Difference in tetsubins

[teanovice78]

Hello,
I was looking online at tetsubin teapots and I saw two brands Rikyu and Kafuh; both labels were very similiar. I am looking to get another tetsubin with about 14oz capacity. I am willing to spend 50-60 dollars approximately. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance!

[Chip]

Might I ask why you want a tetsubin "teapot?"

Probably virtually all members, many after buying a tetsubin teapot including myself, have come to the reality that there are infinitely better choices for a teapot for virtually any tea.

[teanovice78]

Chip,
I like the tetsubin I have because it keeps the water very hot which I use for my black teas. I like the look and sturdiness of it. Also it pours nicely and doesn't get all over the counter. One of my big problems is that I am the only one who drinks tea since my wife doesn't care for it; so I end up wasting water or tea. I have a fairly small yixing but it still makes too much tea and I find it hard to get the tea leaves out of the drainage holes. Also, it goes all over the place when I pour it. I usually use a 16 oz bottle of purified water when I make tea. I guess I could go smaller and just brew a cup at a time but the only way I have thought of to keep the water hot is to boil up a new pot or get an airpot/electric kettle and they are a lot more money than I want to spend.

[ethan]

Adagio Utilitea 3 available for about the same as tetsubin. Is another appliance as appealing as ...? Good luck w/ your decisions.

[Poohblah]

I believe Chip's point is that tetsubin are traditionally kettles, not teapots. The usual criticism I hear of "tetsubin" sold in the west as teapots is that they keep water too hot for tea, for one thing, have some funny liners/enamels to prevent rusting for another, and are overpriced for a third.

[Chip]

My beautiful Iwachu tetsubin (teapot versions) that I purchased as a rookie have had to adapt to other purposes or they would never be used.

One is a magnet holder (seriously. I need a tiny, somewhat powerful magnet to get sample tins out of washi tins ) which it does admirably!!! I never lose the magnet!

One is a paperweight. Again, well done.

And one does get rare use for homemade grain teas.

I say this seriously, not sarcastically. It seems just about everyopne who paid tuition for tetsubin "teapots" does not use them for tea.

... the best teapot for brewing tea ...

... is far from true, IMHO, for reasons already given by Poohblah. Also they inevitably seem to grow larger as our needs for volume shrinks.

Having said all that, Adagio has several below your price ceiling ... though they are a tad larger.

[teanovice78]

I definitely see your points on this one. I think my lack of knowledge probably got me on this one. I bought my first gaiwan today and I think that'll be good for the smaller quantities I am looking for. Thanks for the pointers. I also saw that adagio tea 3 and put it in my cart on amazon.