There are many Tea pot enthusiasts, but not all of them know how to protect their purple clay Teapots. The care and maintenance of a purple clay Teapot is especially important, as it serves not only as a collectible item but also has practical uses. Therefore, it's essential to take good care of your purple clay teapot.
1. Fear of Dropping
Purple clay teapots are particularly afraid of being dropped. For Ceramic products, once broken, they cannot be restored to their original state— even if repaired using techniques such as copper stitching or kintsugi, the result will still bear a mark of imperfection. So, how can you prevent dropping?
When pouring tea, place another finger on the lid or cover of the teapot, and avoid making large movements. Keep the teapot in your hand during the process of pouring tea, as many instances of losing the lid happen during this time. Avoid imitating the small tricks that teapot sellers use, like the lid not falling off or balancing the lid on the spout, as these are deceptive gimmicks. Don't accidentally ruin your treasured teapot, as it would be a great loss.
Place the teapot in high places or in cabinets where children can't reach it, and don't let clumsy individuals touch the teapot.
2. Fear of Oil
Those who enjoy playing with purple clay teapots know that after long-term use, the surface develops a subtle and restrained luster, commonly referred to as “patina.” However, it's important to understand that the “patina” of a purple clay teapot is very different from what we typically think of as “oily.”
The strong adsorption properties of purple clay teapots also make them very afraid of grease and smoke, so it's not advisable to coat the surface with various oils to make the teapot appear more glossy—the glossiness of a purple clay teapot comes from proper maintenance rather than smearing oil on it.
If a purple clay teapot comes into contact with oil, it may develop an unnatural shine and become prone to uneven discoloration. Neither the inside nor the outside of the teapot should come into contact with oil. Always wash your hands before handling the teapot to ensure that the tea remains free from unwanted odors and that the teapot is well-maintained. During tea-drinking sessions, gently stroking and handling the teapot with clean hands is essential.
One more thing: for most households, the area with the most oil and smoke is the kitchen; thus, a crucial point to remember is to keep the purple clay teapot away from the kitchen to ensure it remains well-nourished.
3. Fear of Odors
As mentioned earlier, purple clay teapots have strong adsorption properties; besides easily absorbing oil, they are also very susceptible to absorbing odors. While strong adsorption is beneficial for brewing tea and maintaining the teapot, it is essential to avoid any unpleasant or foreign odors. Therefore, purple clay teapots should be kept away from areas with many odors, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
4. Fear of Detergents
We strongly advise against using chemical detergents to clean your teapot. Never use dish soap or chemical cleaning agents to scrub a purple clay teapot, as this will remove the absorbed tea flavor and may damage the exterior's luster. If cleaning is necessary, we recommend using edible baking soda.
5. Fear of Polishing Cloths or Steel Wool Pads
If there are stains on your purple clay teapot, do not clean it with polishing cloths or steel wool pads containing diamond grit, as these materials can quickly damage the surface and leave scratches that affect its appearance. The best tools for cleaning are coarse cotton cloths and nylon brushes, but even when using these, avoid using excessive force. Some flower-shaped teapots have complex designs, making it difficult to clean the patterns; in such cases, a wavy toothbrush can be used for cleaning.
6. Fear of Large Temperature Changes
When brewing tea, water temperatures generally range between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius; moreover, the firing temperature of a purple clay teapot is typically between 1050 and 1200 degrees Celsius. Thus, under normal circumstances, purple clay teapots have excellent heat resistance.
However, it is important to note that if there are sudden changes in temperature (sudden cooling or heating), some purple clay teapots may crack (especially those with thin walls). Therefore, when not in use, purple clay teapots should not be stored in the refrigerator or sterilized in a microwave oven; simply store them at room temperature.
7. Fear of Sunlight
While purple clay teapots are usually subjected to significant temperature fluctuations during use, their porous structure typically ensures no adverse effects. However, it's important to avoid exposing the teapot to direct sunlight, as this could affect the luster of the teapot's surface.
After cleaning, there is no need to dry the teapot in the sun or use a dryer; simply place it in a cool environment to air-dry naturally.
If there are any copyright issues, please contact us to remove the content.