The device described in the manual is the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Pot, Model TM3. It is an appliance designed for brewing iced tea and iced coffee quickly and conveniently for household use.
Function Description:
The Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Pot is an automatic brewing system that prepares iced tea or iced coffee. Its core function involves a "steeping basket" where tea bags or loose tea (or coffee grounds) are immersed in hot water to extract full flavor. The brewed liquid then drips down into a pitcher filled with ice, chilling the beverage immediately. The appliance is designed to provide consistently great-tasting, fresh-brewed iced tea or coffee. A key feature is its automatic shut-off mechanism once the brewing cycle is completed. When not in use, the pitcher and lid can be stored over the top of the machine, and the cord wraps around the machine for compact storage.
Important Technical Specifications:
While specific power ratings (watts, volts) are not explicitly listed for the device itself, the manual does provide a guideline for extension cords, stating they must be at least 5 amps and 120 volts. This implies the device operates on a standard 120-volt electrical system. The pitcher capacity is specified as 3 quarts, with markings for 1, 2, and 3 quart WATER and ICE levels. The device uses basket-style paper filters, with Mr. Coffee brand filters recommended.
Usage Features:
- Easy Filling: The pitcher is used to measure water, which is then poured into the water reservoir.
- Steeping Basket: A dedicated steeping basket holds tea bags or loose tea (or coffee grounds) and is placed on top of the water reservoir. For tea, the steeping dial on the basket should be in the "closed" position during brewing to allow steeping, and then turned to "open" to drain. For iced coffee, the steeping dial should remain in the "open" position throughout brewing.
- Ice Chilling: The pitcher is filled with ice cubes (or cold tap water as a substitute) to chill the hot brewed beverage immediately as it drips down.
- Simple Operation: The machine is turned on by depressing a "push button (ON)," which illuminates an indicator light. The brewing cycle starts automatically once plugged in, especially if the button was pressed beforehand.
- Automatic Shut-off: The appliance automatically turns off once the brewing cycle is complete.
- Customizable Strength: Users can adjust the amount of tea or coffee to suit their taste. For tea, waiting a few minutes before draining the remaining tea from the steeping basket can result in extra strength.
- Flavor Enhancements: The manual suggests adding herbal or flavored tea bags for extra flavor and recommends dark roast or flavored coffee for iced coffee. Sugar, lemon, and other flavorings can be added directly to the pitcher during brewing to dissolve better.
- Storage: The pitcher and lid store over the top of the machine, and the cord wraps around the machine, saving counter space.
- Polarized Plug: The appliance features a polarized plug for safety, designed to fit into a polarized outlet only one way.
Maintenance Features:
- Daily Care: Regular washing of the pitcher, pitcher lid, steeping basket, and steeping basket lid with warm water and mild detergent is recommended to minimize tea stains and maintain quality.
- Deliming: This is a crucial maintenance step to prevent mineral buildup, especially with hard water. Deliming is necessary when increased steaming is noticed or if the pumping action stops prematurely.
- Frequency: Recommended every 80 brew cycles for soft water and every 40 brew cycles for hard water.
- Method: Can be done using Mr. Coffee Cleaner (recommended for better results and no unpleasant odor) or white household vinegar.
- Process (General): Involves filling the pitcher with warm water and the cleaning solution (or vinegar), pouring it into the reservoir, running a cleaning cycle, and then rinsing thoroughly with clean water. For vinegar, a 30-minute soak during the cycle is recommended.
- Cleaning Deposits: Whitish mineral deposits from hard water can be removed by soaking the basket and pitcher in warm white vinegar for about 20 minutes.
- Avoid Abrasives: Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners, steel wool pads, or other abrasive materials, as they can scratch the pitcher.
- Hand Washing: All parts are NOT dishwasher safe; hand washing is recommended. The pitcher is specifically noted as not dishwasher safe.
- Steeping Valve Maintenance: The steeping valve on the bottom of the basket should be rinsed out regularly to prevent it from becoming sticky and not opening/closing properly.
Safety Precautions:
The manual emphasizes several important safeguards, including:
- Reading all instructions before use.
- Not touching hot surfaces.
- Not immersing the cord, plugs, or appliance in water or other liquids.
- Close adult supervision when used near children.
- Unplugging when not in use, before cleaning, and allowing to cool.
- Not operating with a damaged cord, plug, or if the appliance malfunctions or is damaged.
- Returning the appliance to an authorized service center for repair.
- Not using accessory attachments not recommended by Mr. Coffee.
- Not using outdoors.
- Keeping the cord away from hot surfaces and off the edge of tables/counters.
- Not placing on or near hot gas/electric burners or in a heated oven.
- Unplugging from the wall outlet to disconnect.
- Using only for intended purposes.
- Using on a hard, flat, level surface to ensure proper airflow.
- Pitcher care: not for use on rangetops, in ovens (including microwaves), not with cracked pitchers, and avoiding sharp blows/scratches.
- Warning against plugging in the unit until water is in the reservoir and the pitcher is in place to prevent injury from hot steam.
- Not moving the machine while in use or cooling.
- Ensuring the steeping basket lid is on during brewing to avoid steam escape.
- Not restricting airflow beneath the appliance.
- Grasping the molded plug to unplug, avoiding jerking the cord.
- Not designed for commercial use.
- Children should not use the machine unless under close adult supervision.
- For iced coffee with decaffeinated coffee and chemically softened water, the steeping dial must be left in the "open" position to prevent overflow due to slower filtration.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
