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!

A Brown Betty is that classic squat round brown glazed teapot that every grandmother in the country seemed to have at one time or another! I grew up with one and had to get my own at the earliest opportunity, and it has an immensely ugly teacosy to keep it warm. You can probably pick one up really cheap - they're very common. They also don't show up the inner tea patina so if you are, as I am, a slattern, it's not nearly so obvious.

I have a Denby teapot which I love and had for years! Can't find a link at the moment unfortunately.
Always worth raiding eBay - look like there are some decent ones on there at reasonable prices.
Main thing to look for is that they are good pourers - so definitely check reviews!
My brother has a metal one which has a lift out tea leaf holder bit ie you don't need a separate strainer.....

The disadvantage of ones without a removable strainer is that the tealeaves then get stuck in the pot and extracting them is so annoying that it negates most of the joy of loose leaf tea.

If you have the time (and inclination!) go and have a mooch round the charity shops. You might find a Brown Betty or something else interesting :)

I know what you mean! I love all the different colours they do.

https://www.brewteacompany.co.uk/collections/800ml-tea-pots/products/tea-pot-for-two-earl-grey-purple-800ml

Not especially attractive, but make a lovely cup of tea.

I would go for the stainless steel one, personally. It is much easier to pour than others. The London one is nice, but I find it heavy. Have you looked in charity shops? There are often teapots there and much cheaper. Ebay is similar. As for cleaning, if you don't want/aren't able to put it in the dishwasher, Milton (or cheaper equivalent) liquid or tablets or denture tablets are the best for getting rid of the stains.

I have a Brown Betty, it's a classic/traditional design in shiny brown ceramic , looks nice and pours well.
But what I really want is a 'down spout' teapot like you can see in many Chinese restaurants in Chinatown but they're impossible to find sold as retail. Even in the Chinese shops on Wardour St.
I even offered to buy one once from a Dim Sum restaurant we were in but they just laughed.
They are just plain white ceramic but they pour really well.

Also, you might enjoy teabags better if you use a teapot. One bag for 1-2 people and two bags for 3-4. It tastes better because it is able to brew and infuse properly and it is cheaper, too.

Downspout teapot

The London Pottery co one is lovely and this classic style pours well. I have a similar small one and a very big red one for visitors or when we just want to drink lots of tea. I rinse mine out after use and it goes in the dishwasher once a week.

Downspout teapot

I've got an Alison Appleton Fritz in yellow which is great for 1-2 cups. Also a beautiful MissPrint one which doesn't have a removable filter but we only use it when guests come so I don't leave the tea stewing in it.

Both are a joy to use because they're so beautiful.

No. No!No! Loose leaf tea all the way! Warm the pot and allow the leaves to properly brew. That can’t happen with bags and they are mainly made up of the tiny sawdust bits. Once you try proper tea you will never go back!

OP, I have this one too in red, it's really good. I use a solo cup one for mugs and I make more with the pot.
Tea leaves are so much tastier than teabags.

An old fashioned Brown Betty teapot makes the best tea. Then a granny style knitted tea cosy you can often get them on eBay.

I love my ForLife Curve teapot - same manufacturer as the Stump but more traditional looking. It pours beautifully, never drips, has an infuser of you want to use tea leaves (I do), the lid stays on really well and they do lots of beautiful colours.

It says for three cups, but we have two large-ish mugs, so it's two and a half for us.

https://teapeople.co.uk/products/700ml-forlife-curve-teapot-for-3-cups

I have one with rubber "feet" so you don't need a placemat to protect a wooden table.
Very handy.
I can't remember where I bought it.

Integrated strainers are the way for me too.

Surely there is no beating this tea pot?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4070610

@Trixiefirecracker any brands to recommend for tea (and teapots)?

I get all my tea and coffee from H.R. Higgins coffee man. They have really close relationships with the growers and the quality is amazing.

👀

My favourite tea pot:

https://www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-double-walled-teapot-12l

Have your first cup of tea and the 2nd is still hot when the time comes.

For every day tea drinking, we use M&S own brand loose tea. Very reasonably priced and can brew a nice strong cuppa without it becoming bitter and astringent

I prefer loose tea myself and treat myself to some every so often. However, everyday life is busy and teabags are more convenient. We always buy fairly expensive, very good quality, teabags. I agree that cheaper bags taste like the rejected leaves swept from the floor.