This is a great design and a very useful appliance - when it is working.I like it so much, that I have purchased four of them in the last year or so, in hopes that the manufacturer will be able to build one that is reliable.No such luck; my latest worked three times before failing. The others lasted from almost three months to about a year.I am giving up - returned the last one for a refund!My advice - avoid this machine.Dr. H.