Scoop Net Reviews

Archive for November, 2011

Best wood stove

Pros

• Holds a fire all night
• Radiates heat up to 12 hours per load
• EPA certified for low emissions
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Not for quick short fires
• Needs reloading after about eight hours
• Complaints about ash-pan design
• Some reports of poor fit and finish

The Hearthstone Heritage woodstove uses soapstone for extra mass, so it radiates heat for about four hours even if you let the fire go out. It's rated for up to 1,900 square feet; the larger Hearthstone Mansfield model is available for larger areas. Both stoves have earned EPA certification for low emissions. They also have nice features: a lifetime warranty, a large glass window for viewing the fire, plus a side door for easy loading. There's also an ash pan to ease cleanup, but it gets a lot of criticism from owners. The stove is easily adapted to burn only outside air (to minimize indoor pollution). Experts recommend this type of stove if you live in a cold climate that requires heat all winter long. For quicker, briefer heat, consider a steel-bodied woodstove such as the Vogelzang Defender TR001 (*est. $600).

We found the most objective information on the Hearthstone Heritage from Hearth and Home, based on the stove's EPA-tested emissions. A chart at The Chimney Sweep adds useful information about burn time, maximum BTUs and average BTUs as a load of wood burns. The owner-written reviews at Hearth.com add much more detail, as does a long review by Chris Hardwick. Articles in Mother Earth News, Newsweek and GreenYour.com discuss the Hearthstone Heritage, but don't document any testing. The recent buyer's guide at FineHomebuilding.com recommends this general type: a noncatalytic EPA-certified stove. It's a fine article that we rank last only because it doesn't discuss specific brands.

Budget yoga mat

Pros

• Terrific value
• Thick and comfortable
• Many different colors

Cons

• Made with PVC
• Chemical odor

Some yoga mats can cost nearly $100, which may be more than some students are willing to pay. The Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat gets very positive user reviews and at less than $20, it’s a real bargain. The mat is 74 inches long and 1/4 inch thick, so it provides more cushioning than the average yoga mat. This is a plus for heavier users and those who need more cushioning for their wrists and knees. Reviewers appreciate the Yoga Accessories mat’s plush feel, and they rave about the comfort and stability the mat provides. The Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat is made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so it’s not an eco-friendly option. On the other hand, PVC is known for its durability, and the yoga mat comes with a limited lifetime warranty. While the vast majority of reviewers are happy with the Yoga Accessories mat, a number of users complain about a strong chemical odor. This odor should diminish with time, but some users say they can never get rid of it completely.

There are few resources available to evaluate budget yoga mats, so Amazon.com remains the best source of information on the Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat and other budget mats. Amazon.com sells a number of yoga mats, and the Yoga Accessories mat gets some of the highest ratings, with the largest number of reviews. Over 230 users review the mat on Amazon.com, providing a wealth of user feedback on this yoga mat.

*Est. 0
Reviewed
October 2010

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Small generator for electronics and computers, 2,000 watts
Pros
Inverter engine provides reliable current
Inexpensive for an inverter generator
Meets CARB, CSA and EPA standards
Can run in economy mode
Relatively lightweight for its power
Cons
Not as quiet as Honda, Yamaha inverter models
Only two AC outlets

Where to Buy

for 3.09

for 5.00

See All Stores

Our Analysis
89 Amazon Reviews
The 2,000-watt Honeywell HW2000i surges to 2,100 watts, and its inverter technology produces consistent electricity recommended for running sensitive electronics like computers. It’s compact and light enough to be ideal for camping or tailgating, but can also power several household appliances during a power outage. In economy mode, the engine speed is automatically adjusted according to the electrical load, minimizing noise and fuel consumption. If you don’t need inverter technology and want more power for a little less money, the 3,250-wattGenerac5724 (*Est. 0)may be a good fit.
The Honeywell HW2000i is a best seller at ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com, where editors pick it as a recommended model and owners have posted positive reviews. The HW2000i also receives top ratings from owners posting reviews at Walmart.com and Amazon.com. The Handyman Club of America posts a video of the HW2000i on YouTube.

