Recommend Me a Teapot Please!

I'm looking for a new teapot to brew loose leaf tea, it's not something I would normally shop for but I'm looking for something I can buy once and keep it for many years. Should I look for cast iron? Stainless steel? Interested in your opinions!


Update:

Thank you everyone who commented (even the joke posts!)

I bought a stainless steel double wall teapot. I prioritised practically over looks, although I don't think it looks bad either.

https://www.megaboutique.com.au/avanti-modena-double-wall-te…

Very happy with the build quality, it keeps the tea hot with no worry of burning myself or the table I set it on. It also is pretty much unbreakable.

Comments

  • +2

    I've used this glass one for the last 3 or 4 years > https://www.yourhousewarehouse.com.au/products/avanti-ceylon…

    Looks nice and modern and fits in with my own place.

    • +1

      glass looks good with floral teas (chrysanthemum, rose, butterfly pea flower) if you care about aesthetics lol

      • +2

        haha! I have to admit "looks" was a huge factor when I was looking for a teapot! I love the look of glass!

        • +1

          same! lol
          got to have tea in style

  • +1

    Depends on what you personally want. A simple glass one like this has served me well: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/riklig-teapot-glass-30163217/

    Pair with matching cups and tray.

  • +1

    find one that has a smooth pour - they aren't all the same.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuK2Eudf7Q

  • +2

    Slightly pricey but look good and well made

    https://www.zerojapan.com.au/

  • +1
    • I would have thought the iron taste would kinda leech into the tea. Wouldn't it be prone to rust as well unless you put it on the stove after you washed it

      • I had a similar one before. The inside was enamelled which prevented rust. I agree, I wouldn't want a raw cast iron teapot

  • +5

    I'm a little teapot Short and stout. Here is my handle, Here is my spout. When I get all steamed up Hear me shout: Tip me over And pour me out!

  • +1

    Depends also on how many cups you want from it before refilling.

    After many hours of research, I bought this for $32 back in 2022. Talk about inflation, it is now $50, a 56% increase. Being insulated, it does stay hot for longer but eventually cools down.

    • buy a tea cosy, or knit one

  • You could get something cute, any style that takes your fancy, and get one of those metal balls to put the loose tea in it or whatever.

  • +1

    Lot of nice teapots linked on this thread, but they all have infuser baskets. Why?
    To get the real experience of loose leaf tea, it needs to be free in the pot, then poured through a tea strainer.
    All you really need is a nice big earthenware or china teapot plus a strainer.

  • +1

    I have multiple teapots, but they're very personal taste. Lots of people have mentioned conventional ones with strainers which I don't mind. I also have one of these https://www.t2tea.com/en/au/teawares/brewing/teamakers/ (they're usually on sale at least once a year). Basically you brew the tea leaves in it, and when done you sit it on top of a mug and there's a mechanism that just releases it from above. Only issue is that you have to dispense all of it at once because the leaves keep brewing otherwise.

    • +1

      I like this one too, and I prefer it over a traditional teapot for single cup brews as the leaves keep brewing in the teapot for too long if you don't tip it all out in the first cup.

      It is however a bit annoying to clean.

  • I got this electric one off Amazon and it has been absolutely amazing. Drinking way more tea because of it.

    You set the temperature and it maintains the kettle at a desired temp, and can also set a delay timer on it so you wake up to brewed tea that has already cooled and being maintained at a nice drinkable temp.

    Healthy Choice Electric Glass Kettle - 800W Cordless Fast Boil Digital Glass Kettle with Tea Infuser - Multi-Function Tea Maker & Hot Water Boiler - Auto Shut Off, 5 Temperature Settings & Keep Warm Function - 1.2L, Silver https://amzn.asia/d/fTwpLah

    • Looks interesting. I would be concerned that the tea becomes bitter if brewed too long. Is that an issue?

      • Possibly a minor factor, but it only stays at 100 degrees briefly before cooling down to maintain at a lower temp, so I don’t think it’s getting too blasted. And of course, you can take out the tea leaf insert when you please to just leave only the tea getting maintained at temp

  • +1
  • +1

    I used to use a Bodum glass teapot with SS infuser (the Avanti above is copy). It appears to be leaking a bit so I've parked it for the time being.

    I currently use these two: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/22732/102761/20230401_…

    The white pattern teapot sits on to of a cup and saucer. You need a SS infuser ball to hold tea leaves. It looks great, and this is the type of tea pot that sparks joy. I'm using a Pukka tea bag directly in the cup.

    The green teapot is bigger and has a suspended SS infuser. Perfect for bigger pots, e.g. if I'm going out of the day and want to fill up my 750ml bottle.

    • Lovely, thank you

  • +1

    If you're interested in vintage, Corning made Pyrex Flameware until 1979. There's a 6-cup (1L) teapot and stovetop coffee pots in three sizes - these make great teapots with the 7759 being good for 2.5L

    • Thanks that is really nice.

  • +1

    For something that gets regular use I'd go for porcelain enamel. Pillivuyt is a quality brand. https://www.petersofkensington.com.au/tableware/tea-coffee/t…
    I also like Japanase pottery, although sizes are small & prices high: https://mycookware.com.au/products/renzan-japanese-kutani-ha…

  • +1

    Royal Albert teapots at Victoria's Basement.
    You will have to get a matching tea cup as well.
    Very pretty stuff.

  • +1

    Op shops often have them cheap.
    I prefer pots with diffusers, I like my double wall insulated stainless steel pot.

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