My tea tray is leaking :-(

It probably will stop on its own. They get overly dry if not used for a while.

Sasha.

Maybe give us a picture of it to look at. I can check around here to see if there are any shops with similar trays with similar problems.

Thank you! Here are two pictures of the tray:

...and one of the original cardboard box:

Gyorgy

I have the same tray and Alex was right about this type drying out. Try soaking it in a bucket of warm water overnight, put something ontop of it to keep it submerged if need be. The bamboo will swell as it absorbs the moisture and probably seal the leak. Now that you are using it regualarly drying out should not be a problem any more once you stop the leak.

Mike

I would not go that far - he may, actually overdo it that way. Just putting some wet paper napkin along the leaking line overnight will probably do it. If not - repeat. I would not soak the whole tray.

Sasha.

Agreed, it is better to be conservative, as you suggest, as he can always add more agressive moisture later if that doesnt work. Although I have left my tray full of water for days with little to no ill effect.

Mike

Sasha and Mike,

Thank you for the suggestions. I will make some experiments; I will start with filling it up with warm water and let it stay overnight. I will let you know about the effect.

Gyorgy

I'm unclear on the concept of "tea tray". It sounds to me like something one serves tea on, but there's apparently something I'm missing. How exactly does one use a "tea tray" in that a faulty one will leak?

I looked at the pictures downthread; I'm still unclear.

stePH

-- NP: Kenso, "Hyouto" (Frozen Island)

Do a Google search on "gong fu cha" or "gongfu cha". This is a tray for Chinese "tea ceremony" - which is just a way to enjoy mostly oolongs - both their scent and taste.

Sasha.

I thought that was called a "tea boat".. maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Anyway some clear silicone gel would do the trick.

Well, now I have tried several things from the most gentle surface moisturising to the most brutal submerged overnight soaking. I must admit, it was only the last thing that helped. Indeed it has not had any ill effect on the tray, and now it stopped leaking. Thanks again!

Gyorgy

Hi Gyorgy,

I am glad it worked out for you. I would hope that with regular use the problem will remain at bay. Let us know in a month or two if it came back.

Mike Mike Petro

Thank you, Mike,

I have bed news. After only two days where I have used the tray only lightly, I have had a longer gongfu session with many steepings and water filling half up the tray. The result: the water is seeping out again from the bottom. Now it is even worse than before, as there are two more leaking points besides the old one. I will definitely send it back to the shop in Hungary at the first opportunity (which will be in January where I get some visitors from Budapest).

Gyorgy