Kyusu vs Tetsubin vs Glass teapot..

[Deleted User #18181]

I have a 400ml glass teapot, which is perfect size for making everyday tea for myself (or for someone else as well.. max 2 persons depending on size of cup..) since I can put 4-5g of leaves and fill it with boiling water halfway and then let it brew for 1min to get good tea fast and easy for 1 cup (can usually get a good 2nd infusion as well).

However I'm also looking at buying a tetsubin or kyusu which are available on those volumes as well. They might be better for making black tea and such since they would hold heat better, however would I need to preheat them? With the glass I don't really care about preheating. The glass one also stains very easy and is hard to clean properly. What other differences are there between those 3? I brew greens, blacks and oolongs equally as often.

[tsusentei]

I have a 400ml glass teapot, which is perfect size for making everyday tea for myself (or for someone else as well.. max 2 persons depending on size of cup..) since I can put 4-5g of leaves and fill it with boiling water halfway and then let it brew for 1min to get good tea fast and easy for 1 cup (can usually get a good 2nd infusion as well).

However I'm also looking at buying a tetsubin or kyusu which are available on those volumes as well. They might be better for making black tea and such since they would hold heat better, however would I need to preheat them? With the glass I don't really care about preheating. The glass one also stains very easy and is hard to clean properly. What other differences are there between those 3? I brew greens, blacks and oolongs equally as often.

Well, I definitely can not recommend a tetsu bin, as these are strictly for the boiling of water. Tetsubin means "iron kettle" in Japan. As for Kyusu, there are so many choices! I use my large Kyusu, a red clay from Tokoname, for making greens and oolongs, but cannot recommend it for black teas. If you want one pot to rule them all, go with something black, because black tea will stain anything you throw at it. Personally I would go with one for blacks and darker oolongs and one for light oolongs and greens. If you are dead-set on holding in the heat for your blacks, what about a samovar? They are a rather attractive piece of furniture, if not my favorite tea steeping tool.

So:

Tetsubin is not classically used for steeping tea, though it does hold heat well.
Unglazed Kyusu will stain easily, and being so high fire, are ideal for the greener teas.
Glazed Kyusu are appropriate for any tea, but black tea will still stain.
Glass looks very modern and attractive, but is difficulty to clean and cools quickly, unless it is double-walled, then it stays boiling hot forever.

[scruffmcgruff]

It's actually almost impossible to find tetsubin that are unlined in the US, which is a source of much frustration for those of us who would like to use them as kettles. However, enamel-lined tetsubin are frequently used as teapots and can be found almost anywhere. I don't like them, but mostly because I don't brew in vessels that large anymore. A lot of people enjoy them very much, though.

[Photiou]

It's actually almost impossible to find tetsubin that are unlined in the US, which is a source of much frustration for those of us who would like to use them as kettles. However, enamel-lined tetsubin are frequently used as teapots and can be found almost anywhere. I don't like them, but mostly because I don't brew in vessels that large anymore. A lot of people enjoy them very much, though.

Just order one from Japan - not so hard to find if a bit pricey.

Unlined tetsubin also requires quite a lot of maintenance to prevent rusting. I got instructions with my tetsubin that one should never touch inside of it and it should be dried after every use (I dry it on stove) plus the bronze lid should be wiped with cloth.

Before first use I also had to boil a lot of water in it - inside was covered with urushi.

[Chip]

I know it has been said on the forum before, but it is important to note that a lined tetsubin is NOT a kettle and should never be placed on a direct heat source nor used as a kettle. Lined tetsubins are strictly teapots, though most of us agree not the greatest for that purpose.

Kyusu FTW!!!

A related discussion recently on GTF...

Enamelled Tetsubin

[starstern]

I know it has been said on the forum before, but it is important to note that a lined tetsubin is NOT a kettle and should never be placed on a direct heat source nor used as a kettle. Lined tetsubins are strictly teapots, though most of us agree not the greatest for that purpose.

Kyusu FTW!!!

A related discussion recently on GTF...

Enamelled Tetsubin

why enameled iron not to be used on direct flame?
and why use unlines iron kettle ,since iron will leach into the water and will end with heavy metal contamination "

[Puerh3]

I know it has been said on the forum before, but it is important to note that a lined tetsubin is NOT a kettle and should never be placed on a direct heat source nor used as a kettle. Lined tetsubins are strictly teapots, though most of us agree not the greatest for that purpose.

Kyusu FTW!!!

A related discussion recently on GTF...

Enamelled Tetsubin

why enameled iron not to be used on direct flame?
and why use unlines iron kettle ,since iron will leach into the water and will end with heavy metal contamination "

Hi!
Enameled pot can’t be used on direct flame because the enamel will crack.

The inside of iron kettle is activated, it pure iron, no contamination. It give health benefits because you get a good source of iron out of the water.

Hope this help!

[starstern]

I know it has been said on the forum before, but it is important to note that a lined tetsubin is NOT a kettle and should never be placed on a direct heat source nor used as a kettle. Lined tetsubins are strictly teapots, though most of us agree not the greatest for that purpose.

Kyusu FTW!!!

A related discussion recently on GTF...

Enamelled Tetsubin

why enameled iron not to be used on direct flame?
and why use unlines iron kettle ,since iron will leach into the water and will end with heavy metal contamination "

Hi!
Enameled pot can’t be used on direct flame because the enamel will crack.

The inside of iron kettle is activated, it pure iron, no contamination. It give health benefits because you get a good source of iron out of the water.

Hope this help!

i routinely used enameled pressure cooker on direct flame with no problem or trouble ?

[starstern]

I know it has been said on the forum before, but it is important to note that a lined tetsubin is NOT a kettle and should never be placed on a direct heat source nor used as a kettle. Lined tetsubins are strictly teapots, though most of us agree not the greatest for that purpose.

Kyusu FTW!!!

A related discussion recently on GTF...

Enamelled Tetsubin

why enameled iron not to be used on direct flame?
and why use unlines iron kettle ,since iron will leach into the water and will end with heavy metal contamination "

Hi!
Enameled pot can’t be used on direct flame because the enamel will crack.

The inside of iron kettle is activated, it pure iron, no contamination. It give health benefits because you get a good source of iron out of the water.

Hope this help!