(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best teapots & coffee servers

Little late to this thread and new to the sub, but hopefully someone can still answer my questions! Before I start I'd like to say that I don't have $300 to spend on a good coffee set with a grinder, kettle and etc.

I've never been a huge coffee drinker but I'm really interested in going for it now. I've only ever had regular coffee brands made in an electric coffee maker and I always ended up adding a lot of sugar and milk because it was too strong. This being the case, my research has showed pour over coffee having a smoother taste than something like a french press, although french press is considerably cheaper!

My biggest question is, should I splurge a little for a decent kettle, grinder and pour over coffee maker to achieve what I think to be my preferred taste? Alternatively, I could easily grab a french press from Starbucks via a friend working there for fairly cheap.

That being said, I'm very interested in the art that is pour over coffee and fine tuning it to achieve better taste. The only problem is, everything I've looked at so far is incredibly expensive to start out and I'm not ready to spend that kind of money into this endeavor just yet. The $20-$30 for the coffee maker isn't the problem, it's the $50 hand grinder and $50 kettle that get me thinking that I shouldn't go down that rabbit hole.

Edit: I found a cheap and highly rated Grinder, an easy to use coffee dripper and a decent sized server but I'm unsure of if I'd need one if I'm only making 1-2 cups at a time. Thoughts on these selections and any recommendations for a kettle?

Unfortunately the cost is slowly racking up past the point of me being comfortable spending it all at once.

Great snack that can replace cravings for smoothies, shakes, icees, slurpees. I avoid boba shops because they are inconsistent, cost too much, and don't display calorie content (or contain too many calories).

Buy thai tea mix and a tea pot. The tea only takes a few minutes to make but should sit in freezer or fridge for 30~ minutes to cool before adding ice and drinking. Other teas work too. Most teas are 0 calories. I freeze some tea into icecube tray so that I don't have to wait for tea to cool as long. You can also make a big batch of tea and save in fridge if you want.

Boba can be made by hand or boiled from hard (30-60 minutes) or boiled from soft (5 minutes). It is about 80 calories for 1/4 cup.

I use artificial sweeteners and artificial creamers to make the tea sweet and creamy without adding many calories. Make sure to soak the boba in hot sugar water to get them nice and sweet before adding them to your (less sweet) tea. I usually use nut pods or some sort of creamer that has some calories, adding 50-120 more calories to the boba, but you can stick to zero calorie creamers if you want. I hear Stevia is the healthiest zero calorie sweetener, by the way.

Because you want your tea to cool and your hard boba to boil it takes 30 minutes to make but you aren't in the kitchen the whole time. When I get a craving I will start the boba tea and during the 30 minutes I wait. Most of my food cravings pass easily during this time as I know I am about to drink boba. I find it to be very filling by the time I am able to drink it. I find that this is something of a strategy in itself... Having to wait 30 minutes for my snack helps the cravings pass and the snack feels more filling.

Using this RANDOM teapot from my kitchen/baking/food list would make me most seem like an old posh Englishman. Pip pip!

RANDOM "oh god, I would never be seen with this in public" item from the kitchen/baking food list... because I would ALWAYS be at home baking with it!

This is a very "phallic" towel. Yeah. From the RANDOM things list.

This Star Trek cookbook from the Books list is the geekiest RANDOM thing =D

These would certainly help me in my quest to learn how to crochet! From the crafting list. Uhm... RANDOM!

This would be the best thing to bring to a RANDOM deserted island. From the RANDOM things list.

<3<3 COOL contest! I tried to use the word "random" more than you lol. Clearly.

I haven't found a good single-cup Cezve other than from STC, so that's what I use. For 2 cups (I use 130ml of water), this one works really well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LRIR66A/

...it's definitely NOT manufactured at the same quality level as the STC cezves, but it's more than acceptable. For 3 cups (190ml), this one is pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KWDWSP/

If you go the butane burner route, this is the exact same burner that STC sells, but for a bit less:

https://www.amazon.com/BrewGlobal-Coffee-Gear-Stainless-RK4203/dp/B01CXNZYB6/

I own two of those and they work really well. I haven't found a good stand for this style of burner other than the one STC sells, so I use that one.

For a stirrer, any small wooden spoon will do.

Your Lido will do a good turkish grind, tho you may want to order pre-ground from Henry's or some of that Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi ::cringe:: to get a feel for the grind size you should try to target.

