Best Iced Tea Maker
During the summer, no beverage is as popular in my house as iced tea. Before I discovered an iced tea maker, it took me way too much time to brew it and then chill it enough to turn it into iced tea.
To spare you the trouble I had to go through, I’ve searched the market for the favorite iced tea maker, and today I’m going to share my findings with you, together with some tips on how to choose the perfect model for your needs.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Iced Tea Maker
If you’ve been reading my writings for a while, you probably already know that I’m constantly seeking for new and better kitchen appliances that would make my time in the kitchen much more convenient.
Read attentively, and you’ll soon be an expert at choosing a unit that will blend in perfectly with the rest of your kitchen. There are a few suggestions I picked up along those endless market searches that will ensure you always get the most suited appliance for your specific needs.
Naturally, I’m going to modify these suggestions to properly fit our topic—iced tea makers—and assist you in making the appropriate choice.
See also: Ice Cube Trays
1. How Often Do You Plan on Using It
We’d all like to be the finest possible versions of ourselves – that’s why a lot of people periodically announce they’re quitting sodas and starting to drink unsweetened ice tea.
But before you spend money on a more serious iced tea maker, be honest with yourself – how often are you planning on making it, and for how many people? Sometimes it’s better to scale down and buy a one-cup-at-a-time model.
2. Size and Capacity
Consider the available space you have in your kitchen for storing an iced tea maker; this is an appliance that will be on your counter every day, so make sure it’s not going to take up too much space.
Also, there’s no point in buying an oversized unit if you’re not that big on iced tea. I always recommend getting a smaller appliance that offers better performance.
3. Ease of Use
Over the years, I’ve learned that units with all the bells and whistles aren’t necessarily the best choice for everyone – sometimes, you need to prioritize ease of use. What good is an iced tea maker, with a complicated setup and tons of options if you probably won’t figure out half of them?
Keep it simple, get an appliance that will give you your desired beverage without requiring you to have an engineering degree to set it up and use it.
See Also: Tea Kettle for Gas Stove; Whistling Tea Kettle; Most Recommended Tea Kettles
4. Is It Dishwasher Safe
Look for a unit with dishwasher-safe parts if you want to enjoy the freshness of iced tea without having to hand-wash all the parts of the appliance afterward. Pay close attention to the material the lid and the pitcher is made of; it’s always got a glass pitcher if that’s an option.
In case the appliance you have your eye on isn’t dishwasher safe, at least make sure it’s simple enough to take it apart and clean it.
5. Additional Features
Besides the basic ones that I’ve already mentioned, here are some added things that will make the entire process more user-friendly:
Automatic shut-off feature – This is mostly a safety, rather than a convenience feature that I always look for in all my electric appliances – and you should, too.
Capability to brew coffee – If you’re going to buy an iced tea maker, try to find one that you can use as a coffee brewer, too – it will save you a lot of valuable counter space if you get a two-in-one model.
Suitable for both loose and bagged tea – This is a nice additional feature for those who plan on sharing the tea maker with other family members because that way, everyone can prepare the type of tea they prefer.
An airtight lid to prevent leaking – If you plan on taking the pitcher to a picnic or storing it overnight in the fridge, it’s always better to have an airtight lid on it than to have to remove tea stains.
Adjustable brewer strength – It’s always nice to not have to settle for a determined brew strength; you should find a model that allows you to adjust it according to your taste.
6. How Much Will It Cost You
Many people ask me if I choose kitchen equipment based on pricing or quality when I buy them. The reality is that I attempt to strike the ideal balance and don’t want to give one thing more importance than another.
Set a budget, decide how much you’re prepared to spend on an iced tea machine, and go from there, is my advise to you. To avoid selecting a product that would force you to strain your budget excessively, look for high-quality items that are within the range of what you consider cheap.
See Also: Best Matcha Green Tea Powders
Most Recommended Iced Tea Makers – Barbara’s Reviews 2022
Now that we’ve gone through the features you should look for; I’d like to present to you the top five iced tea makers I found on the market and want to recommend to you.
Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker – Seal In the Freshness
The feature that sets this model apart from the others on my list is the Flash Chill Technology – you’ll have 8 cups of tea cold and ready to be served in a matter of minutes.
Even though it’s a bit taller than the average unit, which might make it hard to store it in the fridge in the standing position, the airtight lid allows you to lay it on its side. If you tighten the cap properly, I can almost guarantee you there will be no spills whatsoever.
Another great thing about having a lid that closes as tight as this one does is the fact that you can leave the left-over iced tea in the fridge overnight and when you come back to it in the morning, it will remain as fresh as the moment you prepared it.
On top of that, this is a budget-friendly iced tea maker that falls in the lower end of the price range. To be honest, this two-in-one appliance might be one of my personal favorites. In case you’re looking to buy a high-quality iced tea maker that can occasionally act as an iced coffee maker, but you’re on a tight budget, I strongly recommend you to consider this one.
Pros
- Suitable for bagged and loose tea
- It can make coffee, too
- Budget-friendly
- BPA-free
- Airtight lid keeps the iced tea fresh
Cons
- The infuser is hard to clean
- The design of the spout may cause some leaking
Mr. Coffee TM75 Iced Tea Maker, 1 EA, Blue
This superb and reasonably priced iced tea maker by Mr. Coffee will allow you to prepare your favorite type of iced tea easily and quickly.
It works with both loose and bagged tea as well as ground coffee, and has the capacity of making up to 2 quarts of ice tea. You can adjust the settings to make a single or double serving as needed.
The iced tea maker has a removable brew basket, which is easy to clean and wash.
It has a built-in cleaning cycle, too, which will make its maintenance a breeze.
The unit is simple to use and is 11 x 7 x 15 inches in size, so you can easily place the pitcher in the fridge.
All you need to do is fill the reservoir with water, and then place the tea or coffee of your choice in the brew basket. Then add some ice, and you will have delicious, aromatic iced tea or an iced coffee in just a few minutes.
Once the process is complete, the iced tea maker will shut itself off for power saving and for safety.
Pros
- Perfect for loose tea, tea bags, and coffee
- Very easy to use
- You can make one or two servings per batch
- The iced drink will be ready in a few minutes
- Removable brew basket
- Auto shut off when it is done
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Doesn’t have a lever to control the brewing time
Mr. Coffee TM70 3-Quart Iced Tea Maker – Keeping it Simple
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use iced tea maker that will give you your favorite beverage in no time, I’d suggest you get Mr. Coffee TM70.
Everything I’ve mentioned previously – all the essential features an appliance like this needs to have for me to consider it as one of the best – is combined in this simple model.
The pitcher has a 3-quarter capacity, which makes it ideal for big families or for those who often like to organize gatherings such as pool parties, for example.
Another great thing about the pitcher, except its size, is the fact that it’s dishwasher safe, so that’s one less thing to worry about. Believe me, after hosting a party, the fact that you don’t have to hand-wash the pitcher will seem like a big deal.
The unit comes with an automatic shut-off feature, which is a huge plus when you’re dealing with electric appliances; in case you need to stop the brewing process immediately, there also an On/Off button.
Overall, this is an excellent, convenient unit that will make your iced tea in about 10 minutes; on top of that, it doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s actually on the lower end of the price range for this kind of kitchen appliance and one of the cheapest ones on the market.
Pros
- Large capacity pitcher (3-quarter)
- Dishwasher safe
- Suitable for loose and bagged tea
- Has an auto shut-off option and an On/Off button
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
Ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker (& Iced Tea Maker) with Spout – 1.5L/51oz
One of the most stylish-looking iced tea makers I have seen, the Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee and Tea Maker by Ovalware is not only a pleasure to look at but also an excellent tool that will allow you to make iced tea or coffee with ease.
