In Search of a Wonderful Kettle, help is needed
Hello Everyone,
I need the help of the fellow tea community. I am about to embark on a lengthy trip, and a lot of my travels will be in places that have no electricity, so I am to say farewell to my Bonivita. I had custom commissioned a kettle to be made by an artist; however, they seemed to have disappeared, and I am left with a few weeks to grab a decent kettle.
I am looking at spending 200$ if I reaaaaally like it, but I doubt I feel find one that I love. At this point, I am looking at spending around 100$ shipped, and it needs to be 1000ml or more. I have searched high and low from all of my kettle peeps, but I may have skipped over someone, so I am hoping the tea community may know of someone.
I have considered Taiwan Sourcing’s boiler, but it is a little pricey, and a bit too ugly.
Thanks!!
What sort of traveling are you doing? How long is your trip? If i were traveling I would want something small and durable, but also that I wouldn’t care about getting beat up or broken. But it sounds like you are maybe looking for something you can also have at home on your kitchen counter so it should look nice.
My trip will be about 45 days or so. I will be camping or just parking the car for a few hours sleep depending on location. I have great amount of room, so I’m not worried about storage. I will be taking lots of photographs on my travels, so I would like something that is somewhat nice to look at. Once I complete my trip, I will be getting a new kettle unless I find one that I really like.
A quick EBay search turned up this one. Very cheap and good on an open fire or stove top too.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Black-Cast-Iron-2-5qt-Tea-Kettle-Fireplace-Humidifier-/321533863746?hash=item4adce96742:g:VWAAAOSw7NNUJJZe
I was actually really liking this option; however, I read the description and:
CAST IRON KETTLE
PANACEA CAST IRON KETTLE HUMIDIFIER
9.75"L x 8"W x 9"H
Black cast iron
Holds 2.5 quarts of water
Adds moisture to the air
Kettle rests atop of wood burning stove or hangs on a spit above an open fire
Steam escapes from large spout into the room helping eradicate dry air from wood fires
Durable metal coil
NOT FOR MAKING TEA OR OTHER HOT DRINKS, THIS IS A HUMIDIFIER ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMABLES
However I did find this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Mountain-10129-Pre-Seasoned-2-Quart-Cast-Iron-Tea-Kettle/162486553680?trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3D35fed519b8304c7dbcc16fe45d276a03%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D281573315268
I have that one, and do NOT recommend. Picked it up at a thrift store and was super excited about it. Unfortunately it’s suuuuper heavy and the handle isn’t designed well for tilting, making pouring a really unfortunate event…and the water also drips down the spout like crazy.
Ahhh, I had thought as much, for it seems more western styled. I will continue my search…
Alas, Camellia Sinensis 550ml Lin’s kettle is sold out, but you can sign up for email when back in stock. Another idea is a Chaozhou clay boiler and burner which uses ordinary charcoal. If you want both the kettle and burner, try here:
http://www.teahabitat.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_27&products_id=173
If you have time to wait for shipping and just want the kettle, here is a $50 one from a Taobao agent http://www.edithtao.com/b/Chaozhou-zhu-mud-sand-wind-furnace-Diao-jade-pure-manual-book-simmering-kettle-congou-charcoal-stove-teapot-ceramic-POTS-package-mail/4514327.html
This last link appears too long, might need to cut and paste whole thing rather than click on it.
Also, if you go with clay, season it first with cooked potato, rice or corn starch in water. Boil this mixture lightly in the kettle for ten minutes. Allow to dry. First couple of boils after that might be a little cloudy but it will clear up and you won’t need to do this again. The starch fills the pores and helps prevent cooked in scale.
The Anta Pottery Clay Boiler from Taiwan Sourcing is excellent. I use it for all my puerhs.
I already have a stove for boiling, and I do like the taobao idea; however, I am very short on time. I have about 25 days.
In that case, I would try Glen at CLT or another vendor currently in Yunnan and see if they can buy you one at the markets and ship it promptly. Or check EBay for vintage campfire enamelware
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