Question for the "Tim Taylor" types

[chad]

I normally use a stainless infuser for my mugs at work.

At home I have a really nice glass presentation pot and a single mug glass set and both have glass infusers. To cut to the chase: "What moron designs the slits in the bottom of the glass infusers?"

I swear the slits aren't cut all the way through!

I'm about to break out the Dremel with carbide wheel and enlarge at least one slit on each quadrant.

Anybody else have this situation?

I know the answer from most will be "use gaiwan", "use gong fu", use and old sock...etc. etc. etc. I have options and use the loose tea in pot and pour through a strainer method most of the time...I guess what really cheeses me is that I absolutely detest poor design and poor design execution. Pity the poor rookie that buys one of these products and gets totally bummed with the process and abandons tea as being "too much work".

[cheaton]

Throw out infuser, buy $2 tea strainer at grocery store. It'll be in the kitchenware isle.

[Pentox]

I had one of those horrible glass strainers once. I ended up just getting a spout strainer and tossing the basket. The other option is as cheaton suggested just get a stainless infuser.

[cheaton]

I had one of those horrible glass strainers once. I ended up just getting a spout strainer and tossing the basket. The other option is as cheaton suggested just get a stainless infuser.

Nono, not a stainless infuser. Just a strainer. It sits on top of your cup and catches the leaves as you pour. This is an infuserless design.

http://www.englishteastore.com/keteast.html

[chad]

Throw out infuser, buy $2 tea strainer at grocery store. It'll be in the kitchenware isle.

Thanks. I already do that -- I was just venting a bit.

I've actually use another mug infuser most of the time -- in the cup/mug as I pour...or I break out the ever faithful kitchen strainer.

Like I said: Poor design and execution are pet peeves!

thank again. I still think I'll break out the Dremel and carbide blade...heck, nothing to lose!

[cheaton]

I agree. Those little slits in those glass infusers are horrendously dumb design. They should be using stainless infusers in those pots. Anyone who's making a "presentation" tea is going to remove the strainer anyway before presenting.

[chad]

I agree. Those little slits in those glass infusers are horrendously dumb design. They should be using stainless infusers in those pots. Anyone who's making a "presentation" tea is going to remove the strainer anyway before presenting.

I do remove the infuser when doing presentation greens, but, I often use the pot for our evening chamomile fix...you talk about clogging up and infuser!! The Egyptian chamomile I use is fantastic - but lots of "stuff" floating around.

I was just interested if anyone else was as frustrated as I am with these things...not that I don't have more important things to be frustrated about!!

[kymidwife]

I have a glass presentation pot too... and managed to drop and shatter the glass infuser a few months ago. It was a blessing in disguise because now I use the pot without an infuser, just put leaves right in the pot and then pour through a kitchen strainer... and the tea tastes much better since the leaves can more fully unfurl.

Sarah

(Yes I have a new avatar... Grace wanted more representation)

[chad]

Just had a brain-storm:

I'll just use the glass infusers in flower-pots like those spiffy glass ball gimics!!

[Victoria]

I never use those glass infusers - I hate them.
Either too small or too big of holes and they get HOT.
Finum basket strainers are the way to go.

[edkrueger]

The reason for the slits instead of whole is so it can be molded easilly. Drilling cheap glass usually breaks it, beside cut glass is sharp.

[Cinnabar Red]

I tried to get the bits of leaves that got stuck between the slits and broke the infusor. And believe me, I was being very careful. The lady that sells them said it happens all the time.

[t4texas]

Pity the poor rookie that buys one of these products and gets totally bummed with the process and abandons tea as being "too much work".

Too much work? But that's half the fun!

[tenuki]

I use the Bodem 'De Chine' glass infusors, I have both sizes, and love them. Never had a single problem with the slits or breakage.

You guys either have cheap crap or are doing it all wrong. Probably both.

[cheaton]

I use the Bodem 'De Chine' glass infusors, I have both sizes, and love them. Never had a single problem with the slits or breakage.

You guys either have cheap crap or are doing it all wrong. Probably both.

Well come on. Comparing bodum products to the ones we're referring to is like comparing an Aston Martin to a Ford.