rust at the bottom(kettle)

[r.fowler]

Hi,

For people who owns a tetsubin kettle, can you let me know if it is common to find the bottom of the kettle to be very rusty with the orange appearance(exterior)? Mine rust badly after the first few times of use.

IMAG0026.jpg (60.99 KiB) Viewed 3146 times

[RaynBeatle]

Yes, it's going to happen no matter what you do ):

[Chip]

What are you using to heat it? Gas leaves off an H2O byproduct of combustion.

But hard to avoid rust with authentic tetsubin kettles.

[r.fowler]

Yeah i understand it should rust, since its iron.but Is it normal to rust to this extent?If it is maybe i shouldnt worry as much.

chip- i use gas because according to hojo most people use gas back in japan, and he do not recommend induction heater because he says that the localized heat will damage the kettle in the long run.

Does your rust as much at the bottom?

[Chip]

Interesting that gas is recommended by Hojo.

I had heard that gas is not recommended for the very reason I stated. Like anything else tea related, ambiguity abound!

[r.fowler]

Yea he suggested that for the sake of durability should not use induction heater even though its more convenient. I always hear people talking about rust in the interior, spout, and lid, but not the bottom, so i was wondering if my case was abnormal. lol.

[Chip]

Well, yeah, I heard no induction burner. And no gas burner.

[edkrueger]

Rust on the bottom is completely normal. It happens with gas and charcoal, not sure about induction.

[r.fowler]

edkrueger-Oh thanks i always thought charcoal din affect much for the rusting at the bottom, because like what chip says gas was known to cause rust when it combusts. I was even thinking of getting a charcoal stove to see if it helps. looks like there is no need to =)

[Oni]

Do NOT use gas, that is what Hojo writes, because gas causes that rust, my tetsubin has no rust on the outside, use aan electric burner to heat it.

[r.fowler]

oni- Hmmm Hojo did not really say not to use gas to me. Maybe he din felt rusting is a concern. This is what he said, "It is convenient to use induction heater. Basically you can use all models that I am selling with induction heater. However I suggest either gas cooker or electric heater. The induction heater somehow causes a lot of stress with tetsubin. It is not suitable if you wish to use your tetsubin for 50 years" Ok maybe then, i guess electric heater is the best since it does not cause rust and does not damage the kettle. =) Thanks!

[nonc_ron]

Sounds like we have this one figured out.
induction heaters causes stress. (Bad)
Gas heat creates water vapor (Rust).
Every thing else is OK.
I think.

[Herb_Master]

But even when not using Gas, you presumably have to make sure that the kettle exterior underneath is meticulously dry prior to placement on the heating surface!.

[JBaymore]

As Chip points out a byproduct of combustion of fuel gases (example - methane CH4) is carbon dioxide and water vapor. The H2O can accelerate the rusting. Charcoal fires, being mostly a carbon fuel, mainly result in CO2 as the effluent. For chagama (tea ceremony kettles), charcoal or electric is used.

Atmospheric moisture also figures in with the air supply... so the tetsubin will rust eventually.

best,

................john

[r.fowler]

Ok i've tried 3 methods to boil water with a tetsubin. Gas, Induction, and Charcoal.

Gas---Rust badly at the bottom, won't damage kettle, moderate boiling time
Induction---No rust, damage kettle in the long run, fast boiling time
Charcoal---No rust, won't damage kettle, slow boiling time

Of course like mentioned by JBaymore, eventually the kettle would rust =)
Thanks once again for everyone's input!