable filter, so paper filters are the only option – and users trying to go green object. A smaller permanent filter won’t hold enough grounds for a full pot of coffee.

Overall Rating – 4.5 Stars
No one argues about the flavorful coffee produced by the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker. Stay home and get the rich, quality brew you’ve been going out to find. Good durability is an added bonus.

I found this excellent post on the HGTV site that should make doing kitchen remodeling on a budget a whole lot easier. The thing I loved about this article is that it gives you exactly what you need to know in a very short, compact article so you can learn and get to doing that much quicker.

Here is the link:

10 Steps To Budgeting For Your Kitchen Remodel

I should have a few more articles like this one going up in the next week or so.  Keep your eyes open for them and subscribe to my RSS feed.

I found this video on YouTube and decided I had to share it with you. Michael Watts, owner of Bel Air Construction in Forest Hill, MD takes you through the key points to consider when you are thinking of a kitchen remodeling project.

Consider it a late Christmas present! Here's part 1:

And here's part 2:

Michael does a great job of giving you things to consider without overwhelming you with pointless details while also giving you resources to consult for more information.

Both of these are very short (6-7 minutes) and will open your eyes to kitchen remodeling possibilities you probably hadn't considered.

I just wanted to write a short post to tell you we've made a site upgrade that will allow you to view our site with your iPhone or other smartphone much quicker and easier.  With the help of the WPTouch WordPress plugin, you can now choose to view our site as a normal web page or in a faster to navigate iPhone theme that allows you to see more of the website content on one page.

Moving into and beyond 2010, all the web experts are saying how important it is to have a mobile friendly site.  Sales of iPhones and other smartphones are still blazing and these people want to be able find information and products quickly without feeling like they have to conform to the full website page formula.  They appreciate the efforts of site owners to make their site work better with their lifestyles and not the other way around.

So, fire up your iPhone, Droid, Blackberry or other smartphone and browse our site.  Let me know what you think of the upgrade and any problems you experience with it.

Think of it as an early Christmas present to my readers!

Renovations Can Be Scary

Have you thought about doing any home renovations lately? It seems like a lot of folks I know are choosing to make changes to the homes they have, rather than try to sell and upgrade their living situation. They want a kitchen that functions better, with new appliances and a new layout that makes their work more efficient. Adding a work island that has power to it seems like a popular choice. Or, they are having the basement remodeled to provide more living space, and many are turning their bedroom over to one of the kids while adding a master suite addition.

Some of my friends and associates have had pretty bad experiences hiring a contractor to do the work. They don’t show up when scheduled, make a horrible mess they never clean up, or do a poor quality job. I started looking for a way to find reliable contractors to hire, and came across Renovation Experts.

Simple And Hassle-Free

The way they work is pretty simple, and it gives homeowners the confidence the work is going to be done by a contractor they can trust. You fill out a 3-step information form, and they send you a list of contractors in your area that specialize in the type of work you want done, from bathrooms and the plumbing issues involved, to kitchens which require a significant amount of electrical work. You contact the companies you want, have them out to look at the job, and they give you a no cost, no obligation estimate. Renovation Experts makes sure the contractors they put homeowners in touch with are qualified, licensed and insured, and have the expertise to do a great job.

If you are planning a renovation project to the interior or exterior of your home, it might be worth taking a look at Renovation Experts.

Convenience And Flavor In One Package
Cuisinart has been making life in the kitchen easier and more delicious for years. And nothing is more convenient or tastier than a fresh cup of coffee delivered by the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker. This line features a burr grinder which produces a more flavorful cup of coffee, never bitter or stale.

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Coffee from the can never matches the flavor of fresh ground beans, and all the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Makers keep the beans super fresh with a sealed lid to prevent moisture from compromising the flavor. Other reasons to select either the 12-cup DGB-700C or the 12-Cup DGB-900C include a large, 8 ounce bean hopper, a one-touch strength selector for a customized pot of coffee, and the 2-4 cup selector when making smaller quantities. The Commercial grade permanent water filter removes impurities, so every cup is pure delight. Program it up to 24 hours ahead, to have a fresh cup waiting, or hit the pause button once brewing is under way to pour yourself a hot cup when you don’t have time to wait.

Take a Second Look
Some users have found that the units shut off before brewing is finished, and that the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker is somewhat difficult to clean. Cuisnart does offer a good warranty on defective machines, and when cleaned, these makers produce a great cup of java.

Overall Rating - 4 Stars
All coffee makers require some cleaning, and with proper maintenance, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker is a good choice as a personal coffee maker, or for use when you have a house full of guests.

Kitchen Remodeling On The Cheap

I know the feeling...you want to update and refresh your kitchen but you're not interested in dropping big money right now.  I completely sympathize with you on that.  I feel the overwhelm myself when I look at my kitchen and start listing the things I'd like to change.  It doesn't take me long before I just get disgusted and quit.  The main reason is I start looking at the big ticket stuff first which is very limiting.   Instead, I should be starting from the simple stuff and work up.  The cool thing about doing this is that you can quickly see how to make an impact without ending up on the streets.

One of these simple and inexpensive things is your kitchen faucet.