*Est. ,700

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Large-capacity multi-fuel pellet stove
Pros
Burns many different fuels
81-pound hopper
Programmable thermostat
Auto-clean feature
Cons
Price
Some owners say it’s inefficient
Shorter warranties on other parts

Where to Buy
Price and find a local dealer at QuadraFire.com

Our Analysis
February 2009.This 60,200-BTU Quadra-Fire multi-fuel stove is rated for heating up to 3,800 square feet. Its main advantage is that it automatically adjusts to burn a wide range of biomass fuels, important since local supplies can vary in price and availability. Fuels include sunflower seeds, wheat, corn and various grades of pellets. The Quadra-Fire Mt. Vernon stove’s 81-pound hopper and programmable thermostat minimize upkeep, and if the electricity goes out you can run it from a car battery. Smaller Quadra-Fire multi-fuel stoves are also available, all with lifetime warranties on the firebox and various shorter warranties on other parts. If wood pellets are readily available in your area, and you don’t need to heat this much space, consider the 50,000-BTU Harman XXV (*est. ,000).
We found a critique of the Quadra-Fire Mt. Vernon stove at Dulley.com, where the brand is covered in a buyer’s guide. User ratings of this stove are also helpful. We found comments at WiseHeat.com and Hearth.com.

*Est. 0
Reviewed
May 2011

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Budget gas grill
Pros
Lots of features
Even heating
Porcelain-coated, cast-iron cooking grates
Inexpensive
Cons
Questionable durability
Short warranty

Where to Buy
9.00 at HomeDepot.com

Our Analysis
Last year’s pick as best budget grill, the Brinkman 810-8411-5, has been replaced by the 810-2410-SB, also sold at Home Depot. Other than cosmetics, there are no changes. In a comparison test, this inexpensive Brinkmann gas grill ranks below more expensive Weber grills, and durability is also a question mark. Still, it’s feature-laden for its price, with four stainless-steel burners, a side burner and a warming rack. It includes a pre-assembled cart with a flip-out accessory rack; there’s even a bottle opener. A similar Brinkmann grill, the810-1415-W(*Est. 0), is available at Walmart.com. If you’re willing to spend more, the three-burnerWeber SpiritE-310 (*Est. 0)should be more durable, but it doesn’t have as many extra features as the Brinkmann grill.
We found professional evaluations of the Brinkmann 810-2410-SB on ConsumerReports.org, About.com and Good Housekeeping. User comments at Walmart.com address overall performance and potential problems with long-term use.

*Est. 0
Reviewed
October 2010

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Small 1,400-watt budget generator
Pros
Inexpensive
Low-oil shutdown feature
Relatively light weight
Four-cycle engine doesn’t require oil and gas mix
Cons
One-year warranty
Must use specific service centers for repairs
Not as quiet as some

Where to Buy

for 9.99

See All Stores

Our Analysis
102 Amazon Reviews
The 1,400-watt All Power America APG3014 surges to 2,000 watts. Its four-stroke engine runs for 9.5 hours per tank of gas (at half load) and its noise is rated at 68 decibels. This budget-priced portable generator has two 120-volt outlets and a 12-volt DC outlet and comes with battery charging cables — handy for restarting a car battery. The engine automatically shuts off when the oil gets too low, a feature rarely found among generators in this price range. It is also fairly lightweight, at 57 pounds. The APG3014 comes with a one-year warranty. Because you have to take it to an All Power America service center for repairs, it might be worth checking to make sure there’s one near you before you buy.
Owners posting reviews online give it high ratings overall, but a few complain about customer service, and some people say their generators didn’t perform well from the beginning. If you can pay more and want a more powerful generator, the 3,250-wattGenerac5724 (*Est. 0)also gets good reviews from owners and comes with a longer warranty.
We found owner reviews of the All Power America APG3014 at Amazon.com and Northern Tool and Equipment, and a recent review that seems to be based on hands-on testing appears on the site PortableGeneratorsReviews.net.

*Est. 0 for 18.5-inch size
Reviewed
August 2011

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Best all-around smoker
Pros
Can smoke as low as 220 degrees Fahrenheit
Relatively low price
10-year warranty on body
Easy access for adding charcoal
Vents allow good temperature control
Cons
Thermometer is inaccurate, some say
Tight fit for a rack of ribs in 18.5-incher

