Right after pouring some tea on it.
Right after my second brew and pouring just water on it.
How fragile are shiny patinas?
I've noticed whenever I pour tea over my pots, the pots get a "wet" layer of tea oil. The shiny layer is not wet however it comes off with hot water. I see you guys have some shiney pots. Are those "hard" patins that will resist boiling water pours? Here is an example:
Right after pouring some tea on it.
Right after my second brew and pouring just water on it.
Right after pouring some tea on it.
Right after my second brew and pouring just water on it.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
Yes, hard patinas. The clay on your pot looks nice, so with use it will probably develop a hard patina too 
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
I am not sure I understand what's a "hard" patina or a fragile one. Personally, patina is not something mysterious or wondrous, it is simply a result of clay being in contact with water and heat over a period of time.
For most clay, it is very natural for it to change colour when in contact with water and heat. So, it is very natural to notice a difference (less shiny, deeper colour etc) before and during brewing.
For most clay, it is very natural for it to change colour when in contact with water and heat. So, it is very natural to notice a difference (less shiny, deeper colour etc) before and during brewing.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
you're doing finejavi_sanchez wrote:I've noticed whenever I pour tea over my pots, the pots get a "wet" layer of tea oil. The shiny layer is not wet however it comes off with hot water. I see you guys have some shiney pots. Are those "hard" patins that will resist boiling water pours? Here is an example:
just give it some more usage and it will become better. the "wet" layer you see is not tea oil but just dried tea, which doesnt stay very well.
but if you happen to have a contact angle goniometer... it can be helpful to help you determine which pots will shine/season in a few uses, and which would take forever.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
That's really cool mate. Can you share with us how to determine which pot will shine faster. I have a few pots and some of them shine very fast and some take ages. I am totally baffled but if I know how to determine it will save me a lot of money and choose only those which can shine.kyarazen wrote:
but if you happen to have a contact angle goniometer... it can be helpful to help you determine which pots will shine/season in a few uses, and which would take forever.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
Alex,
Yes it's from EOT. The clay feels really nice!
Kyarazen,
How can I use a "contact angle goniometer" to tell? Does it tell you something about the clay's "tooth"?
Wert,
Are you saying that if I didn't brew tea in the pot and just brewed water, it would look the same as if I had brewed tea over time? I am curious as to the nature of the patina itself. For example, and old metal gun's patina is due to the metal oxidizing, hands rubbing on it from use and powder being set off inside of it and around it. The first one of those three, the oxidized metal layer, can be cleaned off, the other two cannot.
Yes it's from EOT. The clay feels really nice!
Kyarazen,
How can I use a "contact angle goniometer" to tell? Does it tell you something about the clay's "tooth"?
Wert,
Are you saying that if I didn't brew tea in the pot and just brewed water, it would look the same as if I had brewed tea over time? I am curious as to the nature of the patina itself. For example, and old metal gun's patina is due to the metal oxidizing, hands rubbing on it from use and powder being set off inside of it and around it. The first one of those three, the oxidized metal layer, can be cleaned off, the other two cannot.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
I wouldn't go as far as to say it would be exactly the same effect, but just by pouring hot water into and over it, the clay surface would exhibit some changes in colour and texture. It is always best to try things out and verify for yourself. For the nature of the patina itself, I am afraid I don't have a good answer and also look forward to a good scientific explanation.javi_sanchez wrote: Wert,
Are you saying that if I didn't brew tea in the pot and just brewed water, it would look the same as if I had brewed tea over time? I am curious as to the nature of the patina itself. For example, and old metal gun's patina is due to the metal oxidizing, hands rubbing on it from use and powder being set off inside of it and around it. The first one of those three, the oxidized metal layer, can be cleaned off, the other two cannot.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
kyarazen do you mean that depending on the angle between the tea and the pot different amounts of tea oils are left on the clay? It seems that the dynamic contact angle would be the relevant measure here, can we measure that with a contact angle goniometer?if you happen to have a contact angle goniometer... it can be helpful to help you determine which pots will shine/season in a few uses, and which would take forever.
Re: How fragile are shiny patinas?
wert,
I think I have experienced what you mean. I have a ChaoZhou pot that used to get a bit darker red when I poured hot water in it. Over time the difference in color from when the pot is cool vs hot has dimished. I think the pot will eventually "settle" into the darker color. I'd guess this is due to the clay expanding and contracting? I would assume something similar happens to Yixing.
Also I would assume just handling the pot over years will polish it much like the wooden railings on my stairway are quite shiney. I am not sure what time scale though this would affect something like a clay pot!
I think I have experienced what you mean. I have a ChaoZhou pot that used to get a bit darker red when I poured hot water in it. Over time the difference in color from when the pot is cool vs hot has dimished. I think the pot will eventually "settle" into the darker color. I'd guess this is due to the clay expanding and contracting? I would assume something similar happens to Yixing.
Also I would assume just handling the pot over years will polish it much like the wooden railings on my stairway are quite shiney. I am not sure what time scale though this would affect something like a clay pot!