Aaron said

Teavana Perfect Tea Maker, Adagio's IngenuiTEA or Other?

I want to pick up a tea brewer of this type, but would like to hear some users reviews first. Do any of you own either one of these or something else that you prefer? Which would you pick, and why?

I have heard that with the IngenuiTEA, you have to poor the water in slowly or the plastic filter at the bottom can float up. Is it the same with the Perfect tea Maker?

I hope all the input below can be helpful to other people as well!

24 Replies
Spot52 select said

The thing about the perfect tea maker I have, there is no removable filter. I know the teacup looking one does have a removable filter, but my tea mug looking one does not. Granted, they may have changed this feature.
I would like to have a removable filter, for cleaning purposes. Once the patina gets thick on mine, it starts to flake off and get in the mug below…and I do not like that. So it is difficult to clean. I usually resort to baking soda soaks and scrubs. This has dented the screen-a lot. I still like it, but I only use it for flavoured teas or rooibos.

For non-flavoured I much prefer a kyusu. I highly recommend at least one affordable kyusu for tea brewing. Most have a nice sesame screen, not metal, to strain the leaf or leaf pieces. And i like that they are not brewing baskets, but are actully affixed to the pot before the spout opening. IN this crappy video, you can see what the screen looks like; if you do not already know. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JVZQY0-1uI

I was always a Kyusu doubter, but I am sold. Sorry for the plug on such cool pots.

Aaron said

I appreciate the information. It looks like the 16oz one has a removable stainless steel strainer, but I’m not sure about the 32oz one. I have looked at Kyusu before, but I already have a Yixing Clay pot at home. This will be more or less for work use. Thanks!

-Jessica- said

I have had both Perfect Tea Makers from Teavana and the “tea cup” looking one is WAY better than the “tea mug” since the filter is removable and it can go in the dishwasher. I love it and have been using it for about 6 months now or so and haven’t had any problems from it. I love it! :-)

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I have the Adaigo IngenuiTEA. I have had no problems with the filter floating to the top when you add water because it snaps into place! I really like this teapot. It would be really good for travel or for work. The only complaint I have is after you wash it and want to turn it upside to dry in the drainboard, the lid is in the way…it has to perch at an angle to dry. Other than that, I think this is a really good product. Easy to clean, easy to use.

The lid comes off. Just angle it and twist off gently.

Aaron said

Oh great! Both problems solved haha. Thanks alot for the input!

No problem :-)

OMG, do I feel stupid! Thanks Rachana:)

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wombatgirl said

My two cents:

I have had both, and I had the problem with the filter floating up with my IngenuiTea. I prefer my Perfect Tea Maker. I haven’t had any issues with cleaning – I tend to throw it in the dishwasher every so often.

Both cups have the problem with the lid being in the way if you want to drain them upside down.

The 16 oz Perfect Tea maker does NOT have a removable metal filter. But I like it anyway.

Aaron said

So did your filter not snap in on the IngenuiTEA? Also it does say on the website for the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker, that the 16oz does have a removable stainless filter.

http://tiny.cc/wldhl

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I have not tried either of these two products, but, I have tried the Smart Tea Maker from Enjoying Tea and I’m assuming it’s probably the same as the Perfect Tea Maker from Teavana. It love it, and I use it daily.

I have also used this Smart Tea Maker:

http://www.specialteas.com/Tea-Preparation/Smart-Tea-Maker-18-oz.html

I had it for several years and used it on a daily basis before receiving the Smart Tea Maker from Enjoying Tea. It is exceedingly simple to use, and I actually like it better than the Smart Maker from Enjoying Tea.

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I have both and I do like the removable filter on the IngenuiTEA. I’ve never had a problem with it floating up. But, it’s not very hard to clean the non-removable filter on the Perfect Tea Maker, either. If I had to choose just one to keep I’d probably pick the IngenuiTEA – I like the completely clear design a little bit more, but that’s purely an aesthetic preference.

