Many connoisseurs of tea attends the desire to purchase a cast-iron brewing kettle. With its help, a popular drink is served in Asian institutions, in which this item is not a wonder, but a classic. Cast iron models attract an unusual shape and appearance. Consider in more detail the features of the dishes from solid and at the same time fragile alloy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each subject in everyday life has positive and negative sides. As advantages, experts and regular users have allocated the following:
- Teapots have excellent high heat capacity; The drink retains the temperature for a long time;
- Thanks to the peculiarities of the material, the product can be put on both electrical and gas burners; It is worth noting that this characteristic is not all models;
- An attractive appearance will noticeably highlight the dishes from the cast iron against the background of more standard options; Many copies are decorated with bulk elements and thematic patterns;
- The quality product will serve as one dozen years, retaining practical and aesthetic qualities;
- Despite the fragility of the material, the cast iron is more reliable than glass, ceramics and porcelain.
Denoteby, it is worth paying attention to the negative sides.
- The tendency of the cast-iron alloy to the formation of rust due to the presence in the composition of the iron. To cope with this problem, manufacturers cover kettles protective enamel.
- The second drawback is the weight. Even small specimens weigh no less than 2 kilograms, which is why it is inconvenient to handle it, especially beginners.
How to choose?
To make the right choice, you should evaluate the goods for a number of criteria. The following information will help you buy a suitable teapot among the rich assortment.
Important! In some cases, under the guise of the cast iron, a model of cast aluminum can be offered. It is possible to determine the fake by weight. Cast iron alloy teapots have a tangible weight.
Enamel
So that the kettle retains the appearance and operational characteristics, inside and outside the product must be covered with special enamel. Most often used compositions on a glass basis. Cast iron is a porous material, so enamel is needed not only to protect against corrosion, but also to prevent clogging. Otherwise, an unpleasant smell will be gathered inside the kettle. The enamel layer should cover the kettle completely for reliable protection of cast iron from rust. Even with insignificant contact with moisture without a coating, an unpleasant taste may appear, which is unacceptable.
The coating enamel of the kettle from the inside is a mandatory characteristic. However, experts recommend choosing specimens not only with internal, but also with an external coating. For protection, paints and varnishes are used, resistant to high temperatures and mechanical damage.
If possible, inspect the product for the integrity of the enamelled layer. Inside and outside there should be no cracks, chips and other defects.
Volume
Welding models characterize compact dimensions. It is worth noting that in eastern countries, the concentrated welding is not diluted with hot water. In this regard, it is necessary to choose the volume of dishes, given the number of guests at the table or family members. Two persons choose an 800 milliliter kettle. If you intend to arrange a tea ceremony for two persons, a model with a volume from 1 to 1.2 liters is perfect. The most compact products are calculated on 200 ml of beverage.
The form
In a wide range you will find various forms of cast iron products. Some original models surprise special decorativeness. The choice of buyers is presented as high options that resemble coffee pots and dropped teapots. When choosing an appearance, the product is guided by personal taste preferences, but there are the following selection criteria:
- Figure bends and volumetric elements are beautiful, but make it difficult to wash;
- In order for the tea to maintain heat as long as possible, take the rounded kettle;
- It is recommended to choose symmetric models;
- For daily use, you advise you to choose simpler options, and for special ceremonies and receptions of guests to choose a model of an unusual shape decorated with decorative elements.
Nose
Nose forms can be diverse. Evaluating a rich choice, you will find straight, long, compact, curved, standard and especially curly options. The best are products in which the holes of the neck and the nose are on the same level. If this parameter is disturbed, straits are possible when used.
Important! You can find products equipped with a small picker at the base of the nose, which will prevent the caulocks in the cup of drink. However, pig-iron models are equipped with them very rarely.
The use of pig-iron dishes for welding tea implies the use of a dying separately.
Lid
So that the kettle is convenient to use, the cover must be reliably held on the spot. Remember about the high weight of cast iron products. The weight of the lid may even have more than 0.5 kilograms. Find out if there is a special hole in the lid calculated to exit steam. It must be carefully processed by protective enamel in order to avoid rust formation. Pay attention to the presence of a handle on the lid of sufficient size, which simplifies the use of the kettle. It is possible to take over the lid through the tap, as the cast iron is heated quickly.
A pen
Given the large weight of even small models of teapots, the handle should be durable and securely fixed. Even when dropping from a small height, the kettle will break. Most of the products are decorated with top-type knobs located on the housing. In the manufacture of compact products, designed for one cup of tea, manufacturers use cast handles. The most common forms are a rectangle or arc. Carbon steel is used as material. To protect against burns, it is covered with wood.
Experts advise choosing models with a fixed handle that retains the position when releasing.
Manufacturers and models
Growing interest in teapots from the above alloy led to the emergence of a variety of models from different companies that attracted the attention of buyers.
- Lefard. Evaluating the range of Chinese trademark, you can find the scarlet teapot. Volume - 600 milliliters. The product is decorated with bulk images of bamboo, covered with gold paint. Shining decor perfectly harmonizes red. Manufacturers thought out not only the appearance of the product, but also practicality. The kettle is covered with a durable enamel layer in order to avoid rust formation. In the kit there is a small stainless steel strain.
- MAYER BOCH. The next instance, made in green, will attract the attention of an unusual design. The kettle is covered with a special heat-resistant varnish both inside and outside. It is impossible to use it on an open fire (gas burner). Due to the practical holder on the cover, use the kettle easily and conveniently.
- Berghoff. Connoisseurs of classical coloring should pay attention to the custard kettle from this manufacturer. The company offers customers a model of a rounded form in black. For the manufacture of handle, the manufacturer chose high carbon steel. Due to the volume of 1.4 liters of one kettle, it is enough for a company of 4-6 persons.
- Elff Decor. Chinese trademark manufactured a stylish teapot of a flat shape. The volume of the model is 0.8 liters. Tea is enough for 2-3 people. Due to the original coloring technology, an amazing effect of vintage is created. The product is made in red with black bulk hieroglyphs.
Reviews
Cast iron teapots speak many sites dedicated to the topics of tea drinking or dishes. Most buyers respond about products positively. The main advantages note the original design, durability and feature to maintain a hot drink temperature. Negative responses are also available. They designated a lot of teapot weight and a high price, compared with glass, ceramics and other materials.
About how to choose the kettle correctly, look next.