Product Review: Mr. Coffee TM 1 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker

My wife and I have been using the Mr. Coffee TM 1 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker for about three years and we love it. With all due respect to Mr. George Foreman and his amazing grilling machine, our Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker is easily our favorite kitchen appliance. The Iced Tea Maker takes up a smaller amount of counter space than an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of notebook paper. It brews a complete pitcher of iced tea in just a few minutes and it is so easy even the most kitchen-impaired people can master it.

To brew a perfect pitcher of iced tea, you simply fill the pitcher to the “water” line and then pour the water into the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker’s reservoir. Then you fill the pitcher to the “ice” line with ice from your refrigerator. Then you add an appropriate amount of sugar. Generally, we add between 4 and 6 tablespoons of sugar depending upon our mood. Then you place two family-sized tea bags in the steeping basket and put the basket on the pitcher. Next, align the pitcher opening with the machines output and hit the on button. In five to ten minutes, you will have a pitcher of iced tea. Pull the lever up on the steeping basket to release any remaining brewed tea, pull the basket off the pitcher, stir to dissolve the sugar, and replace the steeping basket with the regular pitcher lid. It’s super easy and, once you’ve found the balance of tea and sugar that works best for your family, it makes a perfect pitcher of tea every time.

There are a few drawbacks that every prospective buyer should know. First, Yankees beware, six or more tablespoons of sugar will put you aboard the diabetes express and start your journey right into Southern-style Sweet Tea territory. Second, Mr. Coffee is serious when they say their pitchers are not dishwasher safe. We tried a shortcut and put our pitcher in the dishwasher. It cracked the very first time that we washed it. Fortunately, you can order replacement pitchers online directly from Mr. Coffee. Finally, the inside of the yellow steeping basket will get tea stained–in an iced tea machine–imagine! These drawbacks are completely minor in comparison to the value that this appliance provides.

Overall, the only thing better than a Mr. Coffee TM 1 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker with one pitcher is a Mr. Coffee TM 1 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker with two pitchers! Get a good supply of tall glasses and a few long wooden spoons. Heck, with unlimited iced tea, you might as well hire a contractor and build that extra bathroom you’ve always wanted!