Where to Buy

for 1.04

for 1.04

for 9.00

for 9.00

See All Stores

Our Analysis
162 Amazon Reviews
Reviewers praise the 18.5-inch Weber Smokey Mountain as a reasonably priced charcoal smoker that can hold its own against models costing much more. One expert says the 18.5-inch Weber smoker can maintain lower cooking temperatures than its22.5-inchcounterpart (*Est. 0)(*Est. 0), an important factor because long, slow smoking produces the most flavorful foods. Like any charcoal smoker, the Weber Smokey Mountain requires continual monitoring of its fuel supply, but a hinged door (which one reviewer calls “slightly flimsy”) makes it easy to restock charcoal as meat smokes. There’s also a 10-year warranty against rust and burn-through. Weber added a thermometer to 2009 models, but we read complaints about its accuracy — a common comment about built-in smoker thermometers in general. The more expensive largeBig Green Egg(*Est. 0)has a lifetime warranty and can cook at an even lower constant temperature (150 degrees Fahrenheit, compared with 220 degrees for the 18.5-inch Weber).
No source covers more charcoal smokers than AmazingRibs.com, and reviewer Craig “Meathead” Goldwyn says the 18.5-inch Weber Smokey Mountain is a great value for the price, although a tight fit for a full rack of ribs. Cook’s Illustrated magazine’s editors test the 18.5-inch Smokey Mountain along with two other smokers and rate and compare them. We found other credible reviews from About.com’s Derrick Riches, Food & Wine magazine’s Christine Quinlan and blogger Jason Perlow. TheNibble.com and ProPitmaster.com also offer brief reviews and recommendations. Amazon.com has more than 350 owner reviews, and Chowhound.com and Buzzillions.com offer more; most owners report a high degree of satisfaction with their Smokey Mountain smokers.

*Est. 0

Overview
Specs
Where To Buy

Natural-gas patio heater
Pros
Big 34-inch reflector spreads warmth
Adjusts up to 50,000 BTUs
Gas hose for moving around patio
Three-year warranty
Cons
Stainless-steel base costs extra
Requires installation

Where to Buy

for

See All Stores

Our Analysis
We found the best information about the Easy Radiant Free-Standing Patio Heater at a retail site, Patio-Heater-Direct.com. The manufacturer’s site is also helpful and includes a link to independent performance tests by the Food Service Technology Center.
Experts recommend natural gas as the least expensive fuel, though professional installation can add to the initial cost. The Easy Radiant Free-Standing patio heater comes with a gas hose so you can move it around the patio; an optional wheel kit (*est. ) helps move its 104-pound weight. One of this patio heater’s outstanding features is the 34-inch reflector, important in spreading warmth evenly over a 20-foot-wide circle. The three-year warranty is also outstanding. The base is powder-coated (in black or green) but you can opt for a stainless-steel base (*est. 5). If you’d rather spend less for a propane-fueled standing patio heater, consider the Garden Sun Outdoor Propane Patio Heater (*est. 5), which has a slightly smaller reflector and warms a smaller area.

WordPress.com reviews

Best blog hosting service

Pros

• Easy to use
• No coding needed
• Lots of templates
• Categories and tags
• Statistics available

Cons

• Limited customization
• Text ads on free plan

If you only want to start a personal blog, you don’t really need a full-featured web host, you can go with a free blog host instead. Reviews say WordPress.com offers plenty of features and is relatively easy to learn. Features include many templates, spell-checking, a private blog option, statistics and a support forum. It’s based on open-source software, so add-ins are available. Different pricing levels are available, but the free blog hosting plan now places unobtrusive Google text ads on your blog.

We found the best comparison reviews of WordPress.com at PC Magazine and PC World, both of which describe both advantages and drawbacks clearly. Blogging consultant Stephanie Booth recommends WordPress.com after evaluating even more free blog hosts, and Top Ten Reviews ranks WordPress.com in relation to a field of ten. Publishing expert Robin Good’s review is the most thorough, but aimed at very sophisticated bloggers with a lot of technical expertise.

Opera 11 Browser Review

Best browser for older, slower computers

Pros

• Uses less memory than other browsers
• Loads quickly on slow connections and older computers
• Improved customization

Cons

• Not compatible with some popular sites
• Doesn’t support Netflix “Watch Instantly” feature

Sleek and quick like Chrome and customizable like Firefox, Opera has had fans among the experts for years, although the computer browser has never gained a larger popular base. It’s the best choice for older, slower computers, as Opera requires less memory and takes advantage of caching so it often runs when other browsers might crash. On the downside, Opera doesn’t work with some popular sites and isn’t compatible with the Watch Instantly feature on Netflix that allows users to stream movies and TV shows online.

Reviews concur that Opera 11 belongs in the top five, but doesn’t have all the advantages of Firefox and Chrome. Nathan Alderman at Macworld likes Opera for its speed and compliance with web standards. CNET has a rundown of Opera’s features with some critique.