Heating Source to use with a Tetsubin?

[tieguanyin]

Hello everyone,

I have been pondering investing in a tetsubin kettle to heat water for tea. I have a question for those living in the US. What method do you use for this? I have heard that charcoal fire is the ideal method but not really practical when you live in an apartment or shared townhouse! I have also heard that that using it on a gas stove can damage the kettle.

Are there any hot plates or other electrical contraptions that can be used safely indoors to heat water in a tetsubin? If a thread on this topic exists already on Teachat, please point me to it !

[AdamMY]

I have an electric hotplate that I use with all my kettles. You want to get as high a wattage as possible so the water boils as quick as possible, but you can get some good ones from Wal mart or similar stores.

[tieguanyin]

I have an electric hotplate that I use with all my kettles. You want to get as high a wattage as possible so the water boils as quick as possible, but you can get some good ones from Wal mart or similar stores.

Thanks! Are there any particular brands or models of hotplates you recommend?

[AdamMY]

I use a 1000 W Elite Single Burner Hot plate. But I say trust the product reviews, if you are purchasing it directly from the store perhaps go online and see how people reviewed the ones that that store sells.

In my opinion for a Tetsubin 1000W is the lowest you want to go. You could probably get away with 800W using a thin and smaller Stainless steel kettle.

[tsusentei]

I recommend clean burning Japanese charcoal, but it is pretty expensive. I use a portable gas burner in the tea space. The kind you can get at the Asian Grocery for $20. The "gas bombs", as they call them in asia, are only about $10 for a pack of 4 or 5. I know they sell electric elements designed for kettles, but I have only seen them in Japan.

[tenuki]

I was very disappointed to find my antique tetsubin didn't work on my induction cooktop.

[nonc_ron]

I was very disappointed to find my antique tetsubin didn't work on my induction cooktop.

What, I admit I haven't been paying attention.
But I thought all tetsubin were cast iron. (it should work with induction)

Tetsubin (鉄瓶) are Japanese cast iron pots having pouring spout and handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes, such as for making tea. Because iron is released into the water, the water is appreciated as a dietary source of iron.

I didn't know this:
the water is appreciated as a dietary source of iron.
I learn something everyday

[tenuki]

But I thought all tetsubin were cast iron. (it should work with induction)

hence my disappointment....

[nonc_ron]

I was very disappointed to find my antique tetsubin didn't work on my induction cooktop.

Sit the tetsubin on a cast iron trivet and the trivet on the induction cooktop.
Sounds like a round about way of doing things but it should work.
(the trivet should get hot enough to heat your tea)