Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy, August 28, 2008
Very easy to use. Put water in the base, tea bags in the top of the pitcher, ice in the bottom of pitcher, press button, walk away. It's really that easy! I like sweet iced tea, so I don't put in the ice right away, I put the sugar in the bottom instead, when it's done brewwing I mix the tea, then add ice. This adds some time to making the tea, but it's still quick. I've seen some reviews complaining the tea isn't strong enough. I like it on the strongest setting (there are 3 brew strengh settings). But I've also wet a paper towel and put that over the filter (like a thicker filter), and the tea tasted great. I've tried the fruity teas, expensive teas, but love lipton tea bags. This is a perfect gift too - not expensive and easy to use.
|
|
|
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Tea, October 16, 2008
I love this little machine. I've had it for a few months and it got me through my summer tea cravings. I love how quickly I can brew tea and have it ready to drink.
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tea Master of Gozer, May 11, 2009
For a connoisseur of iced tea such as myself this is a most wonderful gadget, it works so well that I bought a second one just in case anything happens to it then I'll have a replacement.
I have a suggestion to offer about the manufacturer's instructions or for anyone who makes their own iced tea. If you have always had a problem with your tea tasting bitter after you make it then try this, DO NOT ADD ICE BEFORE BREWING as per the mfgs instructions, also never boil water with tea in it, add hot water to your tea, steep for about 3 minutes no longer than 4-5 minutes, or in this case just let the machine handle it, after you brew your tea and remove the loose tea or bags, LET THE PITCHER SET OPEN TOPPED TO AIR OUT FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. In this time I have found that the bitterness seeps out and the end result is far better tasting tea, much smoother and with less bite. After that add just enough ice to chill then fill to the top line,(Or Lower if not strong enough) with cold water and make it the way you like.
I have always thought that the cafeterias and nice restaurants have made the best tea, but now I have surpassed even the best of restaurants by trying different teas and brewing them together for fabulous flavors. This Hamilton Beach Tea Maker has its own tea strainer built in but you can also remove the strainer and use a regular large round pleated coffee filter in the basket which will make it much easier to dispose of the wet loose tea when you are done brewing.
To start with try 2 tablespoons of Lipton loose tea. Online you can go to TheteaSmith.com and order their flavored blended teas like Subtle Strawberry, Blue Shadow, Refreshing Raspberry and many others, I put a pinch or 2 of all 3 of these flavors in first and then the the 2 Tblspns of Lipton in the coffee filter set the brew dial on strong and follow the above instructions, and get exquisite fruity flavored tea, from here the possibilities are endless...Enjoy.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
