Tokoname Obix Filter

[karmaplace]

How do you feel about the new Tokoname obix filters?

To be honest, I have one obiami (steel mesh) Tokoname teapot that I use often, but I cannot for the life of me ever get out all the little particles stuck in the infuser. It was the first kyusu I ever bought, so I blame ignorance for that choice.

I think an easily removable filter is a good idea, but at the same time, I'm not a big fan of plastic in teaware. It also bothers me that they're already selling replacement filters... I don't like it when I buy something with the knowledge that I may need a replacement part in the future.

So, I think I'll just stick to sasame and ball-shaped filters. I've been having no issue with keeping them clean.

Thoughts?

[AdamMY]

How do you feel about the new Tokoname obix filters?

To be honest, I have one obiami (steel mesh) Tokoname teapot that I use often, but I cannot for the life of me ever get out all the little particles stuck in the infuser. It was the first kyusu I ever bought, so I blame ignorance for that choice.

I think an easily removable filter is a good idea, but at the same time, I'm not a big fan of plastic in teaware. It also bothers me that they're already selling replacement filters... I don't like it when I buy something with the knowledge that I may need a replacement part in the future.

So, I think I'll just stick to sasame and ball-shaped filters. I've been having no issue with keeping them clean.

Thoughts?

I have an Obami filter that it is actually decently easy to remove it and clean it and then return it back into the kyusu, it just takes some looking at it to realize how it would work.

[Chip]

Karma, I think you answered your own question.

Seems more than a bit odd to me for an organic tea vendor to sell a kyusu with a significant amount of plastic in it???

[karmaplace]

Karma, I think you answered your own question.

I know I did. I was wondering what the other opinions may be. And, I'm also wondering, removing my obiami screen is a no-go (really looks like something that should not be messed with), so how do people who don't remove theirs keep them clean? Are little tea leaf bits a big no-no?

I've almost completely resigned myself to thinking I'll never get rid of my little sencha bits, so I've only been using sencha in that particular kyusu.

But, yeah, I agree; plastic doesn't sound like the right "solution" here. Ick.

[rdl]

karmaplace,
if you do ever want to replace the obiami, you need to know its size. replacements can be found in tea ware shops in japan.
more to the point of cleaning it in place. my suggestion is to let everything dry really well and then use a tooth brush around the screen. this can dislodge the dry brittle tiny leaves that remain stuck after a rinse.

[Chasm]

The toothbrush is a really good idea. Even better, dip the toothbrush in distilled white vinegar. You'll get a filter so clean replacing it will seem silly.

Unless it's managed to rust somehow.

A good practice with ware with steel mesh filters (beyond the obvious give it really good rinsing immediately after use): If the pot is going to go some days or more before it is used again, give it another hot water swirling rinse the day after use and allow to try again. This gets the filter cleaner.

[Chip]

Vinegar is fine if the kyusu is glazed on the inside.

The toothbrush works quite well! Dry or wet. And don't forget about the spout and behind the screen where who knows what evil lurks. A tiny bottlebrush works quite nicely.

[rdl]

Vinegar is fine if the kyusu is glazed on the inside.

The toothbrush works quite well! Dry or wet. And don't forget about the spout and behind the screen where who knows what evil lurks. A tiny bottlebrush works quite nicely.

chip - as you wrote about the plastic element, i couldn't agree more. and your reference to the evil lurking inside, this has come up in several earlier topics, i still feel a baking soda soak is a (almost) taste and odorless way to clean a non-glazed tea pot. as to removing the screen or not, i found when i do after a long period of use, evil does lurk especially at the place where the obiami touches the side of the kyusu.
by AdamMY
"I have an Obami filter that it is actually decently easy to remove it and clean it and then return it back into the kyusu, it just takes some looking at it to realize how it would work." - adam, maybe you can elaborate.

[David R.]

I have a kyusu with a obi-ami filter. First, I didn't dare to remove it, but once I did, I saw the tiny leaves stuck and I was quite happy I did. Now I remove it after each session. It doesn't fit exactly the way it used to, but it does its job.

[AdamMY]

I have not seen many obami filters, but the one I have is a strip of mesh where you can easily identify where the two end points over lap. What you then do is with two fingers while holding the pot steady push the two ends towards each other. This basically unhooks it slightly and should give slack to which you grab slack and remove it, then you basically have a strip of mesh. Clean it, and clean underneath it in what ever way you wish.

To replace the filter I found it works best to have the two ends at the back. and place it in properly and in a reverse motion of removing it you pull the ends away from each other pushing it against the walls of the pot. One thing that may help, and the ends of the mesh do get bent up after awhile, but should it not be staying in properly, on the side you have on top, gently bend in the ends of the mesh towards the other side of the pot. It his held in because the exposed end wires grab onto the mesh that it is over lapping and lock into place and prevent it from becoming loose.

Hope this helps.

[rdl]

Hope this helps.

yes, thank you.