Hunter 34357 3-1/2-Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier with PermaWick Filter
by Hunter
List Price:
Our Price: $82.94
You Save: $47.05 (36%)
Availability: Usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks
Buy Used: from $40.00 (click here)
Category: Kitchen
See more product details
Product Summary
Manufacturer: HunterBrand: Hunter
Model: 34357
Product features:
- 75-watt cool-mist humidifier for rooms up to 1600 square feet
- Permanent filter; 3-1/2-gallon daily output; 2 fan speeds
- Digital humidistat maintains desired humidity level; Tote Away tank
- NiteGlow night light; antimicrobial properties; dishwasher-safe pan and tray
- Measures approximately 13 by 17 by 14 inches; 5-year limited warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Hunter 34357 3-1/2-Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier with PermaWick Filter
Customer Review: good value if treated as a "disposable"
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought two of these Hunter humidifiers at the same time, and they did a good job of humidifying a 2000 square-foot house (1 upstairs; 1 downstairs). It seems like they operated non-stop during 4 very dry winters. Both units had similar problems during their 4-year lifetimes, but my issues weren't specified in the manufacturer's warranty so I never pursued replacement or repair. Since my cost-per-year (based on total purchase price) was $20/unit, I simply treated them as "disposables" and discarded them after the 4th year. This Fall I'll decide whether to replace both with the same models or choose a competitor product.
This is not a "cool-mist" humidifier -- it is an evaporative unit with a fan. The motor turns the fan and also drives a simple plastic impeller pump that circulates the water. There is a float connected to a power switch that will turn the unit off when the water level in the pan is low. My problems: both NiteGlow lights stopped working prior to the end of the 1st winter. I had assumed that the units would use a long-life LED, but that obviously wasn't the case. During the 2nd winter, I had problems with one of the "float" systems, but was able to repair it myself. During the 3rd and 4th seasons, I had problems with the plastic fans rubbing the plastic case and causing noise - especially on "Hi" speed. For their last year of use, I could only operate the units on "Lo" fan speed. The fans would still rub the cases intermittently, and it was very annoying in the middle of the night or while trying to watch TV.
On extremely dry days, the output capacity on "Hi" fan speed can truly be 3-1/2 gallons every 24 hours when the humidistat is on a high setting. Fortunately, the "Tote Away tank" is convenient to transport and easy to refill at a bathtub or deep kitchen sink. The fans were never "whisper-quiet" even from day-one, but you will tune them out as background noise after the first week of use. The digital humidistats worked fine until the 4th season when one died abruptly. They automatically turn the fan off when the pre-set humidity level is reached. For me, they sometimes stopped working temporarily after the units were cleaned, but they always started working again after the units had fully dried.
I always had trouble with buildup of minerals on the filter, pan, and chassis, but this is presumably the price one pays for not having paper filters? The water in the bottom pans of the units tended to concentrate our local pinkish "Serratia marcesens". This could probably be overcome with diligent (i.e. weekly) emptyings and cleanings. On Lo-speed, the water doesn't seem to move fast enough to prevent mild stagnation in the bottom pan, and if you continue to use the unit once the ambient humidity naturally returns in the Spring then you may have trouble with moldy/musty smells since the water won't be cycling very frequently.
The pan and filter frame do clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher (after the PermaWick filter has been removed). I only had a single "overflow" onto the floor by one unit after 4 years of use. That should be physically impossible based on the design of the unit, so I don't know what caused it. I suspect that I was responsible for it in some way. Nevertheless, had an entire 3+ gallons spilled onto the floor (upstairs!), it could have caused some major damage. If I use these units again in the future, I may set them inside some large plastic storage boxes (or an unused bathtub) as a secondary overflow prevention.
Positives: No paper filters! No white residues since the units are mist-less. The PermaWick filters lasted for 3 seasons, but they were inexpensive and easy to replace. The units are attractive in design, easy to use, and the non-moving parts (except for the nite-lite) are rugged. Ideally, the units should last for longer than 4 seasons, but at an average cost of approximately $20 per winter one can't complain too loudly about the limited lifetime. If Hunter builds added quality into the unit, then the market price will undoubtedly increase to match.
Write your own review about Hunter 34357 3-1/2-Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier with PermaWick Filter
Description of Hunter 34357 3-1/2-Gallon CareFree Plus Humidifier with PermaWick Filter
3.5G. Humidifier PlusAllergy, Sinus & Asthma
Kitchen and Housewares
Bestsellers in Allergy, Sinus & Asthma
Bronkaid Caplets - 60 (2 maximum per order)BAYER CONSUMER PRODUCTS; Health Care
Best price: $10.69
Mucinex-Extended Release Bi-Layer Guaifenesin 600mg, 100 Tablets(Bonus Size)Mucinex; Mucinex; Health Care
Best price: $29.95
Price in other shops:
Eva-dry EDV-500/ E-500 Renewable Wireless Mini DehumidiferEva-dry; Eva-dry; Health Care
Best price: $22.98
Himalayan Institute Original Neti Pot Complete Sinus Cleansing System Starter KitHimalayan Institute; Himalayan Institute; Release date: 2007-09-26; Health Care
Best price: $22.95
Price in other shops:
Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04381 Allergen Reducer Air CleanerHamilton Beach; Hamilton Beach; Release date: 2005-01-01; Kitchen
Best price: $45.00
Price in other shops:
NeilMed's Sinus Rinse Pre-Mixed Packets, 100-Count Boxes (Pack of 2)Sinus Rinse; Sinus Rinse; Release date: 2006-05-02; Health Care
Best price: $19.92
Price in other shops:
Eva-dry EDV-1100 Electric Petite DehumidifierEva-dry; Eva-dry; Release date: 2006-08-18; Health Care
Best price: $50.59
Price in other shops:
SinuCleanse Nasal Wash System, Unbreakable Neti Pot With Salt PacketsSinuCleanse; SinuCleanse; Release date: 2007-06-29; Health Care
Best price: $10.50
Price in other shops:
Himalayan Institute Original Neti PotHimalayan Institute; Himalayan Institute; Health Care
Honeywell 38002 Enviracare Universal Replacement Pre-FilterHoneywell; Honeywell; Release date: 2005-08-30; Kitchen
Best price: $7.13
Price in other shops:
Similar Kitchen and Housewares Products
Delta Fluidics Adjustable Showerhead, Chrome #75152Delta Faucet; Tools
Best price: $25.00
Price in other shops:
Honeywell HCM-6012i QuietCare 11-Gallon Console Humidifier with Air Washing TechnologyHoneywell; Honeywell; Release date: 2006-09-01; Kitchen
Best price: $89.95
Price in other shops:
ProTec PC-1 Humidifier Tank Cleaning CartridgeProTec; ProTec; Health Care
Best price: $4.88
ProTec PC-1 Humidifier Tank Cleaning Cartridge (Pack of 2)ProTec; ProTec; Release date: 2007-10-22; Health Care
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops: