Photo: dexetra.org
Only a true tea connoisseur knows the real worth of the best cast iron teapot. It is a not just a showy teapot but also holds amazing benefits in its kitty.
The Japanese cast iron teapot, also popularly known as tetsubin is an important component of Japanese tea ceremonies. These pots are extremely great at maintaining the heat and durable enough to be passed on to the generations.
Also, these pots are essentially used to extract its iron as it will release the iron content in the tea as you pour the hot water inside.
In this cast iron teapot review, we will walk through some of the finest recommendations in the niche.
In this post:
- 12 Best Cast Iron Teapots – Review
- 1. Old Dutch 1028BB – Beautiful Cast Iron Teapot
- 2. Primula PCI-5228 – Great Cast Iron Teapot
- 3. Primula PCI-4340 – Exceptional Quality Cast Iron Teapot
- 4. Towa COMINHKPR145645 – Stove-top Safe Cast Iron Teapot
- 5. Happy Sales HSCT-BMG04 – Durable Cast Iron Teapot
- 6. Sotya COMINHKPR109165 – Authentic Japanese Cast Iron Teapot
- 7. Iwachu 480-872 – Excellent Quality Cast Iron Teapot
- 8. Huswell COMINHKPR114226 – Largest Cast Iron Teapot
- 9. Kendal DH800-a – Superior Cast Iron Teapot with Removable Infuser
- 10. Tokyo Matcha Selection Nanbu Tetsubin – Top-rated Cast Iron Teapot
- 11. MV Trading T8130 – Ultimate Cast Iron Teapot Set
- 12. Juvale YT-160722-01 – Traditional Looking Cast Iron Teapot
- How to Buy the Best Cast-Iron Teapot
- How to Brew Tea in Cast Iron Teapot
- Conclusion
12 Best Cast Iron Teapots – Review
Product Name | Image | Features/Benefits | Rating | Current Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Old Dutch Cast Iron Teapot | Jaw-dropping design, classic craft in 24 oz capacity, and waterfall blue colour, durable, and suitable for small families | 4.8 | ||
2. Primula Green Dragonfly Design Cast Iron Teapot | Best model in the list, foldable handles and easy to pour tea spout, 26 oz capacity, extremely durable, and finest quality making | 4.5 | ||
3. Primula Blue Floral Design Cast Iron Teapot | Stunning teapot in blue, made with heavyweight cast-iron, durable and large in size | 4.2 | ||
4. Towa Workshop Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot | Professionally crafted, exceptional metal quality, stovetop safe, and suitable for small families | 4.3 | ||
5. Happy Sales HSCT-BMG04 Cast Iron Teapot | Best gift for the family of two, durable, beautifully designed, heavy-duty cast iron, but a little expensive | 4.2 | ||
6. Sotya Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot | Beautiful small kettle, portable, comes with micromesh stainless steel filter, durable, great overall quality | 4.3 | ||
7. Iwachu Japanese Cast Iron Teapot | High-quality cast iron, great for keepsake, durable, designed beautifully and made to last | 4.0 | ||
8. Huswell Cast Iron Teapot | Large in size, beautifully designed, quality-ensured, and extremely durable, also available at suitable price | 4.3 | ||
9. Kendal Japanese Cast Iron Teapot with Removable Infuser | Umbrella designed with black finish, great capacity, durable, but a little heavy in weight | 4.2 | ||
10. Tokyo Matcha Selection Nanbu Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot | Traditional cast iron teapot, non-enamelled, extremely durable, can be used as normal kettle as well | 4.5 | ||
11. MV Trading Cast Iron Dragonfly Teapot Set | Suitably sized for small to medium families, great quality, amazing design, easy to clean | 4.1 | ||
12. Juvale Blue Floral Cast Iron Teapot | Beautiful cherry blossom design, extremely durable, lightweight, and suitable for small to medium families | 4.0 |
1. Old Dutch 1028BB – Beautiful Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Old Dutch
- Weight: 3.15 lbs
- Capacity: 24 oz
- Interior: Porcelain Enamelled
- Colour: Waterfall Blue
We open our list of recommendations with this mesmerizing little beauty in the capacity of 24 oz. This is a perfect cast iron teapot with all the essential and first-class features.
It has small quantity but suitable enough for small families. The design is really enticing as it is crafted in Japanese style inspired by playful bird motifs.
It can retain the water temperature for an hour. Therefore, with this in the house, you don’t have to immediately make tea before the tea time.
