If you’re a tea lover and find yourself without a teapot, or perhaps you’re simply looking for a convenient, alternative way to brew your favorite blend, your coffee maker might be the perfect solution. Yes, you can use a coffee maker to brew tea, and in many cases, it can be just as easy as brewing coffee. With a little creativity, your coffee maker can become your best friend in the kitchen, helping you brew tea efficiently and even enhance the flavor.
Using a coffee maker to brew tea is a simple process, but there are some techniques to follow to get the best results. This guide will walk you through the steps, share a few tips on how to optimize your coffee maker for tea, and answer any questions you may have.

The Benefits of Brewing Tea in a Coffee Maker
Before diving into the details of how to use a coffee maker to brew tea, let’s explore why you might want to try this method. Coffee makers are designed to heat water quickly and efficiently, so they’re ideal for tea brewing. Here are a few benefits of brewing tea in your coffee maker:
Convenience and Speed
One of the most obvious advantages of using a coffee maker is how quickly it can brew tea. In a few minutes, you can have a fresh cup of tea, making it ideal for those busy mornings or when you’re craving a quick tea break.
Consistent Temperature
Many coffee makers heat water to a consistent temperature, which is crucial for tea. Different types of tea require specific water temperatures to brew properly, and coffee makers tend to maintain a consistent level of heat. This consistency helps to extract the full flavor of the tea without burning or over-steeping.
Easy Cleanup
If you’re used to steeping tea with a kettle and loose leaves, cleanup can be a hassle. Using a coffee maker often means all you need to do is rinse out the pot and the filter basket, making it a much simpler cleanup process.
Multiple Cups
If you’re brewing for a group, a coffee maker can brew multiple cups of tea at once. Instead of steeping individual cups, you can fill the coffee pot and serve everyone at the same time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Tea in a Coffee Maker
Now that we know why a coffee maker is a good option for brewing tea, let’s dive into how to do it. Brewing tea in a coffee maker follows a process similar to brewing coffee, with a few key differences.
Step 1: Choose Your Tea
First, you need to choose the type of tea you want to brew. Different teas require different steeping times and water temperatures, so it’s important to know what you’re working with before using your coffee maker.
Here are some common types of tea and their recommended water temperatures:
- Black Tea: Boil water at 200-212°F (93-100°C).
- Green Tea: Use water at 170-180°F (76-82°C).
- Herbal Tea: Boil water at 200-212°F (93-100°C).
- White Tea: Use water at 160-170°F (71-76°C).
You can use loose-leaf tea or tea bags in your coffee maker. Loose-leaf tea is often preferred because it allows the leaves to expand more freely, which helps release more flavor. However, tea bags work fine, especially if you want a quicker, mess-free solution.
Step 2: Prepare Your Coffee Maker
Now it’s time to prepare your coffee maker for brewing. If you’ve used it for coffee recently, it’s a good idea to rinse the machine first to ensure there’s no leftover coffee flavor. This can be done by running a cycle with just water in the reservoir.
If you’re using loose-leaf tea, you’ll need to either place the tea in a filter or use a special tea infuser basket. Some coffee makers come with a reusable filter that can hold tea leaves, but if yours doesn’t, you can simply use a paper filter. Alternatively, a mesh tea infuser can be placed directly into the coffee pot.
Step 3: Add Tea to the Filter
If you’re using loose-leaf tea, measure the right amount for the strength you prefer. The general guideline is one teaspoon of tea for every cup of water, but you can adjust this depending on the strength of tea you enjoy.
If you’re using tea bags, you’ll need one bag per cup of tea. Some people prefer to use a bit more for a stronger brew, so don’t hesitate to experiment.
Step 4: Add Water to the Reservoir
Next, pour the water into the coffee maker’s reservoir. Be mindful of the amount of water you need for the number of cups of tea you want to make. Keep in mind that the coffee maker will use this water to brew, so ensure it’s the correct amount.
