Aug 19th, '06, 13:39
Posts: 402
Joined: Jun 15th, '05, 21:35
Location: Norristown, PA
Contact:
jogrebe
utiliTEA kettle alternatives
Ok with the utiliTEA electric kettle out of stock for the next few months what alternatives are there out there? Does anyone know of another company that produces any quality electric kettles that do a range of temperatures or at least allow you to set between cooler water for green tea and boiling water for black and puerh tea?
John Grebe
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
~C. S. Lewis
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
~C. S. Lewis
While I could not find an alternative that didn't cost over $200 I found another store selling adagio's utilitea (I'm not sure if they know about this). Anyways its $48.00 and nothing on the site currently states that its out of stock, though it still might be.
Life is like a cup of tea, savor it slowly or it will be gone too fast
Aug 19th, '06, 17:20
Posts: 40
Joined: May 11th, '06, 23:38
Location: College Station, TX
Contact:
studio271
I've been toying with this idea for a few months now, just haven't had the time.
background: I'm a very experienced soldering-iron-wielder (not welder!), and have many years of electronics hobby experience, not to mention that I'm an undergrad Electrical Engineering student.
While I will not condone that any amateur attempt this procedure, I am going to find the time next week to do as follows:
(1) Buy a relatively sturdy electronic water kettle and a cheap electronic probe thermometer.
(2) Open the suckers UP!
(3) Mix the two together to make myself a cheap (shouldn't cost less that $60 for the kettle and thermometer) temperature-controlled water kettle!
(4) ...
(5) PROFIT!
Again, I've done these things before (closest to this was turning a coffee-maker into a distiller, but that's a different story which ended in only one use, sadly). I'll report on this venture in a week, with pictures! yay! pictures! yay! bananas!
background: I'm a very experienced soldering-iron-wielder (not welder!), and have many years of electronics hobby experience, not to mention that I'm an undergrad Electrical Engineering student.
While I will not condone that any amateur attempt this procedure, I am going to find the time next week to do as follows:
(1) Buy a relatively sturdy electronic water kettle and a cheap electronic probe thermometer.
(2) Open the suckers UP!
(3) Mix the two together to make myself a cheap (shouldn't cost less that $60 for the kettle and thermometer) temperature-controlled water kettle!
(4) ...
(5) PROFIT!
Again, I've done these things before (closest to this was turning a coffee-maker into a distiller, but that's a different story which ended in only one use, sadly). I'll report on this venture in a week, with pictures! yay! pictures! yay! bananas!
Oct 23rd, '06, 19:48
Posts: 2299
Joined: Oct 23rd, '06, 19:46
Location: Seattle Area
Contact:
tenuki
exact same thing - 36 bucks
Hate to point to a competitor of adagio teas on their forums, but I couldn't wait till january for a variable tea pot... check out the internet special link at the bottom for the good price..
http://www.uptontea.com/...
sorry adagio, still a customer.
http://www.uptontea.com/...
sorry adagio, still a customer.
Nov 18th, '06, 09:25
Posts: 94
Joined: Nov 18th, '06, 09:13
Location: "Land of the Morning Calm" South Korea
Hmm since we are on the subject is there such "teaware" that is like that but with actual temperatures? One with a digital read out would be even better. I am looking for a electric kettle that has precise temperatures that can be adjusted, I am new to tea and I want to make sure I do it right. Anyone have any input on this? Thanks.
I would also agree with to zorijurushi. The problem that you are going to run into is that until recently the tea industry did not have any variable temperature tea kettles/ water heaters. Most of the early versions (trinitea, zarafina, etc) have not gotten to the point where they can have a digital read out, so finding one with all your specifications will be very difficult, if there even is such a thing.
The zorijirushi does have a digital readout (though I do not believe that it is completely accurate), and is probably your best option (though expensive).
The zorijirushi does have a digital readout (though I do not believe that it is completely accurate), and is probably your best option (though expensive).
"Make tea not war"
Favorites: Sencha, Dragonwell, White Monkey, Silver Needle, Gyokuro, Kukicha, Darjeeling
Favorites: Sencha, Dragonwell, White Monkey, Silver Needle, Gyokuro, Kukicha, Darjeeling
Nov 18th, '06, 16:02
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Deadfinger, welcome to teaChat.
...since in another post you mention that you think you might like a more hands on approach, and because digital readout electric kettles DO tend to be inaccurate...you may need to resort to other methods.
I, and many others, prescribe to pouring boiling water from an inexpensive electric water kettle into a teapot or other water vessel. This will reduce the temp to somewhere in the 180's depending on what you pour the boiling water into. I then use a digital kitchen probe style thermometer that should be available even in Korea and wait for the right temp. Taylor and Polder both make good ones.
Different green teas and oolongs require different temps. So there is no real absolute rule of thumb. generally greens require a range of 160-180, but there are exceptions (and 2nd and 3rd infusions often take a higher temp). You can always ask for specific temp recommendations for specific teas...I am sure you will get a prompt response from some one right here on teaChat.
Chip
...since in another post you mention that you think you might like a more hands on approach, and because digital readout electric kettles DO tend to be inaccurate...you may need to resort to other methods.
I, and many others, prescribe to pouring boiling water from an inexpensive electric water kettle into a teapot or other water vessel. This will reduce the temp to somewhere in the 180's depending on what you pour the boiling water into. I then use a digital kitchen probe style thermometer that should be available even in Korea and wait for the right temp. Taylor and Polder both make good ones.
Different green teas and oolongs require different temps. So there is no real absolute rule of thumb. generally greens require a range of 160-180, but there are exceptions (and 2nd and 3rd infusions often take a higher temp). You can always ask for specific temp recommendations for specific teas...I am sure you will get a prompt response from some one right here on teaChat.
Chip
Nov 18th, '06, 21:35
Posts: 94
Joined: Nov 18th, '06, 09:13
Location: "Land of the Morning Calm" South Korea
Nov 19th, '06, 01:37
Posts: 94
Joined: Nov 18th, '06, 09:13
Location: "Land of the Morning Calm" South Korea
Well just came back from the BX and did a look around where they have the coffee pots and I think I found that tea maker. Well they only had one, and it was made by "tiger". It was the exact same looking and seemed to have the exact temperatures as the one you mentioned but it didn't say Zojirushi anywhere. It was made in Osaka, Japan so I'm guessing it's either that model or one very very similar to it. Either way I am going to look at buying it next paycheck if it's still there.LavenderPekoe wrote:Deadfingers, you could always look at the Zojirushi water heaters. They are big in Japan, supposedly. Search for them here, I am sure you will find lots of info on them.