Small Cheap yixing....

[joel]

Where do you guys suggest picking up a good quality, small, plain yixing? I've got some really nice beauties at home - but i'm looking for a setup to take to the office.

[sehrgut]

Pu-erh Shop has two $13 4oz models right now . . .

a (http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=636&zenid=5798dcdf22cf98d9330d83e8f501c4f5)
b (http://www.puerhshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=639&zenid=5798dcdf22cf98d9330d83e8f501c4f5)

[waitasecun]

Well, if you lived in florida, TEAVANA, a popular tea store around florida is selling the normal sized ones for under 20 bucks.......they are not going out of business but they are getting rid of old stock and have discounted them heavily.....

[jtoddaz]

Joel

It's probably hit or miss, but I picked one up at Ross for like $15. Good Luck.

[Scotto]

For single person use, no more than 120mL or so, please. This is especially true with pu'er. I am pretty sure most of the stuff on the web comes from the same factory in China, so don't believe the hype.

Most of the really cheap stuff (~$10 or so) I have found to be useless. If you come up with a good source, I would love to know it.

[Proinsias]

$20 - $30 at Yunann Sourcing (http://stores.ebay.com/Yunnan-Sourcing-LLC_Yixing-Tea-Pots-and-Wares_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ16QQftidZ2QQtZkm) should get you something functional and office suitable if not quite a work of art.

[R-James]

I'll keep an eye on this thread, I am after a 1st yixing and cheap is always good for the 1st one I think

[ouch]

My kid calls them "Daddy's tiny pots made from magic dirt".

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to get a decent pot "dirt" cheap, but that logic applies to a slice of pizza, a cup of coffee, or a host of other scenarios, all of which are met with limited success.

I would use the Olympic scoring method of dropping the low and the high. A pot should have a tight fit (can't tell by pics), thick, heat retaining walls (again, can't tell by pics), and a fast pour (still can't tell). So the answer is I can't tell ya.

[Hobbesoxon]

I'm with Scotto - anything over 12cl and you'll be getting some weak, cold tea :chinese:

(Below 7cl is too small, I think - you're just constantly messing around with the pot. 8-12cl is a nice compromise. I like 10-12cl because then you can back off and use more water if the tea is proving to be bitter.)

[joel]

Well my nice ones are in the three digits... I'm looking for anything in the 2 digits that's the right size and of good quality. I haven't bought one in years - so i'm not sure where the best sources for the plain jane stuff are.

[Suzuki]

I'm going to order one from YS the next time I place an order - all the ones I can get locally are either of doubtful quality or cost $50.

Here are the ones I'm thinking of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-150ml-Zi-Ni-Clay-Big-Mouth_W0QQitemZ350045673233QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-100ml-Brews-Pu-erh-tea-Low-Ride-Y_W0QQitemZ350016181179QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238QQtc ZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Round-Xi-Shi-Hei-Ni-Black-Clay-150ml-Yixing-teapot_W0QQitemZ350068409761QQihZ022QQcategoryZ123 8QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Any thoughts?

[Scotto]

I have been happy with the ones that I have bought from In Pursuit of Tea (www.inpursuitoftea.com). Don't even think about buying pu'er from them, but their oolongs and greens are very nice, if overpriced.

[Hobbesoxon]

I'm going to order one from YS the next time I place an order - all the ones I can get locally are either of doubtful quality or cost $50.

Here are the ones I'm thinking of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-150ml-Zi-Ni-Clay-Big-Mouth_W0QQitemZ350045673233QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-100ml-Brews-Pu-erh-tea-Low-Ride-Y_W0QQitemZ350016181179QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238QQtc ZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Round-Xi-Shi-Hei-Ni-Black-Clay-150ml-Yixing-teapot_W0QQitemZ350068409761QQihZ022QQcategoryZ123 8QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Any thoughts?

The second is orgasmic, the third is pretty. The first is hideous! (All just subjective, of course.)

They're all basic quality, of course, but that's what you're paying for - wisely done!


