Do you want to go straight to the point? Here is the winner: Mr. Coffee 3-Quart Pitcher Capacity.
Many people think that making iced tea is a simple process but on hot days when thirst is high, the process becomes more important than the average person believes.
Summer is certainly not a short season so doing it at home becomes an activity that allows us to save money with maximum degrees of freedom in terms of taste and fantasy.
Currently, there are a variety of models for the production of iced tea available on the market and in this guide, we will consider what to check for a correct choice. In addition to this, 5 models will be analyzed to help you choose the best iced tea maker.
Iced Tea Benefits And Tips
Iced tea is not only a refreshing drink that helps you get through the hottest days but it is also a healthy touch for health if done the right way.
Thanks to its use, tea can be enjoyed without the addition of industrial sugars and, being hypocaloric, can also be consumed in the event of a diet. If you really can’t stand the bitter taste of tea, then add some honey that is natural and without contraindications.
Tea is a drink rich in antioxidants able to counteract aging and excellent allies in the prevention of some cardiovascular diseases.
Always prefer the latter between tea bags and loose tea. The reason is simple: the leaves have been less processed and therefore have lost less nutritional properties.
As we all know, water is at the base of tea preparation, so always try to use clean water both in the case of liquid tea and in the case of frozen tea. Low-quality water leads to low-quality tea.
How To Choose An Iced Tea Maker: Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have some more knowledge about tea and thanks to some technical advice we can use it to the fullest, let’s see what are the characteristics to take into consideration when you are about to buy an iced tea maker.
Type And Use
The average consumer certainly prefers an electric model because it is faster and involves less work in preparation.
In some cases, however, a manual model may be more helpful, think of a birthday party in the garden or a picnic for example. Ease of movement would become vital.
Moreover, by nature, the electric ones are composed of different parts and therefore are more difficult to clean.
Always consider the use you will make of it in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Brewing Option
Not all your guests have the same tastes and having the possibility to choose the intensity of the flavor of your tea is something not to be underestimated.
Most brands and models on the market have the ability to prepare a delicate, medium or strong tea.
Capacity
The amount of tea you can prepare at one time depends on the capacity of the carafe. Carafes are usually designed for single-use, for 2/3 people or for a whole family.
Remember that the capacity of the carafe is also linked to the tea preparation time, the greater the carafe, the longer it takes.
Size And Design
Among the most common places where the iced tea machine is placed in the kitchen counter and office service table.
Either it is placed in one place or another, make sure you have enough space both to refill the water tank and for cleaning and maintenance.
Iced tea maker is usually placed in easily visible areas so look for a model that fits the rest of the furniture. For example, a plastic model is more suited to your kitchen while a metal one is better for an office or a meeting room.
Easy Of Use
As we are talking about a tea-making machine, we expect it to be simple and immediate. No one wants to lose half a day to be able to make a cup of tea, so make sure you read other users’ reviews and understand if the model you choose actually does to your case.
Functions
Take a look at the presence of very comfortable and common features among the best machines for iced tea.
For example, check if there is an automatic switch-off function, indicator lights and so on.
Warranty
If you are faced with an important investment, be sure to check the duration of the guarantee and if the manufacturer of the model you have chosen is easily reachable by phone or email.
Best Iced Tea Maker: Our Reviews
We have examined different iced tea makers and made a list of those that we consider being the best in terms of price and functions.
For each model, we have highlighted the main features with pros and cons. Feel free to read and explore our selections.
Nostalgia CI3BK Iced Tea Brewing System
Nostalgia offers an easy way to create your favorite iced tea in less time and with simplicity.
This model allows the preparation of your refreshing drink through the use of loose leaf tea or bagged tea.
The use is simple and immediate without too many settings that could create confusion. Just add tea to the removable filter basket, select the desired flavor strength and press the start button. In some minutes your drink will be ready.
The modern and compact design does not take up much space in your kitchen countertop and the glossy black body with the glass pitcher gives that touch of elegance that never hurts.
When the drink is ready the automatic switch-off function intervenes and makes sure that you can dedicate yourself to something else without continuously checking the preparation cycle.
