Brewing Tea Using a Bunn Coffee Maker

Quick answer

• Yes, you can brew tea using a Bunn coffee maker, but it’s not ideal for all tea types.
• Use a separate basket for tea to avoid coffee flavor transfer.
• Consider the water temperature; boiling water is best for most black and herbal teas, which most Bunn makers can achieve.
• For delicate teas like green or white, you might need to let the water cool slightly after brewing.
• Adjust brewing time based on tea type and desired strength.
• Clean the coffee maker thoroughly after brewing tea to prevent flavor ghosting.

Who this is for

• Coffee enthusiasts who also enjoy tea and want to maximize their appliance’s versatility.
• Individuals looking for a convenient way to brew larger batches of hot water for tea.
• Those who have a Bunn coffee maker and are curious about alternative uses.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Bunn coffee makers are designed for coffee, typically using a specific filter basket and paper filter. When brewing tea, you’ll need to decide if you’re using loose-leaf tea or tea bags. For loose-leaf tea, a fine-mesh strainer or a specialized tea filter basket that fits your Bunn’s brew basket will be necessary to prevent grounds from entering your tea. If using tea bags, ensure they are placed in a way that allows water to flow through them effectively.

Water quality and temperature

The quality of your water significantly impacts the taste of both coffee and tea. Using filtered water is recommended to avoid mineral buildup and off-flavors. Most Bunn coffee makers are designed to heat water to optimal brewing temperatures for coffee, which is generally between 195°F and 205°F. This temperature range is suitable for many types of tea, particularly black and herbal teas. However, for more delicate teas like green or white teas, which can become bitter if brewed with water that is too hot, you might need to let the water cool down for a minute or two after it dispenses from the machine before steeping the tea.

Grind size and coffee freshness

While this section is about brewing tea, the concept of “freshness” still applies, but in a different way. For tea, it’s about the freshness of the tea leaves themselves. Stale tea will produce a lackluster brew regardless of the brewing method. Ensure your tea leaves or bags are stored properly in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture. The “grind size” equivalent for tea would be the leaf cut. Finer cuts (like fannings or dust in tea bags) will steep faster and can sometimes lead to over-extraction if left too long. Whole leaf teas will steep more slowly and release flavor more gradually.

Coffee-to-water ratio

When brewing tea, the “coffee-to-water ratio” translates to the tea-to-water ratio. This is highly dependent on the type of tea and personal preference. A general starting point for loose-leaf tea is about 1 teaspoon of tea per 6-8 ounces of water. For tea bags, follow the package instructions, usually one bag per cup. You’ll need to experiment to find your preferred strength. Too little tea will result in a weak brew, while too much can lead to bitterness or astringency.

Cleanliness/descale status

A crucial step when repurposing a coffee maker for tea is ensuring it’s clean. Coffee oils can linger and impart a noticeable coffee flavor to your tea, which is undesirable. Run a cleaning cycle with water only, or a vinegar/water solution if recommended by your Bunn manual for descaling, before brewing tea for the first time. Regular descaling is also important for the longevity and performance of your coffee maker, and it will help ensure the water dispensed is pure and free from mineral deposits that could affect tea flavor.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Gather your supplies: You’ll need your Bunn coffee maker, tea (loose-leaf or bags), a tea filter or strainer if using loose-leaf, and your favorite mug.

• What “good” looks like: Everything is ready and within reach.
• Common mistake: Forgetting a key item, like a tea strainer for loose-leaf tea, leading to a pause in brewing.
• How to avoid it: Lay out all your ingredients and equipment before you start.

2. Ensure the coffee maker is clean: Run a brew cycle with fresh water only to rinse out any residual coffee flavors or odors.

• What “good” looks like: The water dispensing is clear and smells neutral.
• Common mistake: Skipping this step, resulting in coffee-flavored tea.
• How to avoid it: Make this a habit whenever you switch from coffee to tea.

3. Prepare the brew basket: Remove the coffee filter if one is in place. If using loose-leaf tea, place your tea strainer or filter basket into the brew basket. If using tea bags, you can place them directly into the brew basket, ensuring they won’t obstruct water flow.

• What “good” looks like: The brew basket is ready to receive tea and water.
• Common mistake: Not using a filter for loose-leaf tea, leading to sediment in your cup.
• How to avoid it: Always use an appropriate filter for loose tea.

