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Hansgrohe at Costco!

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Now this was definitely a surprise. On a whim, I made a quick visit to the Iwilei Costco and what did I see? In plentiful stock is the Hansgrohe Allegro E Gourmet kitchen faucet!

That’s $249.99 for a faucet that typically runs over $300. No wait, no shipping costs, just pay at the register, and walk out with a Hansgrohe.

This Allegro E Gourmet (part #04275805) is in the steel optic finish and comes with a lifetime warranty. This may be a Costco “special” version however. Just keep in mind that if physically similar to other Allegro E kitchen faucets, this is a large faucet. It’s 16 1/2″ high, has a 11 3/8″ projection, and the spout height is 10″. But at the cost, you can’t really complain. 🙂

Confused About Hansgrohe Talis S Kitchen Faucets

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Hansgrohe has a good selection of high quality kitchen faucets, and I was intrigued once I saw my first Hansgrohe in action and up close. Heck, I even went with their Focus S Remodel Kit after learning about it. So why not continue the trend with a kitchen faucet?

While I originally like the Allegro E stylings, that water splashing was just way too much. I’m wondering if that 11 1/2″ spout height has anything to do with the force of the water splashing down on dishes? So I’m looking at other Hansgrohe kitchen faucets and the high arc Talis S looks cool. But there are a few models of the Talis S (not counting the smaller prep faucets) that is confusing.

Their web site shows:

Then there’s also the “old” Talis S from what I understand. So which one is which? The current Talis S is a 2.2 GPM model and has an angled handle.

The “old” Talis S has a handle that is at 90-degrees (not slightly angled) and needs clearance behind the faucet profile for hot water. If your sink backspalsh is too close, the “old” Talis S handle would bump into it.

The “old” Talis S sounds like the Interaktiv HighArc2 model which sounds like the Talis S HighArc 2-Spray Pull-Down. These feature a 360-degree range of motion for the spout and a movable body for cleaning purposes. There is no mention of magnetic docking for the spray head.

The Talis S2 is a water-conserving 1.5 GPM faucet, has a magnetic docking spray head but only swivels 150 degrees. It has the slightly angled handle.

Then there is the Talis S. It’s 2.2 GPM, has the angled handle, needs no clearance for hot water, and has the magnetic spray head. Both the Talis S and S2 are 16 1/2″ tall with a 8 3/4″ projection. The spout height is 8 7/8″, a few inches lower than the Allegro E Kitchen Faucet. All of these come in finishes of chrome or steel optik.

You can find any and all of these models on Amazon but be sure you have the right model number for which Talis S you want. You might be able to find these stocked locally in Hawaii, just depends. As of today, I know Ferguson Hawaii has the Talis S available. Here’s a picture of their inventory on the shelf (looks like a mix of Talis S and the HighArc 2-Spray Pull-Down), but they supposedly have more in the warehouse.

Toto Suggested

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After looking at home improvement stuff on Amazon, its mighty match feature suggested I check out toilets including those by Toto. Wow, scary. I, in fact, did take a look at Toto toilets at Hawaii Home Expo.

Sometimes, Amazon’s recommendations are right on the money. Other times, not so much.

Special Kit for Hansgrohe Focus S

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If you’re in the market for new bathroom fixtures and are looking for something a little different, then you’re in luck. Hansgrohe has bundled a special boxed kit with its Focus S line.

The Focus S Remodel Kit comes with everything you need to outfit a typical one sink/one tub bathroom arrangement. The kit includes:

  • Tub spout with diverter
  • Shower arm
  • Shower head
  • Control valve
  • iBox Universal rough in
  • Focus S sink faucet (w/base plate)

That’s German designed, American made, and award winning design. Oh, but chrome finish only. Here’s a Hansgrohe video about this promotion.

Get the Flash Player to see this video.

https://media.dreamhost.com/mp4/swfobject.js

var swf = new SWFObject(“https://media.dreamhost.com/mp4/player.swf”, “mpl”, “540”, “379”, 8);
swf.addParam(“allowfullscreen”, “true”);
swf.addParam(“allowscriptaccess”, “always”);
swf.addVariable(“file”, “https://www.pulpconnection.net/movies/Focus_S_video_3_540x360.flv”);
swf.addVariable(“image”, “https://www.pulpconnection.net/movies/Focus_S_video_3_540x360.jpeg”);
swf.write(“v811”);

As far as costs goes, it might depend on the retailer. Check out my favorite, T.Oki aka Hawaii Home Expo, for their low prices, but other Hawaii vendors carry Hansgrohe products as well.