It has a huge capacity of 51-oz (1.5L) and features a special airtight seal that will keep the coffee or tea fresh for up to two weeks. The pitcher has marked measurements on its thick and resilient borosilicate glass body.
The filter for the brew, as well as the cap, are made of 19/8 medical-grade stainless steel, which is BPA-free and will not rust over time.
The brewer is dishwasher safe and has a rubber base to keep it safely standing on the countertop or fridge shelf without slipping.
You can use loose tea, tea bags, or coffee of your choice and brew it like a traditional teapot, or let it brew cold in the refrigerator. It is 5.51 x 9.45 x 5.51 inches in size and weighs 1.3 lbs. so it will fit in a fridge door compartment or on a shelf comfortably.
The sleek design of this iced tea maker is further benefited by the stylish and comfortable glass handle.
Pros
- A very modern and chic design that will complement your kitchen
- Made of sturdy borosilicate glass with useful measurements
- The filter and cap are made of completely safe and rust-proof stainless steel
- The airtight lock will ensure that the beverage remains fresh for up to 2 weeks
- It can be used for hot and cold brewing
- Suitable for loose tea, tea bags, or coffee
- It is designed to fit your fridge
- A large capacity of 1.5 Liters (51-oz)
- Also available in a smaller 1 Liter version
- All parts are dishwasher safe
Cons
- Even though the glass is thick and is tested, it is still more fragile than the other materials used in other iced tea makers, so you need to be careful
BTäT- Cold Brew Coffee Maker, Iced Coffee Maker, 2 Liter (2 Quart, 64 oz.)
The BTaT iced coffee and iced maker is another beautifully designed brewing tool that will allow you to brew your own delicious cold brew coffee and iced tea easily at home.
It has a 64-oz capacity, so you can brew the beverage of your choice and drink it all week long.
Thanks to its airtight seal lid, the brewed tea or coffee will retain its taste and aroma, as well as its freshness for up to 2 weeks, when stored in the refrigerator.
The filter is made of 18/8 stainless steel, which has super-fine mesh and is rust-proof. It will keep the grinds of coffee or tea leaves inside, and away from your drink. Plus, you can remove the filter for washing it, as well as to use a pitcher as a regular pitcher once you are done with the brewing.
The pitcher is constructed of thick borosilicate glass, which can withstand high temperatures and can be used for hot and for cold brewing. It is also dishwasher safe. The pitcher has a large opening, so cleaning it will be a breeze.
It is designed to fit a standard fridge door, so you will always have a cold iced tea to drink whenever you feel like it.
The handle is pretty and designed for comfortable gripping and access.
All materials used are food-safe, BPA-free, and will not emit any harmful chemicals or metals into your beverages.
Pros
- A very pretty design
- A large capacity of 2 Liters (64-oz)
- Suitable for tea bags, loose tea, or coffee
- It can be used for hot and for cold brewing
- Fits a standard refrigerator door
- Made of premium quality, safe materials
- The lid is rust-proof
- The lid can be sealed in a way to prevent oxygen from changing the taste, aroma, or structure of your tea or coffee for weeks
- It is dishwasher safe
- The pitcher has precise measurement marks
- It can be used as a regular serving pitcher because the filter is removable
Cons
- As with the other glass pitchers, there is a bigger risk of the glass breaking with this one, than with those which are made of plastic or other sturdier materials
Which One is the Best?
I believe each one of these iced tea makers has something amazing to offer, so it’s tough to say which one’s the best – they all are in their way.
After thorough research and testing, and drinking hundreds of cups of iced tea and coffee, I must say that my top choice for the ice tea maker is the Ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker (& Iced Tea Maker) with Spout – 1.5L/51oz.
It is gorgeously designed and can be used for making hot brewed or cold-brewed coffee, or tea from loose leaves or tea bags.
The special lid will keep the drink inside fresh and delicious for about 2 weeks. The unit is made of completely safe and dishwasher safe materials, and will easily fit in a regular fridge door or shelf.
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