While it seems like anybody can boil water, throw in a tea bag or two into a tea pot, let the it steep and voila, you have a cup of tea, it’s not everyone who can make the perfect cup of tea that is brewed just right. For consistent tea enjoyment, an automatic tea maker can make the difference between a bland cup of tea and one that is full-bodied and enjoyed. With cool features like six preset temperatures for green, white, oolong, herbal and black teas, pot warmer, timer and removable tea infuser for either loose or bagged tea, a great cup of tea is just minutes away, every time.
Automatic tea maker machine:
Automatic tea maker machines pictured: Left: Cuisinart TEA-100 PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper and Kettle / Right: Oster BVST-TM23 2-1/2-Quart Iced-Tea Maker, Black
Home ice cube maker
It seems like on one the first things to disappear at a family BBQ is the ice. As the drinks are flowing and the bottles are chilling, having a few ice cube trays in your fridge is not going to cut it. If you entertain a lot, a home ice cube maker can be a huge help when a large amount of ice is needed. Just remember that while a quality ice cube maker can make up to 28 pounds of ice per day, it will literally take the whole day and night to do so, so start making ice a day or two before and have a freezer accessible to keep the ice until needed.
Home ice cube maker:
Home ice cube maker pictured: NewAir AI-100R Countertop Portable Ice Maker, Red
Portable ice cube maker
While a portable ice cube maker sounds cool, pardon the pun, one has to wonder if it is really worth the investment in the end. Sure, you’re able to have ice for your drinks in the middle of nowhere, that is of course, if there’s an electrical outlet. And the better quality portable ice cube makers appear to only provide up to 9 ice cubes every six to fifteen minutes, which is fine if you’re drinking alone, but if you have more than a few friends, then someone’s going to have to wait another six to fifteen minutes. Better to just think ahead and have a cooler filled with ice to take with you.
Portable ice cube maker:
Portable ice cube maker examples. Pictured: Left: Oster OSIM22SV 27-Pound Portable Ice Maker / Right: NewAir AI-100BK Countertop Portable Icemaker, Black