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

[Scotto]

I'm going to order one from YS the next time I place an order - all the ones I can get locally are either of doubtful quality or cost $50.

Here are the ones I'm thinking of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-150ml-Zi-Ni-Clay-Big-Mouth_W0QQitemZ350045673233QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yixing-teapot-100ml-Brews-Pu-erh-tea-Low-Ride-Y_W0QQitemZ350016181179QQihZ022QQcategoryZ1238QQtc ZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Round-Xi-Shi-Hei-Ni-Black-Clay-150ml-Yixing-teapot_W0QQitemZ350068409761QQihZ022QQcategoryZ123 8QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Any thoughts?

I actually own the middle one. I used it once and it has sat on my shelf ever since. I wouldn't bother. Lousy fit, lousy pour.

[Suzuki]

The second is orgasmic, the third is pretty. The first is hideous! (All just subjective, of course.)

They're all basic quality, of course, but that's what you're paying for - wisely done!


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

The only reason the first one is a contender is because the lid design ensures a reasonable fit.

I like the second one too, but after reading this...


I actually own the middle one. I used it once and it has sat on my shelf ever since. I wouldn't bother. Lousy fit, lousy pour.

I'll take a pass.

I'm looking for something inexpensive and serviceable - I'll go for appearances later.

[joel]

I got a cheapie from puerhshop. I'll be sure to report back on my findings.

[michaelskar]

...I am watching this thread with great interest

After receiving some generous Pu'erh samples (thanks again, Jay!), I quickly realized that I wasn't getting the most out of them in my larger teapot. I have temporarily put them aside until I choose a nice, inexpensive yixing.

[_JP_]

I discovered this shop's web site just yesterday, and purchased this 100ml yixing directly from the owner today while I was on break from manning a booth at a festival.



http://theteahouse.com/tpt-396-low.jpg (http://theteahouse.com/Yixing%20Teapot%20Details/TPT-396%20Details.htm)



The whole page of Yixing selections is here (http://theteahouse.com/Yixing%20Teapots.htm).

[expatCanuck]

I got a cheapie from puerhshop. I'll be sure to report back on my findings.And the answer is ... ??

[joel]

And the answer is ... ??

In transit. Things from China don't come this way quickly unless you opt for the $200+ shipping method.

[netsurfr]

Yunnan Sourcing, LLC., has a nice selection of reasonably priced teapots.

[gatto]

sorry to hijack the thread but why exactly are yixing pots so little? and do you pour already hot water into them with the tea?

[_JP_]

Not all yixings are little, some of them make multiple cups at a time. The small size is so that one can create an intense extraction for a single cup. And yes, you heat up the water in a kettle before pouring it into the yixing.

[expatCanuck]

Not all yixings are little, some of them make multiple cups at a time. The small size is so that one can create an intense extraction for a single cup. And yes, you heat up the water in a kettle before pouring it into the yixing.
And you heat up the yixing with boiled water (which you then discard into your drinking vessel(s)) before you add the tea to which you add still more boiled water. Quite simple, really.

[gatto]

Thanks for the help everybody!

I bought this pot and so far everything seems great. The top fits nicely, it pours evenly and the walls are thick (I think) the only thing I noticed is when I first got it and washed it out there was a little bit of loose clay on the inside, when I wiped it out with a wet paper towel it was picking up a little brown clay. I cleaned it a few times and it seemed to stop doing that. Is that normal? or only because the pot is cheap? or the third option, should this not be happening at all?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=380081672624

[bones59]

I first got it and washed it out there was a little bit of loose clay on the inside, when I wiped it out with a wet paper towel it was picking up a little brown clay. I cleaned it a few times and it seemed to stop doing that. Is that normal?

If it was clay, its probably normal. If its shoe polish, or worse, its probably because its cheap. With these pots its a good idea to place a towle in the bottom of a pot, put water, and your tea pot in it then boil it for a while. This opens the porous clay and cleans the funk out of it.

