DNC said

Infusers

Are infusers one of those items that you get what you pay for or is a cheap one as good as the more expensive? Thanks.

18 Replies

You mean like a brew basket? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that runs more than $10 or so. Some of the ones that come with teapots are kind of shoddy and have a mesh that’s not fine enough to keep all the tea bits out of your cup, but ones you buy by themselves from brands like Finum and Forlife are good – I’ve had an assortment of them for years, no complaints.

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Dustin said

Depends on the style. Gravity infusers seem to be pretty much the same, just different shaped bodies for different brands. The infusers that go into an individual cup differ a little. How well the size fits into the cup you want to use, how much room they provide for expansion of the leaves, size of the holes and how well done the seams are of the metal parts are all things to take into consideration.

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cookies said

Most infusers seem to be priced about the same so maybe you could link us to the ones you’re specifically speaking of.

I highly second the recommendation for the Forlife brew baskets. Very nice quality, easy to clean, and well priced IMO.

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Rasseru said

Ive always used bodum yo-yo infusers in the cup – the plastic ones. My ex girlfriend broke hers while cleaning it. I havent so far, but just putting it out there that metal is better for having it last & getting it clean

I’ve never heard of that one before – is it a nylon mesh or something? The ones I have are a plastic frame with stainless steel mesh, like this: http://www.amazon.com/Finum-Brewing-Basket-medium-black/dp/B000I68NCS

Rasseru said

Yeah its like that with a nylon mesh

Dustin said

^I like it when they come with those saucer/lids to place the basket on after steeping!

Rasseru said

eventually the mesh gets a bit discoloured, and will get clean in the dishwasher but its hard by hand

http://www.bodum.com/gb/en-us/shop/detail/10398-01B/

The metal mesh gets discolored, too, but that’s kind of unavoidable (especially with black tea) and it doesn’t noticeably affect the taste.

Dustin said

Mandala’s Smart Soak will clean the metal right up and make it look brand new again. That stuff is magic.

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DNC said

Thank you for responding. I only have a mesh ball infuser now and I am a little clumsy with it. I had thought about one of the basket shaped instead. I see the price runs from a couple of dollars to over $10. Was wondering if there is an obvious difference in quality. Perhaps I should have asked which chain infusers you find you like best, excluding the ball shape.

I’m not a great fan of the ball infusers myself – the basket shape is much easier & less messy.

When you say “chain infusers”, do you mean ones that get submerged in your cup and have a chain attached to pull them out?

DNC said

Yes, that is what I mean by the chain infusers. Thanks.

I don’t know much about them beyond the ball type and the novelty shapes (spaceships, dinosaurs, etc).

Another cheap method that I like is to brew your leaves loose in a teapot or small pitcher, then pour into your cup through a tea strainer or small sieve.

Anlina said

Finum brew baskets are wonderful.

I don’t bother with enclosed infusers (like teaballs or the novelty silicone ones), as they usually have holes that are too large for rooibos or fannings, and are too small for tea that expands a lot, like many oolongs.

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Am I correct in thinking that tea infusers mugs/cups are better than the chain infusers when it comes to most loose leaf teas?

AllanK said

If you have to choose between a mug style infuser and a tea ball choose the mug style. It gives the leaves more room to expand.

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That’s what I was thinking. Wanted to hear other’s opinions. Thanks for commenting!

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