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!

@PlatinumBrunette makes sense, thank you. So I guess the ideal is a strainer you just put on top of the mug as opposed to one where you can put tea inside?
I see what you mean re the cast iron one, didn’t think about that.
I too want to rediscover the joy of tea, only ever used teabags in a mug and infact I don’t like tea that much currently

And I still say you'll burn your fingers on the metal ones. Not the cast iron one though.

Stump teapots are the best. Integral strainer for loose leaf tea, great pour, don't drip.

I can see why you'd want a more traditional shape etc, but these really are an excellent teapot.

Alternatively, you can often get le creuset teapots in TK maxx which are very nice.

Yeah, just like granny used to have!

For me, it’s turned a cup of tea into a calming ritual. I only drink tea first thing in the morning so I may as well make it something special.

A friend of mine sells really fancy teas, so I’ve been experimenting.

Unfortunately, Royal Mail have ‘lost’ the latest batch. 😡

@PlatinumBrunette quite right!
and sorry for the lost tea, hope they find it soon!

We have a double walled stainless steel one, keeps the tea warm and no burnt hands, it is also nice and compact (sadly no longer made but others are available). We also have a traditional Denby one, but it dribbles and we rarely use it. .

Glass ones are pretty but I have manages to break two. For me it has to be ceramic. I never wash it! Just rinse with boiling water now and again.

My fav is the Bredemeijar Teapot Cosy. Had it 15 years, use it everyday. Doesn’t drip, pours wonderfully, keeps the tea hot for ages. Worth every penny.

Mind you I did buy mine when living in Rotterdam.

The best basic tea is half Assam, half earl grey. Don't forget to warm the pot first or the water is immediately reduced in temperature, which should be as near to boiling as possible. (Not warming the pot also risks cracking on icy cold winter days if your kitchen is chilly.) Use a strainer above each cup, and just rinse the pot after use - teapots aren't supposed to be washed with soap, a bit like cast iron frying pans.

I was told a Brown Betty teapot is the way to go. I have a Denby now, but usually just use my cup and a teabag.

I have opted for tiny Chinese purple clay teapots for black tea, and Japanese teapots for herbal tea. Loads of restaurants here use the Japanese cast iron pots. They’re beautiful, pour perfectly and are easy to handle.
Biggest drawback is you pay a fortune for a four cup one.
Here’s two of mine: that’s my biggest Japanese pot.

@learieonthewildmoor they look fab!

@Thebellofstclements thank you gor the tip. Sorry for the silly question but do I warm it up with boiling water? If so, doesn’t that also cause the cracking problem?

I would look on eBay and buy something lovely and vintage. Look for midwinter and J and G Meakin as a starting point . Beautiful designs and patterns and usually good pourers!

I always see quite a few teapots in charity shops - sometimes they look new, like unwanted gifts. Worth a look maybe.

At the other extreme...expensive but gorgeous teapots available from maryroseyoung.com but not sure how usable they are!

I have a Stump too, it's great. And I like the noise of the lid closing 😅

Definitely get one with a removable strainer - you’ll never have overbrewed tea.

I like a basic Brown Betty shape, which is supposed to be the best for brewing.
I have a huge ceramic yellow one for mornings and a smaller green one, both with tea cosies.
I only bother with a strainer if I have guests.
I also have a bright red enamel teapot for use in my van.

There are so many gorgeous teapots around. I'd stay away from department stores and look at smaller companies.

We have a Stellar Breakfast stainless steel teapot, no dribbling and fits about five mugs (not sure it's the same capacity as in the link) worth, and a ceramic one from M&S (Ditsy Floral) that I bought as part of my Ditsy Floral madness some 20 years ago. Both great teapots and no complaints, but we just chuck in teabags rather than loose leaf tea. I'd be inclined to get an ordinary teapot and buy a tea strainer to use with it, best of both worlds?

Why not see if there are any pottery classes locally where you can make your own? My mum and I did a 'make a teapot in a day' course a few years ago in Bristol and it was so much fun! We still have our surprisingly lovely tea pots.

I've had several London Pottery teapots, they're very good.

I love my six cup Brown Betty. Got it for a fiver in a charity shop. It's lush.

Sorry for my ignorance but is brown betty supposed to be a brand or just a type of tea pot?

We have a small glass one with a removable tea strainer. Have to clean the strainer & lid by hand but the teapot goes straight in the dishwasher & cleans perfectly. No dribbles & has lasted us years.

I buy my loose leaf tea from the Kent & Sussex tea company but had some lovely Hoogly tea at a fancy hotel recently so might give that a try next. Fancy an apple one.