Slant/Fin GF200 Germ-Free 2-Gallon Warm-Mist Humidifier
From Slant Fin
Patented Germ Free Warm Mist Humidifier with Ultra Violet (UV)Light Germicidal Chamber. Kills 99.999% of bacteria and molds and 99.99% of spores that live and breed in tank waters of humidifiers. Feel safe and assured that your family is breathing a warm, comfortable and germ free mist with the Slant/Fin GF-200 Germ Free Humidifier. Ordinary humidifiers breed microorganisms in their tank water and can spread germs throughout the house. The Slant/Fin humidifiers are the only humidifiers that use the exclusive dual germicidal process of ultraviolet light (UV) and vaporization (boiling) to kill 99.999% of bacteria and mold and 99.99% of spores that can breed in tap water. UV has long been used to eliminate bacterial contamination and stem bacterial growth in hospitals and science labs. Independent laboratory testing proves that exposure to UV light kills bacteria more effectively than boiling alone. The GF-200 has a medicine slot for vaporization of medicine. This helps relieve the symptoms of stuffy noses, congestion and sore throats.
Amazon Sales Rank: #303406 in Kitchen & Housewares Brand: Slant Fin Model: GF-200 Dimensions: 7.63 pounds
With a 2-gallon water-tank capacity, this warm-mist humidifier can humidify continuously for up to 24 hours without needing a refill. Using the exclusive dual germicidal process of ultraviolet light (UV) and vaporization (boiling), the unit delivers virtually 100-percent germ-free mist, killing the bacteria, mold, and spores that can live and breed in the water tanks of humidifiers. The unit's built-in medicine slot allows for the vaporization of medicine, which helps relieve the symptoms of stuffy noses, congestion, and sore throats. Its stainless-steel hot-water reservoir makes the cleaning of mineral buildup easier, and the minerals in hard water do not enter room air and settle on surfaces, so there's no white dust. For added convenience, there are no filters, wicks, or cartridges to replace, and the unit's quiet fan operation makes it ideal for use even while sleeping. The humidifier measures 14-1/4 by 7-3/4 by 11-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.
Former (very loyal) Slant Fin Customer -- a big problem I usually do not write reviews here. However, because of my experience with ALL of the Slant Fin humidifiers that I have purchased over the past 4 years (GF200 and GF300), I wanted to let others know that there are issues with the products.GOOD: Humidification: The output is not great and is not suitable for large open rooms. For enclosed rooms like bedrooms or playrooms, they work very well. The plus is the warmth of the moisture (this is essentially a boiling pot). Occasionally, gurgling aside (from boiling), they are quiet.GOOD?: "Bacteria free" operation: UV lights and boiling supposedly make the products "virtually bacteria free," always a good thing.NOW BAD: Cleaning and maintenance: Our water is neither hard nor soft (Lake Michigan water in Chicago suburbs). The mineral buildup/scaling is very substantial on plastic and metal parts and very hard to clean. Given that they need to be cleaned every week or so, it is very time-consuming.NOW REALLY BAD: All of the Slant Fin humidifiers that I have owned had problems with water level sensors. The electrodes (2 each in GF 300) get corroded and rust away after 1 or 2 years (usually shortly after the expiration of warranty). The two probes (spaced about an 1/2 inch), when dipped in water, apparently transmit/receive a very low voltage electricity, completing a control circuit and indicating there is water in the tank. If they don't transmit electricity (i.e., no water in the tank), the boiling pot turns itself off. The problem is that the metal probes get corroded and get covered with rust/corrosion. Because they don't transmit/receive electricity, even if there is plenty of water in the unit, the unit shuts itself off. Initially, you can scrape the corrosion/mineral buildup on the metal probes with your finger nails. Eventually, the metal probes/electrodes literally rust away. That literally renders the entire unit inoperable and, thus, worthless. NOW THE ABSOLUTE WORST: "Customer Service": I have sent emails, written letters and left voice mail messages. I asked whether I could buy the probes or send the units back for service. I have NEVER received any response. It is also very hard to get any live person. When I did get a person at the "customer service" department, that person claimed that she did not work in that department and transferred me to the "right" department, sending me into the voice mail maze hell, only to get disconnected after 10 minutes.OVERALL ASSESSMENT: The product works well, as intended, for about a year or two. The promise