Yixing teapot question

[GoTea]

Hi, I have been wondering what the purpose of the red string that keeps my yixing's lid on. It seems to just get in the way when I'm cleaning or filling it. Am I supposed to take it off?

[gingkoseto]

I once got a yixing with the red strong, and cut it off the moment I put it in use I know I am not the only one doing it

[TIM]

+1
Cut it

[wyardley]

There are pros and cons... the good things about having the string is that it makes it harder to mix up the pot and its lid, especially if you have a lot of similar pots. Also, it makes it harder to drop the lid on the ground.

On the other hand, having the lid tied to the pot can sometimes cause you to do things that will end up chipping the lid, especially if the string's so short that you have to prop it somewhere precarious when you're making tea.

Good thread on this (with some more discussion and a howto on the knotting) at:
http://community.livejournal.com/puerh_tea/101478.html

[TokyoB]

The red string on a teapot seems to be very popular in Taiwan. I've tried keeping them on and I think they are more likely to make me chip the lid or pot than they are to save me from dropping the lid. I too vote for cutting it off. I only have it on one pot since I know it has been there for 20+ years (family gift).
Does anyone know if the teapot string is more common in Taiwan than mainland China or Hong Kong?

[chrl42]

It keeps finger from burning

[Tead Off]

It keeps finger from burning

Well put. I have never cut off the macrame ties on any of my pots and many of them are over 20 years old. I have never cracked a lid because of the tie and it has almost always saved the lid from accidentally falling. Plus, I like the way they look. They also save my finger from burning when pouring. I even had my wife put one on my favorite Banko kysusu. I get real nervous every time I use a good pot without a tie. Interesting to me that some of the posters cut them or think they are extraneous or unsightful.

[MarshalN]

How are you using the pot that it burns your fingers??? Yixing pots should never burn fingers. I always cut them unless the tie is done really well and looks nice on the pot, which is quite rare.

[Tead Off]

How are you using the pot that it burns your fingers??? Yixing pots should never burn fingers. I always cut them unless the tie is done really well and looks nice on the pot, which is quite rare.

All of mine are macrame ties, done well and look good, just like in the link that was posted on how to tie them. The one in the link does not use a very attractive string but that is the same design as mine have.

I don't really burn my fingers when I use yixing, but, the string allows me to put my finger on the lid rather than the very top knob and I find this ergonomically suitable for me. Really a minor point, I think. I've always liked the tied string.

[TIM]

It keeps finger from burning

Well put. I have never cut off the macrame ties on any of my pots and many of them are over 20 years old. I have never cracked a lid because of the tie and it has almost always saved the lid from accidentally falling. Plus, I like the way they look. They also save my finger from burning when pouring. I even had my wife put one on my favorite Banko kysusu. I get real nervous every time I use a good pot without a tie. Interesting to me that some of the posters cut them or think they are extraneous or unsightful.

Love to see a group photo of your Tie pots. Care to share with us, specially your zhunis: ) many many thanks. Curiously yours. T

[Tead Off]

It keeps finger from burning

Well put. I have never cut off the macrame ties on any of my pots and many of them are over 20 years old. I have never cracked a lid because of the tie and it has almost always saved the lid from accidentally falling. Plus, I like the way they look. They also save my finger from burning when pouring. I even had my wife put one on my favorite Banko kysusu. I get real nervous every time I use a good pot without a tie. Interesting to me that some of the posters cut them or think they are extraneous or unsightful.

Love to see a group photo of your Tie pots. Care to share with us, specially your zhunis: ) many many thanks. Curiously yours. T

I'm pretty lazy, Tim. If I get motivated on the weekend, I will try and do a group shot. BTW, the tie on the zhuni that I posted is 20 years old. I bought it that way. The color has faded, though. This pot has gotten more use than any other I have.

[chrl42]

How are you using the pot that it burns your fingers??? Yixing pots should never burn fingers. I always cut them unless the tie is done really well and looks nice on the pot, which is quite rare.

In my case, they did when using some Zhuni and Shi Piao..I have no pot that has a tie for now and I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[TIM]

Love to see a group photo of your Tie pots. Care to share with us, specially your zhunis: ) many many thanks. Curiously yours. T

I'm pretty lazy, Tim. If I get motivated on the weekend, I will try and do a group shot. BTW, the tie on the zhuni that I posted is 20 years old. I bought it that way. The color has faded, though. This pot has gotten more use than any other I have.[/quote]

Thanks in advance Teadoff. Looking forward to seeing your family

[TokyoB]

It keeps finger from burning

Well put. I have never cut off the macrame ties on any of my pots and many of them are over 20 years old. I have never cracked a lid because of the tie and it has almost always saved the lid from accidentally falling. Plus, I like the way they look. They also save my finger from burning when pouring. I even had my wife put one on my favorite Banko kysusu. I get real nervous every time I use a good pot without a tie. Interesting to me that some of the posters cut them or think they are extraneous or unsightful.

Love to see a group photo of your Tie pots. Care to share with us, specially your zhunis: ) many many thanks. Curiously yours. T

+1
Tead Off - Nice teapot! Also hope to see the rest.