Teavana tetsubin ⅓ the price as Iwachu one: Interesting?

[Cha no yu]

Hello everybody,

I see this non-Iwachu Shogun Cast Iron Teapot tetsubin at Teavana.com. With $69.95 it's ⅓ of this Iwachu Nailhead Teapot and Trivet Set price: $220.00!

The specs tell me the non-Iwachu Shogun Cast Iron Teapot has 4 oz more. But with $150.00 less, will it also have less quality? Are Iwachu tetsubins overvalued?
All hints and tips to other (cheaper than the $220.00 Iwachu Nailhead Teapot and Trivet Set?) Iwachu tetsubins with this same design are also welcome.

I also saw this Traditional Hailstone design 40oz cast iron tea pot. But unfortunatly Perennial Tea Room won't re-stock this teapot anymore.

Greetz, Marco

[Chip]

Iwachu is pretty prestigious and are higher end in the more mass produced tetsubin market. They are really extremely well made.

I would not want a no name Teavana pot generally. Some are decently made, some are made in China, some are just made cheaply and sold for high profit.

Depends on what your priorities are. If you want to save a few bucks, go for the cheaper one. If you want an authentic Iwacha, go for it.

Although I do not use the 2 Iwachu I have had for over 10 years from when I was a newbie, they are still treasured pieces. 2 reasons I do not, they are big, like the ones you linked. Plus tetsubins are not really the best for brewing imho due to heat retention/regulation and the small infuser per water volume.

They do make an impressive presentation!!!!

[Cha no yu]

And with big, you mean 'too heavy'?
Well, it's interesting to hear about the disadvantages of 40 oz tetsubins, except that these are expensive.

Not that I directly skip my plan for the tetsubin, but what's your way of brewing now?

[Chip]

When I say big, 36 ounces is a lot of tea to brew in a single steep. And since I may brew 5 or more steeps of most teas, well, the math is a bit stappering, just too much liquid. Plus it is a lot of tea leaf. 36 ounces would require 20-36 grams of leaf. Try putting a lot of leaf in a small infuser!!! Good luck.

When I was a newbie in the late 90's and was completely devoid of teaware and info (no TeaChat in those days and much info was gleaned from Western vendor sites who also happened to sell BIG pots) this is what I happily purchased. These two tetsubins are quite beautiful.

A smallll one would be better, and I actually have a small knock off that I brew certain non temp sensitive teas such as genmaicha, houjicha, mugicha, etc.

Now I brew 4 - 7 ounces most of the time. I generally use a Kyusu or a Gaiwan (or "gaiwanesque"). *loves kyusu-s*

[Cha no yu]

Good to know, a smaller tetsubin will be more satisfying. Thanks so far.

[Chip]

Oh, that Teavana one is most assuredly made in China versus Japan and will pale by direct comparison ... now is the different worth that much extra money?

It comes down to value which in this case will become very subjective.

[Cha no yu]

Clear; 'Made in china', that's what makes it cheaper.

But this week I'm gonna take a look at the teashop here in Alkmaar. I know they sell the smaller tetsubins (±20 oz). And I'll see if it's made by Iwachu; I rather pay some more bucks, and so I'm sure I get some quality.

[Geekgirl]

I have one Iwachu, and 2 no-brand tetsubin. The no-brand interior enamel is peeling badly at the spout and mouth, even though it sees little use. The second no-brand is holding up okay, but has rough seams, a little peeling in the spout. This one gets more use.

The Iwachu is my lovely red dragon tetsubin from back before Teavana started carrying predominately knock offs. (At the time, you'd see branded tetsubin with some regularity on their shelves.) It has had moderate use, has NO peeling, the interior enamel is still bright and shiny, the workmanship of the relief design is very nice, and the handle is smooth to the touch.

IMO, there's a big difference in many cases.

Uwajimaya carries a few iron teapots, some no-brand and some branded. Some of their no-brand pots seem like nice workmanship, and are very inexpensive, but YMMV, buyer beware and all that jazz.

[gingkoseto]

Is Iwachu a brand name or labeled as 岩铸， or both a brand and labeled so?

[Victoria]

Have a look at the ones at TeaGschwendner.

[Cha no yu]

@Geekgirl: Good info!

@Victoria: That's also good news!

[iannon]

good deal especially if you buy some cheap green tea and get 50% off!!

[Geekgirl]

Holy moly that's a good deal!

[Chip]

Where?

[iannon]

at TeaGschwendner where Vic pointed out. on the home page of the online shop there is a coupon code that if you buy 250g of any tea you can get 50% off any cast iron kettle..id even go for some cheap gunpowder at 13 bucks or something else to get that 50% off!