Oster TM20 Series Iced Tea Maker User Manual 

The Oster TM20 Series Iced Tea Maker is a household appliance designed to brew fresh iced tea at home using tea bags or loose tea. The official manual covers safety precautions, parts, product features, first-time cleaning, iced tea brewing instructions, cleaning, descaling, service, replacement parts, and warranty details.

Product Overview

The Oster TM20 Series Iced Tea Maker prepares up to 2.5 quarts of iced tea in its matching pitcher. It uses a water reservoir, rotating shower head, removable brew basket, permanent filter, and adjustable brew strength control to steep tea directly over ice.

This model is built for household use only. It should be placed on a hard, flat, level surface with proper airflow underneath. The pitcher is made specifically for this iced tea maker and should not be used on a stovetop, in an oven, or in a microwave.

Oster TM20 Series Key Features

The manual highlights these main features:

Parts Diagram and Components

According to the manual’s parts diagram, the Oster TM20 Series includes:

Replacement parts are available through Oster’s website or customer service.

Important Safety Instructions

The manual lists key safety rules to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, burns, or injury:

• Read all instructions before use.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
• Do not immerse the power cord, plug, or appliance in water or any other liquid.
• Close adult supervision is required when used by or near children.
• Unplug the appliance when not in use and before cleaning.
• Let the appliance cool before adding, removing, or cleaning parts.
• Do not use the appliance with a damaged cord, damaged plug, malfunction, or any damage.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Keep the cord away from table edges, counters, and hot surfaces.
• Do not place near a hot gas burner, electric burner, or heated oven.
• Remove the plug from the outlet to disconnect.
• Do not use the appliance for anything other than its intended use.
• Do not remove the lid during brewing because scalding may occur.

The manual also warns users not to remove service covers. There are no user-serviceable parts inside, and repairs should be done only by authorized service personnel.

Pitcher Use and Care

The pitcher must be handled carefully because it can break if misused.

Do not:

• Use the pitcher on a stovetop.
• Use it in any oven, including a microwave.
• Use a cracked pitcher.
• Clean it with steel wool, abrasive pads, or harsh cleansers.
• Hit, scratch, or handle it roughly.

The pitcher is designed only for use with this Oster iced tea maker.

Additional Precautions During Use

The manual gives extra operating precautions:

• Place the iced tea maker away from the counter edge.
• Avoid hot or steaming areas, especially the brew basket and water reservoir.
• Keep the top lid closed while brewing.
• Do not operate unless the pitcher lid is on and the pitcher is fitted snugly against the appliance.
• Do not move the appliance while in use or before it has cooled.
• Do not place a tablecloth or fabric under the appliance because it may restrict airflow.
• Do not unplug by pulling the cord; grip the molded plug.
• Never reheat a beverage by running it through the brewing system.
• Never immerse the appliance in water.

Power Cord and Plug Instructions

The Oster TM20 Series uses a short power cord to reduce tripping and tangling hazards. An extension cord may be used with care.

If using an extension cord:

The appliance has a polarized plug. If it does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse it. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug.

How to Clean Before First Use

Before brewing the first pitcher of iced tea, clean the appliance by running a water-only cycle.

Steps:

1. Open the top lid and remove the brew basket.
2. Wash the pitcher, pitcher lid, and brew basket in the dishwasher or with mild detergent and water.
3. Rinse all washed parts thoroughly.
4. Fill the pitcher with water to the top water level mark.
5. Rotate the brew head open and pour water into the water reservoir.
6. Do not overfill the reservoir.
7. Insert the brew basket and close the lid.
8. Fill the pitcher to the ice marking line.
9. Place the pitcher lid on the pitcher.
10. Slide the pitcher under the rotating brew head.
11. Plug the power cord into an outlet.
12. Press the “on” button.
13. When the cycle finishes, the iced tea maker shuts off automatically.
14. Slide the pitcher away and discard the water.

