I have a couple of Yixing pots and will probably buy another sooner or later. The first pot was actually used and I didn't even know what it was so just brewed my tea like I normally do. The second one I bought new and did a little bit of research on it and Yixing pots in general.
There are a ton of web pages out there that talk about "seasoning" Yixing pots before using them. Some of these recipes are so drawn out that it would take about 2 days of emptying water, putting tea in, emptying tea and water, starting over, etc.
So, Yixing Fans, is all this necessary?
EW
Apr 2nd, '08, 03:24
Posts: 921
Joined: Feb 6th, '08, 04:57
Location: enjoying a cup of Red Rose down in GA
I used Teaparker's recommendations and was happy with it: no seasoning, just some rinsing.
You can read about it here at the bottom of the page (entry dated 05/11/05)
You can read about it here at the bottom of the page (entry dated 05/11/05)
Apr 2nd, '08, 07:21
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Joined: Feb 11th, '08, 07:35
Location: Pflugerville, TX
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TexasTea
I've used the method recommended here: http://www.sevencups.com/education/abou ... ixing-pot/
It's fairly simple and doesn't require boiling your teapot.
It's fairly simple and doesn't require boiling your teapot.
Apr 2nd, '08, 10:00
Posts: 1936
Joined: May 22nd, '06, 11:28
Location: Trapped inside a bamboo tong!
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hop_goblin
Seasoning Vid
Hey, here is that I have that I thought you would like to view.
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u287 ... pots-w.flv
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u287 ... pots-w.flv
I have tried couple of the methods suggested by other members above.
The method of Teaparker from Stephane's blog (temperature swing) is not really suitable for old pots, especially those made of real zhuni, particularly thin zhuni pots. You'll break them in one attemp if you're not careful enough! I broke mine, therefore I must repair the crack.
The other method posted in Terebess (by Billy Mood) taken from another teapot vendor site www.yixingteapotsale.com is save, but I doubt the effectiveness. In fact after leaving the pot overnight I found the dirt of the pot might deposit back into the pore. It's complex equilibrium effect like that of detergent, long soaking time is neither guarantee good removal of dirt out of pore nor fills the pore with tea oil. That's why Teaparker also does not recommend boiling+overnight soaking method.
I had 2 identical new bad pot and the one seasoned using this method exhibited turbid purple solution even after 2 days. (Give a try and tell me your opinion)
The method suggested by Hop above was proven to be save, fast and quite effective. At least after one set of seasoning, the pot didn't give turbid purple water after re-boiling of the pot in water. Regardless the toothpaste issue, I'm still satisfied with his method.
Tell me your experience if you try other method.
The method of Teaparker from Stephane's blog (temperature swing) is not really suitable for old pots, especially those made of real zhuni, particularly thin zhuni pots. You'll break them in one attemp if you're not careful enough! I broke mine, therefore I must repair the crack.
The other method posted in Terebess (by Billy Mood) taken from another teapot vendor site www.yixingteapotsale.com is save, but I doubt the effectiveness. In fact after leaving the pot overnight I found the dirt of the pot might deposit back into the pore. It's complex equilibrium effect like that of detergent, long soaking time is neither guarantee good removal of dirt out of pore nor fills the pore with tea oil. That's why Teaparker also does not recommend boiling+overnight soaking method.
I had 2 identical new bad pot and the one seasoned using this method exhibited turbid purple solution even after 2 days. (Give a try and tell me your opinion)
The method suggested by Hop above was proven to be save, fast and quite effective. At least after one set of seasoning, the pot didn't give turbid purple water after re-boiling of the pot in water. Regardless the toothpaste issue, I'm still satisfied with his method.
Tell me your experience if you try other method.
Apr 2nd, '08, 21:27
Posts: 1936
Joined: May 22nd, '06, 11:28
Location: Trapped inside a bamboo tong!
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hop_goblin
Brandon, good question. I really don't know! I am assuming it is just regular tooth paste as I am sure a long boil will boil off any toothy mint smell.brandon wrote:Hop, is that regular toothpaste? Baking soda toothpaste?
Magic Yixing pot cleaner?
Don't always believe what you think!
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
All these methods are missing information on the proper phase of the moon, alignment of the planets, and correct order of entering and exiting the room. Also I can't believe they didn't include the YiXing spirit ward chanting.
Do something different, something different will happen. ( Gong Fu Garden )
If you are buying new pots, just boil them in hot water for an hour or two, and if you really want, then boil it in tea for the same duration. Low fire, or the thing will likely break in a rolling boil. Clean out any debris leftover before the second boil. You're done.
If you're buying an old pot and it's very dirty, use diluted bleach and soak it for a few hours. Then you gotta clean it out -- soak in hot water for a few days, then switch to tea. Boil it if you don't mind the risk of chipping the thing, as happens from time to time.
Temperature swing for zhuni is definitely a horrible idea. Do it at your own peril....
If you're buying an old pot and it's very dirty, use diluted bleach and soak it for a few hours. Then you gotta clean it out -- soak in hot water for a few days, then switch to tea. Boil it if you don't mind the risk of chipping the thing, as happens from time to time.
Temperature swing for zhuni is definitely a horrible idea. Do it at your own peril....
Apr 3rd, '08, 16:51
Posts: 1936
Joined: May 22nd, '06, 11:28
Location: Trapped inside a bamboo tong!
Contact:
hop_goblin
Get MarshlN, I generally wrap my pots in a rag while boiling it. It provides some protection from breaking.. I have not had one break yet! Knock on wood!MarshalN wrote:If you are buying new pots, just boil them in hot water for an hour or two, and if you really want, then boil it in tea for the same duration. Low fire, or the thing will likely break in a rolling boil. Clean out any debris leftover before the second boil. You're done.
If you're buying an old pot and it's very dirty, use diluted bleach and soak it for a few hours. Then you gotta clean it out -- soak in hot water for a few days, then switch to tea. Boil it if you don't mind the risk of chipping the thing, as happens from time to time.
Temperature swing for zhuni is definitely a horrible idea. Do it at your own peril....
Don't always believe what you think!
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
MarshalN, have you tried whether the temperature swing method really work?MarshalN wrote:
Temperature swing for zhuni is definitely a horrible idea. Do it at your own peril....
Does the hot rock smell disappear right after doing it? I don't dare to do it again after breaking one thin pot and it still had the hot rock smell when it was broken, so I decided to repaired it first and brewed couple of cheaper tea to condition it.