Wanted - Tea Kettle Recommendations

[derk]

Hello all!

Been browsing the forum for a day or two now. Thought I might try my hand at a post.

My fiancee (to whom I shall marry in about a month!) has been long enamored with the "Tetsubins" from Teavana. Mostly for aesthetic purposes, I think, but we also drink a bit of tea - seems like a nice gift that we'll keep for a long time to serve as a memory.

So I come to you. Teavana is a nice way to break up a trip to the mall, when a trip to the mall is necessary. Who doesn't enjoy a free beverage now and again. But from my understanding (and please correct me if appropriate), a Tetsubin is not meant to brew tea - but to heat water. Theirs are enameled on the interior with mesh inserts for holding loose-leaf. It seems most of the retailers that I've found in the last couple days have the same idea.

http://www.enjoyingtea.com/cast-ironteapots.html

http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea ... _-CastIron

http://www.teasource.com/merchant2/merc ... e=Tetsubin

What's the real story of the Tetsubin? How hard are they (the purely cast iron variety) to care for? Where can one be purchased?

For the sake of having a number - let's set a budget of $150 and see what happens.

Look forward to your responses!

[Chip]

First of all, welcome to TeaChat.

Secondly, the tetsubins you are seeing that are enameled on the inside are for brewing only! And they generally are not that great for that, most members will agree. I bought 3 as a newbie to tea, love them, but they sit on the shelf and do not get used. You can, but there are a few issues there, like the basket is generally too small for the pot size, they are too big, temperature reguation is difficult.

There are tetsubins for heating water, much harder t locate and are much more expensive.

I guess as a keepsake to remember this time, they would be quite effective.

Oh, and Teavana's are overpriced.

[derk]

Thanks for the welcome, Chip.

I'm really more interested in the full cast iron (no enamel) water heating versions. Certainly the more attractive the better. We have, already, brewing vessels of enamel interior - I'd like to find something more put-it-out-on-the-stove-as-a-functional-showpiece.

When you say hard to find and spendy - to what level are we talking about? Is it do-able in a month's time?

As for Teavana. Well... that's mostly why I'm here. Just couldn't imagine that what they had was the best (both in quality and in value) out there. And the 20-year old who claimed to have (2) $150+ tea brewing vessels (one had monkeys, one had elephants) - and that they collect patina from the tea which enhances the flavor and health benefits...

Anyway.

Thanks for the reply!

[derk]

Found these:

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/i ... subin.html

http://www.zensuke.com/480398.html

Kotobuki Trading seems to offer them, but requires that you order the catalog to even see what they have.

...where most everything seems well above what I can spend.

Perhaps it's back to the drawing board. Any suggestions?

D

[Rayuela]

As an alternative, there are very nice ceramic teapots from a company called Lin's. They are within your price range and will also look rather good on a stovetop.

[Chip]

... you mean kettles for stovetop, right?

[iannon]

Artistic Nippon is top notch! I would not hesitate to recommend them. and you can get it pretty fast with ems..like 3 or 4 days.

[Chip]

Artistic Nippon is top notch! I would not hesitate to recommend them. and you can get it pretty fast with ems..like 3 or 4 days.

+1, excellent service and products.

[derk]

@ Chip - Yes - kettles for stovetop.

I'll look further into artisticnippon. I messaged Hojo as well - cheapest are in the $250 USD range and take a month to process. Unfortunately I think that mean's they're out of contention.

Thanks for the recommendations!

@Rayuela - the ceramic teapots are just for steeping, not for heating the water, right?

D

[Chip]

Derk,

Yes, I got it that you wanted a "kettle" to heat water versus a "teapot" to brew. I was actually thinking Rayuela meant to say kettle as she mentioned stove top. And Lin's is likely most discussed on TeaChat for their kettles.

[iannon]

@ Chip - Yes - kettles for stovetop.

I'll look further into artisticnippon. I messaged Hojo as well - cheapest are in the $250 USD range and take a month to process. Unfortunately I think that mean's they're out of contention.

Thanks for the recommendations!

@Rayuela - the ceramic teapots are just for steeping, not for heating the water, right?

D

I am not Rayuela ..BUT..the Lins ceramic Kettles are for boiling water on the stovetop. I dont have a lin's biut i do use a ceramic kettle for boiling water. i like it. not as artistic as a tetsubin tho..easier to maintain

[Oni]

I have an induction kettle for everyday fast tea service, a tetsubin,
for the times I am serious about tea, and a Lin`s ceramic kettle for the times I drink a good oolong. These 3 types of kettle serve me nice and satisfy all pourpouses.

[siae]

I have a tetsubin which is enameled on the inside. I bought it when I first starting to get into tea, but it is to big for brewing and I don't think it would be good for heating water. Quite expensive also : ( but it looks very nice. Does anyone have any tips on how I could use it?

[derk]

@Oni - How do you like the tetsubin? Where did you get it? How much work has it been to keep it in good condition (read: not rusty)? How long does it take to heat water? (Are you using it over a gas stove, or otherwise?)

As much as I (underscore "I") like some of the other options that have been suggested (namely, the fireware clays) - I think the original aesthetic that drove the desire is getting lost.

If it's going to be a gift that marks a day of wedding (where I am one of those being wed!) - it better be pretty spot on, eh?

So I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I can just go crazy and double my budget. Or I can think of a different gift altogether.

Eitherway - thanks for being my e-Tea-Gurus. Will keep you updated.

D

Just FYI - these are the ones that I find striking (that are not more than 2.25x original budget)
http://hojotea.com/item_e/kunzan.htm
24. Taira Hada Small 1.0L
24. Hiratetsu 1.4L
25. Shin Tama Gata Itome 0.9L

Some other that I like (on the same site)
12. Hira Maru Gata Unryu (Dragon) Tetsubin 1.6 Liter
15. Komaru Gata Arare Tetsubin 1.2 Liter

[Abracadaver!]

FWIW, I would ask if any of the kettles that you are interested in come in signed wooden boxes. I think it would make the gift that much more special.

I say go for it--this is the type of gift that will last a lifetime and could become an heirloom. It's a shame you don't have more time--I know that at least one of the artisans that Hojo works with does custom engraving on the underside of the lid for anniversaries and other commemorations.