The manual warns not to plug in the appliance until water is in the reservoir, the lid is closed, and the pitcher is in place.

How to Brew Iced Tea

Follow these steps to prepare iced tea:

1. Fill the pitcher with fresh, cold water to the water level mark. Do not overfill.
2. Rotate the brew head and pour the water into the water reservoir.
3. Open the top lid.
4. Add tea to the brew basket.
5. Add sugar, lemon, or other flavorings if desired.
6. Rotate the shower head so it sits over the brew basket.
7. Close the top lid.
8. Adjust the steeping lever to the desired brew strength.
9. Fill the pitcher with ice cubes to the ice level mark.
10. If there is not enough ice, use cold water instead and fill only to the water level mark, not the ice level mark.
11. Slide the pitcher into place against the appliance.
12. Make sure the rotating brew head is centered over the pitcher.
13. Plug in the power cord.
14. Press the “on” button until the ON indicator light turns on.
15. When brewing finishes, the unit shuts off automatically.
16. Wait 30 seconds before removing the pitcher.
17. Serve the iced tea.
18. After use, let the appliance contents cool, open the lid, rotate the shower head away, remove the brew basket, discard contents, and rinse.

For a 2.5-quart pitcher, the manual recommends 5–7 tea bags or 2–3 tablespoons of loose tea.

Brewing Notes

Tea may turn cloudy as it chills. The manual explains this can happen because of naturally occurring tannic acids in tea.

If using cold water instead of ice, do not fill the pitcher to the ice mark. Filling to the ice mark with water can cause overflow during brewing.

Cleaning and Maintenance

For normal cleaning:

1. Turn off and unplug the appliance.
2. Clean the main iced tea maker body only with a damp cloth.
3. Wash removable parts as needed.
4. Do not use harsh cleansers, steel wool pads, or abrasive materials.
5. Never immerse the iced tea maker body in water or any other liquid.
6. Do not place the main appliance in the dishwasher.

Hard water may leave mineral deposits inside the pitcher and brew basket. To remove these deposits, fill the brew basket and pitcher with warm, undiluted white vinegar. Let them soak for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Descaling the Oster Iced Tea Maker

Mineral deposits from water can affect performance. The manual says descaling is needed if there is more steaming than usual or if the pumping action stops before all water has moved through the appliance.

Suggested cleaning frequency:

Descaling steps:

1. Pour 1 quart of undiluted white household vinegar into the water reservoir.
2. Place the pitcher lid on the pitcher.
3. Slide the pitcher under the rotating brew head.
4. Press the “on” button to begin brewing.
5. After 1 cup of vinegar has pumped into the pitcher, unplug the iced tea maker.
6. Let it stand for 30 minutes.
7. Plug the appliance back in and continue the brewing process to pump out the remaining vinegar.
8. When the unit shuts off, unplug it.
9. Remove the pitcher and discard the cleaning solution.
10. Fill the pitcher with clean tap water to the water level mark.
11. Repeat the cycle without vinegar.
12. Repeat rinsing if needed.

Troubleshooting Guide

Replacement Parts and Service

For replacement pitchers, users can call Oster customer service or visit the Oster website.

Support details from the manual:

If the iced tea maker needs service, the manual says not to return it to the store. Repairs must be performed by Sunbeam or an authorized Oster Service Center. Users should have the model number and purchase date available when contacting support.

Warranty Information

The Oster TM20 Series Iced Tea Maker includes a 1-year limited warranty from Sunbeam Products, Inc. doing business as Jarden Consumer Solutions.

The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the purchase date. JCS may repair or replace the product or defective component during the warranty period.

The warranty does not cover:

• Normal wear of parts
• Negligent use
• Misuse
• Use with improper voltage or current
• Use against the operating instructions
• Disassembly
• Unauthorized repair or alteration
• Damage from events such as fire, flood, hurricanes, and tornadoes

The warranty applies only to the original retail purchaser and requires proof of purchase.

Official User Manual (PDF)