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Aaron said

Thanks for everyone’s input! I think it will help me make my final decision :)

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Cofftea said

Ok, you’re gonna get a loaded response w/ a mix of experience and coveting lol.
I have the IngenuiTEA. I’ve been using it all day every day for 2 years. I also have problems w/ the flilter floating (but this is most likely cuz I’ve been using it all day every day for 2 years so it’s to be expected). Some people have said that it can easily be solved by scratching the edge of the filter w/ a knife. Have I actually taken time to do this? No. lol. I also have an occasional problem w/ the bottom spring getting stuck causing the tea/water to immediately decant all over the place. Again, this has an easy and free fix- just push up on the bottom to make sure it isn’t stuck before pouring the water in. It goes in the microwave so depending on how you heat your water that may be ubberly convenient. It also comes w/ 4 samples (totaling ~4oz) and a book.

Ok… now that being said… I HATE that it’s plastic. I’m coveting this http://www.eightcranes.com/perfect-steeper.html. I just haven’t bought it yet. It’s the only glass product that I’ve found that even comes close to the ingenuiTEA… well unless you want to get the Breville Automatic Tea Maker which is MUCH better and MUCH more convenient. My recommendations for the product you should purchase are in the reverse order of which they are listed here.

Now I am really wanting the Perfect Steeper too – it would be wonderful for when school starts again….the fact that it is glass concerns me a bit though. I could really see one of my kiddos knocking it onto the floor and it shattering…

Aaron said

Wow that glass steeper looks great! Show’s its on sale today also, but a bummer I don’t have the money to pick one up a the moment. I think this will be the one i’m leaning toward. Much more durable with the glass and stainless parts. More of a long time investment.

Cofftea said

mrawlins2, could you just put it above their reach?

Aaron- the ingenuiTEA is durable, as I’ve said I used it all day every day for 2 years. It’s not a durability issue for me- it’s just that I think plastic is evil and it looks like it would make resteeping pretty convenient, which I do a lot. Oh… speaking of which… The other bad thing about the ingeniTEA is when you resteep you either need to empty the leaves to pour the water in so you can microwave it or heat the water in another matter and pour it over the leaves.

Aaron said

Yeah I don’t have anything against plastic products, but glass and stainless materials could last a lifetime. Although I did research that eightcranes websites and I’m a little unsure how reliable they are. The site was registered in 2008 and they still have tons of links that say, “coming soon”.

Cofftea said

Is there contact info? I admit I’ve done absolutely no research after finding the product.

Aaron said

Yeah there is. Once I have the money to pick one up, I’ll give them a call :)

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It seems like it’s hit-or-miss but we have 3 IngenuiTEA brewers in the house and use them all daily with no floating filter issues. You can unsnap the lid and put the main unit in the dishwasher, but the filters are always hand washed. If you brew “messy” teas (anything with chocolate for the most part) the filter can become stained, but you can buy replacement filters if that bothers you. Because of the plastic construction, I’ve noticed they can hold on to fragrances over time so I reserve one just for lapsangs.

Cofftea said

I’m personally not bothered by a stained filter, as long as there are no particles preventing the tea from decanting I’m good. I also have not experienced the aroma permiation- but then again I don’t drink lapsang lol.

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I have had the floating filter issue, and it really sucks when you are resteeping the same leaves and it floats to the top. Then tea leaves get clogged in the tea lock mechanism and it leaks on me. I think it’s a cool tea maker, but the floating filter is a big annoyance.

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Cofftea said

Lots of companies have products like the ingenuiTEA and the Perfect Tea Maker and, honestly, I think they’re pretty much the same- just like copies of any other product out there. Stash has their own version (that I know nothing about other than seeing it online) that’s on sale http://www.stashtea.com/products/Smart+Brewer.aspx?category=CLOSEOUTS and there’s also this http://www.stashtea.com/products/Tea+Control+Tea+Maker.aspx?category=CLOSEOUTS that looks pretty cool!

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