tropicalports: ReviewCoffee drinkers have their automatic brewers, why shouldn’t tea drinkers? Ideal for family gatherings or summer picnics, this ingenious Hamilton Beach machine brews up a pitcher full of iced tea in less than ten minutes. After the pitcher is filled with ice cubes, tea (either loose or bags) is placed in the special paperless filter, and an adjustment for mild, medium, or strong brewing is selected. The lid snaps on. A receptacle slides out from underneath the heating unit which then holds the pitcher snugly in place. Water is added to the heating unit, the power button pushed, and the hot water drips through the tea filter into the pitcher of ice. When brewing is complete, the power automatically shuts off for safety. Complete directions for use are embossed on the slide-out receptacle, which eliminates worries about losing a user guide. Although the iced tea maker looks bulky when assembled, the pitcher inverts snugly over the heating unit for compact storage. Able to fit in most refrigerator doors, the 2-quart pitcher features a hollow, comfortable handle and a thumb release for the lid, but is not dishwasher-safe. Assembled, the machine measures 17-1/2 by 11-1/2 by 4-1/2 inches. --Ann Bieri
A great appliance! I'm a tea lover, and I'm thrilled with the Hamilton Beach Iced Tea Maker. What I like:
1. It's much safer than boiling water on the stove (and possibly forgetting it!) or having to pour boiling water into a pitcher.
2. The tea tastes better than tea made the conventional way. I use 2 large bags of Luzianne tea, with the "strong" setting, and it turns out great - a pretty amber color, no bitterness, just the flavor of tea. Leftover tea tastes good hours later or even the next day. I love that this appliance allows you to dial the strength of tea you want.
3. The pour spout on the tea pitcher does not leak or spill over! This may seem trivial, but it's not to me. Most of the pitchers I've had in the past were messy to use.
4. The appliance is compact. The tower fits easily in the cabinet under my sink. The streamlined pitcher takes up little refrigerator space.
5. The price is reasonable. And, Amazon puts this item on sale most weekends, with free shipping for purchases over $25.
I couldn't be happier with this appliance. I just hope it lasts forever (we'll see!).
