Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Cool, refreshing iced tea made simple.
Credit:Southern Living / Dera Burreson
As children, it seemed our mothers had an expert touch preparing this magical elixir.
The screw-on lid is airtight,keeping tea freshin the refrigerator for several days.
The Takeya carafe is easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The magic of the Altura is its uncomplicated designa single piece, easy to use and simple to store.
Available for less than $20, The Tube+ is a terrific economical choice for all iced-tea lovers.
If storage is a concern, the Capresso may be too large for standard cabinets.
The Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker features a simple, slim design that is easy to clean.Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
This model is perfect for making tea quickly, especially if you make tea often.
The attractive carafe brews, stores, and serves without creating any storage issues.
The infuser is versatile enough for other applications and securely closes while preventing any sediment in the tea.
We then refrigerated each pitcher overnight to observe how well they brewed the tea.
We let the tea chill according to the recommended times.
The tea is then consumed hot, poured over ice, or refrigerated.
This tea can be very tannic and getting the levels just right foriced teacan be tricky.
This process takes about an hour and makes a milder brew than hot water, but still very flavorful.
Though simple, this method requires the weather to cooperate and can be seasonally prohibitive.
Capacity
Iced tea makers can come in all sizes.
Conversely, if you are an infrequent consumer you may find a smaller model perfect for you.
If space is an issue, choosing a model that fits your storage ability might be a smarter route.
Pitchers, the most important part for serving, come in both plastic and glass.
Glass pitchers tend to weigh more and break or chip easily if mishandled.
The infuser is another component where material consideration weighs heavily.
Fine mesh infusers can come in both stainless steel and plastic.
For longevity, they both might run an equal race with a slight advantage to the longevity of steel.
For other components, like handles and lids, it is important to note if they are usefully made.
It also has a large handle that makes lifting and pouring easy.
We were disappointed that the infuser didnt sit securely in the pitcher, leaving it to tilt slightly.
Additionally the small, awkward parts were difficult to clean.
Unfortunately, the Brentwood makes noticeably weaker tea when compared to the other models.
Questions And Answers
How does an iced tea maker work?
Manual and electric iced tea makers work in slightly different ways.
The most marked difference is that electric models employ hot water to steep the tea leaves or bags.
What kind of tea do you use in an iced tea maker?
All of the models we tested can be used with loose tea or tea bags.
“Teas are quite versatile and almost any tea can be enjoyed iced,” says Blair.
How do you sweeten iced tea?
The traditional way is to stir your sugar into hot steeped tea until it fully dissolves.
This mixture can be refrigerated and at the ready when you make your tea.
How do you adjust the strength of iced tea?
As a rule of thumb, use about 12 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea for every 8 ounces of water.
For bagged tea, the best place to start is the instructions on the box.
With both types of tea however, the best ratio is the one that you find most tasty.
Experimenting with the ratio can land you with your very own formula for a great glass.
Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
“A good rule for almost any teawhether hot or coldis ‘more tea not more time.’
Meaning, if you feel your tea tastes weak, the impulse is usually to steep the tea longer.
However, this can lead to bitter tannins or flavors becoming imbalanced and distorted,” says Blair.
The Altura The Tube+ stainless steel filter nestles inside mason jars and is large enough to hold loose-leaf tea.Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
As with the ratio and brew times,experimenting with different tea varietieswill help find your sweet spot.
Her favorite blend is an Arnold Palmer.
Tiffany is a trained chef, writer, and food entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience.
We also consultedDana Blair, the owner of tea.o.graphy.
Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Primula Iced Tea Maker features a diffuser with a wide opening that makes it easy to add loose leaf tea.Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Capresso Electric Iced Tea Maker is about the same size as a regular coffee maker.Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Ovalware Cold Brew Maker has a sleek design that allows you to easily store it in your fridge.Credit: Southern Living / Dera Burreson
We evaluated the tea of each electric and non-electric tea maker by observing its taste, color, and scent.Credit:Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Capresso Electric Iced Tea Maker has an easy-to-grip handle which allowed us to easily pour and serve tea.Credit:Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Primula Flavor It Beverage System Pitcher features a wide infuser that’s perfect for making fruit-flavored tea.Credit:Southern Living / Dera Burreson
