Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker - Versatile Tea Brewer for Loose/Bagged Tea - Patented Flash Chill Tech Hot/Cold Use BPA-Free Tritan Dishwasher Safe - Airtight Lid Made in USA - 1 Quart/Avocado

Sneaky BurritoUnited States

I use this 5-6 times per week

I previously had one of the Takeya iced tea makers that comes with two pitchers -- one tall, like this, and then a smaller one with a smaller mesh infuser. Well, I knocked the smaller mesh infuser off the counter and onto the (tile) kitchen floor, where it cracked. Since I drink iced tea daily (we probably go through 5-6 pitchers a week at my house) I had to order another one right away. I went looking for the previous set that I had and found them all going for eighty plus bucks. So I bought one of these instead. In some really happy news for me, I found that the large pitcher here is identical to the large pitcher from the previous set, so I can use the infuser that came with this pitcher with the other pitcher too, so now I basically have two iced tea makers, which is lovely and convenient. Here is my procedure for using this product (I don't know if it is what the directions say, but I got used to this procedure with my other set and know it works): *Boil water in a tea kettle *While the water is boiling, take 3 tablespoons of Davidson's Irish Breakfast loose leaf tea (I buy it on Amazon by the pound) and put it in the infuser *Fit the infuser into the cap *When the water boils, pour it in the bottom of the pitcher (I'd say I usually use enough water in my tea kettle to fill this 40-50% of the way) *Put the lid back onto the pitcher and leave it (I may leave it 30 minutes or 3 hours, it sort of depends on what else I am doing and whether I remember to remove the tea leaves) *Remove the infuser; add ice and cold water; stir if necessary I have a spot in my refrigerator door reserved for this pitcher. One nice feature of this set is there is a black plastic cup where you can set the infuser while you are finishing up making the tea, so you don't make a mess all over the counter. For reference, it is safe to pour boiling water in the clear plastic part. I have done this many times with different Takeya pitchers made of the same plastic, as well as a handful of times with this pitcher, and it has been just fine. There is absolutely no weird taste in the tea (i.e., I don't think anything is leaching from the plastic into the tea). As for cleaning, the clear pitcher can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher (I do use a no heat dry; don't know whether that is necessary; bottom rack is probably necessary because of the height). The top green part (well, mine is green but I see some other colors are available as well) can go in the top rack. For what it's worth, the top green part is actually two parts: the one with the vertical pour handle and the one with the horizontal handle on top. It is nice to be able to take these apart and really clean around the top and neck of the pitcher. It is a bit difficult to get all the tea leaves out of the infuser part, but really, it just takes a few minutes, and I find that to be true of pretty much any container designed for brewing loose tea leaves. It is definitely better to remove the tea leaves completely before washing (the infuser part can also go in the dishwasher) so you don't get gunk stuck on other dishes in your load. Of course the top green part and infuser, like the clear pitcher, can also be washed by hand. Anyway, I love this thing and use it multiple times per week. Definitely glad I purchased it and would do so again if I broke it like the last one (though I will try to be more careful in the future!).

LWD01915United States

Best Invention-EVER!

I drink iced tea year-round and every day and this is the possibly THE greatest product ever made (well, maybe second to the wheel). I have owned and used all the other iced tea maker products made during the past 25+ years and this blows them away. This is my second one and bought only because my son managed to break the heavy plastic pitcher when he was having an 18-year-old "tantrum" and slammed it on a hard floor. He's paying for this one! I also bought just the pitcher which is all I really needed to make iced tea since the infuser wasn't harmed in the rage. But the pitcher alone is a great one for anything. The top tightens so well that you can lay it horizontally in the refrigerator. It doesn't stain or come discolored and can be hand washed or put in the dishwasher. But back to the primary purpose-making iced tea. I make at least 2-quarts/day (and often a gallon) and it is so easy. I use loose tea which I buy online in a variety of "tastes" and caffeine levels but have also used tea bags in the infuser which is incredibly hardy. The directions say to use the water at the temperature that is supposed to be used for your tea but I just boil a tea kettle and when it whistles, I just pour the water into the infuser in the pitcher up to the top. I don't measure the tea all that carefully-I have sense of how much is needed and often make it strong on purpose and then when it's "dark", I pour it all into a separate gallon pitcher that has ice in it. And then immediately make another 2 quarts using the same tea so I have over a gallon of tea to drink. I only use the directions (fill with hot water 2/3 of the way and let steep for 3-5 min and then add ice and shake) when I have friends over who may not want my random mix of teas. I usually just dump the used tea leaves/bags out and rinse it but have also put it through the dishwasher. Maybe I've made it sound more time-consuming or confusing than it really is but I don't drink soda or alcohol or juice-just iced tea. And the whole thing can also be used to make cold brew coffee. After I saw Takeya's cold brew maker, I called them and asked if the Iced Tea maker could be used for cold brew coffee and they confirmed that it could and gave me the directions on how to make the coffee (which I rarely drink). Just a great product in every way.

