I Spend All Summer Drinking Iced Tea Thanks to This Large, Easy-to-Clean Carafe

One of my favorite summer activities is sitting on the porch and sipping some iced tea. While I wish I could have iced tea on tap in my kitchen, for now, I make it myself in large batches thanks to my Takeya iced tea maker. It’s easy to use and clean, produces a consistent, high-quality brew, and best of all, it makes enough iced tea to last me a few days. The best part? It’s currently on sale for 20% off. 

Takeya Iced Tea Maker

You could steep a piping batch of tea and pour it over ice, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The tannins and caffeine that are released during the brewing process bind together upon contact with ice, creating a cloudy, bitter iced tea. I’ve also taken the approach of throwing some tea bags into a pitcher of room temperature water to cold brew tea, but there’s too much fiddling, and if I want to use loose-leaf tea, I’d have to get a large enough filter. So, to get the bright amber quality of iced tea that I’m looking for, I turn to the Takeya iced tea maker. Not only does it produce a consistently strong, clear brew, but thanks to the removable filter insert, it’s a breeze to clean as well.

Why It’s Great

It’s Simple to Use

While Takeya provides instructions for flash-chilling hot tea, I prefer to use this carafe as a cold brew iced tea maker instead. All I have to do to make a batch of iced tea is fill the filter with tea leaves (more for a stronger brew, less for a lighter one), set the carafe on the counter for a few hours, or put it in my fridge if I’m heading out and want to come home to a refreshing glass of iced tea. The twist cap is also airtight, so I’m never worried about tea ending up all over my fridge instead of in my glass.

It Brews a Consistent Iced Tea

The carafe’s superfine, narrow filter keeps the tea steeped instead of floating (as tea bags are wont to do), resulting in a stronger, more vibrant steep. There’s no guesswork, and once I establish my preferred ratio of tea to water, I can trust that each brew will be consistent.

It’s Easy to Clean

The filter insert simply twists and lifts out when I’m done steeping). It’s also quick to clean thanks to its fine mesh screen, so I never find myself having to pick out leaves that are stuck in filter holes. While the carafe is tall and narrow, I can still easily fit my hand in with a sponge to wash the bottom and sides. 

It Has a Generous Capacity

The best part is that I can make enough tea to share (if I feel like sharing, that is). With a 2-quart capacity, I can keep pouring from it for days or set it out on the table for a family brunch. 

FAQs

How do you clean the Takeya iced tea maker?

All parts of the Takeya iced tea maker are dishwasher-safe. However, when cleaning by hand, it’s easy to wash with warm, soapy water and wipe clean.

What kinds of teas make for the best iced teas?

While I usually go with my tried-and-true English breakfast blend for iced teas, I sometimes switch it up with buckwheat, rooibos, or jasmine green tea. It’s fun and easy to experiment as you please.

Is the Takeya iced tea maker BPA-free?

Yes, the pitcher is made of Tritan plastic, a BPA-free plastic that’s durable and food-safe.

Why We’re The Experts

• An Uong is a Commerce Writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An drinks a lot of iced tea. Rarely does a day go by for her without an iced tea break.