How to Use a Tea Urn for Large Gatherings

By Home & Kitchen Appliances – Morphy Richards UK | Published: 2026-10-26

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to brew, serve, and keep drinks hot with a tea urn. Step-by-step instructions for using a 20L tea urn at events, offices, or cafes.

Quick Answer

To use a tea urn for large gatherings, fill it with water, plug it in, and let it boil before adding tea leaves or bags. Then adjust the temperature to keep your drinks at the ideal warmth and serve up to 80 cups at once.

Why a Tea Urn Is Ideal for Events

A tea urn is designed to brew and serve large quantities of hot drinks at once, making it a practical choice for events, offices, and cafes. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and efficient heating, while the built-in temperature range helps maintain consistent serving warmth.

Compared to making multiple pots of tea, a tea urn reduces prep time and keeps drinks hot for extended periods, which is especially useful for busy gatherings.

Choosing the Right Tea Urn Size

The 20L tea urn serves about 80 cups, which suits medium-to-large events. For smaller gatherings, a smaller urn may be more efficient, but if you expect a crowd, the 20L capacity ensures you won't run out quickly.

Consider the number of guests and the duration of the event when deciding on size. A larger urn also allows you to offer multiple types of tea by using refillable infusers.

Step-by-Step: Using a Tea Urn

Fill with water: Open the lid and fill the urn with fresh, cold water up to the indicated maximum level. Do not overfill, as boiling water can splash out and cause burns. Always check the max fill line to avoid overflow.
Plug in and boil: Place the urn on a stable, heat-resistant surface and plug it into a suitable power outlet. Switch on the power and wait for the water to come to a rolling boil. This may take several minutes depending on the urn's power. Never leave the urn unattended while it is boiling.
Add tea leaves or bags: Once the water has boiled, turn off the power or switch to low heat. Add tea leaves or bags using a removable infuser or tea bag holder to avoid loose leaves in the dispenser. Use about one tea bag per cup or a tablespoon of loose tea per cup, adjusting to taste. Using an infuser makes cleanup easier and prevents clogging the spout.
Steep and adjust temperature: Let the tea steep for 3–5 minutes, then remove the infuser or bags. Set the urn to a lower temperature setting to keep the tea hot without continuing to boil, which can make it bitter. Check the temperature periodically to ensure it stays in the ideal serving range.
Serve and monitor: Place cups under the spigot and open the valve to fill. Monitor the level and refill with hot water or fresh tea as needed. Keep the lid closed when not serving to retain heat. Have a backup kettle or urn ready if you expect high demand.
Clean after use: After the urn is empty and cool, unplug it and wash the interior with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Do not immerse the base or electrical components in water. Regular cleaning prevents buildup and keeps the tea tasting fresh.

Product Facts

20L Tea Urn: This stainless steel 20 litre tea urn delivers an incredible 80 cups at once and has a temperature range to keep drinks at ideal warmth. You can confidently serve a large group without constant reheating, and the temperature control helps avoid burnt or lukewarm tea.
20L Tea Urn