I've been using some hand-made ceramic cups from Israel recently:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9kjwka2meiw0u5s/cups.jpg?raw=1

...but these work quite nicely for doubles:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DVP3T3/

Milk oolong are lovely, a nice dark earthy oolong I love is Wu Yi Shui Xian Oolong (https://aromateashop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=41_44&product_id=482), good for several steepings, and Supreme Golden Needle Black Tea (https://aromateashop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=9_48&product_id=360), a very high quality black tea.

If I'm at work or don't want to think too hard about multiple steepings, I have KAMJOVE Glass Gongfu Teapot (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S602A18). It's a neat little thing that let's me time (ish) multiple steeps at work without worrying about mess, drips, etc.

If you're really looking for a kettle, I'd forgo the cast iron and get an electric kettle with a programmable temperature setting and a gooseneck spout. Having a temperature setting is great for teas that require sub-boiling temperatures, and a gooseneck makes pouring easier, whether you're using a pot or a gaiwan. Cast iron really isn't necessary for making good tea, and a good tetsubin will cost you several hundred dollars.

If what you're actually looking for is a cast iron teapot like one of these, I'd advise against it. Anything that's intended to be used as a teapot will have a coating of enamel on the inside, which won't develop a rust patina. The only benefit you really get from a cast iron teapot is heat retention, which you can get from other materials as well. That being said, since greens don't generally require high heats, you don't really need to worry about heat retention in your brewing vessel. If your girlfriend is into Chinese tea, maybe look at getting a gaiwan or a Chinese clay teapot. If she's into Japanese greens, go for something like a Tokoname or Banko pot.

I was gifted one of these some years ago and still use it frequently. They've improved upon the strainer, mine is a round-bottomed steel mesh, so I may upgrade. I sometimes use a ceramic infuser cup that I picked up in Korea, but it's awkward to clean in my less-than optimal office setting (no kitchen). For that reason, as someone else commented, I've often just been using paper tea bags I bought on Amazon that I can scoop my loose-leaf into and just tossing them. Hoping to find a proper travel set that would work for the office to have a more meditative experience.

1. Because they come out better that way generally. Green tea for example can get very bitter if steeped too hot or long
   
   
2. There are some very nice glass tea pots/kettles on Amazon that I think are great, especially to start. It is very convenient and less complicated. However as you get more into it you may find you get Better results with a dedicated pot and kettle
   
   Hiware 1000ml Glass Teapot with Removable Infuser, Stovetop Safe Teapot, Blooming and Loose Leaf Tea Pots https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZSA84J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8Os3Bb6TJMFXW
   
   
3. Try ceylon, yunnan and fujian teas. Ceylon is often a little more prone to over steeping from my experience.

I have a nifty little teapot with a built in strainer, like this:

Ecooe Glass Teapot 30 Oz Loose Leaf Tea Maker Stovetop Safe Tea Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DLI79WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WXZoybJ6DP8B8

I wonder how sensitive kratom is when making tea, like if time and temp really matter a lot. I mean sensitive like thc, where you have to be really careful.

Typically I add about 10g to my teapot, pour in some grapefruit juice (or lemon) and simmer about 20-30 minutes. I am just curious what nuisances really matter you know?

I bought this one from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00X97W2P2/ref=pd_aw_lpo_79_tr_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PJTG6N4SG98AE772EW9Y

It’s great quality. It washes well, pours well, and looks very pretty.

Hm, I'm not trying to break the bank here, do you think [this] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EO17DA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_lDlIwbX4DGZCP) would work pretty well? I think it was posted a while back and it's a third of the price of a gooseneck kettle so that's a pretty nice bonus.

Great choices. My setup at home is the following and highly highly recommended. Also don’t forget to pick up the bleached white filters for your dripper, Grindz grinder cleaner, a brush for cleaning the grinder, and maybe some Third Wave Water. I also have a Zojirushi hot water pot with Third Wave Water in it so I can have shorter boiling times in the kettle.