In the lower part of the machine, there is a compartment to store the power cable. An excellent ally for those who like to keep the environment in order and in safety, avoiding dangers related to cables.
Pros
– Compact design
– Strength Selector Dial
– Cord storage
– Automatic switch-off function
– 3-Quart serving pitcher
– Removable filter basket
– Three-position lid
Cons
– The pitcher has to be handled carefully
Mr. Coffee 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker
Mr. Coffee has designed this machine for lovers of iced tea who love the true aroma and taste of tea. This model lets you use two different preparation methods, you can use flavor tea bags or tea leaves.
The capacity is of 8 cups of cold refreshing drink at a time. More than enough for a typical family or a small party.
The use is very simple and immediate. The start button has a light indicator that alerts you when the preparation cycle is completed and the auto-off function at the end of the cycle deactivates the machine.
The preparation time is not long, with 10 minutes (including the heating time of the machine) the drink is ready.
The design is modern and does not take up much space. The removable steeping basket makes cleaning very simple and the pitcher is washable in the dishwasher.
Pros
– Modern design
– Automatic switch-off function
– Fast brewing cycle
– Removable stepping basket
– Easy to clean
– Compatibility with tea bags and loose tea
Cons
– Plastic Pitcher
Takeya Iced Tea Maker with Patented Flash Chill Technology
Takeya has designed this model for people who like to drink iced tea at the campsite, during a picnic or during a garden party. The end result does not stray at all from what is achieved using an electric machine.
The use is very simple. Just fill the infuser with tea in bags or leaves, half-fill the pitcher with hot water and let the tea dissolve. At this point, remove the infuser, insert ice and shake it.
The airtight lid allows you to store tea in the fridge without the aroma of the tea fading away. The body of the pitcher is BPA-free and resists both hot and iced tea.
Furthermore, the silicone handle ensures a better grip and greater comfort in use
The entire body takes up little space and can easily be stored in the kitchen. Cleaning is not a problem since the body is completely dishwasher safe.
Pros
– Dishwasher safe
– Transportable
– Patented Flash Chill technology
– Airtight lid
– Compatibility with tea bags or leaves.
Cons
– Need to boil water separately
– Plastic pitcher
Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker
This Hamilton Beach machine fills a pitcher full of iced tea in less than ten minutes. Its capacity makes it ideal for family reunions. The pitcher is in glass and fits in the refrigerator door.
How to use it is intuitive at a glance. Just add water to the heating unit, press the start button and the power will turn off automatically when the delivery is complete.
It offers an adjustable dispensing strength so you can choose the intensity of the flavor you want. There are three different selections: weak, delicate and strong.
The machine is compatible with loose tea or tea bags and does not require the use of additional paper filters.
Pros
– Modern design
– Automatic shut-off function
– The pitcher is in glass
– No additional paper filters needed
– Adjustable strength
– Compatibility with tea bags and loose tea
– Slim, pitcher fits in the refrigerator door
Cons
– Wash only by hand
Mr. Coffee 3-Quart Iced Tea Maker
Mr. Coffee 3-Quart pitcher capacity model is suitable for a small group of people. It’s compatible with tea bags or tea leaves to create your refreshing tea in some minutes.
The machine is suitable for everyone as it is simple to use and the pitcher supplied has calibrated indications for the amount of ice and water to be used.
The compact design and dimensions make it perfect for use in the kitchen or office.
In the lateral part of the body is present a light indicator that shows if the machine is on or off. When the preparation is finished the machine switches off automatically. Another automatic function of this model is the self-cleaning cycle which keeps the heating unit clean.
Cleaning the pitcher does not create any problem as it is dishwasher safe
Pros
– Modern design
– Automatic shut-off function
– Self-cleaning cycle
– Tea bags and tea leaves compatibility
– Light indicator
Cons
– Plastic pitcher
Our Verdict
We find the Mr. Coffee 3-Quart Ice Tea maker the right compromise between performance and price.
The compact dimensions make it perfect in case you need to save space and the automatic cleaning function makes it durable over time.
The use is simple and intuitive and we appreciate the calibrated selector bar that allows you to brew to your taste.