Your guests deserve the best, especially in this scorching summer heat. Chilled iced tea is what your guests need from you. However, most people often get the combination wrong. You need a perfect blend between the ice and tea to make a chilling beverage for your guests. This is where you need the help of an ice tea maker. Read below our iced tea maker review to get a better understanding of these life-saving appliances.
Types of Iced Tea Machines in the Market
There are three major types of iced tea makers in the current market. They include:
- Automatic Maker – These are electric models that offer professional and quality iced beverages on demand. Most appliances come with detachable parts that need assembling. It takes up much space on the kitchen countertop.
- Plastic pitchers – The type of ice tea maker is manufactured from highly durable and impact-resistant plastic. It packs less weight and tends to warm your beverage even when chilling in the hot weather.
- Glass pitchers – The ice tea maker is manufactured from high impact resistant and brittle glass. Despite the products being much heavier, they are way durable than their plastic counterparts in your home.
Tips on Choosing the Best Iced Tea Maker
Read our expert tips below from our iced tea maker reviews that you should opt for when selecting the kind of iced tea maker for your home:
Brand
A good and reputable brand gives high-quality iced tea machines that serve a lifetime. However, it is risky purchasing from unknown brands that luck any good word in the market for producing high-quality iced coffee maker.
Original Purpose
In case it's for home use, you can opt for a sizeable maker that fits perfectly in your kitchen. If it’s the office, you can opt for one with a sleek design that complements the office décor. The number of people using it influences the size of the pitcher.
Dishwasher Safe
Most of these iced tea machines come manufactured with glass. Hence, it might end up damaged when placed in a dishwasher. Check first with the manufacturer whether it is dishwasher safe or not before purchasing it.
FAQs
Here is a roundup of some of the commonly asked questions with regards to the iced tea machines from customers:
What amount of tea goes along when making iced tea?
1 Quartz - 1-2 bags of loose tea
2 Quartz - 2-4 bags of loose tea
3 Quarts - 4-6 bags of loose tea
Should I Keep the Basket Open or Close?
It is recommended to choose the closed option when brewing your iced tea. When you choose the open option, it will end up affecting the taste and consistency of the iced tea. You might end up with a tasteless drink.
Why Is My Iced Tea Cloudy?
It might be as a result of the precipitation of the ingredients in the iced tea. That happens when cooling the tea. Strong brews have more cloud compared to the weak ones. Having high-quality tea tends to cloud fast compared to others.
How Will I Clean My Beverage Maker?
We recommend cleaning the entire pitcher, including the lids and baskets with warm water and a little detergent. Hard water is not recommended since it might leave behind some mineral deposits, making them brittle.
My Ice Tea Tastes Strong; Why?
We recommend using fewer bags when making your tea to get the desired taste. Also, make it your priority to ensure you steep the iced beverage a short while.
Best Iced Tea Maker Buying Guide
Finding your preferred iced tea maker can prove to be a daunting task. The different types of iced tea makers in the current market differ basing on the style, ease of use, capacity, and design. Read below our iced tea maker review for factors you should consider when purchasing the maker.
Go Electric or Try Manual
Most people prefer working with the electric iced tea maker since it means less hassle with the end product compared to manual ones. However, manual iced tea maker offers ease of use, especially to beginners with the iced tea maker. Furthermore, the current models of manual beverage makers are portable. It makes them ideal around the office or when preparing for a weekend getaway.
Size Does Matter
How much-iced tea do you consume in a day? In case you are an avid drinker of iced tea, you need a large capacity product that works well for you. When you are hosting a tea party at your home, it is recommended to opt for the three-quart models.
Overall Design
As much as the ice tea maker's functionality matters, the general design should be part of your consideration. It is recommended to go for a simple design that carries extra features. Some added features to boost the overall beverage making experience includes an automatic shutoff or added spice chamber.
Perfect Pitcher
Most pitchers are either made from plastic or glass. You should ensure the manufacturing material is strong and durable. It is an added advantage if the pitcher is dishwasher friendly. You should consider selecting a pitcher that fits well in your fridge for added convenience.
General Versatility
Most avid coffee lovers appreciate adding some spices or loose tea leaves into their beverages. It is an added bonus when your iced tea maker additionally brews coffee. A versatile iced tea maker packs more strength and varied time settings to boost the overall coffee-making experience.
Added Style
One thing that separates all iced tea lovers from across the world is the style used to make the beverage. It is important to look for an iced tea maker that complements your favorite style of iced tea for the optimum experience.
Ease of Maintenance
You do not want the hassle of searching for iced tea machine repairing services near you. An iced tea maker should be an investment. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the overall quality and durability of the product before purchase. An iced beverage maker comes with detachable parts. Ensure each part is sturdy and durable beforehand.
Parting Shot!
Do you want to enjoy the thrill of a chilled iced tea in your home? You should consider these appliances in our iced tea maker review. They are durable and efficient in giving you a lasting beverage making experience.
We highly recommended the Brentwood KT: 2150BL due to its versatility and large pitcher. It boasts of high functionality, especially in large servings. That is the right beverage maker in case you need a chilled beverage in the summer.