• Baratza Virtuoso (heard too many grind issues with the Encore) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MLQHRG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n8F1AbFH5Y4FE
  
• Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N7F1Ab7QVKWWP
  
• Acaia Pearl Black scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XP7PPF9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g7F1Ab8K1D9AT
  
• Kalita Wave 185 Lotto Ceramic (I used the Hario V60 02 for years and switched over... the V60 is way too finicky and difficult to consistently get it right) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W5JHXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g6F1Ab67RC0M4
  
• Kalita Wave Series 500 “G” glass server (pours much easier than the Hario one) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R0RFPC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_62F1AbWH67CS5
  
• Zojirushi America Corporation CV-DCC40XT VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer, 4-Liter, Stainless Dark Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R4HKIV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k.F1AbMBTS3V5

Anyone have suggestions for a small inexpensive tea pot/infuser for a gift? Let's say $20 max - looking for something cute looking for a kitchen / not industrial.

Maybe something like one of these?

lime green pot+cup

light blue

see-through

blue cast iron

Many of the vendors in the sidebar offer good tea trays. If you like to buy through Amazon they also have a huge selection there, such as this standard style drip tray which offers both a open slat grid for quick drainage and a pull-out plastic tray for easy dumping and clean-up.

Welcome! I've never used paper towel, but it could work. I fear it may tear after 1 or 2 infusions.

I've used this infuser and its worked well for me. It's a bit pricey @ $19 though.
http://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Stainless-Folding-Infuser-Carrying/dp/B00FOMKNSI/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1457753210&sr=8-9&keywords=for+life+tea+infuser

You could also invest in a gaiwan. Half the price at $8.
http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Clay-Tea-Pot-Gaiwan/dp/B00H98UGCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457753354&sr=8-1&keywords=gaiwan

This video helped me understand brewing process. It's a bit long, but hope it helps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puldqGnW9P0

600 ml is too small. I'd ever bought a one in that size. It's too small. I then bought this 900 ml glass teapot from Amazon. It's beautiful and useful. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DLI79WY/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_3_w

I've seen a few different styles of spout-style filters that come with pots but I have never seen them sold separately. The most common are the "spring filters" and look like this. They also have fancy ones like this. Dragon Tea House's glass pots all have the spout filter but they never sell them seprately!

Have you considered switching the the pour over world? If so I would start looking at the v60 or the clever, I think they make a much better cup of coffee than french press.

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-V60-Coffee-Sever-Set/dp/B002BA2J06/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1417699309&sr=8-10&keywords=hario+v60
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDGN-02B-Coffee-Dripper-Edition/dp/B00JRY42H2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1417699309&sr=8-9&keywords=hario+v60
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-XGS-60TB-Range-Server-600Ml/dp/B000P4931S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417699309&sr=8-4&keywords=hario+v60
http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Shrub-CLEVER-Clever-Dripper/dp/B0047W70GY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417699464&sr=8-1&keywords=clever+coffee+dripper

Consider a pourover rig instead. Aeropress tastes great but the one cup limitation is a pain. Look into Hario V60 or a Chemex. I think if you liked FP a V60 is better (chemex can be so clean it is less coffee-like after a hearty french press).

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-V60-Coffee-Server-1000ml/dp/B001V7NN1Y/ref=sr_1_23?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1454076882&sr=1-23&keywords=hario+v60 plus

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDG-03B-Glass-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B00B7XJVUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454076914&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+v60+03

THis will make a fairly large amount of good coffee. However you can also go for the smaller servers (600 ml size and the 02 size cone) which are more common and have cheaper filters.

It works perfectly! This is the exact teapot if you're curious:



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F3PJ7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4fjzCbXGN9B0W

One of the Kamjove gongfu tea pots would be perfect. They're like other gravity steepers, but have volumes that are more appropriate for gongfu style tea. Kamjove isn't the only brand, but it's one of the more prominent ones.

https://www.amazon.com/KAMJOVE-Gongfu-Teapot-filter-heat-resistant/dp/B00S602A18/ref=pd_sim_79_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y4FDZJHPER4K4HT2ZPYG

Are you saying you want to set a pour over cone/dripper (like a v60) on top of something like this and brew directly into a pitcher like this?

Make sure to measure the opening of the server, and compare it to the rim and flange on the dripper. Personally I bought a Karter scientific graduated beaker as my server -- since I can use it for other things in the kitchen (I try to avoid single use items as much as possible). A lot of people I know have one like this.

