Are Stainless Steel Tea Infusers Safe?
Tea infusers are small devices used to steep loose leaf tea. They allow the tea leaves to expand fully and release their flavor without escaping into the tea cup. Tea infusers have a basket or chamber that holds the loose tea leaves. This basket has tiny perforations that allow water to flow through while containing the tea leaves. They can be made from various materials like metal, silicone, plastic, or ceramic.
Tea infusers serve an important purpose – they let you brew loose leaf tea easily without the mess of tea leaves escaping into your cup. They are popular because they are affordable, portable, and come in cute shapes and designs. Tea enthusiasts appreciate using infusers as they allow the tea to fully expand and extract, unlike tea bags which can constrain the leaves.
Tea infusers have been around for centuries. Early examples were made from natural materials like bamboo, silk, or metal. More modern tea infusers emerged in the 1800s as strainers with very fine meshes that fit inside teapots. The tea ball infuser was patented in the late 1800s. Tea infusers grew in popularity in the 1900s and many creative shapes and designs emerged. Today they are a staple item for brewing loose leaf tea. https://medium.com/@reshmakadam11/history-of-tea-infusers-and-a-simple-guide-to-using-them-666c05b271c3
Benefits of Stainless Steel Infusers
Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for tea infusers because of its many benefits over other materials:
Stainless steel is highly durable and long-lasting. Unlike infusers made of silicone, plastic, or mesh, stainless steel infusers can withstand thousands of uses without showing signs of wear and tear (Why Choose A Tea Strainer Made From Stainless Steel). This makes them a great reusable and eco-friendly option.
The fine holes and sturdy construction allow for precise straining and containment of loose tea leaves. Stainless steel prevents leaves from escaping into your cup, while permitting maximum water flow and infusion. The metal also retains heat well to fully extract flavors from the tea (The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Tea Infuser).
Stainless steel has smooth surfaces and is easy to clean after multiple uses. A simple rinse or wash with mild soap and water keeps infusers fresh and free of residue buildup. Proper drying prevents corrosion issues (Stainless Steel Tea Infusers).
The open basket shape allows tea leaves to fully expand and circulate during steeping. This optimizes infusion compared to tea balls or enclosed infusers. Stainless steel construction is also aesthetically pleasing for teaware.
Potential Safety Concerns with Stainless Steel Tea Infusers
Although stainless steel tea infusers are generally considered safe, there are some potential risks to be aware of. The main concern is the leaching of heavy metals like nickel and chromium into the boiling water (https://www.goldenmoontea.com/blogs/tea/is-your-teapot-releasing-toxins). This can occur if the stainless steel contains impurities or is of low quality.
High-quality stainless steel made from 18/8 or 18/10 grade steel contains enough chromium to form an invisible passive layer of chromium oxide on the surface. This prevents corrosion and metal leaching. However, cheaper stainless steel may have less chromium, allowing the release of heavy metals (https://www.tastingtable.com/1112200/the-big-downside-to-using-metal-tea-infusers/).
Factors like manufacturing flaws, damage to the surface, prolonged contact with acidic foods, or using harsh scrubbing can also degrade the passive layer leading to leaching. Using boiling water further accelerates corrosion.
To minimize risks, choose reputable brands that use food-grade 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel. Avoid any stainless steel infuser with a metallic taste, visible corrosion, or made in China. Properly caring for the infuser will also help prevent corrosion issues.
How to Choose a Safe Infuser
When choosing a stainless steel tea infuser, it’s important to select one made from food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. This high-quality steel contains at least 18% chromium and 8% nickel, providing durability and corrosion resistance (source). Opting for 18/8 stainless steel ensures the infuser won’t leach any metals or chemicals into hot water.
Look for infusers designed and constructed by reputable brands. Quality infusers will have tightly woven mesh that prevents loose tea leaves from escaping into your cup. The mesh should be durable and resistant to tearing or corrosion over time. Poorly made infusers may use lower-grade stainless steel prone to rusting or mesh that frays with repeated use (source).
Avoid generic infusers with no brand name or certification. The safety and material quality cannot be verified on no-name products found in discount stores or online marketplaces. Spending a few extra dollars on a recognized brand provides assurance that rigorous standards were followed during manufacturing.
