Customer Reviews

Hamilton Beach Iced Tea Maker

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

I had a wicked diet coke habit for many many years until I began reading a little too many bad things about the health effects. Meanwhile, there is no dispute that tea provides excellent benefits and green tea even passed continual studies on weight loss. So, seeing as how I can't kick my caffeine habit, I made the switch.

I was loving my Mr Coffee brewer and the taste of the tea and even mixing various teabag flavors together except for one aspect of it...I also love to cook. You would think these two things would have no effect on each other except for that darn Mr Coffee pitcher takes up half of the fridge shelf and I already have the fridge jampacked enough!

Tea tastes fresher and better served cold, I didn't want to donate a huge portion of my fridge to my iced tea pitcher...so I switched and got this new Hamilton Beach iced tea maker instead. Brilliant!!

Not only is the pitcher better shaped for pouring and not using fridge space for storing, but the whole unit takes up less cabinet space while doing the same job...so I have more storage in both fridge AND cabinets now that I switched.

taste? Still as excellent. Can't beat fresh homemade iced tea.

Even if you don't store in your cabinet, this will fit better against a kitchen wall.

Great changes made when planning this design...and great tasting tea. Love it!

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.

A friend of mine heard I was purchasing iced tea in bottles, and told me to save money and make my own. I like my tea, and am picky about what brand and flavors I have. I am not picky about how it is made, so if you are don't get these makers.

There are settings for light, medium and strong tea, but I don't find a difference between them.

This product has only 4 parts, not counting the screen on the pitcher insert. It is easy to clean and store.

Now I have used this for over a year and am still pleased with it's performance. I can have iced tea from getting it all set up to drinking in less than 10 minutes.

My friend said she tested out many brands before choosing this one, and I want to save you time, so buy this one.

I followed the advice of waiting to add the ice and let the hot tea sit for about 10 minutes. No bitter taste, but good tea.

I have been using tea bags. Luzianne decaf bags. It's a great glass of tea on one of the many hot days we have in Arizona.

Arrived quickly, handsome looking. First few pitchers of tea were out of this world. Then a plastic taste/smell developed which originates from the brewing unit--not in the pitcher as some reviews on here suggest. I have flushed the unit twice with white vinegar and will be using again sometime in the next week...will update then. If it is still there will probably trash the unit and go back to the good ole pot on the stove like my grandmother taught me when I was a wee lad. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of patience for back and forth phone calls with a manufacturer...besides I can't say I was not warned after reading similar complaints of the plastic taste/smell on here.

This ice tea maker is simply the BEST! I marvel at its simplicity, its functionality, its design and its result. Perfect on all accounts! It's been a pleasure to finally have a product that does what it is intended to do WELL - perfectly, as a matter of fact. It's been a joy and I look forward to making another batch as I'm trying many different flavors / types of teas. It has been a pleasure to have and to use.

I was drinking soda pop daily and needed to stop for health reasons. I hoped this machine would help me quit sugary drinks cold turkey. It has :) I was really enjoying a famous coffee chain's Shaken Iced Green Tea drink and started to try to replicate it at home as a healthier alternative. After weeks of boiling pots of iced tea on the stove and waiting for them to cool down, I started to research iced tea machines.

This Hamilton Beach unit delivered on it's promise of being the best. It is SO easy to use. We have a juicer that we love, however it mostly sits on the counter unused because there is a lot involved in cleaning the parts after use.

Not so with this iced tea machine. You merely rinse the components and they are again ready for use.

Everything is clearly marked and shows where the water, ice and tea go. There is a simple guage to indicate what brewing strength you favor and a button to commence the brewing process.

You can use any kind or flavor of tea you want. I use both loose leaf and tea bags. Sometimes I add lemongrass, fresh mint or other herbs right into the tea basket. I also add stevia if I want sweet tea or things like lemon, orange or cucumber slices directly into the pitcher for bursts of flavor. The pitcher is slimline and fits wonderfully in the fridge, leaving more counterspace available (yay!).

One thing: we have had a few houseguests put the tea on the opposite side of the tea basket divider from where the water flows in. This results in the water not reaching and flowing through the tea (so the water in the pitcher reamins clear). Our houseguests have then realized their mistake and put the hot water back through the machine (something the manual says not to do).

However, our machine continues to work perfectly and our tea tastes wonderful. Thus, I am convinced this machine is made very well and will stand up to a lot (even good-intentioned houseguests not familiar with the manual ;)

Quick, easy, great tasting tea everytime. What else is there? If I have one issue it would be the pitcher itself. Well made but does not feel like it could survive a short drop without cracking. Unless replacement pitchers are available (I'm sure they are) take good care of yours.