Product review: Kombang disposable face masks, COVID-19 masks, five tests to test for good for COVID-19

 

 
This package of Kombang disposable face masks contains two packs of 25 masks (50 total).  The masks have a nose clip and passed a number of tests I do on each paper mask to ensure they are reliable (more on the tests below).

The masks fit comfortably over my face, do not pull on ears too much, and breathing in them is very easy.  I took the mask on and off several times while testing it, and the loops stayed attached and did not snap off, which appears to be a common issue with some of these masks.  

I found five tests to tell apart fake surgical masks and real surgical masks and performed three of the tests. The main test is the "water" test, which shows that the mask does not let through the water.  This means it keeps my spittle inside the mask and keeps other's people spittle away from me.

Since the masks passed those tests, I did not do the burn test, so I would have to destroy the mask.

Below are the five tests to tell part a good surgical mask from a bad one:

1. Light penetration
The real mask does not let the light through; the fake mask lets the light through.

2. Blow out a flame
You cannot blow out a flame through a real mask; you can flow out a flame through a fake face mask.

3. Hold water
The real mask holds water, the fake mask leaks.

4. Burn test
The filter in the real mask melts but does not burn; the filter in the fake mask burns with a flame.

5. Electrostatic attraction test
The real mask attracts particles; a fake mask does not.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Maconee Microwave Grill Pan for Cooking, Baking, Grilling

 

 This pan works pretty well!  I made grilled cheese sandwiches and grilled frozen veggies.  The sandwich had nice grill marks on the bottom, crispy on the bottom, nice firmness on the top - nothing at all like putting bread and cheese into a microwave.  The veggies went from frozen to cooked with slight browning on the bottom.  Each of these dishes took three minutes of pre-heating the pan and then three minutes of cooking.

The pan and the cover are both metal and very lightweight, so probably made out of aluminum.  The edges of the pan are covered with silicone. The pan and the cover get very hot. I use silicone instant pot mini mitts to handle the pot. Mini mitts cover just my fingers, and this is just what this grilling dish needs.

The package includes no detailed instructions, just one sheet with cooking time suggestions and the same brief instructions for cooking you see in the Amazon description.  This pan really expanded what I can do in a microwave. The next dish on my list to try - frozen pizza, and this pan will give me a non-soggy one or two splices at a time without using the oven.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Gaeruo Lady Shaver and Trimmer for Women, Electric Cordless shaver

 

This lady shaver comes with two heads, three combs, a cleaning brush, lubricating oil, a charging cable, and a storage bag.  The shaver is 6 inches long with a handle that is comfortable to hold.  The shaver gives a good close shave, and I like it a lot. 

However, the instructions I found inside the box don't seem to match Amazon's instructions and the text on the box.
1. The box and Amazon description say that the shaver can be used wet or dry.  However,  on page 5 of instructions, the instruction state that the shaver should not be submerged in water.
2. The instructions inside the box and the box only show and mention one head (the one attached to the body); there are no references to the second head.  However, the package includes two heads.

This is a cordless shaver, and it should not be used for shaving when plugged in.  The shaver has built-in batteries that can be recharged.  The light is red while the shaver is charging and green when it is fully charged.  The instructions recommend not leaving the shaver plugged in after it is fully charged.

Overall, I  like this shaver.  Since I found instructions about wet and dry use confusing, and the seller did not respond to a question I posted on the product page, I only use it dry.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Disposable Toilet Pad, Toilet Seat Cover, Public bathroom during COVID-19 by SOGUE

 

These toilet covers are made in China, and they must have smaller toilet seats because the opening of the covers is smaller than I expected - it is only 10" in the long direction.  This is not long enough for oval toilet seats. To make them work without getting wet, I need to enlarge the opening with scissors manually.

The toilet pad's material is nice, plastic on one side (facing down) and paper (facing up). 

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆ A

Product review: COOSA Essential Oil Diffuser, Hand-Crafted Glass Aroma Ultrasonic Humidifier

 

This diffuser comes with no instructions. It looks like a vase, so I poured water into the "vase" opening.  The entire 100 ml instantly leaked out on to the table.  I was ready to through away this diffuser and write a scathing 1-star review.
After moping up the puddle, I began examining where the leak was coming from and discovered that I could remove the glass dome with a little bit of force.  Once I removed the glass top, I saw a plastic container hidden inside the "vase."  This plastic container is where the water is supposed to go.  Any time you want to add more water, you need to remove the glass top.  This product does not include any instructions, and this product definitely needs instructions; it is not obvious what to do.

Once I added water to the plastic container inside, the diffuser operated without leaks.  The glass itself and how it changes when LED lights change the glass color are beautiful.  The diffuser mist is very thin; if you goal is to humidify the air, this diffuser will not do it.  However, it does enough to spread the scent and give me a pretty light show.

Knocking off a star for the lack of documentation.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: SMARTAKE 200 Pcs Air Fryer Liners, 6 Inches Round Non-Stick Steamer Mat, Premium Parchment Paper for Baking, Oven, Air Fryer, Bamboo Steamer

 

 The parchment paper fit my 6" air fryer perfectly.  The first time I used it, I did not distribute food evenly on the liner.  The side with fewer items was lifted and folded by the airflow as the food was not holding it down enough.  When the parchment was lifted, it also got singed on edge (with air fryer settings 360 degrees, 11 minutes).  Once I got a little more experience with distributing food on the liners, they work very well, leaving the air dryer cleaner and easy to clean.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: FLYGIENE Disposable Face Mask, Breathable 3 Ply Face Masks

 

This package contains 10 masks (two packs of 5 masks in each).  The masks have a nose clip and passed a number of tests I do on each paper mask to ensure they are reliable (more on the tests below).

The masks fit comfortably over my face, do not pull on ears too much, and breathing in them is very easy.  I took the mask on and off several times while testing it, and the loops stayed attached and did not snap off, which appears to be a common issue with some of these masks. 

I found five tests to tell apart fake surgical masks and real surgical masks and performed three of the tests. The main test is the "water" test, which shows that the mask does not let through the water.  This means it keeps my spittle inside the mask and keeps other's people spittle away from me.

Since the masks passed those tests, I did not do the burn test, so I would have to destroy the mask.

Below are the five tests to tell part a good surgical mask from a bad one:

1. Light penetration
The real mask does not let the light through; the fake mask lets the light through.

2. Blow out a flame
You cannot blow out a flame through a real mask; you can flow out a flame through a fake face mask.

3. Hold water
The real mask holds water, the fake mask leaks.

4. Burn test
The filter in the real mask melts but does not burn; the filter in the fake mask burns with a flame.

5. Electrostatic attraction test
The real mask attracts particles; a fake mask does not.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★