The benefits of using an iron teapot are that they are extremely durable and will last for generations. They have an excellent ability to retain heat. They are a symbol of strength and unity, as they are made specifically from purified cast iron. Taking care of your cast iron teapot with love will guarantee these benefits.
Note that, when using your teapot for the first time, you must rinse the pot and the infuser with boiling water and dry thoroughly.
If you use your teapot regularly, very little maintenance is required. The very act of boiling water and brewing tea produce a protective barrier against rust. Just remember to never leave water sitting in the pot. Always empty it and let it air dry.
cast iron teapot
Cleaning your teapot:
- Allow the pot to cool completely before cleaning.
- Rinse and gently clean the pot, cover and infuse with warm water only.
- Do not use soaps or detergents.
- Wipe the outside dry with a clean cloth while the pot is still warm.
- Invert the pot to air dry before replacing infuser and lid.
- Avoid contact with salts and oils.
- Use a trivet to protect table linens and surfaces from the iron content in the teapot.
This cleaning method will allow the seasoned mineral coating to remain intact and protect the iron in the pot walls from oxidizing.
If the pot experiences a rapid change in temperature, such as plunging a hot teapot into cold water, this weakens the material. While it may not have an immediate effect, it will decrease the integrity over time. When cleaning, avoid placing your pot in cold water whilst it is still hot.
When adding a hot drink to your teapot, ensure it has been warmed with warm water first to avoid thermal shock damage to the enamel.
Rust on the teapot
If the pot rusts – unlikely – then you don’t actually need to worry. The rust from the teapot is non-toxic and perfectly safe. If, however, it bothers you, follow the following steps:
- Clean the rusted area with a soft brush
- Fill the pot with used tea leaves and boiling water.
- Allow the brew to sit for 20 minutes.
- Discard and rinse.
Tannic acid in the tea reacts with the rust and forms a natural seal, helping to prevent the recurrence of rust. It may be interesting to hear that many Japanese tea connoisseurs actually prefer the taste of tea from a rusted iron teapot.
If the tea brew is not working in removing the rust, you may want to consider the following steps:
- Make a solution mix of 50-percent water and 50-percent vinegar.
- If the rust has been on there for a long time and the vinegar solution is not cutting it, you can use baking soda to help loosen the rust and make it easier to remove.
It is important to note that the iron teapot should not be used for stovetop use. A stainless steel tea kettle is best for stovetop use.
If you are interested in purchasing your own iron cast teapot – if you do not already have one – or if you are looking for teas to use with your pot, contact us here and we will get back to you immediately or you can go here to see the selection of cast iron teapots we have available.
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi