Reliable source for cheaper tea trays (and other teaware)?

[joelkarl]

Hi all, I've been scouring the internet for days for cheaper bamboo tea trays (I'm trying to get a bit of a set started, but I'm a dirt poor college student!). Most sites seem so outrageously overpriced (50-75 dollars for a notebook sized tray?!) that I can't help but think there is somewhere to find them cheaper. I have found a site that had one for $15, but I'm not thinking it's very reliable.

I guess my question is two-fold:
1. What sort of things should I check for credibility? I understand there will be people that are importing directly from China and could be very honest and credible people, just not with the most established website

2. Has anyone found a site that has cheaper prices, specifically for teaware, that they've had good experiences with?

Thanks!

[AdamMY]

Sadly Andao Tea is sold out on these trays:

http://shop.andaotea.com/products/wooden-tea-tray

But I think they are somewhat mass produced so you may be able to find one by the same manufacturer for hopefully around the same price. If Andao gets some in stock, I highly recommend them if you are stateside, as shipping is from the states, and the tray is solid.

Only real complaint is you need to let it air out for quite some time to remove the overwhelming aroma of varnish.

[Victoria]

I was going to recommend Andao also, but then I saw they were out of stock. They do seem to restock frequently, you might even drop them a line. This is an excellent tray for the price. Anything you find for less, you will have to chance it might leak.

[Intuit]

On a budget? Get a pottery tea boat instead of the tea tray. Just as elegant, but a less costly solution.

http://www.sensationalteas.com/yixinggongfu.html

You can buy a 'tea pot' cushion (little pottery pad that elevates your teapot when it is in the teaboat) off of Ebay for 5 bucks.

Need a 'tea table' for preparing your tea? Buy an expensive large rectangular serving tray with handles, line with a bamboo or twig placemat.

http://www.wrapables.com/jsp/ProductDet ... ode=C55716

[gingkoseto]

I have a cheap bamboo tray bought from china for <$10. It started to leak after a few months' use. But then I heard my friends' more expensive bamboo tray started to leak too after longer time. I don't know if most bamboo tray will eventually leak I sealed mine with some sink caulk stuff

[wyardley]

The Lin's ones are not cheap, but mine has been the longest-lasting bamboo tray I've had yet (knock wood).

[tingjunkie]

If I remember correctly, Dragon Tea House and Yunnan Sourcing (both eBay stores) have some cheaper models that look decent. The down side would be you will get slammed on shipping. It's worth taking a look though.

Personally, I don't use them. I have a tea boat for my pot, and a larger waste water bowl to occasionally dump into. You should be able to find a couple bowls real cheap at any garage sale.

[hooksie]

The Lin's ones are not cheap, but mine has been the longest-lasting bamboo tray I've had yet (knock wood).

Wyardley, how much did your Lin's tray cost?

</thread resurrection>

[wyardley]

The Lin's ones are not cheap, but mine has been the longest-lasting bamboo tray I've had yet (knock wood).

Wyardley, how much did your Lin's tray cost?

I got it from Hou De, and not sure they even have it anymore. It was way more than you'd usually pay for this kind of tray - maybe $80-100 US. But I think if you buy it direct it's more like $30-40 US at most? Still more than normal bamboo trays, but more reasonable.

[Tead Off]

Most of the decent tea tables I see here in Asia are at least $50. There are so many variations too, both in size, design, and, costs. Even in Hong Kong, you can get very nice tables for about $50. Taiwan makes some good looking and well constructed units. Finishing will vary.

How long have others had their tables before they began to leak?

[wyardley]

How long have others had their tables before they began to leak?

I had a $10-20 one from a local supermarket that lasted me a couple of years at the office.

I think one of the things is not to shock the table too suddenly after a period of non-use. If you use it every day, problems tend to develop yet.

On a related note, anyone have a special method for cleaning tea stains from bamboo tea trays?

[orguz]

On a related note, anyone have a special method for cleaning tea stains from bamboo tea trays?

Pouring hot water when cleaning mine moistened the stains somewhat making the stains easier to wipe off that way.

[teaisme]

On a related note, anyone have a special method for cleaning tea stains from bamboo tea trays?

3

A good microfiber cloth will do the trick most times. And they are great for drying it down too after use.

The stores on ebay have the cheapest ones I can find, DTH, YSSlc, etc etc. Prices are not too bad you can prob get a small one for bout 30 shipping included.

As others have pointed out, a tea tray with a lid and drainage holes etc is not really necessary. I guess it all depends on your set up. I like to make my tea in my room and often carry it out to another room or the balcony. So I don't use those typical trays because they don't guard well against breakage in case anything tilts over. Instead I put my fair cup and cups on a separate big japanese stainless steel tray (that curves up at the circumference) that is very nice, which I got at a consignment store for 3 bucks. The teapot/gaiwan stays in the room in the teaboat or on my yinxing tea tray. When its time for a third and forth brew I walk to my room and brew there, one brew in cups, one brew in fair cup.