Thinking about retiring my IngenuiTEA

[sencha]

I'm thinking about retiring my IngenuiTEA for something more traditional, but still functional. This works, but it's been starting to leak and it's a pain to take apart and clean. I've been looking at gaiwans and kyusus, but I'm not sure which would be better for my particular needs. I need something that is:

1. Easy to clean; preferably dishwasher-safe
2. Easy to clean between uses so the spent leaves don't clog up
3. Something that won't rust easily (for example, a kyusu with a metal filter)
4. Minimum 6 oz capacity
5. Something I can use for not only greens, but also the occasional black
6. Something that doesn't look dainty
7. Under or around $50; preferably under

Also, if you think a gaiwan would be the best option, it needs to be heat-proof glass or something, so I don't burn myself when handling it.

Thanks

[Chip]

Gaiwans require just a little practice to use and avoid "burning," but are very diverse and easiest to clean. Not the best choice for finer leaved sencha such as fukamushi.

If you want dishwasher safe in a kyusu, be sure to go glazed!!! Den's has some very affordable glazed kyusu, and you could brew anything in them. They do have stainless steel screens, and I never heard of nor seen one rust. The glazed Den's kyusu-s are also bombproof.

Eventually, you will want both a gaiwan and a kyusu. Since your name is sencha, I would go for a kyusu!

[sencha]

I really like the look of this kyusu, but it's a little on the big side and it's a little pricey. Plus, I don't think it's dishwasher safe. This isn't an absolute MUST, but if it's not dishwasher safe, then at least make sure it's easy to clean somehow.

[Chip]

No, I would not put that in the dishwasher unless you do not want it very long ...

If it looks like bare clay, you just want to avoid detergents ...

Of any kyusu I have ever seen first hand, the Den's :Shincha" version is certainly most likely to withstand a dishwasher.

I never wash a kyusu per se. I dump the leaves, then rinse out with hot water. The spray dislodges leaf particles. The final rinse is with hottest water possible so the kyusu dries quicker. It is critical to leave the kyusu open and allow to dry for at least 24 hours, especially the bare clay ones.

[sencha]

Since your name is sencha, I would go for a kyusu!

Good point.

If it looks like bare clay, you just want to avoid detergents ...

Would antibacterial dishwashing soap be okay?

It is critical to leave the kyusu open and allow to dry for at least 24 hours, especially the bare clay ones.

I always leave my IngenuiTEA open to dry, but it's not as critical as it's plastic. Would something like the one I linked to above be able to be used several times a day, without issue?

[sencha]

Of any kyusu I have ever seen first hand, the Den's :Shincha" version is certainly most likely to withstand a dishwasher.

You're referring to the blue one? I'm sure it's entirely functional, but I don't like the color.

[MIKE_B]

Why do you want to put a teapot in the dishwasher or use antibacterial soap? Just rinse with hot water and air dry.

[sencha]

Why do you want to put a teapot in the dishwasher or use antibacterial soap? Just rinse with hot water and air dry.

With my IngenuiTEA, it ends up getting kinda cloudy on the sides and brownish and a run through the dishwasher ends up cleaning it out fairly well. I assume it's just tannin residue and possibly residue from the tap water I'm using. I'd want to make sure my future kyusu wouldn't get build up like that.

[Chip]

With clay pots, that is often a desirable result of use. With other pots and wares ... it is usually not, especially on plastic.

Some people keep their porcelains sparkling white, yet other just do a rinse or maybe the quick "finger-wash."

The buildups can be problematic if using extremely hard water as scale builds up which takes on tea color from use.