What to do for a Cracked Gaiwan???
I just bought a new Tea Set this month and I love it! However after making tea in it a few times I notice a crack in the back of the Gaiwan, you couldn’t really see the crack before i made tea in it but now i’m afraid the tea will stain it making it appear worse or that it will break, it took me so long to notice because of the location of the crack it is always away from me when making tea. What can I do? Anything? or just put it up and not use it? here is a link to the set on the site(I actually think the one pictured there IS the one I have). http://esgreen.com/products-page/tea-sets/transmutation-glaze-tea-set-with-jade-ice-cracks-spring-dew/
I thought the set is naturally cracked according to the description? Do you mean there is an extra, deeper crack? The ice-crack style is meant to let the tea stain it.
As for porcelain gaiwan, most of mine have cracks… It either easily happens to most gaiwan, or it’s me being a destroyer… :-p
Yeah the ice-cracks are very pretty, this is a deep crack down the back side, it is all the way through and tea seeps out in small beads around the crack on the outside, it still works tho, somebody suggested clear nail polish on the outside over the crack but I don’t think I want that polish smell on there.
clear sealant for use on modeling clay/sculpey might work and have less lingering odor than the nail polish (as well as let you coat the entire outside, so the strip along the crack is less likely to peel off)
Thanks ShayneBear and Gingko :)
oh yeah there are Pics on my blog of the crack now so you can see what I’m talking about
http://toadsteablog.blogspot.com/2012/10/cracked-gaiwan.html
I personally would recommend getting a new gaiwan. I’m no science expert by any means but I’d worry that the crack might harbor bacteria.
Thanks LiberTEAS, I did not think about that, most likely I’ll put it up just for looks now. Sux cuz it’s part of a 8 piece tea set :( I DO NOT want bacteria tho.
Yes, that’s too bad about it being part of the 8 piece set, and I totally know how you feel. When I broke my chawan a couple of months ago, it was only a crack, and I contemplated continuing to use it, because I loved that chawan … but, I didn’t want to ruin my Matcha by drinking it in the chawan that was cracked. I mean, I like flavored Matcha, but not so much bacteria flavored Matcha. :(
I agree with LiberTeas. Also, even if you seal the crack, it will probably just get worse. The sudden and drastic change in temperature every time you poured hot water in it would aggravate it further, I think. Sooner or later it will break properly. So yeah, I would put it somewhere where it can stand and look nice rather than using it for tea making. I had to do the same with my favourite china pot not too long ago. Since you said it was one of a larger set, I don’t suppose it’s possible to replace just that one part? Perhaps you can find one that is close enough in style.
What a shame; it’s a lovely set. Have you contacted esgreen about it? Possibly they can get a replacement for you with a similar glaze. (Maybe not for free, but it might be a close match.) They have a pretty fascinating selection of teaware.
I contacted Esgreen about it and they wanted pictures so I sent them these photos above and I’m waiting to hear back a reply from them, I hope they have another gaiwan that I can get to go with it.
Tommy I have seen very similar gaiwan elsewhere you could buy separately and put into the set. It may not be identical but it is darn close! I will see if I can find it as I had bookmarked it somewhere due to wanting one myself!
Well its not the same but http://www.mightyleaf.com/product/brown-gaiwan/
I almost ordered this one just now but i saw on their shipping that they only use UPS and UPS don’t deliver here :(
Tommy have it sent to me and I will send it right to you! Uggg I should get one. If you wait until tomorrow I can order us both one and send yours to you. I get paid tomorrow.
BAH I really don’t NEED this but have wanted it for a long time. Double BAH.
That sound great to me, I’ll wait for you let me know when you order and we’ll both get one, it is very pretty, i loke it a lot. Are you sure you wanna do it?
Yeah I mean its a great deal I think – I love the look of it – very earthy. :)
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