Wide Range Of Styles And Prices

Faucets are one of those things you've got a dizzying array of choices that run the gamut from very simple and sophisticated to incredibly elegant.  The cool part is it's all up to you.  Just take a look at a site like eFaucets.com and you'll see what I mean.  They've got every make and model I've ever heard of at great prices and many with no shipping charges.  Bop on over there for a quick peek.

It's All Up To You

Take a second look at that kitchen refresh project and see if you can't start off on the lower end of the price rainbow.  You'll be amazed at how much a new kitchen faucet by itself will improve the look of your kitchen and inspire you to make even more inexpensive upgrades.

The Right Choice for the Coffee Connoisseur

Coffee lovers can be very precise about the flavor and strength of their favorite brews. When they become really picky, uh, we mean precise, they are called connoisseurs! We can all relate to that, because at times we need a rich, dark brew, maybe to get going in the morning, and at other times we want a lighter cup, that serves as a perfect complement to our raspberry cheese cake. You get the idea, and Keurig does, too. They have designed the Keurig B70 Single Cup Coffee Maker with us in mind. Also known as the Platinum Brewing System, the B70 offers options that include the choice of 5 sizes, water temperature, and strength of the brew. That translates into “ah, perfect” results every time. The B70 also offers Keurig’s 60 ounce reservoir that makes this well-crafted unit perfect for entertaining.

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When you enjoy a thoroughly customizable cup of your favorite hot beverage, the B70 Platinum Brewing System will deliver, especially when used with the K-Cup system that features delicious hot brews from some of the tastiest names in the beverage business. The coffee maker is fast enough to make 6-8 guests each their choice of hot drink in about the time it would take to brew a “one taste fits all” pot.

Take a Second Look
This is a fairly pricey coffee maker, let’s be honest. But if you’ve decided to spend a little more to get a lot more for your coffee dollar, the K70 will not disappoint. You’ll cut down on your purchases of coffee at the gourmet shops, since you have better variety and more convenience at home, and suddenly the cost is much more reasonable.

Overall Rating – 4.5 Stars
The B70 is fantastic for its customizable options. It may not deliver as many extras over the B60 as the price jump would suggest – our only possible concern in an otherwise stellar product.

Make Your Home the “Go To” Place for Gourmet Coffee!

Coffee is the communal beverage of the masses. What do we say to a friend we haven’t seen lately? “Let’s get together for a cup of coffee!” Gourmet coffee houses continue to be popular gathering spots in neighborhoods and malls. Now, however, Keurig gives you the option of bringing that gourmet coffee experience and convenience into your home, where you and your friends will be much more comfortable, with more elbow room, the background music you choose, and no door that opens every 7 seconds to let in another blast of cold air. The Keurig B60 Single Coffee Cup Maker is the perfect choice when you have an eclectic clan or bunch of pals that would never experience unity over one brand or flavor of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. This machine uses the revolutionary K-Cup brewing system that delivers one super quick, ultra-fresh, hot gourmet beverage after another, with total prep time for each being under a minute.

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If hospitality is your thing, and you regularly have a small crowd sitting around your table or living room, the Keurig B60 will keep a hot drink in everyone’s hand with ease and style. Brew the size cup and strength of the blend you want with digital control panel. The 48 ounce removable reservoir goes 6 cups deep before refilling, and the drip tray slides out so you can also slip in the monster travel mug for your morning commute.

Take a Second Look
If you buy a Keurig B60, plan to also keep a well-stocked supply of delicious K-Cup varieties on hand, to make the most of this unit, and to keep your friends coming back for more. Consider that cost when making your selection, and look around to find the most affordable online places to purchase them.

Overall Rating – 5
The Keurig B60 and the K-Cup system put a world of hot, delicious drinks on your kitchen counter. It will enhance every family meal or gathering of friends.

A Cup of Coffee Can Change Everything!

Coffee lovers know the value of a perfect cup of coffee, or two. Getting up on a Monday morning is something to look forward to when you know a hot mug of your favorite drink is just a few moments away. A groggy afternoon when your productivity is crashing takes on new energy with a fresh-brewed mug. Quiet evenings with a book or romantic ones with a lover are exquisite when something hot and gourmet is added to the mix. The Keurig B40 Single Cup Coffee Maker makes the difference. Add 8 ounces of water to this mini brewing system and it becomes your personal barrista. When it’s more than you and a friend, opt for the B40 Elite Brewing System that flawlessly delivers up to 6 customized cups at one refill. All K-cup coffee, teas, and hot cocoa mixes turn out rich, hot, and inviting.

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The Keurig B40 Single Cup Coffee Maker system is raved about by hot drink aficionados everywhere. They love its ability to turn out a rich, freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea in about the time it would take to make “instant” brands. And the K-cup variety means that every cup is perfectly customized to the taste of the individual, whether it’s just you at home with the 8 oz. model, or you and a handful of friends employing the 48 oz. version.

Take a Second Look
The K-Cup drinks are extremely convenient, but are fairly expensive. However, if you believe that life is too short to drink cheap coffee, tea, or cocoa, you won’t mind. And neither will your guests!

Overall Rating—5

A perfect cup of hot, flavorful coffee, etc., every time certainly garners our highest rating! The compelling assortment of drink options allows you to make every cup a memorable one.