Cha pan

[taitea]

Why don't these get any love around here? Everyone seems to be using tea tables, I don't think anyone has mentioned this alternative.

Here's an example.

I can't imagine these things leaking or breaking without being dropped. So why aren't they more popular?

[wyardley]

The wide flat ones that are usually made of wood or bamboo (which I assume is what you mean by "tea tables") are usually called chá pán (tea tray). Chá pán is a pretty generic term which can mean different things to different people at different times.

I have one of the round ceramic trays like the one you mentioned; personally, I find the slight inward slope required for good drainage a little inconvenient. And, depending on what it's being used for, some people might find it a little cramped... it's perfect for traditional gong fu cha with 3-4 cups and a pot, but a little cramped for more than that.

Also, without a coaster, the sound of clay on clay (whether porcelain or stoneware) is not always pleasing to the air. My girlfriend uses it at work now, and seems pretty happy with it.

I often don't use a tray at all at home - just a porcelain tea boat, cup tray, and water bowl.

[eanglin]

I have a small, cheap round clay one that is a bit small to use comfortably, but my son loves to use it when he plays tea.

I have a large stainless steel one that I got from Imperial tea court that I love- it sits in my kitchen and gets constant use as I brew tea throughout the day- no worries if I forget to empty it at the end of the day either. Very practical but, as some have pointed out, not the most aesthetically pleasing tray to use.

[Maitre_Tea]

I think it could be a matter of ease-of-use, because tea trays can probably hold more liquid; however, these kind of tea bowls or what have you are more space efficient. I have one like the one you showed on the link, but it's basically like a ceramic bowl. The only that sucks about it is that it fills up after one session of gung fu cha

[gingkoseto]

Why don't these get any love around here? Everyone seems to be using tea tables, I don't think anyone has mentioned this alternative.

Here's an example.

I can't imagine these things leaking or breaking without being dropped. So why aren't they more popular?

This is more of a "tea boat" I got something similar to this by accident, when buying a bunch of things from a ebay seller. He by mistake described it as "cast iron". I figured out he just didn't know, didn't mean to mislead and it's nice anyway, so I keep it. I somewhat don't feel comfortable to leave it on wood table. Would be nice on a marble counter Or if I had a garden, I would let it stay on the garden table.

Besides, I heard many yixing lovers hesitate to use yixing (or any mud-sand structure ceramic) tea tray or tea boat since it may "bully" your yixing pot (severe surface frictions). Besides, yixing ware is already so expensive nowadays, it's a bit of luxury to have yixing tea tray.

[wyardley]

Besides, I heard many yixing lovers hesitate to use yixing (or any mud-sand structure ceramic) tea tray or tea boat since it may "bully" your yixing pot (severe surface frictions).

True, though you can use one of those little coaster things under the pot. I have a few, one that's a thinner material and a bunch that are like the type of patches that people put on clothes.

Besides, yixing ware is already so expensive nowadays, it's a bit of luxury to have yixing tea tray.

They make porcelain ones too, which are available pretty cheaply. I got one for $10 or so here in LA. And, since it doesn't really matter whether it's a high quality yixing (or even genuine yixing at all), the stoneware trays and boats I've seen tend to not be that expensive.

[taitea]

Besides, I heard many yixing lovers hesitate to use yixing (or any mud-sand structure ceramic) tea tray or tea boat since it may "bully" your yixing pot (severe surface frictions).

True, though you can use one of those little coaster things under the pot. I have a few, one that's a thinner material and a bunch that are like the type of patches that people put on clothes.

Can you show me an example of those coasters? They don't have to be yours, per say.

[wyardley]

Can you show me an example of those coasters? They don't have to be yours, per say.

I don't know the proper name for it, I guess teapot pad or something.

I can't find a picture of the other kind I have, but here's one I use at work: