Looking for a gaiwan that doesn't scorch hands

[b101]

Hi, as the title says, i'm looking for a new gaiwan and wanted to hear some advices and recommendations..

My needs are:
1. doesn't scorch hands (WITHOUT having to use the saucer)
2. volume: 120ml
3. High porcelain quailty - price isn't a issue as long as it doesn't cost more than 60$.

Please recommend only gaiwans you've already bought and used, and that are possible to purchase online. I don't live in the US so US based vendors aren'ts an advantage.

THANKS !

[Tead Off]

Hi, as the title says, i'm looking for a new gaiwan and wanted to hear some advices and recommendations..

My needs are:
1. doesn't scorch hands (WITHOUT having to use the saucer)
2. volume: 120ml
3. High porcelain quailty - price isn't a issue as long as it doesn't cost more than 60$.

Please recommend only gaiwans you've already bought and used, and that are possible to purchase online. I don't live in the US so US based vendors aren'ts an advantage.

THANKS !

Burning your fingers is due more to your technique of using a gaiwan. While there is a high probability that you will burn yourself on occasion while learning how to use it, you will definitely learn how to avoid those elements that make burning yourself more possible. You can check www.teaurchin.com to see if they have any of the handmade jingdezhen gaiwans available. Not sure of the price, though.

[b101]

I think the cheap gaiwan i have now causes my hands to be scorched and not due to my amateur technique... The one I have know isn't crafted perfectly, and the lid isn't closing completely the cup and there is always a gap left, so my theory is that when hot water is filled, the steam is moving upwards and makes the rim very hot, no matter how low I fill the gaiwan.

[Tead Off]

I think the cheap gaiwan i have now causes my hands to be scorched and not due to my amateur technique... The one I have know isn't crafted perfectly, and the lid isn't closing completely the cup and there is always a gap left, so my theory is that when hot water is filled, the steam is moving upwards and makes the rim very hot, no matter how low I fill the gaiwan.

I use a $6 gaiwan regularly. When I'm not paying attention, I can burn myself. The lid is not supposed to close completely. I would still look to your technique first. Maybe you have delicate fingers?

[jextxadore]

Well made gaiwans have lids that don't close completely. This prevents the liquid from forming a seal, which would make it difficult to move the lid without jarring the rest of the setup. You're supposed to hold it such that the area of the lid with the gap becomes the pouring area — it's there to help you pour more efficiently.

[debunix]

How you hold the gaiwan and how the gaiwan is formed both affect the risk of scorching. We just discussed this in another topic a few weeks ago.

[wyardley]

Look for a thin wall and a wide flare.

And toughen up those fingers!

[b101]

lol you are talking like i'm too sensetive, but believe me i'm not. i think if you ask 1000 people if the rim of my gaiwan is too hot for touching, surely all of them will answer yes... or maybe it's mandatory to lose feeling in the fingers in order to get rid of that 'problem'...

anyway, i will try to search for a gaiwan with the attributes you have mentioned.

[Tead Off]

lol you are talking like i'm too sensetive, but believe me i'm not. i think if you ask 1000 people if the rim of my gaiwan is too hot for touching, surely all of them will answer yes... or maybe it's mandatory to lose feeling in the fingers in order to get rid of that 'problem'...

anyway, i will try to search for a gaiwan with the attributes you have mentioned.

None of my gaiwans are too hot to touch. What would be the point of using a gaiwan if they were too hot to touch? If you fill them to capacity, of course you'll burn your fingers if you're using boiling water. This is the real reason its called gongfu cha. You need to practice like a martial artist to condition your fingers. Maybe you should show a photo of your gaiwan. I've never seen a gaiwan that couldn't be tamed.

[theredbaron]

lol you are talking like i'm too sensetive, but believe me i'm not. i think if you ask 1000 people if the rim of my gaiwan is too hot for touching, surely all of them will answer yes... or maybe it's mandatory to lose feeling in the fingers in order to get rid of that 'problem'...

anyway, i will try to search for a gaiwan with the attributes you have mentioned.

Well, personally, i think that a nice Yixing pot is nicer and much more practical than a Gaiwan anyhow, which was originally invented to drink green tea directly from, using the lid to keep tea leaves away from your mouth.
I don't get the concept of Gaiwan to brew tea in, and then fill into cups, when there are much better solutions available, such as tea pots.
Sorry.

[wyardley]

Make sure you get one without a solid knob also.

[bagua7]

I use this one and it works like a charm. No burning of fingers with me.

[ethan]

bagua7, thanks for sharing. I like the look of their choices & prices.

[b101]

I use this one and it works like a charm. No burning of fingers with me.

thx for the recommendation, do you use it without the saucer?

[MarshalN]

How thick is your gaiwan's wall? That probably has more to do with whether it burns your finger than anything.