Eibhilin said 2011-10-21 17:26:23 -0400

Teapot selection assistance?

I’ve been using a single cup infuser forever now and it’s waaay beyond “I need a real teapot” time. I know everyone seems reaaally keen on the adagio ingenuitea but I want to get a bit more feedback before acquiescing and going that route. A few years ago I saw Hues & Brews teapots at a teashop but there is virtually no feedback on them here? Love that modern more one piece no parts to drop and break look.

I drink primarily flavored black tea, a LOT of earl grey, so I’m leery of getting an unlined cast iron teapot lest I end up with a cup of earl grey strawberry cream vanilla almond pancake breakfast? Would that be a realistic concern? To boot I’m clumsy and move around a lot, so leery of breaking glass… any thoughts? First time purchasing a teapot of my own, only have had experience with my-grandmothers-ceramic-style teapot before. :/

14 Replies

SimplyJenW said 2011-10-21 18:15:39 -0400

I use a ceramic teapot for daily use. It has a stainless steel infuser with no plastic parts. The one I have comes in 24 oz and 45 oz (The larger one is in my avatar). I have one of each size, but use the smaller one several times a day. They are Curve teapots from ForLife. I have seen them stocked at Harney & Son’s, David’s Tea, Lupicia, Stash, and a few other places online. It seems incredibly sturdy. And I have not regretted it one bit.

Depending on the ones you are looking at….if it is one with a metal lid, it would be nice if it came off for microwaving (reheating) and cleaning.

Spot52 said 2011-10-21 18:18:10 -0400

I love these, http://www.denstea.com/teapots-cups-shincha-teapot-1900-c-275_327.html, from Den’s.
I also really like the stuff from http://www.forlifedesign.com/shop/index.php.

mrawlins2 said 2011-10-21 21:37:56 -0400

I am in love with my Chatsford teapots! They are sturdy ceramic pots that come in a variety of colors and include a large infuser (seriously the infuser is almost as big as the interior of the pot – giving your leaves plenty of room). I have both a 2-cup and 4-cup Chatsford and I don’t think I’ll ever have the desire to acquire a different brand. Here is a link: http://tinyurl.com/34ee46o

OolongLily said 2011-10-21 23:41:54 -0400

I’m not sure what size you want, but if it’s a single cup teapot then the Wabi Sabi teapot from Samovar is awesome. Increased my tea drinking dramatically, despite its small size. Way more enjoyable to use than a single strainer. Just don’t put superfine particle tea in it. Mine’s been out of commission because I’ve been too busy (read: lazy) to get out the toothbrush and clean it after a particular chamomile. Otherwise, I can’t recommend it enough.

Glass pots bother me. They seem to lose heat quickly. Ceramic is nice – low maintenance. I’m pretty fond of my Iwachu cast iron though. I have this one (~20oz): http://www.zensuke.com/480882.html Except I got mine from Teavana and it’s copper and black. The wide strainer is nice. Lots of room for the leaves to move about. I like the way cast irons retain heat for awhile. I also have Teavana’s tiger pot, but it’s huge. That pot retains heat forever though. I’d use it more if it wasn’t 40oz. The strainer is also a bit small on that one, but you don’t necessarily have to use the strainer if you just pour the tea into another vessel.

Eibhilin said 2011-10-22 17:50:33 -0400

I keep seeing that Chatsford is a favorite, love the look of the infuser. :3 Sadly while looking over Chatsfords I found a gorgeous hand thrown set I decided I must have… looks like I’ll have two first teapots? The curve are super attractive too though. Is there a such thing as too many teapots? Thanks for the suggestions!

Uniquity said 2011-10-22 18:31:13 -0400

I have three at the moment (two “normal” and one for loose) and need to acquire another for loose. I also have a tea for one set that was gifted to me, but it doesn’t count. : )

aisling of tea said 2011-10-22 20:15:38 -0400

I have 20 or so, and I use most of them. I love teapots. Have a look at your local goodwill or such, we’ve had some awesome finds!

Camiah said 2011-10-22 21:53:52 -0400

I have a Hues and Brews teapot. It annoys me vaguely. The lit doesn’t fit on flush, which is annoying. However, it doesn’t drip when it pours (big plus), it is really just an aesthetic annoyance that the lid isn’t flush. It may, however, just be a quirk of mine and not indicative of how they all are made.

mclean_tim said 2011-10-22 22:24:29 -0400

I got the ingenuitea from Adagio as a gift and I simple couldn’t use it. The people that design it probably think everyone uses a glass cup. But I don’t. So I can’t tell how full my cup is until it overflows. I try pouring the tea out from the top. It works but I end up with most of the leaves in my cup. I guess I can place the ingenuitea over my cup briefly and take it off to check how much tea is drained into my cup and keep doing it until the cup is full. But that’s a big hassle and too annoying for me. Big DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

Ellen said 2011-10-23 20:53:16 -0400

I pour water into my cup first and then into the thing =)

Mel said 2011-10-22 22:43:01 -0400

I love Forlife teapots. I struck gold, and found one used for $5 at a Goodwill with the strainer in it. I used it daily. I have dropped the lid twice (it’s not the metal one) and it didn’t break, or even chip. I have banged it against the stink, and still standing! I love it. But I have to say, Forlife makes a good durable teapot.

SimplyJenW said 2011-10-22 23:17:28 -0400

That is a lucky find!

American Tea Room said 2011-10-25 22:08:07 -0400

Our signature teapot has a perfect pour and is beautifully hand crafted in Japan: http://www.americantearoom.com/american-tea-room-black-signature-teapot.html
and I think this is just a gorgeous design from Bodum: http://www.americantearoom.com/naoko-stainless-tea-pot.html

Eibhilin said 2011-10-27 00:32:27 -0400

Wow thanks all for the feedback. A lot of really great suggestions. Looking forward to having more teapots than plates. ;3