RSVP International Endurance Collection Mesh Loose Leaf Tea Strainer/Infuser Ball, 18/8 Stainless Steel and Dishwasher Safe, Pyramid, 1.75"

I bought the  RSVP 901 Italian Espress Pyramid Tea Infuser  to take to work to make loose leaf tea. Although I was very pleased with the product, several months later, I purchased the  Grip-EZ Tea Infuser with Cup  for use at home. After several months of use of both products, I find the Pyramid Tea Infuser superior in virtually every way.The main disadvantage of the Grip-EZ is that you have to scoop the tea with the infuser itself. The two ends of the cup seperate and then close over the tea. The problem is that you frequently get more tea than you need, or even that will fit inside the ball when closed. So you have to try to get some of the tea out so that the ball will close, but this is difficult to do without removing all of the tea. It's a bit of an all or nothing proposition.This leads to a related problem of the Grip-EZ - no matter how hard you try, there will be tea leaves that get stuck in between the lips of the two cups. As a result, the cups will not fully close and tea leaves will spill out of the Grip-EZ into your tea.By contrast, the Pyramid Infuser has a flat, clasping edge. After scooping the tea in with a spoon, the flat edge of the pyramid closes via hinge over the tea, and then has a clasp which firmly locks the infuser shut, even if there are a few leaves on the lips of the pyramid. No tea escapes from the infuser. In addition, there is a chain which connects to the top of the pyramid infuser, so you can hang it inside your tea cup like you might with a tea bag. Sometimes, the Grip-EZ can be difficult to drink around if you prefer (like me) to leave your tea leaves in your tea while drinking.Overall, while the Grip-EX is an attractive product, it's more difficult to use than the pyramid infuser and often results in frustration and leaves in your tea. I highly recommend the Pyramid Tea Infuser, not so much the Grip-EZ.

The concept is there, no doubt! If the pyramid were a bit "deeper", it may work much better. However, as it is, it holds a simple teaspoon (not rounded) of loose herb. Once the water re-hydrates the dried herb, its expansion leaves no additional room in the infuser to "swim" and actually infuse the water. I'm afraid you have use the 'ole "tea dipping" method (Amazon doesn't like the term bagging, for the lack of a better description) to swish the herb around and get a decent enough flavor. The chain is sort of pointless to me as it is quite short, and probably ok for a standard 8-10 ounce mug, but for any sort of thermal 16 ounce + container, it will be an "ANCHOR AWAY" to bottom of the hot abyss!

I really like the pyramid shape of this infuser because it doesn't roll around. The latch is easy to use, and the whole thing is the right size for a large mug of tea. The mesh is very fine, but when I use Twinings loose leaf Earl Grey I shake the infuser a few times over the compost to get out the smallest bits. There will still be tiny pieces that get out into my tea, but that will happen with any infuser. I attached a keychain to the end to keep it from constantly falling all the way into my mug.

The Good:1. Seems to hold the same amount of tea as the small steel tea ball I had (which one side broke recently after 3 years).2. Steel construction with tight clasp. There is no rubber or plastic that can contaminate the tea with chemicals.3. The clip allows the Pyramid to be in the tea and also allow you to put a lid on top of the cup or jar to keep some ofthe vapor inside.4. Loose leaf black tea does not go through the mesh.5. Affordable.The Bad:1. It looks like it might break within a year....It clearly is not as strong as the steel scissor type tea ball I had which lasted about 3 or more years. I plan on hand washing mine only.2. I like buying USA made things, but this is not, its made in China.

If there is such a thing as a cute tea infuser this is it. Opening the box this little gem makes you smile.It is a solid tank of a little infuser with a well made latch which should last for a very long time. This tea infuser would make a wonderful little gift for your special someone.Follow up a year later.This tea infuser has become a trusted companion in my kitchen. It is an ideal size for that mug of tea 8 to 10oz. I've used this infuser perhaps 200 times with few issues. If one uses fine powder like tea, some of the tea will pass through. If using such fine tea i recommend employing one use paper tea envelopes.Now that I think of it, I'm ordering another, just in case they quit making this.

I've tried just about every kind of infuser there is, and this one is bullet-proof. Not hard to fill, easy to lock, no loose bits get free, and the hook lets me hang it on the edge of my Hydroflask--no fishing around in super-hot water to get the thing out. And when you take it out and release the clasp you get these cool little pyramids of compacted tea leaves that amuse my kids. All the others I have tried over a long lifetime of drinking tea just don't match up. If it has any drawback at all, it is that you need to work a bit harder to fill with some of the longer-leaved teas, like Golden Monkey. But it just takes an extra couple of seconds or so.

I use this for making fresh mint tea and it works well. It is well made and easy to clean. My only complaint is that the mesh is a little too fine, as it has a tendency to trap air inside even when submerged in hot water. I 'tap' it against the side of the glass while submerged to get the air out and then it works fine. A little pricey but gets the job done.

This little infuser seems sturdy and nice. It closes tightly and is decent at keeping bits of tea out of your tea. I think maybe it would be a little better for black or green tea, but it doesn't do a very good job on loose herbal teas (which, unfortunately, is what I planned to use it for). A teaspoon and a half pretty much packs this infuser full, which leaves little or no room for water to circulate with the leaves, making a pretty wimpy cup of tea. Disappointing.