Proper Use and Care
Proper care is important for ensuring the safety and longevity of your stainless steel tea infuser. Here are some best practices:
Hand wash only – Avoid putting stainless steel infusers in the dishwasher, as the harsh detergents can damage the metal over time. According to Plum Deluxe, hand washing allows you to gently clean the infuser without subjecting it to high heat or abrasive conditions.
Avoid abrasives – Don’t use abrasive brushes or scouring pads, as they can scratch the stainless steel surface. Instead, according to Times of India, use a soft cloth or sponge with mild dish soap and warm water to gently clean the infuser.
Don’t leave tea in for prolonged periods – Make sure to remove the infuser from your tea cup after the desired steeping time. Leaving the wet infuser sitting in the tea for too long can lead to corrosion over time.
Quality Brands to Consider
When selecting a stainless steel tea infuser, it’s important to choose a product from a reputable brand that prioritizes safety and quality. Here are some excellent options to consider:
The Steepster by The Whistling Kettle is a top choice made entirely from stainless steel and food-grade silicone. The Whistling Kettle is a trusted tea accessories company known for its durable and well-designed products.
OXO is another reliable brand that offers the OXO Twisting Tea Infuser. OXO is committed to user-centered design and rigorous safety testing. Their infuser has a twist-open design that is easy to fill and clean.
For a simple and affordable option, the Finum Reusable Tea Infuser is highly recommended. Finum is dedicated to high-quality tea accessories and their popular infuser basket comes in different sizes to suit your needs.
Alternatives to Stainless Steel
While stainless steel is a popular choice, there are other options when it comes to tea infusers. Here are some pros and cons of a few common alternatives:
Glass
Glass tea infusers allow you to visually monitor the brewing process and some people find they impart no flavor of their own. However, they can be more delicate and prone to breaking compared to stainless steel infusers (source).
Silicone
Silicone infusers come in fun shapes and colors, are flexible, and won’t alter the taste of the tea. However, over time they may absorb odors and colors from the tea itself (source).
Disposable
Disposable paper or mesh infusers avoid any lingering odors or cleaning hassles. But they generate more waste compared to reusable options and may not allow larger leaves to unfurl fully (source).
Tea Recommendations
When using a stainless steel tea infuser, here are some excellent tea options to consider:
Black Teas: Assam and Darjeeling black teas have bold, complex flavors that brew very well in infusers. The whole leaf quality ensures the nuanced taste comes through. Favorites like English Breakfast and Earl Grey are perfect infuser teas too.
Green Teas: High quality Sencha and Gyokuro green teas from Japan showcase beautiful whole leaves that unfurl slowly in an infuser. The delicate green tea flavor shines through.
Herbal Teas: Herbal blends like chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos make flavorful caffeine-free options. The loose leaves have more room to expand in an infuser.
The key is choosing high quality, whole leaf teas that have space to unfurl fully. This allows the flavors to emerge gradually for a delicious cup of tea using your infuser.
Final Thoughts
In summary, stainless steel tea infusers are generally considered safe, as long as you choose a reputable brand made from food-grade stainless steel. There were some initial concerns when stainless steel infusers first emerged, but improvements in manufacturing and standards have made them a reliable option today. The key is avoiding any infusers with lead, nickel, or other toxic metals in the alloy. As long as you properly clean and air dry your infuser after each use, you can brew delicious loose leaf tea safely. Stainless steel infusers have many benefits like durability, ease of cleaning, and heat resistance that make them a wise choice for most tea drinkers.
When used properly, stainless steel infusers allow you to unlock the full depth of flavor from loose leaf teas. With a quality infuser, you don’t have to sacrifice your health to enjoy fantastic cups of tea. Just be sure to do your research and choose reputable brands to ensure safety. With reasonable care and maintenance, a stainless steel infuser can provide many years of flavorful and healthy tea drinking.
References
The following sources were consulted in creating this article on the safety of stainless steel tea infusers:
- Tea Association of Canada article “Brewing Tea With Teabags vs. Tea Infusers”
- FDA guidance on lead in foodware, including tea infusers
- Study published in Food Research International on migration of metals from stainless steel tea infusers
- Consumer Reports review of tea infuser brands
- Healthline article “What to Know About Stainless Steel Cooking”
- Specialty Tea Institute article “How to Use a Tea Infuser”
Additional research was conducted on tea brewing methods and the benefits of loose leaf tea to provide context and background information.
