Comments on: Product Review: Zarafina® Tea Maker Suite http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/ Discovering the way of tea, one cup at a time. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:34:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cinnabar http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-2734 Cinnabar Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:06:41 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-2734 I'm pretty sure that the Black, Green and Oolong settings affect primarily the temperature of the water. So the strength selector affects the brewing time within the temperature/time parameters of the type setting. I’m pretty sure that the Black, Green and Oolong settings affect primarily the temperature of the water. So the strength selector affects the brewing time within the temperature/time parameters of the type setting.

]]> By: Zammer http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-2732 Zammer Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:55:52 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-2732 I have had middling success with the Zarafina. Perhaps someone can answer a question that (hostile) customer service couldn't: If the steeping time is automatic according to the tea you select (Black, Green, etc), doesn't the MILD-MEDIUM-STRONG "Strength Selector" alter the steeping time. Ex: If "Green" (with a short steeping time) is selected, and "STRONG" is also selected, won't that over-ride the "Green" short steep with a longer "Strong" steep? I have had middling success with the Zarafina. Perhaps someone can answer a question that (hostile) customer service couldn’t: If the steeping time is automatic according to the tea you select (Black, Green, etc), doesn’t the MILD-MEDIUM-STRONG “Strength Selector” alter the steeping time. Ex: If “Green” (with a short steeping time) is selected, and “STRONG” is also selected, won’t that over-ride the “Green” short steep with a longer “Strong” steep?

]]> By: Cinnabar http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-2657 Cinnabar Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:10:57 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-2657 Somebodyunfamous - It is disappointing to hear that Zarafina has been so negligent with customer service. When we were dealing directly with them they were quite engaged in supporting their product and communicating with people. I would guess that the product is now at the age that they're getting a lot of complaints as parts start to get stuck rending the machines unusable. The primary long-term complaint that I have with it is that it really can't be used for different types of tea since the plastic brewing vessel absorbs so much. I only use the one I have for lower grade black teas, which means that I don't use it often. Somebodyunfamous -

It is disappointing to hear that Zarafina has been so negligent with customer service. When we were dealing directly with them they were quite engaged in supporting their product and communicating with people. I would guess that the product is now at the age that they’re getting a lot of complaints as parts start to get stuck rending the machines unusable.

The primary long-term complaint that I have with it is that it really can’t be used for different types of tea since the plastic brewing vessel absorbs so much. I only use the one I have for lower grade black teas, which means that I don’t use it often.

]]> By: Somebodyunfamous http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-2655 Somebodyunfamous Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:20:31 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-2655 BUYER BEWARE! Complaints go unanswered! Zarafina is a sub-sub-company of Sunbeam Products, Inc. and apparently, their contact information is as useless as their Technical FAQ. Keep your $60 to $160 and invest in a nice microwavable pot/dish (and a submersible chamber for loose tea). You can surely make tea faster and easier (and be alerted when your tea is ready!!) using what you already have! I received an automated response to my first email about my problem (the unit is stuck in the "dispense" mode) saying I would receive an answer in 2-3 business days. A week and a half later I sent another email referencing the original email, and I still haven't received a response. It has now been about a month, and I was only able to use the device for a month after purchase before it broke! BUYER BEWARE! Complaints go unanswered! Zarafina is a sub-sub-company of Sunbeam Products, Inc. and apparently, their contact information is as useless as their Technical FAQ. Keep your $60 to $160 and invest in a nice microwavable pot/dish (and a submersible chamber for loose tea). You can surely make tea faster and easier (and be alerted when your tea is ready!!) using what you already have!

I received an automated response to my first email about my problem (the unit is stuck in the “dispense” mode) saying I would receive an answer in 2-3 business days. A week and a half later I sent another email referencing the original email, and I still haven’t received a response. It has now been about a month, and I was only able to use the device for a month after purchase before it broke!

]]> By: Cinnabar http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-856 Cinnabar Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:07:19 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-856 I still enjoy using it, but I would not recommend it for green teas or delicate oolongs if it gets used for black teas regularly. After several months of regular infusions of black teas (which is what I drink primarily at work where the machine lives) it's near impossible to fully remove the residue. I run vinegar and water through it a few times every so often, but I wouldn't brew green tea in it. I still enjoy using it, but I would not recommend it for green teas or delicate oolongs if it gets used for black teas regularly. After several months of regular infusions of black teas (which is what I drink primarily at work where the machine lives) it’s near impossible to fully remove the residue. I run vinegar and water through it a few times every so often, but I wouldn’t brew green tea in it.

]]> By: Wudang http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-836 Wudang Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:11:31 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-836 I'm thinking about ordering one of these . . . any changes on your initial review? I’m thinking about ordering one of these . . . any changes on your initial review?

]]> By: mark http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-525 mark Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:56:21 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-525 Check out this amazing limited time offer on the Zarafina Tea Maker Suite(value $149.99)... Only $99.99 and free shipping visit www.zarafina.com use code "99freeship" at checkout... hurry offer expires 2/29/08. Also enjoy Zarafina premium artisian loose teas and limited edition designer collectible tea cup sets- great gifts for your Valentine! Check out this amazing limited time offer on the Zarafina Tea Maker Suite(value $149.99)…
Only $99.99 and free shipping visit http://www.zarafina.com use code
“99freeship” at checkout…
hurry offer expires 2/29/08.

Also enjoy Zarafina premium artisian loose teas and limited edition designer collectible tea cup sets- great gifts for your Valentine!

]]> By: Cinnabar http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-508 Cinnabar Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:19:51 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-508 This one does not leak at all when it is dispensing the tea into the pot. Hopefully it is just a flaw with your particular unit and the replacement will work better for you. It sure is a convenient machine to use. This one does not leak at all when it is dispensing the tea into the pot. Hopefully it is just a flaw with your particular unit and the replacement will work better for you. It sure is a convenient machine to use.

]]> By: Karen http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-507 Karen Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:34:56 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-507 I purchased the Zarafina, and I love it! The only problem is, it leaks tea when the tea is dispensed from the chamber into the teapot. After every brew I have to wipe up tea under the machine and teapot. Very annoying! I called Zarafina and they are sending me a new one, but they didn't confirm of deny if this leaking problem is atypical. Does your unit leak when it dispenses tea into the pot? I purchased the Zarafina, and I love it! The only problem is, it leaks tea when the tea is dispensed from the chamber into the teapot. After every brew I have to wipe up tea under the machine and teapot. Very annoying! I called Zarafina and they are sending me a new one, but they didn’t confirm of deny if this leaking problem is atypical. Does your unit leak when it dispenses tea into the pot?

]]> By: Cinnabar http://www.gongfugirl.com/2007/08/product-review-zarafina%c2%ae-tea-maker-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Cinnabar Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:16:26 +0000 http://www.gongfugirl.com/?p=178#comment-376 You're welcome. I'm glad that the review was helpful. I was very impressed with the ease of use and high quality results. You’re welcome. I’m glad that the review was helpful. I was very impressed with the ease of use and high quality results.

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