Bodum Biasca 40-Ounce Glass Iced Tea Maker Review

Had previously owned the Bodum Ceylon 51oz Iced Tea Pitcher, but the "infuser" was useless from the start and the lid broke after a few uses... so I was excited to see the Biasca Ice Tea Jug as an updated ice tea solution.

First off - please note that this is a COLD BREW iced tea maker which requires 5-6 hours of cold steeping in the fridge.This also means that hot water should never be used.The idea behind a cold brew is to cut down the bitterness or astringency of regular brew iced tea, and also to enhance the more subtle flavors of whichever leaf you're using.

This process and jug produces a very soft, light and delicate iced tea.If you're looking for brisk - keep looking.Even adding heaps of extra tea does not go far in strengthening a cold brew.

Regarding the Biasca, I LOVE the design - my version had a bright green lid and looked fun and modern.The overall size of the jug is also appreciated as it has a small diameter and a comfortable, slim handle.Plus the lid is fantastic - a good rubber seal and a fine mesh that keeps all leaves in the jug and out of your mug.Wonderful!

I wish I could continue enjoying that wonderful design, however, on only my second use, I set a full jug back in the fridge and the bottom two inches of the jug broke off and sent glass and thousands of tiny tea leaves all over my fridge and kitchen floor.

Be warned - this item is extremely fragile!I did not bang or slam the jug against anything, not did I use hot water - and yet it still broke.I'm sure you'll have better luck than I if you understand this going in.Treat it with kid gloves and I'm sure it will be a great iced tea maker for you!

But for me, being that this is the second Bodum tea product that has broken within a few uses, I think I'm calling it a day with their iced tea goods.

As a side note - I'm still a fan of Bodum products. I own many Bodum glasses and a glass teapot and have not had any issues with those even after a few years of use.Just something about their iced tea items....

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Product Description:
The distinctive Biasca Iced Tea Jug by Bodum is named after a small town located in the south of Switzerland where it gets unusually warm during otherwise chilly summers. For locals, cold brewed green tea provides exactly the energy kick needed after hiking in the nearby mountains. To recreate this experience at home, place a desired amount of green tea leaves in the Biasca jug and fill it with cold water. Let it steep over night.Add ice cubes and sugar, as desired, the next day. The Biasca features a filter that is integrated into the lid designed to keep the green tea leaves in the jug when pouring tea. The Biasca can also be used to create refreshing infused water and other infused drinks. Additionally, the lid sits tightly on the jug's opening to properly store beverages. The Biasca jug is made of heat-resistant, ultra-light borosilicate glass and does not get cloudy in the dishwasher, even after repeated use. The removable lid is made of plastic with a silicone gasket and an integrated, finely meshed plastic filter. The jug has a capacity of 1.2l (40-ounce) and measures 27 cm (10.6) high.

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Hamilton Beach 42115 3-in-1 Hot-Beverage Center, Black Review

This is replacing a 4 cup Melitta coffeemaker (couldn't find a replacement carafe that would fit the brewer, which sat atop the pot).
This appealed to me in that this product has the following good features:

1) no pot/carafe to crack or clean
2) no waste (since you didn't have to brew 1-3 cups to get 1 decent sized mug + waste)
3) no hot plate/pot to turn off - nothing to worry about if you started a brew and then were unexpectedly called away or forgot about it
4) no paper filters required (but see below)
5) looks interesting - doesn't look like a coffee maker, takes up less space on counter, easier to keep clean.

I read some reviews - good and bad- and decided to get it anyway. AM SO GLAD I DID- I REALLY LIKE THIS THING!

Reasons:1)-4) above, plus:
5) water resevoir + filter assembly is dishwasher safe (top rack)
6) capability of using pods (I wasn't about to buy an expensive 'pod-processor', so this is a very nice 'perk' - pun intended! ;o)

Very easy- load it up, walk away, come back to beverage.Lovely!

Some tips to head off any/all problems-

1) Read the manual.Hey, things happen, but really - use COLD WATER ONLY.

2) If brewing multiple cups- WAIT AT LEAST 30 SECS after light goes off before starting another brew.To be safe, I wait a full minute- have not had any problems.

3) I could see the potential for 'filter fouling', so I buy generic #4 Melitta filters (huge pack can be bought for <$2/pk) (& since #1s are almost impossible to find/expensive).I cut them down to fit the little filter basket, and I can go back n forth from tea to coffee to hot cocoa to soup without carryover effects (dump out coffee & rinse assembly after coffee).
4) Be careful with pushing down on plastic parts- again- read the manual. You might have to double-check to be sure that the water resevoir is pushed in all the way some times (it happened to me once).Use the handle/flap assembly to open/close the filter assembly - this is covered in the manual.

I agree- it would be nice if this were made more robustly (less plastic), and I do worry about the ability to get a replacement brew basket if need be. But I paid less than $20 for this (at Meijer), so can't complain.

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Product Description:
From fresh-brewed coffee to tea and hot chocolate, this single-serve three-in-one hot-beverage center makes them all--directly into the cup and in less than two minutes per cup. The versatile unit can drip-brew coffee grounds or coffee pods, steep tea bags or leaves, and make hot water for instant hot chocolate, cereal, and soups. It can even make iced tea and coffee. Configured to offer the ultimate in flexibility, the appliance accommodates any size travel mug, cup, or bowl, and its two-level cup stand reduces splatter. The unit also comes equipped with a removable 14-ounce water reservoir, which slides out like a drawer and offers measurement marks for easy filling at the sink. Providing added convenience, its compact design takes up minimal space on the counter--great for the home office, college dorm, or for anyone short on kitchen space. Other highlights include a stainless permanent filter with a built-in pod adaptor, automatic shut-off after brewing, and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup. The hot-beverage center measures 8 by 7-1/2 by 12 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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