[gatto]

If it was clay, its probably normal. If its shoe polish, or worse, its probably because its cheap. With these pots its a good idea to place a towle in the bottom of a pot, put water, and your tea pot in it then boil it for a while. This opens the porous clay and cleans the funk out of it.

It was definitely just brown clay on the inside, nothing worse. Would I have to clean my pot out like that every time I made tea in it? or just the first time?

[bones59]

First time. Some people also season there pot with the tea thats going to be used. To do this you use dobble the amount of tea and let it set for awhile. Then repete. I don't think its needed. You should be good to go. Enjoy your pot. No pun intended:cool:

[joel]

Yunnan Sourcing, LLC., has a nice selection of reasonably priced teapots.

I bought a few from him - and several other sources, and the cheap yixings are just that, cheap. They're not all that impressive, and the more expensive ones are well worth the extra cost.... unfortunately.

[Tanksfurnutin]

I discovered this shop's web site just yesterday, and purchased this 100ml yixing directly from the owner today while I was on break from manning a booth at a festival.



http://theteahouse.com/tpt-396-low.jpg (http://theteahouse.com/Yixing%20Teapot%20Details/TPT-396%20Details.htm)



The whole page of Yixing selections is here (http://theteahouse.com/Yixing%20Teapots.htm).



JP
I am in search of a yixing pot and was wondering how the pot you bought from this website was.

Thanks,

[expatCanuck]

I bought a few from him - and several other sources, and the cheap yixings are just that, cheap. They're not all that impressive, and the more expensive ones are well worth the extra cost.... unfortunately.Joel - any vendors you'd recommend (and how expensive is expensive)?

[_JP_]

JP
I am in search of a yixing pot and was wondering how the pot you bought from this website was.

Thanks,

I actually directly from the proprieter at a local festival, he had it there along with other yixings. It is but one of many yixings that he carries, both cheaper and mostly more expensive.

The pot is OK. It is 120 ml in capacity, so it gives 100ml when I make tea with it. The spout has a single hole, there isn't a multiple hole strainer to it. The lid is not a perfect fit, there's is the slightest wobble to it. There was a bit of white sand in the bottom which rinsed out well enough, with the help of a towel between rinsings.

I haven't been able to fully evaluate it because I'm waiting for my first order of puerh samples to arrive. In the meantime, I'm brewing some Rishi Puerh Tou Cha, which comes in those small "tablets." It isn't whole leaf so it is easy for it to get into the spout and plug it, which slows down the pour along with causing the tea to come out of the lid if I'm not careful. I expect that the pour will correct itself when I start using whole leaf tea in it.

[_JP_]

After brewing several varieties of sheng in the yixing pictured above I can say that the pour has greatly improved, no dribbling and good control. Still, I have to be careful not to fill it to the top because water will come out from under the lid when I pour

[inspectoring]

I would strongly recommend rishi - dunani - it is one of the high quality pots for a very reasonable price.

[Tanksfurnutin]

I am still in search of my first Yixing pot and really don't want to spend a lot of money.

Has anyone ordered from Rishi Tea. They seem to have some nice looking Yixing pots at a reasonable price.

[expatCanuck]

I am still in search of my first Yixing pot and really don't want to spend a lot of money.

Has anyone ordered from Rishi Tea. They seem to have some nice looking Yixing pots at a reasonable price.They all seem a bit large.
Except this one (http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/yixing-classic-tripod-duanni.html), which is out of stock.

You may also wish to check out enjoyingtea.com.
I've ordered from them with happy results.

But I'm really looking forward to this guy (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=887861&postcount=1)'s arrival:

- Richard

[inspectoring]

I am still in search of my first Yixing pot and really don't want to spend a lot of money.

Has anyone ordered from Rishi Tea. They seem to have some nice looking Yixing pots at a reasonable price.
If you have any questions please go to teachat.com

The teapots are discussed to death and overall impression is that they have the best quality pots at the most reasonable price.

Their pictures are big but make sure you pay attention to the capacity - they are quite small.