of "bacteria free operation" and warm moisture made me forget about the extremely burdensome cleaning. I recommended these products to all of my friends and relatives in the first year of operation, accounting for as many as 20+ units. Given that a large majority of them are having the same problems as my units, I think this is a serious design defect that Slant Fin is refusing to address. I am sorry that I bought and recommended these units.Thus, given what appears to be a serious design flaw (re water-level probes) coupled with the worst customer service I have ever experienced for a consumer product, I can no longer recommend any Slant Fin humidifiers. Great idea, poor quality, lack of customer service I purchased this (Slant Fin GF200) warm mist humidifier with the idea of "germ free" in mind. The idea of having a germ free humidifier is great! The UV bulb killing bacteria, and the mineral pad absorbing any minerals work well (as far as I know). I have owned this unit for approximately a month. I thought buying distilled water would be too expensive. So, I purchased extra mineral pads expecting hard water to be an issue. Anticipating the worst, I was prepared. Let me tell you, this unit requires lots of "love" or maintenance (if you want to get down and dirty). I cleaned the unit (resevoir in particular) frequently, every 5-7 days. I replaced the mineral pads when needed, usually at cleaning time (again, 5-7 days). Scale buildup was terrible -- even with the frequent cleanings! After alot of elbow grease or grunt work (and vinegar), I got things cleaned in about 20-30 minutes. Then, I started to notice the coating (stainless steel) on the reservoir flaking off and rusting. First it was one spot, then it was 3-4 spots. This, IMHO, is poor quality! I am currently trying to get the product returned for repair, even though I strongly believe that it would happen again. After paying close to $100 for the humidifier and extra mineral pads, I would have expected better quality for Slant-Fin! In conclusion: If you have hard water, avoid this humidifier. The mineral pads help with hard water, but they can't take all of the minerals out of your water, to prevent the scale buildup. Unless you replace the pads every other day. If you use distilled water, you may have better results, but you pay the extra for the "pure" mineral-free water. Pros: great idea/concept, humidifies well, simple, quiet. Cons: poor quality, expensive, needs lots of maintenance, scale buildup, purchasing extra mineral pads and/or UV bulbs. Update #1: The company has failed to reply to email for warranty service. My next step is the Better Business Bureau. Stay away from this company!!! Update #2: I finally received a reply from Slant-Fin (Canada, mind you -- I guess they actually care). They forwarded it on to a represetative in the U.S. I sent the unit back (pre-paid) and about 1 month later I received the unit back. They appeared to fix the rust issue. They didn't really clean up the unit very well with particles of metal within the unit (where the water would be -- not very healthy)! I am betting this will be the last winter season I get use out of it. As of right now, it is in storage. I am happy I got the unit in for service. I am still very unimpressed by this company. Next time I will buy from a well-rounded company like Honeywell. I suggest others to do the same. Too much work!!!!! I have to agree with several other reviewers on many points about both the good and bad of this unit. But the bad far outweigh the good! I bought it for my new infant, and purchased it before winter so that I had it on hand for his first illness. Luckily he didn't get sick for several months, but now that I have tried it (months past the time I can return it) I discover it is horrible, here are my big complaints: The noise level is just loud enough when it gurgles to wake the baby from a light sleep. But the worst is the maintenance. With a small infant I don't have time for a lot of extra cleaning and this requires a lot - and most of the manufacturers info available online doesn't tell you this. It says weekly cleaning, but I can tell you for a fact that if you let water sit in the unit unused for 24 hours you will have slimy water. So now you have to empty and dry the thing out daily. And God forbid you have hard water as we do. I can't wait a week to scrub the scale off the unit as it says in the instructions. If the unit is run every night I'd have to scrub the scale off every day or two. I purchased it from a different store, but I did a lot of research online about what units are recommended. But I didn't look here to read consumer input. And I really wish I had. I hope that others reading this will run from this product! I also hope the store will take mine back.
