CONSUMERS : Brewed Coffee Fresh From the Microwave

For brewed-coffee lovers who want a quick cup without a lot of fuss, there’s MicroBrew, a new pot from Farberware that makes fresh-brewed coffee in two minutes in the microwave.

MicroBrew, a black pot with red trim, is 6 inches high and makes one or two cups of coffee with regular, drip grind coffee.

Farberware representatives caution that MicroBrew will work differently in various microwave ovens, depending on each unit’s watt-power. They do not recommend using it in a microwave with less than 500 watts cooking power.

“The instruction booklet offers basic guidelines,” said Maggie Santos, “but you may need to deviate from those to adjust to your microwave’s wattage. This may require testing the microwave at a couple of different settings, changing either the percentage of power or time element in brewing.”

MicroBrew retails for about $49.95, and in California it can be purchased at A&A; Distributors, Best Products, Broadway, Cafe Noir, Chung Appliances, Emporium Capwell, Gottschalks, Harris, Macy’s, May Co., Payless Drugs, Service Merchandise and Weinstocks. If you can’t find it in your area, call Farberware’s toll-free number, (800) 327-2379.

An Easy Approach to Removing Bugs

If you hate to squash spiders or bugs with tissues, newspapers or shoes, consider the Bug Remover, a small plastic device that will trap insects so you can easily dispose of them. Kids think it’s fun to catch critters with it; adults appreciate the no-mess approach of the product.

Designed by a California inventor, the Bug Remover has a dome-shaped body with a scooper panel that slides up to trap the bug or spider.

“This product makes removing bugs easy for the squeamish and simple for children,” said Kelly Eckard, its inventor and manufacturer.

To order the Bug Remover, send $3.98 plus $1.95 for shipping and handling to Eckard Manufacturing, P.O. Box. 94, Yorba Linda 92686; phone, (714) 528-0700.

Mailing Envelope Has Padding, Decorations

If you haven’t mailed your Christmas presents to out-of-town relatives and friends, take a look at a new padded mailing envelope that’s already decorated like gift wrap, with a red and green motif and Happy Holidays written on it.

The cushioned envelope, which has an inside dimension of 9 by 13 inches, is billed as an “alternative to the ugly brown padded bag.”

It was designed by a Pasadena firm, David Mekelburg & Friends, which produces a line of watercolor-calligraphy greeting cards and stationery, and next year plans to introduce padded envelopes for other special occasions, birthdays and anniversaries.

The holiday envelope comes with a white and green mailing label and costs $2.50. For information, contact David Mekelburg & Friends, 1222 N. Fair Oaks, Ave., Pasadena 91103; phone, (818) 798-3633.

Belly Ball Makes Squishy, Playful Gift

Looking for a silly stocking stuffer? Try the Belly Ball, a squishable latex ball with a belly button.

Representatives of Main Street Toy in Simsbury, Conn., Belly Ball’s manufacturer, say the devices were designed with kids in mind, so they could toss them, squeeze them or juggle them.

But they discovered that adults like the Belly Balls, too, for exercising arthritic hands, or for use as placebo, say by those trying to quit smoking.

Belly Balls are nontoxic and are available in six colors: pink, purple, blue, green, yellow and orange. They retail for about $2.50 to $5 in nationwide toy and novelty stores. In the Los Angeles area, they’re available at Hollywood Toys, Toys R Us, Child’s World and Target stores. If you can’t locate them in your area, contact Main Street Toy Co., 540 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Conn. 06070; phone, (203) 651-4986.