IQ Innovations 51552 Fine T 4-Cup Gourmet Tea Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Fine T Tea maker from IQ innovations.

Good:
-Makes 4 cups
-Has a rinse feature for tea. Although I would like to tweak that a bit.
-Mostly stainless steal and glass.
-Mostly very well made.
-Self cleaning, handy.
-Infusion basket is full size, so the tea has room to expand. It also is removable, and easy to clean sense it is stainless steal. This was one major draw back of the Zarafina, it's infusion basket was only half the size of the amount you could brew.
-Timer, it can be set the night before to make you tea in the morning!
-Has an automatic function for a second brew.
-Keeps tea warm for up to 30 minutes.
Bad:
-Very little temperature control. I though this would be the best part of this machine, with the lcd display and menu interface I assumed I would have more temperature chooses then 205 and 160. This also is to cold for some Black teas, and a bit to hot for some white teas.
-It's huge! Well this really is not that bad, but it is almost twice the size of the Zarafina and does not really fit under my cupboards on the counter. Of course it does make 4 cups.
-Some oddly cheap plastic parts. For example the infusion lid is made of plastic and puts off a plastic smell when brewing black tea.
-An interface only a programmer would love. It is not terribly user friendly, yet it is not hard ether. It does end up being tedious to deal with.
-Bad viewing angle on the LCD, I am taller, and find myself leaning over to see it clear. If it had more features, I would be impressed, but when I can not even dial in a temperature I wonder why we need it for the basic settings. That is until you use the timer for tea in the morning, then you will like it.Over all it has a feeling of a beta tea maker. A great first attempt for them, but obviously has a few bugs and corners that were cut un-neededly. You can tell they really understand what is important about brewing tea, with features including the pre rinse, but for some reason they fumble with only two temperature settings. Maybe they had internal pressure to cut costs or to rush its release? The tea comes out tasting great. Sure it is not as good as a gung fu method, but it is fairly close if you do not have time to make it by hand. So long as you don't need to brew at a temperature besides 160 or 205. If this tea maker was not so expensive, I would be more impressed, but at a retail price of $299 I would not recommend it unless you really needed 4 cups at a time, would like to wake up to fresh tea, or are independently wealthy. Now if you can pick one up on ebay for cheap, then thats a different story.

Ignoring price, it is better then the Zarafina. But considering retail price, the Zarafina is a much better buy.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: IQ Innovations 51552 Fine T 4-Cup Gourmet Tea Machine

Product Description:
Making a cup of tea has become an easy, every-day ritual for many people, but now making perfectly brewed gourmet tea can be as well. This elegantly designed 4-cup tea machine works with any type of loose tea and features seven different settings, each with its own preset temperature and infusion time. The fully programmable unit automatically and precisely controls the water temperature and brewing time, while its simple push-button controls and digital display make for effortless operation. In addition, the unit's 24-hour programmable timer allows for waking up to freshly brewed hot tea or for having a pot ready after coming inside from a brisk walk on a beautiful Fall day. Other highlights include variable water temperature from 160 to 205 degrees F depending on the type of tea, a removable infusion basket and filter that swings out for easy cleaning, a hot plate that keeps the tea warm for 30 minutes, and a countdown function that turns the machine off after 30 minutes. The 1200-watt tea machine measures approximately 8-3/5 by 8 by 15-8/9 inches and carries a two-year limited warranty.
From the Manufacturer

Creating the Perfect Cup of Tea
The Fine-T gourmet tea machine combines the science of tea making with leading edge technology to enable you to not just enjoy, but savour perfectly brewed teas time after time. The Fine-T gourmet tea machine is fully programmable for all types of tea, water temperatures, and steep times, as water temperatures can vary depending on the type of tea you are using. The Fine-T machine takes care of this automatically.

