Iced Tea Maker Review

Want to know which iced tea maker is the best? Here I look at six popular models: TeaOverIce, Hamilton Beach, Mr. Coffee, Back to Basics and Klean Kanteen.

Nothing cools you down on a hot summer day better than a tall, frosty glass of iced tea. Why should hot tea drinkers get all the cool gadgets? The good news is that they don’t!

Although there are countless devices available to help you brew the perfect cup of hot tea, there are also plenty of devices to help you brew the perfect pitcher of iced tea.

Are you ready to find out more?

TeaOverIce Infuser Set

I like this this nifty TeaOverIce Infuser Set .

This set uses two pitchers: a smaller one with an infuser to brew your favorite loose leaf tea, and a larger one that can be filled with ice (and sugar, if you want sweet tea).

You can brew the tea in the smaller pitcher and then pour it into the ice pitcher right at the table.

Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker

For example, this Hamilton Beach Iced Tea Maker does almost everything for you.

All you have to do is put tea in the filter and ice in the pitcher. Then, select your brew strength, press the magic button, and the machine does everything else.

With this handy gadget, you can have iced tea in about 10 minutes, without having to heat up your kitchen at all!

The downside is that the tea pitcher is not dishwasher safe, so you do have to wash it by hand when you are done drinking the tea.

Also, even though the product description claims that the equipment is compact and easy to store, it will still take up counter space and require the use of an electrical outlet. In some kitchens, that could be a deal-breaker.

Mr. Coffee TM3-2 3-Quart Iced Tea Maker

Now for the Mr. Coffee, Hamilton Beach's major competitor.

First, the advantages of the Mr. Coffee: it makes a larger pitcher of iced tea, brewing 3 quarts compared to 2 quarts for the Hamilton Beach Model. Also, it is cheaper, about half the price of the Hamilton Beach Model. Unfortunately, though, this seems to be a case where you get what you pay for.

On the Hamilton Beach Model, you can adjust the brew strength. The Mr. Coffee Ice Tea Maker does not have this feature.

Even more of a concern, however, was the number of Mr. Coffee reviewers who mentioned cracked or leaky pitchers. Also, some reviewers noted that the brewing unit itself is prone to messy spills.

In fact, if you look at the reviews for the Hamilton Beach model, you will find many former Mr. Coffee TM-3 owners who switched to the Hamilton Beach model in disgust.

Back To Basics Iced Tea Maker

For a slightly more upscale iced tea brewing experience, check out the Back to Back to Basics Iced Tea Maker. This iced tea maker has a number of appealing features.

First of all, it is slightly larger than the Hamilton Beach model, with a 2.5 quarter pitcher instead of just a 2 quart pitcher. Also, the pitcher is made of glass instead of plastic.

Unlike plastic, glass is dishwasher safe and it does not stain or hold odors in. The pitcher is also clearly marked so that it is easy to measure the right amount of water.

Plus, it is attractive - you could bring a pitcher of iced tea straight from the iced tea maker and serve it to guests. However, some reviewers stated that the pitcher took up too much room in their refrigerators.

Another feature that reviewers loved about the Back to Basics is that it comes with a filter basket, so it is easy to use loose tea instead of tea bags.

Like the Hamilton Beach Model, you can also choose your brew strength.

The one downside of this model is its price - it costs significantly more than the Hamilton Beach Model, and the slightly larger glass pitcher is really the only difference between the two.

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles

If I know I'm going to be away for the day, I'll fill my 27 oz. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle with ice - it has a wide mouth which is perfect for ice cubes - and then fill it to the brim with the my green tea.

It's a great way to have iced green tea anywhere during the day, and the Kanteen cleans really well.

Since it's stainless steel, you don't have to worry about the dangers of contaminants in plastics. I've been doing this for a while and it works really well for me.