Cast iron teapots and kettles are some of the oldest types of kettles in existence. The material makes them a popular choice both with manufacturers and tea-lovers as it is non-toxic, able to retain heat well and can be moulded into any number of different shapes.
ITEM Amsterdam will introduce the Belly liquor cabinet during Milan Design Week 2024. Visitors can drop by the Palazzo Giureconsulti exhibition from the 16th to the 21st of April. Additionally, Studio Roderick Vos will also present the Dakota sofa designed for Molinari and an updated Isola table for Linteloo. Photography © Kilian Vos.
“I have always been fascinated by the process of vacuum forming and making molds. My design approach to the Liquor Cabinet may seem improvised, but it certainly wasn’t easy to achieve a perfect balance between technology, material, and aesthetics. When heating this sheet material, you can shape it into almost any organic form. That was exactly my starting point; exploring the plasticity of this material,” says Roderick Vos.
Home bars are usually a hub of fun and conviviality, but the Belly liquor cabinet takes this idea further with a humorous design. Created by Studio Roderick Vos for Dutch design brand ITEM Amsterdam, this piece of furniture is much more than a practical shelving unit. It’s a veritable decorative item and conversation starter. The design recreates the impression of a bulging belly, complete with “belly button” that acts as a handle. Safe to say, the cabinet will never blur into the background, but rather become the centerpiece of any room.
Ive been raising my tetsubin for a couple months now, and its become a comforting part of my nightly routine. I get home, have dinner, pick the nights tea, and set the kettle on the hot plate. With a push-button electric kettle, making teas an easy, automatic process, but when youre brewing with a tetsubin, every step demands far more patience and intention. And attention, which makes the process that much more captivating. I find myself pausing the queued episode of SVU between sips to consider what Im tasting. As I wait for the kettle to reboil, I have time to appreciate how long and nicely the tea lingers in my throat. I sit there a few minutes, breathing out and tasting the air.
Quality tetsubins are hard to find in the States, so when I saw a bumpily handsome one hiding in a corner at Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks in New York for all of $35, I pounced. Sure, it smelled like old books inside and had plenty of rust and the bottom was scratched in places, but cast iron is nothing if not resilient. As long as a tetsubin doesnt leak and isnt pitted to hell, you can salvage it.
The rhythm took me a few days. But now I have it down, and the gentle burbling sound of a half-full tetsubin by my desk on its hot plate is as comforting as a snoring dog curled up at my feet. The iron radiates a gentle warmth, the well shaped spout releases a precise pour, and the whole thing is just a pleasure to handle.
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A damp, coarse sponge and some elbow grease will clear away most offending rust and other gunk. I continued the restoration process by boiling a pinch of rice in a kettleful of water for an hour every day for a week, then repeated the process with green tea leaves instead, then spent a third week boiling and dumping fresh water. The rice releases starch that soaks up and neutralizes offending flavors and aromas, while compounds in green tea help clear away the coat of rust. Once the interior looks more or less clean, just boil batches of fresh water in it until the brew that pours out is colorless, odorless, and faintly sweet, round, and minerally.
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FAQ
Is it safe to drink tea from a cast iron teapot?
What is the safest material for a teapot?
What are the disadvantages of cast iron teapots?
Do cast iron tea pots have lead?
Are cast iron teapots good?
Log in to check out faster. Not only are cast iron teapots beautiful objects that you can display with pride in your tea corner, but they’re also a simple and functional way to brew up a tasty cup of tea. Made of solid cast iron, these pots are known for their excellent heat retention, so your tea will stay hotter for longer after you brew it.
Can you eat rust from a cast iron teapot?
Any rust from your teapot is non-toxic and perfectly fine to consume. Here is how you can remove the rust if need be: Clean your cast iron teapot with a soft brush. Fill it with used tea leaves (preferable green tea leaves) and boiling water. Let is sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
Is cast iron good for tea?
Cast iron is heavy. But because of this, the material has good thermal density properties, and it retains heat very well. Compared to glass, stainless steel, and ceramic teapots, cast iron tea kettles maintain their heat much longer. The material also evenly heats your tea, which helps with the brewing process. Tea tastes better in cast iron.
Can you put a cast iron teapot on a stove?
You won’t want to put your teapot on the stove, other heating elements, or an open fire. Always boil your water separately in a pan designated for the stove or open fire use and then pour the water into your cast iron teapot with your choice of tea leaves or tea bags.