As mentioned earlier, different teas require different temperatures. Coffee makers are typically designed to brew coffee at a higher temperature, so it may be a good idea to test the machine’s brewing temperature. For teas that require lower temperatures, such as green or white tea, you may want to let the water cool for a minute or two after the brewing cycle begins to avoid scorching the leaves.
Step 5: Brew the Tea
Start the brewing cycle as you normally would when making coffee. The hot water will flow through the tea grounds or tea bags, steeping the leaves and creating the infusion. Unlike coffee, tea doesn’t need as much water pressure, so the process will be a bit slower.
Once the brewing cycle finishes, check the tea’s color and flavor. If it’s too weak, you can let it steep a little longer by running the brew cycle again or leaving it in the coffee pot for a few minutes.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
After brewing, pour the tea into a cup. Add any additional flavorings you like, such as sugar, honey, lemon, or milk. And there you have it: tea brewed in your coffee maker!
Tips for Brewing Tea in a Coffee Maker
To get the best possible tea from your coffee maker, consider these helpful tips:
Adjust the Strength
If you prefer stronger tea, you can add more tea leaves or bags to the filter basket. Conversely, if you want a lighter brew, use fewer leaves or bags.
Use Fresh Water
The quality of water affects the flavor of your tea. Always use fresh, clean water to brew your tea. Avoid using water that has been sitting in the coffee maker’s reservoir for too long, as this may result in a stale taste.
Experiment with Brewing Times
While most coffee makers will brew tea automatically, you can adjust the brewing process by stopping the cycle early for lighter tea or allowing it to brew longer for stronger flavors. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different times to find the perfect brew.
Clean Your Coffee Maker Regularly
If you brew both coffee and tea in the same machine, regular cleaning is important to prevent lingering flavors. Run a few cycles of water through the machine, and occasionally clean the coffee pot and filter basket with mild soap and water.
Potential Problems with Brewing Tea in a Coffee Maker
While brewing tea in a coffee maker is a quick and efficient method, it’s not always perfect. Here are a few potential issues you might encounter:
Over-Extraction
If your tea steeps for too long or the water temperature is too high, the tea may become bitter or over-extracted. To avoid this, make sure you are using the right type of tea and pay attention to the steeping time and water temperature.
Tea Bags Getting Stuck
Sometimes, tea bags can get stuck in the coffee filter or the coffee pot’s spout, making it difficult to remove them after brewing. To prevent this, make sure your tea bags are placed properly and that the filter is securely in place.
Not All Coffee Makers Are Created Equal
Different coffee makers heat water to varying temperatures, so your tea might not turn out perfectly if the machine doesn’t heat the water to the ideal temperature for your chosen tea type. If you notice that your tea tastes different or under-extracted, it might be due to the temperature of your coffee maker.
Are These Questions in Your Mind?
Is it safe to brew tea in a coffee maker?
Yes, it is safe. Just ensure you’re cleaning the machine properly to avoid cross-contamination between coffee and tea flavors.
Can I use loose-leaf tea in a coffee maker?
Yes, you can use loose-leaf tea in a coffee maker. You just need to use a filter or tea infuser to hold the leaves.
Do I need to adjust the brewing time for different types of tea?
Yes, different types of tea require different brewing times. For example, green tea needs a shorter brew time than black tea.
Is there a specific coffee maker model for brewing tea?
No, any standard coffee maker can brew tea. However, some machines may have features like temperature control that help brew tea better.
Can I use tea bags in my coffee maker?
Yes, tea bags can be used in a coffee maker, just like loose-leaf tea, and they work similarly to ground coffee.
Do I need to worry about my coffee maker flavoring my tea?
To avoid flavor transfer, make sure to clean your coffee maker thoroughly between uses for tea and coffee.
Is it possible to brew multiple cups of tea at once in a coffee maker?
Yes, coffee makers can brew multiple cups of tea at once, just like they brew coffee.
Can I brew iced tea in a coffee maker?
Yes, you can brew iced tea using a coffee maker. Just brew the tea as usual and pour it over ice to chill.
Do I need to filter the water when using a coffee maker for tea?
Filtered water is recommended, as it can help ensure the best flavor and avoid unwanted mineral tastes in your tea.