Online timer for 118 seconds
The kettle has boiled and a second cup is already steeping, so this run of one minute and fifty-eight seconds covers the repeat rather than the first attempt. While the tea draws, there is just enough time to return the milk to the fridge, wipe a splash from the bench, or put the kettle back without drifting into another kitchen job.
With the second brew under way, consecutive runs help keep each cup consistent even when several mugs are being made. Restarting from the finished screen avoids estimating how long the next teabag has been in. A small difference may still suit a larger mug, freshly boiled water, or a cup that has cooled between rounds, but separate runs make those adjustments easier to remember.
While the next cup steeps, a phone is usually easier to keep beside the kettle than a laptop, especially in a busy kitchen where steam and spills are nearby. The laptop can remain useful when it is already open on a distant bench, but the phone lets the finish signal stay close as the mug is carried to the table. Keeping the screen visible also prevents the second run being mistaken for the completed first one.
Common questions
Why might the second cup need slightly more or less time than this interval?
A larger mug, cooler water, or a teabag used for another cup can change how quickly the tea develops. An Australian summer kitchen may also leave the mug warmer than it would be on a cold winter morning.
What if the second cup looks ready before the same interval finishes?
The teabag can come out early if the colour and strength already suit the drinker. If it still seems light at the signal, a short extra steep can account for the mug size or water temperature.
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