I've been drinking tea for years. I used this kettle a few times and the tea is really weak. Any tips?
1866943
We have no problems with the kettle. We don't use the plastic filter that came with it. We simply use the kettle for heating up water that we then pour into a tea pot or a cup. I don't know if that would help you.
1866944
I bought the kettle to heat water to make tea either in a cup or a tea pot. I do not like the idea of using plastic repeatedly in a boiling water environment so I've discarded the plastic infuser basket that came with the kettle. I was surprised that a brand/company with as strong a reputation as Krupps had a kettle with a plastic infuser. I am basically happy with using the kettle to heat water for tea or other hot beverages. Good luck.
1866945
Are you sure you have it set for the correct temperature for the type of tea? Once the water is boiled & you lower the infuser section with the loose tea into the water, mine has always been perfect once steeped for the appropriate amount of time (5-7 minutes usually).
1866946
We also used the kettle mainly for heating up water and then pour it over the tea or coffee. Never had any problem with it.
1866947
Get a thermometer and check that it's heating the water to the correct temp.
1866948
Depends on the kind of tea. You need a specific temperature for some teas and also a specific steep time. It could also be you should add more tea to the brew. Sorry my answer is so vague. I remember when I first started with this kettle thinking about how much tea to add to the cage since it brews more then one cup at a time.
1866949
How fresh are your tea leaves? Make sure that you are addressing the right problem. The kettle is mostly a convenient heat sorce. Also, be sure to use good quality water-- not the stuff that comes out the tap. Invest in a picture filter and remember to change the filter on a regular schedule. I find that when I use a fresh premium tea and filtered water, my tea always taste better.If all else fails, the golden rule to getting a stronger tea is simply to steep longer. I like to steep the heck out of my leaves and I find that this kettle makes it easy to do so.I hope this helped :D How fresh are your tea leaves? Make sure that you are addressing the right problem. The kettle is mostly a convenient heat sorce. Also, be sure to use good quality water-- not the stuff that comes out the tap. Invest in a picture filter and remember to change the filter on a regular schedule. I find that when I use a fresh premium tea and filtered water, my tea always taste better.If all else fails, the golden rule to getting a stronger tea is simply to steep longer. I like to steep the heck out of my leaves and I find that this kettle makes it easy to do so.I hope... » Read More How fresh are your tea leaves? Make sure that you are addressing the right problem. The kettle is mostly a convenient heat sorce. Also, be sure to use good quality water-- not the stuff that comes out the tap. Invest in a picture filter and remember to change the filter on a regular schedule. I find that when I use a fresh premium tea and filtered water, my tea always taste better.If all else fails, the golden rule to getting a stronger tea is simply to steep longer. I like to steep the heck out of my leaves and I find that this kettle makes it easy to do so.I hope this helped :D « Show Less
2187004
I usually mix it with thyme, that masks the flavor a bit. I use it medicinally so taste isn't an issue for me. I think making it a bit weaker and mixing it with another herbal tea might solve the problem. I, too, do not particularly like the flavor by itself.
774034
I never thought to do this so I tried it last night, using the cold water that came out of my refrigerator filter. I used two of the tea bags and a large 8 cup Pyrex measuring cup. I poured the water over the tea bags and the water remained clear. When I woke up 7 hours later, the water was the usual tea color but a weaker shade. When I tasted it, it tasted weaker too. So I would say this does not work well. I usually let the tea steep for several hours after pouring boiling water over the tea bags but now I am thinking that simply hot water will do. But not cold water....
140343
I would say -- try it --- if it does change the flavor of your coffee wash it real well with hot soapy water and find something else to use Or buy a new BonJour for your tea
2178300
With the large sized tea bag, I use an automatic iced tea maker which makes 3 quarts of iced tea. I put 3 large tea bags in the steeping compartment. I like a weaker tea. I put ice in the pitcher but no additional water. I do not boil water and then steep the tea. If I did, I would not add water, only ice. I control the strength by how much tea I use. If I use regular sized tea bags in my automatic iced tea maker, I use 3 regular sized tea bags per quart. Again, adjusting the strength to your liking. The ice dilutes the tea enough to not have to add water to the brewed tea.
271400
Well, you do have to take precautions... Simply run the machine through one or two cycles (one is usually enough) at the largest cup setting. Collect the hot water and empty the cup. Try your tea now. Normally a single cycle is enough to clear out the coffee taste that might linger. By the way, these are wonderful for tea. I get custom-blended teas at a tea shop near me. I purchased refillable EkoBrew K-Cups and put the tea in them. I can make any kind of tea I want in that way. If you purchase the prepared tea K-Cups you'll find that the tea is relatively much more expensive.
289030
I also found rust on the inside bottom of the kettle. Not sure what you mean by never leaving extra water in the kettle - it's a kettle, and in my house, that means it's used a dozen times a day, if not more. There's NEVER a time when it doesn't have water in it, and quite honestly, that shouldn't make a whit of difference! I got rid of it with some steel wool, it didn't return, but it did make me question the overall quality. The on/off switch on mine failed after six months, so I replaced it. The manufacturer's help line was only open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, which only strengthened my conviction that it wasn't a great product. I ended up replacing it with an Oster, which has an actual spout that you can pour from (another gripe I had with this model), as well as a water gauge, and a much better designed on/off switch.
1776752
After brewing and the basket lifts, the tea continurs to drip down from the basket it makes it stronger. I love strong tea. But you can remove the basket wnen it lifts and that should solve the problem. Good luck and best wishes, Renfield
614892
From Teas Etc website: "Avoid over steeping your tea by brewing with slightly less tea and water that is not as hot as normal." I mix black & herbal teas, use just a small amount and water just off the boil; but I put the lid on loosely or leave it uncovered when safe to do so, so it will cool more quickly. I continue to add water throughout the day then add a bit more tea later in the day. If removing the tea from the water is important, I recommend you consider another mug, such as the "Aladdin Tea Infuser Mug."
1776754
I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot fresher for longer. I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot... » Read More I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot fresher for longer. « Show Less
1239462
This sounds like a question you need to ask Keurig. It may have something to do with the amount of water and water pressure that the machine disperses. I use the same size (amount of water) every time for my tea so I do not see a stronger or weaker flavor.
822868
Not that I noticed. I drink it because I usually brew enough for two cups at a time.It is the only tea I've found that is drinkable after being reheated. Of course the fresh cup tastes far better but the reheated cup is at least drinkable. Of course it is always best to brew fresh each time but I'm too lazy sometimes ;-}
1776753
You are right it does get darker. I found, believe it or not; if I push the keep warm button it doesnt darken as much, but I usually only make 2 cups at a time. I would rather brew more often for fresher tea.
751117
Are you using FRESH water? Also, are you cleaning the kettle or pan you heat your water in regularly (every 1-2 weeks) with white vinegar? Neglecting both of these factors can greatly affect the taste of your brew.
2001787
I never use boiling water on fragile tea flowers. If you boil it, let it sit for a couple minutes or place one ice cube in it before slowly pouring it on.
2257023
It depends on how strong you like it. I use a small tea pot (microwave until it is nearly boiling,) and then I dump the aluminum tea ball that I fill half full with tea, & place the ball in the pot for about 5 minutes. It comes out just the way I like it. I do not like a real dark tea, I like mine mostly a dark amber color & I use about 1 scant teaspoon of sugar (the raw kind). Also I like my tea in a china cup. Fussy with my tea for an old country gal, huh?.
1739763
My guess is probably the tea doesn't get bitter. I'm not a tea drinker, but my coffee gets no more stronger or bitter because the grounds are no longer steeping once pressed down.