I will chime in as pro-pu! My go-to grandpa setup at the office is:

One square 8-9g tuo from Yunnan Sourcing - I am really enjoying this one, though be aware it expands A LOT. I tried to use a gaiwan with it once...never again. It was like some many-tentacled sea creature. https://yunnansourcing.com/products/jiu-wan-cube-ripe-pu-erh-tea-tuo-cha

Brewed in this cup with strainer BECAUSE the strainer is fine enough to put on TOP of the leaves and I can drink w/o sucking in leaf. https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Forte-Brewing-Ceramic-Blossoms/dp/B01KVSGRHU?th=1 Just remove the strainer when you top off so the water can agitate everything.

here's the scale. beautiful, but definitely not cheap.

this isn't the server in the back, but it's close

turns out hario makes another server with that handle. this is probably it.

reposting again - with link modified

The tea brewers that you press on top of your mug and the tea falls out the bottom. Teavana called them the "perfect tea maker". I've seen other variations, and I have no idea how well they work (I'm a basket infuser in mug type guy).

The other option is the hot water control. Stag EKG Kettle is pretty cool, with lots of fancy regulators to keep the water at the perfect temperature. (I hear the OXO Variable is cheaper and similar reviews, but it just doesn't look as nice.)

Bottom drain tea steepers.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KIW0T9C

Great for whole leaf teas

Tea and mugs are always lovely, well-received gifts.

Thank you! It was actually a gift from my uncle. But I looked it up and it seems like it's this one, but in a different color.

Amazon!

Ufine Large Tea Serving Tray 19.7 in Large Bamboo Wood Chinese Gongfu Tea Set Table Tray Box With Water Storage Drainage Tray for 6 Adults Tea Ceremory Party in Home Office Restaurant Reception Room https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZLHPW2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_51xODb09HVVH3

Is it acceptable to use this: http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Assam-17-Ounce-Tea-Press/dp/B00005LM0Y/ref=pd_sim_k2 My mum got it for me after I finally convinced her to switch to loose leaf since she's old and has nothing better to do. I work from home so forget your email reply, I am making myself some good tea.

Also, I use these bad boys: http://www.amazon.com/Kuchenprofi-Sand-Tea-Timers-Assorted/dp/B003LM4JJM/ Classy & practical.

First:

Dance bracelet

Maybe some bath products for relaxing/soaking her feet? Philosophy bubble bath, bath salts, arnica pain relief

Gift card for a pedi

​

Second:

Mug and some of her favorite teas

Tea mug

Mini tea packs

Book about tea

Tea infusing basket

China cup and saucer

​

Third:

Succulent garden

This planter and purchase a succulent for it

This planter

​

Boss:

GoT cutting board

GoT tumbler

Winco JB2932 Gooseneck Teapot, 32-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EO17DA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Gfjkub1DNB3X7

Its 8 bucks, it'll get the job done mate. You don't need nothing fancy from hario or kalita they're super overpriced the only thing is that they're cool looking but that's about it.

Your comment got removed by Reddit's filters because the URL can be traced back to an Amazon wishlist. You can avoid this by removing parts of the link after the Amazon item number which would look like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7AWNDA/

This is like what I have and is similar to that: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Dutch-Sapporo-Teapot-20-Ounce/dp/B008K185VM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511125774&sr=8-3&keywords=cast+teapot
This may be that one: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Floral-Cast-Teapot-34-Ounce/dp/B00BMJNWE4/ref=pd_sim_79_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VCJN08RPTQ096BC12ERA

This looks similar

It brews the tea then you press it above the mug and it drains and stains the tea. Great for loose leaf.

What you might be looking for is a gravity tea brewer. They are super convenient and quick as well as being really easy to use.

You boil water or heat it to the temperature for your tea, put the tea leaves in the gravity tea brewer, pour the hot water over the leaves, let it sit for the amount of time for the tea, and then set the gravity tea brewer on top of your mug and the tea comes out. Cleanup is as simple as dumping the leaves in the compost, a flowerbed, or trash, and rinsing out the brewer with water.

I don't know if you use amazon or not, but here are a few options:

https://www.amazon.com/Adagio-Teas-ingenuiTEA-Bottom-Dispensing-Teapot/dp/B000FPN8TK

https://www.amazon.com/Teavana-Black-Perfectea-Maker-16oz/dp/B004X7DIHI

https://www.amazon.com/GROSCHE-Aberdeen-Removable-BPA-Free-Food-safe/dp/B00KIW0T9C

Loose leaf tea can be purchased from one of the many sites in the sidebar or at a local store. I find loose tea at my local natural store in bulk so I can measure out my own.

