Kyusu - filter or not?

[Sydney]

Remember, Padre, your 360 is glazed if I recall? And still relatively new. But even glazed ones can get pretty gunked up if left uncleaned for too long. Once gunk begins to form, it grows faster it seems, having something to cling to?

I only removed a screen once, and now the fit is less than perfect. In Japan they sell replacement screens, but I am kind of stuck with imperfection now. This one is a weird screen too, it folds over all around the edge, so, unless I have the actual replacement intended for this kyusu, I will have to live with it.

That's right. I left out that both of mine are glazed, and I couldn't be happier about it.

I haven't put it to the test, but I strongly suspect that kitchen grade screen material would make a perfectly fine replacement cheaply.

[Space Samurai]

I looked at all of my kyusu, poked around with a flash light, if there is gunk behind my sasame, it is hiding well.

[TokyoB]

Just removed the screen on my kyusu at work for the first time, after 4 or 5 years of use. I looked in at first and it seemed fine - nothing black. However when I removed the screen there was a light coating of a dark brown scale which was easily removed. It is cleaner now but it wasn't that bad and definitely had no mold, etc. I do rinse it with hot water and dry it quickly before putting it away. From now on I'll also store it with the top off to allow it to completely dry. It isn't that easy to slide the screen out of the way and get it back in place so I won't try this too often.

[Salsero]

TokyoB, is your avatar one of Stéphane's teapots?

I am really finding this thread helpful for understanding how best to maintain my kyuusu. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

[TokyoB]

Salsero,
I got this pot from HouDe (it is their photo!). I know the pot from Stephane that you mean though and it does like similar. I think this is perhaps a classic shape.