mememeTUnited States

Perfect boiling-to-cold tiny-fridge light-weight rugged all-in-one tea coffee fruit drink pitcher!

This is wonderful! First, if uncertain, this is 1 quart size. It is smaller in all ways from what I think of as a "regular pitcher" size. Its geography in the fridge is small on the bottom and shorter bottom to top. Awesome for those with cramped fridge space. Second, that handle: It stretches down top-to-almost-bottom full-hand size even though this is a smaller pitcher. Firm steady grip, whether cold or hot liquid is in it. And even better, covered with silicon! Third, adding boiling water to it was a delight! Truly I eye in suspect even glass pitchers that I pour a little then wait then baby them until finished. It is asking a lot to withstand that kind of temp change, and who knows how or what things are made anymore. But this one, it was smaller, very light in weight, I thought just do it, and I did. All at once, no babying, and it took it like a pro yay! And the seal is tight on the top, no leaking, no worries. To pour, no magic just functionality: Twist slightly until the under-opening parts a little and pour with confidence, not too fast/slow, then tiny bit of twist and pitcher is sealed securely again. I have not tried lying it on its side in the fridge (leaks), or in the door (fit), but what I have seen so far leads me to believe likely no worries. Fourth, the design seems thoughtful. Tight twisty seal of handle-top, with easy tight quick well-seated twist-in inside seal of the nicely-sized filter, feels durable but little weight to it, and floor of it is large enough that as I pour boiling water in it maintains a firm position on the counter. Pre-purchase I needed: Smaller pitcher due to fridge space, that I could make tea, fruid-ade, or coffee in, that went from boiling water to counter room temp to fridge chill until finished, all in a single vessel. 1-4 cups only, for now and maybe later. That wasn't a nightmare of tiny gadgets and attachments to find/use/wash/lose/rust/cut me. The supplied cup at the bottom I will use, and it came in handy for quick and not-messy initial removal of the filter from the pitcher. I found everything here, how great is that!

CassieUnited States

Game changer if you're a (lazy) iced tea aficionado!

I recently picked up this iced tea maker, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer. It's the perfect size - large enough to give me a full glass or two for days, yet compact enough to slide into my fridge without taking up space. I've got to admit, I've been hooked on the cold brew function and haven't even ventured into the flash chill territory yet. The cold brew is just too good and so simple! I just drop in about 8 tea bags, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and wake up to fragrant, refreshing tea. Technically if you look up each tea you will see the optimal amount of brewing time, but I’ve accidentally left the tea bags in for days before with absolutely no issue. The design is pretty well thought out too. It comes with an infuser chamber that screws right into the lid so it’s easy to add/remove. And the extra little cup that catches any drips after you remove the infuser? Genius. I never would have thought of it but the small details make all the difference. I've been sticking to tea bags for the sake of convenience, but it's nice to know it can handle loose leaf tea since a lot of the high quality blends are loose leaf. I've experimented with green tea, spearmint, and hibiscus so far, and they've all turned out amazing. Honestly, it's like this tea maker was designed for people who want easy convenience. I've been trying to swap coffee for tea for awhile now, but I kept forgetting about my steeping tea until hours later when it was the steepiest it could possibly be. This iced tea maker's been a lifesaver - or should I say, a tea-saver? I've almost completely cut out coffee now because making delicious tea is just so effortless with this thing. The only little hiccup is the staining from some of the more pigmented teas. I’ve found that it can get a kind of yellowish tint. However a deep clean with baking soda and vinegar every other week keeps it looking fresh and new! I can’t recommend this enough, I’m thinking about getting several in multiple colors so I can color code my teas or do a caffeine/non caffeine blend each time.