Why Not? Booty Pop!

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With a name like Booty Pop, you have to blog about it! The concept is simple – wear specially padded underpants that well, makes your booty pop. Still not grasping the Booty Pop? This video will help.

Anyone want to share their Booty Pop experiences?

Utopia Is Breezy

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Did you know that Utopia is cool and breezy? It must be with these Utopian ceiling fans from Casablanca. Despite its basic appearance, this fan is all performance, moving more air than many competing products.

You can find this popular ceiling fan online, but be sure to check out the Fan Shop in Aiea. Currently, their sale price beats online pricing. However, any accessories like a light kit, remote control, etc. are additional costs.

Blue Star, Bertazzoni, NXR?

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You ever heard of cooking ranges from Blue Star, Bertazzoni, or NXR? Me neither. But if you’re in the market for ranges with fanatic fan bases, consider these three brands.

I only started doing some research, but these three brands seem to have the most advocates. It all started with basic ranges like those found at Sears – Kenmore, Whirlpool, LG, Kitchen Aid, GE Profile. Then the search jumped to the high end like Viking, Wolf, GE Monogram, and Theramdor. Then I started reading about other niche brands in online forums. There are frequent discussions comparing various ranges but the most commonly mentioned are from Blue Star, Bertazzoni, and NXR.

Of course, all of these are difficult to get in Hawaii although NXR said they ship right away. But Blue Star has the biggest oven which is one of our criteria… But since time is also an issue, these three may be out of the picture.

The Behemoth from LG Is Now at Sears

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LG’s 31-cu ft behemoth of a refrigerator is no longer a Home Depot exclusive. It’s available at Sears under the Kenmore Elite line (model 72053), and this week’s Best Buy ad shows the LG version on sale (model LFX31925ST).

While most of these models are the same, there are subtle differences, like the fruit and vegetable drawers. The LG version at Home Depot has three smaller drawers while the Kenmore features two larger drawers.

LG model with 3 drawers
Kenmore model with 2 drawers

Update: Thanks to reader Fauguy who pointed out that the freezer drawers and water dispensers are also different.

LG Water Dispenser
LG Water Dispenser Closeup
Kenmore Water Dispenser

The other major difference is cost.

Home Depot has the LFX3192ST for $2348 and in store, Sears has their 72053 (Sears Item# 04672053000) for about $2500 unless… while taking your vehicle in to Sears for battery maintenance, you wander to the appliance section and see this pricing.

Odd, you think to yourself. At other local Sears locations, you swear the price is higher. Then doing an Internet search, you realize that that price is the online price which shouldn’t apply to Hawaii. So… you jump at the opportunity of this printed price and go for it. And sure enough when the register shows a higher price at checkout, the sales guy honors the printed price (then takes the price tag down). And don’t forget to use your Sears card for an additional 5% off. 🙂

Gyu-Kaku Now at Windward Mall

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Sadly Farrell’s in Windward Mall closed down, but in its place is now Gyu-Kaku. At this Yakiniku-style restaurant, you cook your own food at the table, and you can also order prepared side dishes. We had an early dinner so it was empty but at 7:00pm, you couldn’t find an open table.

We ordered a variety of dishes, but I must have been hungry since I was more busy eating than taking pictures. The protein dishes were a little on the skimpy side for the cost, but the side dishes were well worth it. The kids enjoyed the cheese nuggets and little sausages. I ordered the spicy tofu which I didn’t care for at first, but the more you eat it, you appreciate its delicate flavors and texture.

Overall, a great dinner. Just don’t try to use Gyotaku coupons at Gyu-Kaku, these are different restaurants. 😉

Kincaids Puts Fathers In Their Place

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Ward Warehouse restaurant, Kincaid’s, knows how to put dads in their place on Father’s Day. If you dined at Kincaid’s on Father’s Day, you were also given a discount coupon for your next visit. Nice! But look closely at the coupon. They’re “repurposed” from Mother’s Day! So Dads, Kincaid’s knows who’s important in the family.  We’re not worthy. 🙂

Amazon Recommended?!?

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Ha, I don’t know what I bought to get these recommendations from Amazon. What an eclectic mix – a cigarette lighter, instant ramen, and um… a fishnet bodysuit?!

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