Many writings in Japan mention that, before using a new iron kettle, one should first place a small number of tea leaves wrapped in cloth in the kettle and boil it for approximately ten minutes. The tannins in the tea and the iron content dissolved from the teapot help to form a tannic iron membrane on the sides of the kettle, which can prevent the formation of rust within the kettle. New kettles should be used daily to allow rapid accumulation of sediment; however, after use one must take care to ensure that the kettle is completely dry after use.
Red rust spots generally begin to appear on the interior of the teapot after approximately five days. After approximately ten days, white sediment appears. Each pot is different, however, and the formation of sedimentation varies. After many years of use, the entire interior of some kettles turns red. This is not considered a problem as long as the boiled water remains clear, so if you find such a pot please do not remove it or believe that if there is rust it must be wiped away or washed clean.
During normal use, no water should be left in the pot after using it to brew tea. After heating water and brewing tea, the hot water should be poured out and the interior of the pot should be kept dry. After the tetsubin is entirely cooled, its lid should be left off. If the pot is immediately covered, the steam remaining within will form as water on the interior surface as the temperature falls and promote formation of rust. The lid can be wiped clean with a cloth. In general, if a tetsubin is used daily, the lid can be placed back on the pot after leaving it sit overnight. If the tetsubin is not regularly used, it should be set aside for approximately three days before placing it back in the storage box. In addition, do not wipe the inside with a cloth or brush and do not wash it with soap or detergent.
If using an old tetsubin, the interior may at first contain rust or rust spots. It should be treated as described above: that is, first boil tea leaves in the pot.
Next, boil plain water in the pot several times until the water heated in the teapot is clear, at which point the pot is ready to be used.
1. When first using this cast iron teapots, you need to put 5-10 grams tea on the screen strainer , pour some water in the pot and boil the water for about 10 minutes. Tannin contained in the tea and the iron element dissolved will form a layer of iron tannate on the inner wall of the pot, which makes it harder to get rusty and get rid of the odd smell at the same time. When water is boiled, you can throw away the water and repeat this procedure for about 2-3 times till the water is clear. Better use a new pot everyday so as to let the stain form as early as possible.
2. Cast iron teapots is better used on firewood, also, the commonly used electro-thermal furnace, electromagnetic oven or gas stove are all Ok.
3. When using these cast iron teapots, fill in it with 80% water in case of overflow in boiling. After five days’ use, the inner wall may have some scarlet dots, and ten days after, white stain comes into being. These phenomenons are very common and the water is drinkable unless it is muddy.
4. When you have used the cast iron teapot, do remember to fully evaporate the water on the shimmer and wipe it clean with soft cloth. Because when the pot is dry, there will be no rust at all and the pot can keep a long service life.
