Glass Teapots

[lperry]

Does anyone have a glass teapot that has proven durable?

[lperry]

On the heels of the teapot query, it appears I have nearly worn through the base of my ancient, enameled-steel tea kettle.  Electric kettles boil water in a flash in Europe.  Is one worth considering here where the voltage is 110?

[DonRocks]

For whatever it's worth, I tried saving money years ago by buying an inexpensive, generic teakettle that *looked* like a Creuset (via Amazon), but was in reality a piece of junk. The handle got so hot that you couldn't pick it up without a mitt, the bright red coating on the metal is cheap, and it doesn't whistle (I thought it would).

If I had it to do again (and in fact, I *do* have it to do again), I would spend the extra money and get a quality product. You don't want the product itself chemically bonding with your boiling water, and I fear that may be the case here.

[lperry]

Mine is (was) a Creuset, and the battle seems to have been lost via a few chips in the enamel, probably from being set back on the cast grate.  I was looking at a BPA-free electric kettle, thinking that, with my gas stove, there would be less heat generated in the summer when I make iced tea almost daily, and it may be faster as well.  If it takes just as long, I probably don't want something else on my counter top.

If you want a Creuset or something like it, you may want to consider stopping in at a HomeGoods store.  They almost always have them, and they are discounted enough that you'd probably be able to get it for what your cheap one cost.

[weezy]

If it's for ice tea, maybe just use the cold water method instead.  I use two family-size tea bags to a gallon of water, takes about 35-45 minutes to steep.

[thistle]

Yes, I use a really old, ratchet (I used the word) tiny pot to boil water for my tea, although I own an electric kettle.

[lperry]

If it's for ice tea, maybe just use the cold water method instead.  I use two family-size tea bags to a gallon of water, takes about 35-45 minutes to steep.

I haven't tried it, mostly because I make different sorts of teas, and the usual is green tea mixed with various berry and citrus teas.  I use PG Tips for Mr. lperry's tea, and put in cubes of Meyer lemon juice form the freezer.  I could probably get by with doing that one with cold water.  Thanks for the idea.

[Anna Phor]

I own two electric kettles--one for home and one I keep at my desk to make coffee with. Recommend. I haven't noticed any speed differences in the US (although true confessions, I've been here 16 years, so it's possible I'm just acculturated.) I can't run my kettle and my toaster oven at the same time, however.

[johnb]

To respond to your original question about the durability of glass teapots, I don't know of any from personal experience that last, and have never heard of one.

FWIW, I had a similar issue related to glass french press coffee pots.  I gave up on glass and found a stainless thermal one on Amazon that works pretty well.  At least it isn't likely to shatter, or even chip.

[lperry]

^ I've had an inexpensive, Bonjour brand French press for nearly 20 years.  I can't even believe that, but I remember when I got it and just did the math.  The teapots I've seen are made of glass that seems much more fragile, and I also doubt it's borosilicate.  The reason I want one is that my students and colleagues in China found out that I enjoy tea, so I have been gifted all sorts of interesting things that move and unfurl in the water, and watching the leaves dance is part of the teamaking process.  I found a little one at Super H the other day for a mere $6 and picked it up.  If I break it, I won't be too upset about it.