Making Tea With The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker

Quick answer

• Yes, you absolutely can make tea in your Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker.
• It’s a pretty straightforward process, similar to brewing coffee.
• Use loose leaf tea or tea bags, just like you would coffee grounds.
• Adjust the amount of tea based on your desired strength.
• Make sure your machine is clean before you start.
• Cold brewing tea is also an option with this machine.

Who this is for

• Anyone who owns a Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker and loves iced tea.
• People looking for a simple, convenient way to brew large batches of iced tea.
• Those who want to experiment with different tea types beyond coffee.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

You’ve got the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker. That’s the key. It’s designed for iced beverages, so it’s already set up for a good brew. It uses a basket-style filter, just like many drip coffee makers. You can use paper filters or the included reusable filter. For tea, either works, but paper might be easier for cleanup if you’re using loose leaf.

Water quality and temperature

Good water makes good tea. If your tap water tastes funky, your tea will too. Use filtered water if you can. The machine heats the water, which is what you want for most teas. Some delicate teas might prefer cooler water, but for a standard brew with this machine, hot water is the way to go.

Grind size and coffee freshness

Okay, so we’re talking tea here, not coffee. But the principle of freshness still applies. Use good quality tea. Whether it’s loose leaf or bags, fresher is always better. For loose leaf, you don’t need a “grind” per se, but make sure it’s not stale.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where you’ll do some experimenting. For tea, you’ll use a different ratio than coffee. A good starting point is about 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea or 2-4 tea bags per 16 oz of water. You can always add more tea or brew a stronger batch and dilute it with ice.

Cleanliness/descale status

This is crucial, folks. If you’ve been making coffee, there might be coffee oils lingering. You don’t want coffee-flavored tea. Run a cleaning cycle with water and maybe a bit of vinegar or a descaling solution. Check your Mr. Coffee manual for specific descaling instructions. A clean machine means pure flavor.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Gather your supplies. You’ll need your Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker, fresh tea (loose leaf or bags), water, and ice.

• What “good” looks like: Everything is ready to go. No scrambling for tea bags halfway through.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to buy ice. You’ll end up with hot tea. Avoid by stocking up.

2. Fill the water reservoir. Use filtered water. Fill it to the desired level for the amount of tea you want to make.

• What “good” looks like: The water level is clearly marked and accurate.
• Common mistake: Overfilling. This can lead to overflow and a mess. Stick to the lines.

3. Prepare the brew basket. Place your filter in the brew basket. If using loose leaf tea, add it now. If using tea bags, place them in the basket.

• What “good” looks like: The filter is seated correctly and the tea is evenly distributed.
• Common mistake: Not using a filter or using a torn one. Tea leaves will end up in your drink. Double-check the filter.

4. Add your tea. For loose leaf, start with about 1-2 tablespoons per 16 oz of water. For tea bags, use 2-4 bags per 16 oz. Adjust to your taste later.

• What “good” looks like: The tea is spread out, not clumped.
• Common mistake: Cramming too much tea into the basket. This can block water flow and lead to weak tea. Don’t overdo it.

5. Place the brew basket in the machine. Make sure it’s seated properly.

• What “good” looks like: It clicks or sits firmly in place.
• Common mistake: Not inserting the basket fully. The brew cycle might not start or could be uneven.

6. Place the travel mug or pitcher under the brew head. The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker usually comes with a specific mug.

• What “good” looks like: The mug/pitcher is centered and stable.
• Common mistake: Not aligning the mug correctly. Brewed liquid can miss and create a puddle.

7. Select your brew setting. This machine is designed for iced, so it will brew directly over ice.

• What “good” looks like: The machine is ready to go.
• Common mistake: Accidentally selecting a different mode if your machine has one. Stick to the standard brew.

8. Start the brew cycle. Press the power button.

• What “good” looks like: The machine hums to life and starts dripping.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to press the button. Your tea won’t brew itself.

9. Wait for the brew cycle to complete. This takes a few minutes.

• What “good” looks like: The dripping stops and the machine is quiet.
• Common mistake: Removing the mug too early. You’ll miss out on some of the brew. Let it finish.

10. Remove the brew basket and discard tea leaves/bags.

• What “good” looks like: The basket is empty and ready for cleaning.
• Common mistake: Leaving wet tea leaves in the basket. It can get moldy and smelly. Clean it promptly.

