Ohtomber Tea Infuser Strainer

Reviewers consistently say yes — cleanup is much easier than ball infusers or complex mesh devices. The wide basket opening means you can just flip it over a trash can and dump the spent leaves out. A quick rinse and it's ready to go. The silicone components also come apart for deep cleaning when needed. One thing to be aware of: a few reviewers mention that the seams and rivets can develop staining or minor rust over time if you don't dry it after washing. Hand-drying after each use seems to prevent this.

The extra fine mesh is one of its standout features. Reviewers confirm it works well with matcha, butterfly pea tea, fine herbal blends, and other teas that would slip through a standard infuser. That said, a couple of reviewers note that extremely fine particles from certain teas can still pass through — no mesh is 100% perfect. But for the vast majority of teas, including finely cut rooibos and herbals, it produces a clean, debris-free cup.

The Ohtomber actually has this built in — the lid doubles as a drip tray. When you remove the infuser from your mug, just flip the lid upside down and set the infuser on top of it. It catches the drips so you don't make a mess on your counter. Multiple reviewers highlight this as a surprisingly handy feature. No need for a separate drip saucer or plate. Just steep, lift, flip the lid, and set it down.

This is the most common concern. A small number of reviewers report rust or staining appearing on the seams and rivets over time, which is disappointing for a product labeled stainless steel. It's worth noting this appears to be concentrated at the welded joints rather than the mesh itself. The best prevention seems to be thoroughly drying the infuser after each wash rather than leaving it to air dry. The mesh and overall construction are otherwise sturdy — reviewers who take care to dry it report good long-term durability.

It fits most standard mugs — reviewers with various mug sizes confirm a secure fit thanks to the handles resting on the rim. However, if you have smaller mugs (under 12 oz), be aware that the large basket can take up a significant portion of the cup space. A couple of reviewers mention only getting about 3/4 of a mug's worth of tea in smaller cups because the infuser displaces so much volume. For standard 12-16 oz mugs and teapots, it works great.

Yes — multiple reviewers specifically mention using it in teapots with excellent results. It fits most standard teapots and is large enough to brew pitcher quantities, not just single cups. The basket sits inside the teapot while leaves steep, and you pull it out when you've reached the desired strength. It's particularly useful if your teapot didn't come with its own built-in strainer or if your teapot's strainer is too coarse.

Yes, and it pulls double duty. During steeping, the lid traps steam and heat, which helps maintain water temperature for a better extraction — especially important for teas that need sustained heat like black teas and certain herbals. Eight reviewers specifically appreciate this feature. When you're done steeping, flip the lid over and it becomes a stable drip tray for the wet infuser. It's a small design detail that makes a real practical difference in daily use.

One reviewer mentions encountering sharp edges on the seams and lid that could be a cut hazard during cleaning. This doesn't appear to be a widespread issue — only one person reported it — but it's worth being mindful when you're scrubbing around the seams and rim. A quick inspection when you first receive it will tell you if your particular unit has any rough spots. The silicone handles themselves are smooth and comfortable.

It's excellent for this. Reviewers specifically mention using it with home-dried herbs and DIY tea blends — the large capacity lets you experiment with different combinations and amounts without worrying about overflow. The fine mesh handles small herbal pieces that would escape through a standard infuser. Whether you're mixing chamomile with lavender, blending your own chai spices, or steeping dried herbs from your garden, this infuser gives you the room and filtration to do it properly.

It's one of the most beginner-friendly options out there. There's no complicated mechanism — just fill the basket, set it on your mug, pour water, and wait. The large capacity is forgiving if you use too much or too little tea while you're learning. You can see the tea color deepening through the mesh, which helps you gauge steeping time visually. And the cool-touch handles mean there's no learning curve for safe removal. If you're making the switch from tea bags, this is about as easy as it gets.

For most loose leaf tea drinkers, a basket-style infuser like the Ohtomber beats traditional ball infusers hands down. The key difference is space — the Ohtomber's large basket gives tea leaves room to fully expand and bloom, which multiple reviewers say produces a stronger, fuller flavor compared to cramped ball infusers. The extra fine mesh also means you get a clean, debris-free cup even with finely cut teas. If you primarily brew in mugs, a basket infuser with handles that rest on the rim (like this one) is the most practical everyday choice.

The Ohtomber works by immersion brewing. You place tea leaves inside the stainless steel mesh basket, and when it's submerged in hot water, the fine mesh lets water flow freely through the leaves while trapping them inside. This is actually the best method for flavor extraction because the leaves are surrounded by water and have room to unfurl and release their full flavor — unlike tea bags or ball infusers where leaves are compressed. The lid traps steam and heat during steeping, and when you're done, you simply lift the whole basket out by the cool silicone handles.

Three things matter most: mesh fineness, basket size, and how it fits your mug. The Ohtomber checks all three — its extra fine mesh catches particles that escape cheaper infusers (reviewers confirm it works even with matcha and finely cut herbals), the large basket gives leaves room to expand for full flavor extraction, and the heat-proof silicone handles rest securely on standard mugs. One thing to check: if your mugs are under 12 oz, this infuser may be too large and eat into your tea volume. For standard mugs and teapots, though, it's a versatile pick.

A strainer is typically held over your cup to catch leaves as you pour already-brewed tea through it. An infuser sits inside your mug while the tea steeps, holding the leaves in place so you can remove them when it's done. The Ohtomber is technically both — it's a basket infuser you steep with, but its ultra-fine mesh also functions like a strainer, catching even tiny particles. So you get the convenience of steeping right in your mug with the filtration quality of a fine strainer.

If you already have an infuser mug (one with a built-in infuser slot), the Ohtomber can replace whatever came with it. Just rest the handles on the mug rim like you would with any standard mug. Some infuser mugs have narrower openings, so check that the basket fits before committing. For standard infuser mugs in the 12-16 oz range, it typically fits well and may actually be an upgrade over the original basket if the mug came with a coarser mesh.

Start with about 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in the basket (you can experiment since there's plenty of room). Heat your water to the right temperature for your tea type — boiling for black and herbal, around 175°F for green, 190°F for oolong. Place the infuser in your mug, pour water over the leaves, and cover with the lid. Steep for 3-5 minutes depending on the tea and your taste preference. You'll be able to see the color deepening through the mesh, which gives you a clear visual cue. Lift out when it's ready. Reviewers say the large basket lets leaves fully bloom, producing stronger and more flavorful tea than ball infusers.

In the tea world, 'infuser' and 'diffuser' are often used interchangeably — they both refer to a device that holds tea leaves while hot water extracts flavor. The Ohtomber is listed as both an infuser and a diffuser, but functionally it's a basket-style infuser. You place your loose leaf tea inside, set it in your mug, pour hot water, and let it steep. Don't confuse this with aromatherapy diffusers, which are a completely different product. For tea purposes, infuser and diffuser mean the same thing.