Gizmos for Cooks

My husband, a true Southerner, can’t live without his Salton Iced Tea Maker. Set up just like a coffee machine, this quirky little contraption will brew two liters of iced tea at a time, making it easy for any tea enthusiast to have a tall glass of his or her favorite beverage day or night.

If you have family-sized tea bags on hand, all you have to do is fill up the tea maker’s water chamber, drop a couple of bags in the filter and fill the pitcher with ice. Then press the button and watch the tea steep right before your eyes, becoming an icy cold treat. The tea maker shuts off automatically when it’s done working its magic.

When you’ve finished brewing, pop the pitcher in the fridge and have iced tea ready and waiting for you. Or, brew some before you entertain and have plenty for the afternoon or night ahead. And if you like iced coffee, the Salton Ice Tea Maker will also brew your favorite java.

Price: $24.95 from Cooking.com