"I absolutely LOVE this tea maker!! The triniTEA tea maker has single-handedly been the best purchase I have made all year. I will admit that I am one of those people who just seems to mess up temperatures and brewing times for all kinds of teas, but now I don't have to worry about it! I just put in the tea I am craving, add some water, push a few buttons, and walk away! The machine beeps once when it finishes heating the water and once again when it is done steeping the tea, and then gives a final succession of three beeps when it is finished emptying into the carafe and is ready to drink. Best of all, this tea maker brews four cups of tea and keeps them warm all day long so I can enjoy my tea whenever I want! If you like your tea 'burn the skin off of your tongue hot,' then the tea maker will not keep the tea in the carafe hot enough for you. If you enjoy lukewarm tea, then the tea maker will keep the tea in the carafe too hot for you. If you don't fall into either of those categories, the temperature of the tea left in the carafe should be fine all through the day. (Keep in mind that adding milk/cream will cool the tea down more.) I have had zero issues with the carafe spilling when pouring both fast and slow, with the lid on and off. The tea maker heats the water up fairly quickly- it seems to be around 5-10 minutes at full capacity. With my first attempt at working the tea maker, I did find out that if all of the pieces are not properly put into place before turning the tea maker on, it will not release the tea into the brewing chamber. Just double check everything and you'll be fine- I haven't had any problems since. I DEFINITELY recommend this!!"