Used Yixing

[depravitea]

I wanted to try to adjust the flow using the hole in the top, unfortunately the bat is too close and I can't get to it lol

[depravitea]

looks like it cleaned up pretty well - what actual volume is it ?

some folks like to boil a new tea pot with tea a few times.

It looks like it about 120ml or so.

When you say boil with tea, do you mean something different than normal steeping?

[Proinsias]

Boil the teapot in a pan of water on the stove with a handful or so of tealeaves

[swozt]

Well, I finally got it in the mail. It was in pretty gnarley condition with some leaves still crusted to the inside. I took Tom's advice and went at it with a toothbrush and some baking soda. I also boiled it twice just to make sure I wouldn't die from some microbe - or worse, become a zombie. Anyway, here's a few pics, before and after. I also took a couple shots of the maker's mark on the bottom in the hope that someone might recognize it, or possibly direct me to some online resource to look for myself.

I know it may be (most likely is) a knock off, I don't need to feel like any more of a fool, but it was a learning experience, and I had fun cleaning it. I'm just not sure if I should use it..

No major harm done. At least it was a good learning experience. I believe every teapot collector pays their fair share in tuition fees. But we aint fools if we learn from mistakes. Even now and then, experts get duped by cheats.

Buy from reputable Vendors even if they cost slightly more because at least it gives you assurance that what you are getting is quality stuff.

I look forward to your 2nd purhase.

[scruffmcgruff]

Very nice cleanup! I know how you feel. Even if the thing isn't technically "worth" the time and effort you spent restoring it, its still great to behold the fruits of your labor-- something we rarely get to do these days!

[virago_ns]

I think it's "worth it" if depravita enjoys it. In the very least he has a cool looking pot that will be a conversation peice in any collection.
Awesome find!

[depravitea]

Yeah, I feel it was worth it, definitely. I'm just not sure if I should use it or not... I was told fake pots may contain harmful chemicals, so I'm kind of on the fence about what to do...

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I was almost wishing I had never posted anything about this pot lol

[yee]

Yeah, I feel it was worth it, definitely. I'm just not sure if I should use it or not... I was told fake pots may contain harmful chemicals, so I'm kind of on the fence about what to do...

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I was almost wishing I had never posted anything about this pot lol

Dont worry friend. harmful chemicals are just a legend

[xuancheng]

Yeah, I feel it was worth it, definitely. I'm just not sure if I should use it or not... I was told fake pots may contain harmful chemicals, so I'm kind of on the fence about what to do...

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I was almost wishing I had never posted anything about this pot lol

The harmful chemicals are often added to clay to change the colour. Brightly coloured pots are what you have to worry most about. The colour of this pot is pretty natural.

[depravitea]

Sweet! Then I think I'm gonna go for it!

[Chinese Kung Fu Tea Art]

Hey depravitea,

I'm not sure if cleaning the teapot is right or not! In China, seems everyone prefer to have a used and dirty teapot, with lots of stain in it! The area I'm living in people always buy used teapot and with lots of tea stain on it! The older and more stain on it, the more expensive it is! What do you think?

If for me, I prefer to clean it too! I don't like having a old and dirty looking teapot at home!

[Luthier]

Hey depravitea,

I'm not sure if cleaning the teapot is right or not! In China, seems everyone prefer to have a used and dirty teapot, with lots of stain in it! The area I'm living in people always buy used teapot and with lots of tea stain on it! The older and more stain on it, the more expensive it is! What do you think?

If for me, I prefer to clean it too! I don't like having a old and dirty looking teapot at home!

actually "used and well maintained" not "used and dirty" will fetch a handsome price.

me with a group of friends went to this teahouse often when we were in China. they had this teapot always sitting on the table at that spot. never once have i actually seen them using it when we were there. one day they explained to us about teapots and us it as one specimen. yeah its used and really great looking. the lid when moved hardly made any sound. the fit was really good and the surface all yeah. the next day it was no longer there. someone wanted it and paid 3000RMB for it. which is about US$440.

[depravitea]

Hey depravitea,

I'm not sure if cleaning the teapot is right or not! In China, seems everyone prefer to have a used and dirty teapot, with lots of stain in it! The area I'm living in people always buy used teapot and with lots of tea stain on it! The older and more stain on it, the more expensive it is! What do you think?

If for me, I prefer to clean it too! I don't like having a old and dirty looking teapot at home!

While I might agree that teapots kind of look cooler with some look of use, this pot was way too gnarley to use. It was all crusty inside with dried leaves and dust... It just really neded a good cleaning. Maybe now I can give it that used look the right way, instead of it happening due to neglect.

[depravitea]

Tom, took your advice once more, and boiled the pot in tea. I just brewed some Golden Monkey and I'm still alive, so it looks like I have a fully functional, pseudo-Yixing, teapot.
Thanks for the help and advice everyone.

[hooksie]

Tom, took your advice once more, and boiled the pot in tea. I just brewed some Golden Monkey and I'm still alive, so it looks like I have a fully functional, pseudo-Yixing, teapot.
Thanks for the help and advice everyone.

Day 2... Depravitea is never heard from again...





Perhaps if you want to be really safe, you could get a lead test or something along those lines to test for the pot.

(PS. What did you brew?)