Beautiful and Functional
Designed to brew any type of loose tea leaves, the beautifully styled 4-cup Fine T is the only electric tea maker that simultaneously and automatically controls both water temperature and brewing time with exact precision. To ensure that each cup of tea is brewed perfectly every time, whether it's robust black or oolong, more delicate exotic white tea, or fragile green tea, Fine T features 7 distinct settings that match the tea being used to its ideal water temperature and infusion time. Fine T also includes an eighth setting, a tea wash program which rinses leaves such as Puerh tea before brewing. A 24-hour clock and programmable timer makes it possible to preset brewing times, and for example, wake up to the pleasing aroma of freshly brewed tea each morning. Unlike coffee, which can be uniformly brewed at a certain water temperature, and for the same amount of time, regardless of the type of bean and roast used, tea is more complex and requires finesse in order to enjoy peak flavors and aromas.
Sleek and modern in its design, which combines gleaming chrome and black accents, Fine T resembles a high-end, programmable electric coffee maker in style and function. Simple to use, Fine T has a swing-out infusion basket to conveniently hold loose tea (one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup is recommended). Fine T's top lid lifts to pour fresh, cold water into the water chamber, which conveniently includes an outside water level indicator window for visual guidance. Additionally, the interior of the water chamber has a minimum and maximum water level mark. To operate, select the appropriate setting for the type of tea used with a push of a button. The tea maker's back-lit LCD panel will confirm the tea brewing setting chosen, showing the type of tea selected, the appropriate water temperature, and exact time required for brewing. Fine T takes care of the rest, heating the water to the correct temperature before it reaches the infusion basket, which is also heated to ensure the right temperature is maintained throughout the infusion process. Following an exact period of infusion, perfectly brewed tea is dispensed below into a heat-resistant glass carafe. A heated plate at the base of the unit conveniently keeps the tea at its ideal temperature, and is designed to shut off after 30 minutes so as to preserve the flavor of the tea. Features and Specifications

Back-lit LCD panel

24-hour programmable timer

Seven different settings covering all gourmet tea; each with its own preset temperature and infusion time

Comprehensive cleaning program to ensure the best results every time

Makes 4 cups of tea

Variable water temperature, from 160 to 205 degrees F

Removable infusion basket and filter; outside water level indicator

Hot plate that keeps the tea warm for 30 minutes

1200-watts

Measures approximately 8-3/5 by 8 by 15-8/9 inches

Two-year limited warranty

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Mr. Coffee TM75 3 Quart Iced Tea Maker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had the old one with the orange top.That one has a top basket to hold the tea bags which incorporates a side lever to plug the bottom drain hole, and an overflow channel so just the last couple of cups steep the tea until you pull the lever to release them. The new one with the blue basket has done away with that lever (I'm guessing to cut costs) and just put a little bit smaller hole at the bottom.They also tell you to use a coffee filter in the basket in addition to the teabags themselves, which after all are little paper filters.This is probably to slow down the run-out of the tea to help it steep it a little bit longer.My favorite combination of bags is one bag or Celestial Seasons Red Zinger, one Lipton Mango, and two Red Rose decaf's.In the old one I would let this combination of tea steep for maybe 10 minutes, and it came out perfectly.Using the same bags with the new one makes *really* tasteless, watery tea.

I just found a new model that makes 3 quarts and has a dial on the front for what they call "brew strength".This is a decided advantage over the other revised model.Also, you get a quart more of tea per cycle.You pour the water directly into the unit, where there is a window on the front with markings for 1, 2 and 3 quarts.The container has markings for how much ice to use for 1, 2 and 3 quarts.This is a better design, IMHO.Also, the pitchers are shorter, so fit in more places in your fridge, and the handles don't attach at the pitcher bottom, so you can nest them for storage.This is a big advantage over the old style.The new one comes with 2 pitchers.You can turn them both upside-down over the base unit to save even more storage space.

My recomendation: don't buy the newer 2 quart blue basket model.Hold out for the 3 quart model.And here's the kicker- I found mine at Wal-Mart for $2.00 less than Target was selling the 2 quart model!

Once you get into the habit of drinking iced tea instead of soda, you'll never go back.The savings in calories, money and hassle of returnable bottles and cans will have you hooked.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mr. Coffee TM75 3 Quart Iced Tea Maker

Product Description:
Make deliciously refresing great tasting Iced Tea in minutes. You can brew Iced Tea the easy way. Simply place Water in the Reservoir, place your favorite tea (loose or bags) in the brew basket and ice in the pitcher. You will have fresh iced tea in minutes.

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Oster BVST-TM23 2-1/2-Quart Iced-Tea Maker, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking for an ice tea maker with a glass pitcher.Liked the way this one looked.Bought one, worked fine for a few days, then it wouldn't turn on any more.The on button would fail to 'click' and light up, as it had before.Nothing.Thinking maybe I had gotten a lemon, decided to try a replacement since as I mentioned in the title, I really liked it, when it WORKED.

