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 love my Le Creuset teapot - there’s something much more relaxing and calming about freshly brewed tea from a pot!

www.lecreuset.co.uk/en_GB/p/stoneware-grand-teapot/SW0703.html

@Pinkbendyman beautiful, I quite like the black version too. Reviews are a bit mixed though, funny how for some it’s bad and some seem to love it

If you are interested, Vinted have some vintage Marks and Spencer Harvest and Autumn Leaves teapots from £2 upwards + p&p. I use a Harvest teapot every day and it makes the best cup of tea out of any teapot l have come across.

I've got this one by London Pottery, I love it, has a nice vintage look but is modern and functional, with integral tea basket strainer thing. It's the four cup version, they do a two cup one also
https://www.potterscookshop.co.uk/products/london-pottery-hi-t-filter-4-cup-teapot-peppermint?currency

And do buy good quality loose tea also, the difference is massive. Buy from a tea seller, not a supermarket, supermarket loose tea is very poor.

www.english-teapots.com/england/teapot_brown_betty.htm

https://cauldonceramics.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor9L_YtKtTtKsSMi9y_Z5udZ4UgQ3V0DVXPZQcdguYN5O0u0fAi

Brown Betty info!☕

I have the big Le Creuset teapot as well and love it, though it's pretty heavy when full. With a teacosy on top it stays warm for ages. Wouldn't dream of making tea in a cup, but I do drink it by the gallon!

Hi Turaco
(Sorry OP may I briefly interrupt?)

Where do you get your loose leaf tea?
I did buy clipper loose leaf organic online but it seems to be less tasty than it used to be. Then I bought some from a specialist tea company in Wales and it feels a bit too expensive for me. I'd love any other suggestions. I don't mind paying more but I need to be a bit careful as I drink so much tea!

Whittards has a big selection.
i have very fond memories of Atkinsons of Lancaster, an old fashioned tea and coffee merchant which had many wonderful tea varieties in big and beautiful containers.

I like the Japanese one or the ceramic.

if you like Le Creuset teapots they sometimes have them in TK Maxx at a good price, that’s where I bought mine.

Another place that seems absurd but isn't as expensive as you think it's going to be is Fortnums. The tins are expensive (but lovely gifts) but the cartons are 200g for £12

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/royal-blend-tea-200g-carton

Which is actually a lot less than Whittards.

My late uncle, a beekeeper, used to sell his Epping Forest honey at Fortnums!
😍I see they still sell honey from small producers.

Not cleaning is a bit weird - especially if you intend to use different types of tea; also if your water is hard, they get gunky if you don't change the water filter soon enough.

Largely to keep it clean, I prefer teapots with short spouts - inspired by the stump teapot that someone linked to above, although I've always thought they're expensive & not had a real one, but similar shapes.
I also like white china teapots, again, so I can see it's clean, and I prefer ones that are slightly larger than you need - when you tip it forward, less likely to dribble from the lid; for two mugs - typically 500ml of tea, I prefer a teapot with a capacity of 600-700ml.
Current favourites are one from George at Asda (cheap £6 emergency purchase when I rented a cottage with no teapot provided), White Teapot | Home | George at ASDA
And one that turned out to be mainly for the catering market from TK Maxx - super easy to clean.

A good tea cosy is a must - nothing nicer that going to pour it and the handle has warmed up a teensy bit too hot to hold - cotton with a foam lining my favourite.

If you're in London, Twinings have a beautiful tea shop for loose tea on The Strand - they have the supermarket tea bags at the front, but it's a very long thin shop that goes back forever, it's a real emporium with an amazing selection once you get inside, amazing to visit.
I presume they do mail order too.

Not fancy but DH has two - both picked from charity shops - both brand new. The pour is superb. Never so much as a dribble, and totally dishwasherable. For loose leaf tea though.

They are called Forlife.

Just seen this - they're the ones!

I buy from Tea Direct on Amazon

I like my teapots with a fitted cosy. They stay warmer for longer and I like the neatness of not having a baggy cosy.

I have 2 plain designs... But this is what the fitted cosy looks like...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365188190919?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=tzQyZQbDQxG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=3LYANQWERGa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I have one of these in all green, not the one in this link, that I bought for £5 from Facebook marketplace! I love it a lot

The cafe local to me has metal teapots and they are the pits. When pouring, they leak out tea from the base of the spout so that the tray gets all damp.

I have so many teapots! I am still sad that they don't make Chatsford teapots any more but I have a big yellow one which is very cheery but a bit big for one.
My everyday one is a spherical stainless steel one that I got from Northern Tea Merchants. They sell loads of pots as well as the proper tea to go in them. But I agree that the steel ones need to have a cork mat to sit on and a good tea cosy. And a removable filter is essential.

We have this one and use loose tea from Brew Tea: www.tealyra.co.uk/teaware/teapots/daze-ceramic-teapot-47oz/?combination=964_3481&currency=GBP&r=no&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-bZVtVTbQ8tfsHrQTKA8cuWq8U0

The clear one us good as it appears to have a filter for leaves.
I have a thermal one with a filter so my tea stays warm all evening.

Thermal😍; LOVE this thread.

You are my people 🙌

www.devolkitchens.co.uk/shop/homeware/amber-glaze-teapot?srsltid=AfmBOoomLFa4qeJanePWVVwrDq32-FtcXrQQRtUh8hMXT7rbw2OJ7afU