4. Add your tea: Measure your loose-leaf tea into the filter or strainer, or place your tea bags into the brew basket. Use the recommended ratio for your tea type (e.g., 1 teaspoon per 6-8 oz water for loose leaf).

• What “good” looks like: The correct amount of tea is in the basket, ready to steep.
• Common mistake: Over-filling the basket, which can lead to poor water circulation and over-extraction.
• How to avoid it: Start with a conservative amount and adjust in future brews.

5. Add fresh, filtered water to the reservoir: Fill the water reservoir with the desired amount of cold, filtered water.

• What “good” looks like: The reservoir is filled to the desired level with clean water.
• Common mistake: Using tap water, which can introduce minerals that affect taste and scale the machine.
• How to avoid it: Always use filtered or bottled water.

6. Place the carafe or mug: Position your coffee carafe or a large mug under the brew basket.

• What “good” looks like: The receptacle is correctly positioned to catch the dispensed hot water.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to place the carafe, leading to hot water spills.
• How to avoid it: Double-check that the carafe or mug is in place before starting.

7. Start the brew cycle: Turn on your Bunn coffee maker. The machine will heat the water and dispense it over the tea.

• What “good” looks like: Hot water is flowing evenly over the tea.
• Common mistake: Pressing the wrong button or not ensuring the machine is powered on.
• How to avoid it: Familiarize yourself with your Bunn’s controls.

8. Monitor the brew time (if possible): For most Bunn machines, the brew cycle is automatic. If you’re using a type of tea that requires a specific steep time (e.g., green tea), you may need to manually stop the water flow if your model allows, or simply remove the carafe/mug once the water has dispensed.

• What “good” looks like: The water has dispensed, and the tea is steeping in the carafe/mug.
• Common mistake: Letting the water sit on the tea leaves for too long, causing bitterness.
• How to avoid it: Be mindful of the tea type’s recommended steep time.

9. Allow tea to steep: If you’ve collected the hot water in a carafe or mug, let the tea steep for the recommended duration (typically 2-5 minutes, depending on the tea).

• What “good” looks like: The tea is steeping in the hot water, releasing its flavor.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short or too long a time, resulting in weak or bitter tea.
• How to avoid it: Use a timer and follow tea-specific guidelines.

10. Remove tea leaves/bags: Carefully remove the tea filter with loose leaves or the tea bags from the carafe or mug.

• What “good” looks like: The tea leaves or bags are removed, preventing further steeping.
• Common mistake: Leaving tea bags in too long, which can make the tea bitter.
• How to avoid it: Remove them promptly after the desired steep time.

11. Serve and enjoy: Pour your freshly brewed tea into cups and enjoy.

• What “good” looks like: A delicious cup of tea.
• Common mistake: Not tasting and adjusting for future brews.
• How to avoid it: Make notes on what you liked or would change for next time.