I'm looking into getting some sort of pour-over (a barista friend is set on a Kalita, but I haven't really decided which I want). Anyways, I've seen people mention things like the Hario Range Server and I'm just wondering if it's really necessary to have when getting a pour-over? Is it difficult to only do one serving and that's the reason people buy them?

For what it's worth, the plastic handle versions of the V60 servers are a good bit cheaper than their fully glass counterparts. I thought they were too expensive, but then I saw these and picked one up right away. Link

If you have the Hario V60 Server, it's the same one I have. Remember that the coffee holds on to a certain amount of the water after brewing. I've actually brewed with as much as 750ml water (not recommended!) without overflowing the carafe.

I have an AeroPress for single cups and a V60 drip with a Hario glass range for multiple cups. A gooseneck kettle makes the drip easier, but it's not absolutely required if you already have a regular kettle. If you're careful enough you can make it work just fine. I have no experience with Chemex.

I use a v60 and that Zojirushi, but not together.

I could not get it to work well and mainly it wasn't stable and almost tipped over a couple times.

I pour into a server and then put it in the thermos.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P4931S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7KBUCb6WD8QPF

I picked up smaller type of that for easy Gong Fu brewing. Top brewing chamber is about 120ml. I really like it.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S602A18/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you're looking for the one in the Amazon photos, it's the Hario V60 Range Server: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-XGS-60TB-Range-Server-600Ml/dp/B000P4931S

Otherwise it's generally known as a carafe.

The one you linked was my second option but it was just ever-so-slightly smaller than I wanted. Here's the one I got https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KWDWSP. It is 8oz to the neck (10oz is completely filled with no room for the foam). It has no pattern and the handle is removable (which I like for cleaning). The tin coating is slightly imperfected but appears to be thick enough that I do not mind the small indentations. Overall I'm happy with it and it appears to heat evenly and has a wide enough base to cover enough of the small burner on my stove (I was worried about that with some of the smaller size cezve).

Sure!

I have a gaiwan with the same design.

> https://amzn.com/B00X97W2P2

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-XGS-60TB-Range-Server-600Ml/dp/B000P4931S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398347128&sr=8-3&keywords=hario+decanter

http://www.amazon.com/Winco-JB2932-Gooseneck-Teapot-32-Ounce/dp/B001EO17DA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464385871&sr=8-1&keywords=metal+teapot

Teavana PerfecTea Tea Maker, 16 Ounce, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPQ5WG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QpW2BbHN1D1C1

[I think i'll be going with this one since I get a bit more capacity] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V7NN1Y/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

https://www.amazon.com/Moyishi-Chinese-Porcelain-Gaiwan-Tradition/dp/B00X97W2P2/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491185189&sr=8-3&keywords=gaiwan+porcelain

Yeah....? Teavana (owned by starbucks) sold small and larges of this thing.

KAMJOVE Glass Gongfu Teapot Press Art Tea Cup Teapot with filter TP-140 300ml heat-resistant glass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S602A18

Here: Purple Clay Tea Pot Yi Xing Clay Gaiwan Tea Cup, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H98UGCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JBUyyb6QGWTWY

The kettle is the biggest thing - hot water dispensers will never be the right temperature. I use a basic one and a thermometer.
I have a really cheap tea pot for western style brewing (just some glass one I picked up somewhere) and one of these https://www.amazon.com/KAMJOVE-Gongfu-Teapot-filter-heat-resistant/dp/B00S602A18/ref=lp_8538722011_1_1?srs=8538722011&ie=UTF8&qid=1480970053&sr=8-1 for gongfu style (which is actually most of my tea drinking since I discovered it).

I'd avoid teabags and infusers (they don't give the leaves enough room) unless you can't avoid it.

I brew my 185 into a Hario Range server without any problem. Well, until last weak when the glass cracked. I think it lasted 2 years and I am going to replace with a Kalita just because I can now find them in Canada (finally).

The Hario is made of thin glass but I've poured hot coffee right onto ice with no issue many times through it. Also ran it through a dishwasher.

Only major risk is if you drop it I'd imagine.