What device for warming water?

[Cha Arles]

I am an Oolong tea drinker and I am in process of changing my whole tea setup. I am currently using a Bosch device to heat and filter the water(bamboo charcoal). Device is working perfectly, but it's delivering water very slowly. So for short brewing times, I have to fill a pitcher. This is cooling down a little bit the water, which is not hot enough for certain types of tea.

I was planning to buy a kettle, but what would be the best clay or tetsubin? What device would be best appropiate to heat the kettle?

I would welcome links on devices or info on vendors

Thanks for your help

[tingjunkie]

I like the Boni stainless steel electric kettles with the long slender spout. The ones with the simple plastic bases. Usually cost around $20-$25.

[futurebird]

Do you find the bamboo charcoal gives the water a sour taste? I just tried some ... and I didn't like the result. The water tasted better without it.

How do you use it by the way? I just rinsed it throughly then put it in my stoneware water-resting jug. After 24 hours I did a blind tase test of the waters. The bamboo'd water had a noticeable sour taste.



Maybe I did it wrong?

For heating water I use a western style electric kettle. I have one from bonavita that lets me choose the temperature so I can make white tea and such.

But what I really want is a testubin. *swoon* ( real one not a tea kettle that looks like one )

or this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LTS-Yixing-Clay ... 0830703186

someday.

[the_economist]

The yixing kettle looks gimmicky to me. Old-timers sometimes boil water in yixing pots over open fire/heating element, but that newfangled kettle isn't doing it for me.

+1 on tetsubin.

[futurebird]

It is gimmicky, I just have a thing for gadgets.

[BioHorn]

+2 on tetsubin
It heats water very quickly.

Pair it with a Waring single burner plate and you are ready to go!
Now only $46 at Amazon. That is a great price!

http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300- ... im_sbs_k_2

[tingjunkie]

- 1 on tetsubin. (No, not a typo, that's a MINUS 1)

For certain teas, I think tesubin are great, but they kill the aroma and flavors of other teas. A more neutral kettle is necessary for brewing all teas across the board.

[futurebird]

which teas?

[Cha Arles]

- 1 on tetsubin. (No, not a typo, that's a MINUS 1)

For certain teas, I think tesubin are great, but they kill the aroma and flavors of other teas. A more neutral kettle is necessary for brewing all teas across the board.

What's a more neutral kettle?

[tingjunkie]

You never know until you try...

In general, I think a tetsubin does better with heavy charcoal oolongs and aged/cooked puerh, and worse with greener oolongs and young puerh. My experience is not extensive, and each tea will be different though.

[tingjunkie]

- 1 on tetsubin. (No, not a typo, that's a MINUS 1)

For certain teas, I think tesubin are great, but they kill the aroma and flavors of other teas. A more neutral kettle is necessary for brewing all teas across the board.

What's a more neutral kettle?

Stainless, or glass.

[Cha Arles]

which teas?

Mostly Oolongs:
Tie Guan Yin
Wuy Yancha
Formosan Fancy Oolongs

A bit Puer'h mostly raw ones and white tea

[Cha Arles]

Do you find the bamboo charcoal gives the water a sour taste? I just tried some ... and I didn't like the result. The water tasted better without it.

How do you use it by the way? I just rinsed it throughly then put it in my stoneware water-resting jug. After 24 hours I did a blind tase test of the waters. The bamboo'd water had a noticeable sour taste.
someday.

I wash it and put it into a large purion pitcher for maximum 6 hours, otherwise taste is getting to strong. Or I let it into a stainless kettle for boiling water... But I prefer the second method.

I am living in a small village and our water is very tasty (a bit mineral taste of a Da Hong Pao) but with a bit acidity and the charcoal removes this acidity. It's much cheaper than a Brita filter and gives very good results. I compared with Volvic and Montcalm (french water which french tea drinkers appreciate), and results were in favour of my water.

[the_economist]

- 1 on tetsubin. (No, not a typo, that's a MINUS 1)

For certain teas, I think tesubin are great, but they kill the aroma and flavors of other teas. A more neutral kettle is necessary for brewing all teas across the board.

Get both! I have all three, stainless, iron, and glass. Dreaming of a nice Chaozhou clay kettle + stove.

[BioHorn]

- 1 on tetsubin. (No, not a typo, that's a MINUS 1)

For certain teas, I think tesubin are great, but they kill the aroma and flavors of other teas. A more neutral kettle is necessary for brewing all teas across the board.

Get both! I have all three, stainless, iron, and glass. Dreaming of a nice Chaozhou clay kettle + stove.

+1