12. Clean up immediately: Rinse the brew basket, carafe, and any filters or strainers thoroughly.

• What “good” looks like: All components are clean and ready for the next use.
• Common mistake: Leaving used tea leaves or bags to dry, making them harder to clean and potentially causing odors.
• How to avoid it: Clean immediately after brewing.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Not cleaning the maker before brewing tea	Coffee flavor taints the tea, creating an unpleasant blend.	Run a water-only brew cycle before making tea.
Using unfiltered tap water	Minerals can affect tea flavor and cause scale buildup in the coffee maker.	Use filtered or bottled water for the purest taste and to protect your appliance.
Using water that’s too hot for delicate teas	Green, white, or oolong teas can become bitter and astringent.	Let the dispensed water cool for 1-2 minutes before steeping sensitive teas.
Using too much tea leaf	Over-extraction leads to bitterness and astringency, overpowering the tea’s notes.	Start with a recommended amount (e.g., 1 tsp per 6-8 oz) and adjust down if too strong.
Not using a filter for loose-leaf tea	Tea leaves and sediment will end up in your cup, making it difficult to drink.	Use a fine-mesh strainer or a specialized tea filter basket.
Over-steeping tea	Causes the tea to become bitter, especially with black and green teas.	Adhere to recommended steep times (usually 2-5 minutes) and remove tea leaves/bags promptly.
Leaving tea bags in the brew basket	Continuous steeping can lead to over-extraction and bitterness.	Remove tea bags from the hot water as soon as the desired steep time is reached.
Not cleaning the maker after brewing tea	Residual tea oils can affect the taste of future coffee brews.	Rinse the brew basket and carafe immediately after use.
Using stale tea leaves	Results in a weak, flavorless, or dull-tasting cup of tea.	Store tea in an airtight container away from light and moisture, and use it within a reasonable timeframe.
Incorrect tea-to-water ratio	Too little tea makes it weak; too much makes it too strong or bitter.	Experiment with the amount of tea until you find your preferred strength.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are brewing black or herbal tea, then use the full temperature dispensed by the Bunn coffee maker because these teas generally benefit from hotter water for optimal flavor extraction.
• If you are brewing green or white tea, then let the dispensed water cool for 1-2 minutes before steeping because these delicate teas can become bitter if exposed to boiling water.
• If you are using loose-leaf tea, then you must use a tea filter or fine-mesh strainer to prevent sediment from entering your cup because loose leaves will pass through the brew basket otherwise.
• If you notice a coffee flavor in your tea, then you need to clean the coffee maker more thoroughly because residual coffee oils are likely present.
• If your tea tastes weak, then increase the amount of tea leaves or bags used in the next brew because the current ratio is too low.
• If your tea tastes bitter or astringent, then decrease the amount of tea leaves used or shorten the steeping time because over-extraction is likely occurring.
• If you are brewing a large quantity of tea, then ensure your Bunn coffee maker’s reservoir can hold enough water for your needs because you can only brew as much as the reservoir allows.
• If you want to preserve the taste of your coffee maker, then clean it thoroughly after brewing tea because tea residue can affect future coffee flavors.
• If you are using tea bags, then ensure they are positioned to allow water to flow freely through them because otherwise, the tea may not steep evenly.
• If your Bunn coffee maker has a “brew pause” feature, then you can use it to manually control steeping time for certain teas by stopping the water flow temporarily.
• If the tea tastes dull, then check the freshness of your tea leaves because old tea loses its aromatic qualities.

FAQ

Can I use my Bunn coffee maker for any type of tea?

You can use your Bunn coffee maker for most types of tea, but delicate teas like green or white tea might benefit from slightly cooler water than what the machine dispenses. Black and herbal teas generally fare well with the standard brewing temperature.

Will my tea taste like coffee if I use my Bunn?

It’s possible, especially if the machine isn’t thoroughly cleaned between uses. Coffee oils can linger and transfer their flavor. Running a water-only cycle before brewing tea can help minimize this.

What is the best way to filter loose-leaf tea in a Bunn coffee maker?

You’ll need a fine-mesh strainer or a specialized tea filter basket that fits into your Bunn’s standard brew basket. This prevents the tea leaves from escaping into your carafe or mug.

How much tea should I use?

A good starting point for loose-leaf tea is about 1 teaspoon per 6-8 ounces of water. For tea bags, follow the package instructions, usually one bag per cup. Adjust to your personal taste preference.

How long should I steep my tea?

Steeping times vary greatly by tea type. Black teas often need 3-5 minutes, while green teas might only need 1-3 minutes. Herbal teas can sometimes steep longer. Always check the tea packaging for recommendations.

Is the water temperature from a Bunn coffee maker suitable for all teas?

For most black and herbal teas, yes. However, green, white, and some oolong teas can become bitter if brewed with water that is too hot. Letting the dispensed water cool for a minute or two can help.

How often should I clean my Bunn coffee maker if I use it for tea?

It’s best to clean it immediately after brewing tea to prevent flavor transfer to future coffee brews. Regular descaling, as recommended by Bunn, is also important for maintaining water quality and appliance health.

Can I use tea bags directly in the Bunn brew basket?

Yes, you can place tea bags directly into the brew basket. Ensure they are positioned so that the hot water can flow through them effectively for proper steeping.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific Bunn coffee maker models and their unique features or limitations. (Next: Consult your Bunn owner’s manual for model-specific instructions.)
• Detailed brewing guides for every single type of tea. (Next: Research individual tea types for optimal brewing parameters.)
• The long-term effects of using a coffee maker for tea on its internal components. (Next: Consider purchasing a dedicated tea kettle or infuser for frequent tea brewing.)
• Comparisons between Bunn coffee maker tea brewing and other methods like stovetop kettles or electric infusers. (Next: Explore reviews and guides on dedicated tea brewing equipment.)