KitchenArt 57010 Select-A-Spice Auto-Measure Carousel Professional Series, Satin

--Review Updated---! See new information at the end of the review !!>-----BEGIN ORIGINAL REVIEW June 26, 2013----->So I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this thing. I mean, if it worked as advertised it would be a great addition to my kitchen, but if the reviews I had been reading turned out to be true, then I was sure to be disappointed. Negative reviews included that they leak, and are cheaply made.So I just got mine, and so far I haven't had much problem. Of course I will be updating this review because I am not so sure about some points, but overall I am pleasantly surprised.First of all I will address the filling of these spice containers (as this is the first thing one does after washing them out and letting them dry.Filling them was not super easy at first. If you are like me, you have all sorts of bottles and jars of spice of all sizes and shapes. Some tins even. Some can spill right in, but that is rarely the case. I tried a funnel at first, but because of the way the funnel sits in the top (not straight), that was more trouble than it was worth. I was thinking that I could try a larger funnel, but that just made the problem worse. The solution for me was to cut a strip of paper (I used heavy bristol sketch paper) an a shape that is narrower on one end and wider on the other end. Folding this in half I ended up with a perfect little spice chute that made the containers a breeze to fill up with no spillage. One thing to note is that the container might seem full, but there is a lip twords the back of the spice container near the top that prevents it from being filled up all the way at first. Give the container a good shake with the lid sealed to let it settle then top it the rest of the way off.Next lets talk about the construction quality.This set was not exactly what I would consider expensive. At the same time it is fair to expect a product to live up to the basic requirements of the description no matter the price. I think this does that (so far). None of the containers are leaking, nor do any of them seem either mis-aligned or not sealed properly. I get a satisfying "click" when I replace the top. I have not been juggling with them or anything so I cannot speak to hard use yet, but so far they seem pretty adequate. I do not have a mess by or near my spice rack. They do not feel like they are made of solid gold, but I think they feel equal to their price, and so far they live up to the advertised claims on that front.And then the "Patented Dispenser Dial" Thingy.This is where I deducted one star. This might be a case of me not completely understanding the mechanics of the dispensing technique yet, but I feel like more than a quarter TSP is being dispensed per click. I have no actual scientific measurements to back this up, and I could be wrong. Also, there is a "door" thing below each dispenser that keeps the door shut between servings. This door prevents leaks and also completes the seal for storage. It makes sense, but there are a couple of issues with this current design. One is that if the dial is turned while this door is closed, spice will back-up. Meaning that if you open the door in this case, spice will come out regardless of if you are ready for it. NBD, but not something I expected. Also the door prevents one-handed operation as you have to hold the dispenser and open the door with your other hand to get it rolling. This is no big deal. If the item is indeed dispensing the correct quantity per "click" of the wheel, none of things are of issue to me. Personally, I am not sure there is a way to improve this that I can think of.Included LabelsThe labels that are supplied with the device are, well, stupid. They are in some space-age font that looks like it came from a free font site. I do graphics, so maybe this is a thing no one else will mind, but the labels to me look like subway signs from the year 2100. Like they are trying way too hard to be futuristic. Also, if you have some offbeat spice names or custom blends, these labels wont cut it. I got a Dymo Letratag Plus Personal Label Maker, LT-100T DYMO Letratag Plus Personal Label Maker, LT-100T (1733013) with it so I could add my own labels with my own custom names. There are some blank labels included, so you could just get away with a sharpie, but these things look cool, and my handwriting and a sharpie would not really sit well on the design front I think.Overall:Although these dispensers are not perfect in every way, overall I think they are more than satisfactory, and an attractive and functional solution for spice storage and use. And besides the labels, they look pretty cool.>----- END REVIEW June 26, 2013 ----->>----- START UPDATES July 21, 2013 ----->Link added to Dymo Letratag Plus Personal Label Maker, LT-100T DYMO Letratag Plus Personal Label Maker, LT-100T (1733013)About the dispenser knob and 1/4 Teaspoon per click:I have tested if the device actually dispensed the advertised amount of 1/4 Tsp per click of the knob. I have found that it does for the most-part. If dealing with a powder/fine spice these spice jars do dispense 1/4 teaspoon as log as the dispenser is held upright. If held at a strange angle or more than 35 degrees it might not despence the full amount IF the jar is not completely full.In instances where dealing with bulky spices (say whole cloves) the measurement is about as accurate as measuring spoons. Not very I guess. It would be like measuring a spoon full of twigs if you can imagine that.About Construction:As I mentioned in before my edits, these bottles are not more durable than the price suggests. I still hold to this statement for the most-part, with a small deviation. The price would lead one to believe that these things must be pretty crappy. I am happy to report that they are not. They still do not feel like they are made from stainless steel, but they are quite sturdy and dependable. They are solid. I will add that the durability does not lie in the material as much as the overall design of the product. They are designed quite cleverly, and because of the thought that went into the design, we find that these devices snap snugly, do not leak (zero leaks out of 12 with heavy use over one month), and have a bottom "hatch" that secures the dispensing area after use. I still feel that these items are worth the small price. As a matter of fact, I tend to think that I got a really good deal. If a very similar item was found in a local housewares store, I am almost positive that the price would be well beyond what I paid here on Amazon. They are really that good.End Result:I am upgrading my review from four stars to five. I am that pleased with them.

I bought the first one just before Xmas... While not the sturdiest of "forever-lasting" material, I don't anticipate that these will 'break' or shatter any time, soon. I've found that most products today are only about as good as the manner in which they are treated. The racks are VERY light (lightweight materials) which makes them ideal for installing up under the cupboard, to save counter space. Installation took all of about a minute and a half, and operates beautifully (BEAUTIFULLY!). The rotation is exceptionally smooth, and the individual holders are designed in such a way as to make removal and replacement of the selected spice very simple, and not at all cumbersome. We loved ours so much that we went back and purchased a second. To anyone that knows how to take care of their useful items and is willing to take the day or so getting used to something a little different, I HIGHLY recommend this little gem. If you are the type of person that requires immediate gratification with next to no effort on your part, don't bother. You will only end up writing a negative review to cover your own feelings of inadequacy and mask your ineptitude...I've read a great deal of complaints that the spices "clump" in these. I hate to say it, but that will happen in ANY container (even air-tight containers) if they are left to sit for any length of time. I've had both onion and garlic granules turn to "bricks," living in Central Texas. Thirty seconds in the Bullet took care of that, and sealing some rice grains in a teabag within the container can alleviate some of that, as well. Moisture will enter ANY container, once it's opened, and making sure that the container is snapped closed (completely) can insure a longer life. If your spices sit in ANY container long enough to clump, perhaps consider removing it from long-term storage in smaller amounts. People should top expecting inanimate objects to remove the slightest of inconveniences from all of our lives.Overall, this is one of the best convenience-oriented purchases we have found, for our kitchen.

I do like the concept. It could be made of stronger plastic, especially the carousel. Everything worked fine! I actually poured my store bought spices from their container directly into the spice triangle container. Loosing alittle of the spices in the sink, but not to much. You just have to hold the triangle container with the front facing up with your left hand and then what I did I angled the store bought container across the front corner to the back corner of the triangle containers opening! If you have a smaller container say a spice container that has a 1-1/2 inch opening. It is easier t to pour straight into the containers. I also tried a small funnel and it works better. Now its great if you stack them for countertop storage. It works great! Directions could be alot better. Now I don't have countertop space or storage space even in cabinets. So what I plan to do is buy two more and mount them individually under my counter tops. I will update my post. You just have to be easy opening the containers because it is a flip top and eventually wear out. I do wonder if they would consider selling spare spice containers.