Glass cups for tea?

[mbishop]

I was wondering what the general consensus is on those "double walled" glass cups for use with tea. Do they hold the heat well? Any downsides to them?

[edkrueger]

No, they don't hold heat well. Yes, you can make tea in them.

[Victoria]

I think they are beautiful and they keep your hands from getting burned.
I have not had a problem with them. Love them.

[AdamMY]

No, they don't hold heat well. Yes, you can make tea in them.

Ed the Double walled I've found the opposite, they hold heat too well. The down side is actually how long they hold heat, at least for me as I prefer my tea at a slightly cooler temperature than some I think.

[edkrueger]

A prewarmed ceramic cup will hold the heat better. Maybe I'll do an experiment.

[Chip]

... tea experiments are cooool ...

One small crack will cause the loss of vacuum between the 2 layers. Once this happens, condensation gets inside which will begin to puddle and you will never get it out.

As long as this does not happen, they are great. And yeah, I know this from experience.

[Pouvla]

I got a pair of bodum double walled glass cups over a year ago as a present. I've been using 1 of them with the other in the box, so far the first cup is still in same condition as new...guess its a matter of how clumsy u can be..

as for the heat i do think it retain the heat more (more isnt always better) that any of my other cups, whether of clay or ceramic - though I guess it matters what kinda thickness they are when we're talking about those kind of materials in opposition to glass+vacuum which doesnt, as far as I know, benefit as much for thickness as the 2 other materials.

I somehow think of the taste experience as close to brewing with a gaiwan, u get a pure result where as in a clay cup theres some "magic" happening - my tgy sure seems more fresh and sharp in the taste when im drinking it from my glass cup - where in my clay cup its more mellow and sweet.

Oh yeah, its always a lovely feature that they're not burning hot on the outside glass so u can hold them as much as u want to (for the tea-huggers)
its also pretty nifty when u pour up ur first cup and notice the water looks like its floating in the air inside the cup..

[bsteele]

They are cool... but are fragile.

Fra-geeee-lay... That must be Italian!

[Victoria]

As an additional note, I have never had a crack, nor have I ever broken one, and I have quite a few in my rotation. Some being used quite heavily at times, especially at work. Lots of running through the dishwasher too. I find for the price and the enjoyment of the color of the tea, they are certainly worth having.

[bsteele]

I had one crack... when I smacked it against the faucet *facepalm*

[nonc_ron]

I had one crack... when I smacked it against the faucet *facepalm*

My Double walled cups haven't arrived yet. (any day now)
But if smacking it against the faucet is out,
How am I going to dislodge the small bits of tea-leaf.
Drunken Master

[p_funk]

They are cool... but are fragile.

Fra-geeee-lay... That must be Italian!

"It's a major award!!!!"

I got one for Christmas and have used it several times and think it is great. It seems to hold the heat very well, but since it is double walled it is not to hot to pick up.

[Dresden]

I love mine!!! I find it hold heat well but you must remember to preheat it. That may be where the heat retention problems for some happen.

[gingkoseto]

I love glass mugs (with the handle your fingers will not be burnt )
My first one was bought from price chopper, new for 30c Then I couldn't find it anymore and complained about it all the time. My second one was from a post-yard-sale free stuff box on street. Then after hearing all my complaining, a dear friend of mine got half a dozen of them (new!) in a post-yard-sale free stuff box on street. Now I am completely happy!

[kymidwife]

They are cool... but are fragile.

Fra-geeee-lay... That must be Italian!

+1 +1 +1!!!

I've owned a grand total of 2 Bodum pieces... spectacularly gorgeous and elegant in shape and appearance. I am not one to break many teaware pieces in my history... very few actually. But one of my Bodum pieces broke before I ever got the chance to use it, and the other shattered from what I considered to be a minor clinking against another piece of glass... after only a few uses. The pieces did not crack, they shattered.

Perhaps I am too clumsy... perhaps it was bad luck... perhaps the glass is uber-fragile. In any event, I will not be investing any more money in Bodum.

Sarah