Help me choose a teapot (I'm a teapot beginner)!

[DYIDIY]

Following from the previous thread, I decided to treat myself to one. Will start off with a smallish one for me and DH and might get a bigger one for guests further down the line.
Can you help me pick the best ones based on material/shape etc, I have never used one before (just occasionally in cafes but never paid attention to them) and I am now discovering a whole world. Planning to mainly use them for loose tea.

Cast iron Japanese style like this one. Love the exotic look:
https://www.johnlewis.com/la-cafetiere-cast-iron-3-cup-teapot-600ml-black/p111538293?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwPD2jYPDiQMVUA17Bx2hWSVEEAQYASABEgL93vD_BwE

Classic ceramic like this one:
https://www.johnlewis.com/london-pottery-farmhouse-stoneware-filter-2-cup-teapot-600ml/navy/p4851266?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2qyy1IPDiQMVp4hQBh2WVSbbEAQYBSABEgJVGvD_BwE

Like the look of this one and the fact I can see inside:
https://www.debenhams.com/product/premier-housewares-infuser-500ml-stainless-steel-and-glass-teapot_p-4eaf58eb-2435-4e93-8415-ce8c43e3b040?colour=Silver&size=One+Size&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=qtrxqqmxp&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_bn74YPDiQMVuKNQBh1D5QfFEAQYBSABEgJmaPD_BwE

Also like this simple type of stainless steel ones although I prefer them when they are a bit "old" as opposed to new and shiny, iykwim:
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-classic-stainless-steel-teapot-700ml/p3755589?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3bTe84PDiQMVsKVQBh3VbzgIEAQYAiABEgKVZPD_BwE

I also really like Japanese ceramics, this one is quite ££ but very pretty:
https://www.myjapanesehome.com/products/tea-pot-haru?currency=GBP&variant=39700104183942&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=b6499061943e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-a3IooTDiQMVPJNQBh3CDjx-EAQYCSABEgLayvD_BwE

I haven't looked at bigger sizes yet but for the future when I have guests, would like to get something classic like Le Creuset or Emma Bridgewater etc. Just don't feel ready for a bigger and more costly one yet!

I personally would buy the John Lewis ceramic one as you can just shove it in your dishwasher to clean it properly. It's really hard to clean the insides otherwise.

@Kpo58 the blue one you mean? my understanding was that they are not supposed to ever be fully cleaned, just rinsed, am I wrong?

I suppose it depends if you want an ancient layer of tea stains to build up on the inside of it, like you often see with communal office mugs.

Borosilicate glass teapot with optional strainer if you want to use loose leaf tea. Got mine off Amz
No probs with dishwasher or staining.

I’d go ceramic for everyday use. Cast iron is really heavy, glass ones are easy to break (I’ve broken three over time!), stainless steel gets hot to touch (& conduction means the tea cools down faster) if you’re new to tea pots I’d go with something classic first/check it works for you, then upgrade to a nicer Japanese pot further down the line

(Oh but agree with pp that it’s worth looking at something with an integral strainer for loose tea. No going back once you’ve moved onto loose tea!)

You may need to look for a tea cosy as well

@BrightLightTonight yes, that will be my next purchase. What is better, a knitted one or one of those that fully cover the teapot?

The London Pottery one is good. I have the six cup version (with tea cosy knitted by a friend). It pours well (no dribbling) and keeps the tea hot. Glass and metal cool down too quickly, in my opinion.

I really want a chocolate one. I wonder if they are sold somewhere.

@WildWildWestCoast thank you. I thought the metal ones would stay hot longer. Do you have issues with the teapot lid? I have read in a couple of reviews that people had some issues with it

This one.
A local tea room uses them so I asked for one as a prezzie one year. It never, ever drips.

www.amazon.co.uk/Forlife-Stump-Teapot-400ml-Turquoise/dp/B00K2W3XT6/ref=asc_df_B00K2W3XT6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697211103991&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12850437746728693277&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007446&hvtargid=pla-721532493554&mcid=ec0ae198172b3aa0a64c29f2ac747ff4&th=1&gad_source=1

@SabbatWheel thank you, I think I have seen these ones in a cafè near me. They are very cute but I am more into something more “classic” and slightly retro or japanese looking I think

Bump for more tips

I have many teapots but the best pourer non dribble is a Wedgwood windsor. I don’t know if they still make them but everyone who has come across it says how well it pours and no dribble.

We had cast iron but didn’t like them much. Prefer my forlife

My favourite is a Denby teapot, especially the rounded Heritage style. They are well made and sturdy. I see you get 20% off your first order if you sign up for their emails.

@AdaColeman yes pretty and classic, I wish they had them in more colors!

@EasterIssland the japanese type ones you mean? What was it that you didn’t find good? I love the look of them but obv also want something practical

Nothing makes me smile as much as this every morning and evening as this teapot my Mr Happy

Can I also say it’s a good thing to support our local potters

https://www.lizriley.co.uk/product-category/mugs-and-cups/

absolutely love Liz Riley based near Clevedon in Somerset. She’s absolutely super!! Beautiful stuff and get something done for you personally

Not as easy to clean and heavy. They felt quite difficult to handle comparing to the others

It’s easier to pour if the handle is on the side of the teapot.

A round, squat shape is supposed to make a better brew by allowing the leaves to move around more. So, it defeats the object if you have an in-pot strainer. A good excuse to buy a good old-fashioned tea strainer.

Japanese cast iron teapots are made to sit on a wee heater, which is why they’re made of metal and have the handle on top. The handle is often detachable and so moves when you pour. That’s fun!

Signed, someone who has rediscovered the joys of real tea, has about 10 teapots, and none of them are ‘quite right’!

If I want to clean my teapots, cuz I don't have a dishwasher, I use hot water and denture tablets.