11. Stir and enjoy. Give your tea a good stir to ensure the flavor is evenly distributed. Add more ice if needed.

• What “good” looks like: A perfectly chilled, delicious cup of tea.
• Common mistake: Not stirring. The first few sips might be weak, the last ones strong. Stir it up!

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using stale tea	Weak, flavorless, or off-tasting tea	Use fresh, good-quality tea.
Not cleaning the machine first	Coffee-flavored tea, off-flavors	Run a cleaning cycle with water or descaling solution.
Overfilling the water reservoir	Messy overflow, weak brew	Stick to the marked fill lines.
Using too little tea	Weak, watery tea	Start with the recommended amount and adjust next time.
Using too much tea	Bitter, over-extracted, or clogged brew basket	Don’t pack the basket. Start conservatively.
Not using a filter or using a torn one	Tea leaves in your drink, messy cleanup	Ensure filter is intact and properly seated.
Not stirring after brewing	Uneven flavor distribution (weak first, strong last)	Stir thoroughly before drinking.
Forgetting to add ice to the mug	Hot tea instead of iced tea	Fill the mug with ice before brewing.
Using hard or tap water	Flat taste, mineral buildup in the machine	Use filtered water for best flavor and machine longevity.
Brewing without the brew basket	Water bypasses tea, results in plain hot water	Always ensure the brew basket with tea is in place.
Rushing the brew cycle	Incomplete extraction, less flavor	Let the machine finish its cycle completely.
Not cleaning the brew basket after use	Mold, mildew, lingering odors, affects next brew	Rinse and wash the brew basket immediately after each use.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your tea tastes weak, then add more tea next time because you need a higher tea-to-water ratio.
• If your tea tastes bitter, then use less tea or a shorter brew time (if adjustable) because it’s over-extracted.
• If you have coffee residue in your machine, then run a cleaning cycle before brewing tea because you don’t want coffee flavor.
• If you’re using loose leaf tea, then consider a paper filter for easier cleanup because it traps fine particles better.
• If your water tastes bad, then use filtered water because it directly impacts the tea’s flavor.
• If you want a stronger brew, then increase the amount of tea first before trying to brew longer.
• If your machine is making strange noises, then check the manual for troubleshooting or consider descaling.
• If you’re making a large batch, then ensure your pitcher or mug is large enough to hold the entire brew.
• If you want to cold brew, then fill the reservoir with cold water and tea, and let it steep in the fridge overnight (this machine isn’t ideal for true cold brew, but you can adapt).
• If you’re unsure about the tea amount, then start with the lower end of the recommendation and adjust upwards.
• If the brewed tea is too concentrated, then add more ice or a splash of cold water to dilute it.

FAQ

Can I use any kind of tea in this machine?

Yes, you can use most types of tea, including black, green, herbal, and white teas. Just adjust the amount of tea based on its strength and your preference.

How much tea should I use?

A good starting point is 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea or 2-4 tea bags per 16 oz of water. You’ll likely need to experiment to find your perfect strength.

Will my tea taste like coffee?

It might, if you don’t clean the machine thoroughly first. Coffee oils can linger. Run a cleaning cycle with just water before brewing tea.

Can I make hot tea with this?

This machine is specifically designed to brew directly over ice for iced beverages. While you’ll get hot brewed tea, it’s intended to be immediately chilled.

What if I want to make iced tea without ice?

You can brew the tea and then let it cool down on the counter before refrigerating it. However, the machine’s design is optimized for brewing directly onto ice.

Is there a way to “cold brew” tea with this machine?

This machine heats the water, so it’s not a true cold brew. For cold brew, you’d typically steep tea in cold water in the fridge for hours. You could use cold water and let it sit, but it won’t be the same.

How often should I descale my Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker?

Check your manual, but generally, it’s recommended to descale every 1-3 months, depending on your water hardness and how often you use it.

Can I leave brewed tea in the machine?

No, it’s best to remove the brewed tea from the machine promptly to avoid it sitting and potentially becoming bitter or spoiled.

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

• Specific tea steeping times for delicate teas (research individual tea types).
• Advanced cold brewing techniques.
• Making coffee with tea leaves (don’t do this, it’s weird).
• Troubleshooting specific error codes for your model (check your manual).
• Using the machine for anything other than brewing beverages.