Dripless teapots?

Jan 23, 2005 25 Replies

On my way to converting a teabag-using neighbor lady to loose teas, it's occurred to me that I should also recommend a teapot so that she won't have to steep tea in a mug a second time in order for her 8- or 9-year-old daughter to have some. As much as I like my bone china Chatsford pot from Upton, it isn't totally, absolutely, 100% dripless as is my Jenaer Mikado glass pot.



Considering that a dripless teapot would be the best choice for a home with a young girl, but that a glass teapot wouldn't, are there other 100% dripless teapots out there? Which have you used and what did you like/dislike about them?



TIA.


I hve an ordinary china teapot and inserted a small metal contraption into its spout. This is a spring or leaf-shaped thing that fits very tightly. Works brilliantly, no drips. JB

Thanks, I already have a couple, myself.

What I'm interested in are teapots that don't require such a gadget.

What about the 32 oz IngenuiTea from Adagio and a small (quality) thermal carafe? The 32oz model is $19. Another choice might be a polycarbonate french press in the one liter size. The reason behind this suggestion is convenience and shatter-resistence with the daughter in mind. French press pots are fairly drip-free. She could always decant the tea to two separate serving pots...a small rugged one (like an older Hall or hotel ware type) or

2 cup Brown Betty for her daughter and one of choice for herself if the method of serving tea is important.

Renee

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Thanks for the ideas & I didn't know that about French presses. The video for the IngenuiTea looks kewl, but how do you discern the level of tea in your cup or mug if you can't see through it?

The small one holds 16 oz if filled to the rim. I normally measure the amount of water in my cup and then pour it into the IngenuiTea. I have the small one since the 32 oz was only recently available. I don't always measure the water now since I can gauge the amount of water by the letters on the pot. It's great for rooibos but never heat with rooibos in the pot since you'll have a mess in the microwave to clean up.

If someone were using the 32 oz model, I would suggest a thermal carafe or serving pot in one liter capacity. Then you don't have to worry about spilling. However, you can hold the pot above your mug and use your finger to press the release disc.

It's easy to clean--I scoop out the leaves for composting and rinse. If it's stained or I've brewed mint or flavored tea, I used an oxy-clean powder to soak it and remove the stains.

Bodum Shin Cha has been perfectly dripless for me. Just dont overfill. Only about 3/4 full. All the Bodum glass pots are durable, attractive, and dripless.

...

The IngenuiTea empties from the bottom into the teacup slowly enough that you can stop the level in the IngenuiTea where you like. The outside of the clear IngenuiTea can be marked if desired.

It would also seem to me that in many instances, the IngenuiTea would be used with the water heated in the mug in a microwave. In that case, you'll get less water in the mug than you heated originally as some will be absorbed by the tea.

I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these for when I travel. Using the electric coil heater I have and a hotel mug, I could make good tea for a change - since hotel coffee pots *never* get the water hot enough for a good steep.

I own about 5 of these things and they are fantastic! You can see one referenced about half way down on my

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page. It used to be called an "Aria Tea Pot". They also have a larger 32oz size which is perfect for a pitcher of iced tea.

Mike

Thanks. Are they sturdy enough for a young girl to occasionally knock around?

She would make the tea in the pot, then fill her cup/mug and her daughter's so the last would work best.

Thanks.

After reading what you got there, it occurred to me that there's less to mess with compared to pulling a brewing basket out of a teapot. Can you leave the lid open to allow the leaves to dry?

On my last stay in a hotel room, I used a heating coil and a thermal tumbler and...tea bags. I was thinking to add a mug-sized brew basket like a Teeli or the Chatsford basket brewing kit at Upton to my packing list so I might enjoy my loose teas away from home.

Yes, it's important to know that dragons can, and should, be beaten. Will they go away if we simply ignore them?

Yes you can leave the lid open. I have even removed the lid from several of mine as it makes cleaning easier.

Mike

That's the same thought I'm having.

No. You've got dragons confused with fairies like Tinkerbell.

I'm not sure how young you are talking about. I put mine in the dishwasher without fear of damage and I'm not any more careful with them than I am with other glassware. However, the teapots are made of clear glass. It's pretty strong borosilicate glass like they use in labs, but it is certainly not as strong as the stuff coffee mugs are made of. Visit bodum.com and see for yourself if it's something you are interested in.

What I'm thinking is that if a brew basket gets smushed or crushed in transit, it might still be useable, at least temporarily, and will cost less to replace than a teapot, even the small IngenuiTea.

Oh, sorry. My bad.

"WARNING! Dragons are hazardous to your health. Do not dispose in waste receptacle until fire is completely out."

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