Got the second one, very quickly.I've had it for a few days now.Made about 4 or 5 batches of tea with it.I went to make another one just now and...nothing.It won't turn on just like the first one.I don't know for sure, but I suspect it may have something to do with the automatic shutoff feature.I've tried unplugging and replugging it, but it made no difference, with either one.There is nothing in the instructions to address this.I'm going to call the help center, to see if there's ANYTHING I could be doing different, seeing how it's two of these now that have done this, but at this point, it looks like I'll be requesting a return label for this one as well and sending it back along with the first one I got, only for a refund this time, which is too bad, as I really wanted this to work.

If this can be corrected in any way after I speak with the service department, as to possibly make it work, then I may change my review, but for now, I can only give it the one star for breaking so quickly and failing to function.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oster BVST-TM23 2-1/2-Quart Iced-Tea Maker, Black

Product Description:
Coffee drinkers have their automatic brewers, why shouldn't tea drinkers? Ideal for family gatherings or summer picnics, this versatile machine brews up 2-1/2 quarts of iced tea quickly and easily. Simply pour water into the water reservoir and add the desired amount of tea to the removable brew basket--five to seven bags of tea or 2 to 3 tablespoons of loose tea work well when brewing a full pitcher; sugar, lemon, and other flavorings can also be added to the brew basket for customized results. Then fill the pitcher with ice cubes to the ice-level marking and insert into the machine, close the top lid, and push the "on" button. The water heats up and steeps the tea in the brew basket, then hot tea drips down into the pitcher of ice. At the end of the brewing cycle, the machine shuts off automatically for safety and peace of mind. Other highlights include a power indicator light, a water window in the reservoir for accurate filling, an adjustable brew strength, and a permanent filter for use with loose tea. The pitcher provides a lid, a generous handle, and a nondrip pouring spout for graceful serving, and the pitcher, pitcher lid, and brew basket clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher. The iced-tea maker measures 11 by 10 by 13-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I drink tea like you breath air, but I'll bet my air against your tea that this is the maker you'll want.

We had a Mr Coffee tea maker for years. It was fine at first, but increasingly problematic.

First, physical weaknesses: The pitchers crack and warp slowly but steadily, so won't last forever. You can replace them for about ten bucks, but with shipping that's half the cost of an entirely new unit. And you can't put them in the dishwasher, so you'll probably want at least several up front anyway, so that you can clean them.

Second, cleaning problems. Unlke the Hamilton Beach tea makers, the Mr Coffee bags go in the brewing housing, which has to be removed and cleaned separately from the pitcher. And if you forget to do that, you'll have yucky (even moldy) tea bags the next time you go to make tea, even if that's within two days.

Hamilton Beach instead keeps the bags' brewing area inside the pitcher itself, which you can refridgerate and prevent yuck and mold from occuring. Plus, the Mr Coffee station drips TEA on the counter as soon as you remove the pitcher, whereas the Hamilton Beach only drips WATER since the tea process is all contained in the pitcher itself.

Further, the Mr Coffee series requires that the pitcher get very close to the brew housing station, with the tea just BARELY getting into the spout, or else you'll get tea dripped on the counter WHILE brewing. That messiness increases as the pitcher begins to warp and crack. Hamilton Beach bests that both by including a pull-out tray that HOLDS the pitcher in the correct position, and by having the tea drip directly to the center of the pitcher rather than milimeters from the edge of the spout.

Above all, the Hamilton Beach series simply makes better tea. It includes a dial that allows you to make weak, medium, or strong tea, and that's all automated. The Mr Coffee series has no such setting, but requires you to "close" the brewing area for a period and then turn a dial to "open" before it starts putting tea in the pitcher. That manual step both slows down the tea production, and risks making quite the mess if you forget to go back and open the dial.

(The reviewer who used 14 bags for 2 quarts is doing something insanely wrong. Above all, they're probably using individual bags. You'll definitely want to get a few boxes of "family size" bags. I use 3 bags for 2 quarts, and it makes as fine a tea as I ever had growin' up in Georgia.)

Finally, the Mr Coffee pitcher is a large and obtrusive ROUND cylinder that takes up lots of space in the fridge, even when there's only a glass or so left in the pitcher, plus a handle that takes up excessively additional space. The Hamilton Beach pitchers are instead elongated OVAL shapes, that fit in more places in the fridge, even in the fridge door, and are *shorter* so that you can put them on a shelf with a lower overhead.

Mr. Coffee: bigger mess, more manual, more cleaning, more risk, lower longevity, and lamer tea.

Hamilton Beach: no mess, no manual revisit, easy to clean, no risk, lasts longer, better tea, and more options when you make it.

No contest!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker

Product Description:
Make perfect iced tea and chill instantly with this electric easy to use iced tea maker

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BonJour Glass Teapot 40-Ounce Prosperity with BPA Free Flavor Lock Shut Off Infuser, Noir Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Had this for about a month now, and it's performing just fine.This model is good for about three good-sized mugs of tea.The frame protecting the glass body is a tough plastic that should blend well with most tea accessories that have a smooth, low-gloss black finish.The glass is fairly thin but stands up to hand cleaning and clinking against teacups.

I've used two types of loose tea in it so far--a black and a white.The loosely rolled, flexible white tea leaves create a pretty good barrier to water passing through, so you need to take more time pouring over the infuser.The dryer, more tightly rolled black tea leaves infuse quickly but the tips have a tendency to get caught in the holes of the infuser, meaning that they require more time (a scrub brush with bristles helps) to remove when cleaning.This hasn't been a big issue so far, however.

All in all, this is a good teapot for those who like tea in a social context but don't want to get too twee with floral motifs or humorous cows.Would recommend.

Click Here to see more reviews about: BonJour Glass Teapot 40-Ounce Prosperity with BPA Free Flavor Lock Shut Off Infuser, Noir Black

Product Description:
With accessories ranging from tea and coffee pots to wine cellars and salt vaults, BonJour gives you the gourmet tools you need to sit back and drink in the moment. This Prosperity glass teapot features a patented shut-off infuser in which the filter traps the hydrated leaves below the brewing line of the infuser basket, allowing you to have more control over the brewing process. Made with a comfortable stay-cool handle, built in coaster and borosilicate glass for superior heat retention and clarity. 5-cup capacity. Hand wash and dry

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GROSCHE GLASGOW Glass Teapot and Kettle with Infuser - Stovetop Safe , 1000 ml 34 Fl Oz capacity Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pay heed to the one-star review. I was just rinsing the lid off with lukewarm water and it cracked and broke. The lid had sat and cooled to room temperature before I rinsed it. It was never dropped or mishandled in any way. Very strange. Grosche offers a replacement lid and infuser set but Amazon doesn't offer it for sale!!!! It really kinda sucks too because this is a great tea pot otherwise.

Sept 17 2010 UPDATE!!!!

When this originally happened I emailed the company and they said the infuser/lid replacements were out of stock and they would be available in a few weeks on Amazon (which they now are). However, last week I received an email from thier customer service saying that for being so patient they were going to send me a new infuser/lid at NO CHARGE!!! I got it in the mail today. Awesome!!! Awesome!!! Awesome!!! Thanks Grosche! This product is now FIVE STARS all the way!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: GROSCHE GLASGOW Glass Teapot and Kettle with Infuser - Stovetop Safe , 1000 ml 34 Fl Oz capacity

Product Description:
GLASGOW Teapot and Kettle: With classic and subtle European design notes, the high quality contemporary look of the GLASGOW teapot is an elegant part of any table setting. Its 1 liter (approx 34 fl oz) Capacity is great for 4-5 tea cups at a time. Perfect for an after dinner tea setting, this steeper tea pot is made of medical grade GROSCHE Borosilicate glass that is heat resistant, lightweight, and strong. Perfect for use with a GROSCHE SAHARA Warmer (not included) to keep your tea warm for hours. With the GLASGOW, you can just add more water and allow your tea leaves to re-steep giving you many more great cups of tea to enjoy.You can also use it without the steeper for flowering teas by removing the strainer. It is top rack dishwasher and microwave safe, and stovetop safe as well for gas/electric (not induction) stoves on low to medium heat. This high quality GROSCHE teapot is guaranteed against ever becoming cloudy even after many, many years of use.Since it is safe for stovetop use you can boil water in the GLASGOW TeaKettle, and add your favorite loose tea, flowering teas, or tea bags to the teapot to prepare your teas jus the way you like them.The 1 Litre (33.8 Fl oz.) size makes this a great size for having tea for 2 to 5 people. You can always add water to an emptying kettle to re-steep your teas. It's a 3 piece set, with the teapot, strainer / Infuser included, and the teapot lid. It goes great with a SAHARA teapot Warmer (Sold separately). Brand new, it comes in the original GROSCHE packaging box.

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