In order to give pure and fresh taste to the tea, the interior of this model is porcelain enamelled. This helps in keeping the tea fresh. Also, because of this feature, the cleaning is quite easy.
It includes a stainless-steel tea basket/strainer for convenient brewing of the loose tea. It also makes transferring the tea from teapot to the cups easier than ever. The teapot calls for high maintenance and care and is not intended for stovetop use.
Pros:
- Durable
- Amazing design
- Great in quality
- Suitably priced
Cons:
- Requires a lot of maintenance
- Not suitable for large families
2. Primula PCI-5228 – Great Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Primula
- Weight: 4 lbs
- Capacity: 26 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Green
While looking for the best cast-iron teapot, it is extremely difficult to avoid Primula teapot. This is one of the best options available in the market.
This one is wisely crafted in heavyweight cast iron in a capacity of 26 oz. The quality of the teapot is extremely liked by the users. It comes with a removable lid.
Following the traditional designing of the Japanese tetsubin, there are dragonfly crafted on the mouth of the teapot, giving it the most authentic look.
Furthermore, this has enamelled interior which make sure that the tea does not taste strange. Also, this helps in effective cleaning of the pot, without putting it on a risk of rusting and oxidation.
It has a stainless-steel infuser for different kind of teas, whether they are loose or bagged. The vessel is large enough to accommodate both the types of tea.
The fold down handle and short curved spout add more elegance to the pot. Also, it makes pouring the tea extremely easy. The only drawback here is the small size of the pot.
Pros:
- Traditional design
- Heavyweight cast iron making
- Durable
- Does not rust
Cons:
- Not useful for large families
3. Primula PCI-4340 – Exceptional Quality Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Primula
- Weight: 4 lbs
- Capacity: 34 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Blue
This is another essential model from Primula that is equally promising as the former one. The heavyweight cast iron is used in the making of the product. It is the finest Japanese brand that manufacture highest-grade teapots.
The capacity of this model is 34 oz which will be quite suitable for large families. This one also includes a stainless-steel infuser that can conveniently accommodate loose or bagged tea for brewing.
As far as designing is concerned, this teapot has a floral pattern design beautifully printed on the top of the kettle. Blooms also signifies the heritage and tradition of Japanese teapot making.
Again, this has foldable handles and a curved spout for effortless pouring of the tea. The fully enamelled interior allows you to effectively clean the teapot, without making extra efforts. It also does not let the taste of the tea change.
The spout of the kettle is painted which leaves a color in the tea itself. Rest is all good with this model. The outside paint is also not as durable.
Pros:
- Economically priced
- High-quality making
- Easy pouring
- Convenient to clean
Cons:
- Paint might come off sooner
4. Towa COMINHKPR145645 – Stove-top Safe Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Towa
- Weight: 2.55 lbs
- Capacity: 22 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Black
Well, unlike the other models that we have mentioned above, this is the first stovetop teapot in the list. It can boil water just like any other tea kettle as well. However, small fire is recommended for usage.
The teapot releases its healthy properties in the water and deliver fine health. Plus, since you can boil the water inside the kettle, you will find it softer and sweeter.
As far as designing is concerned, it is crafted like a traditional Japanese tetsubin. Therefore, this product makes as a perfect gifting option for mothers and grandmother who would love and cherish these.
The inside of the kettle is enamelled and ensures the freshness of tea, without adding any pungent taste to it. The outer paint might go off with time.
You should carefully check this Japanese cast iron teapot review before purchasing so that there are no second thoughts about the product. It is one of a kind and professionally crated by skilled craftsmen.
Pros:
- Stovetop safe
- Great in quality
- Made of heavy-duty metal
- Enamelled from inside
Cons:
- The exterior paint is not as durable
5. Happy Sales HSCT-BMG04 – Durable Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Happy Sales
- Weight: 4.35 lbs
- Capacity: 20 oz
- Interior: Porcelain Enamelled
- Colour: Green Bamboo
For a family of two, nothing can be better than this model from Happy Sales. You can gift it to your grandparents on their anniversary or as a delightful Christmas gift.
The size is too petite of 20 oz. It can make enough tea for both the drinkers. The heat retention is also great as it can keep the water warm for almost an hour.
The porcelain enamelled interior makes sure that there is no uncomfortable smell in the tea. It also releases healthy properties of iron inside the water but not the smell.
The best thing is that this teapot comes with two cups made of cast iron material. The impressive designing is also quite appreciable. It is designed in green bamboo colour. As per the size and features of the product, it is a little overpriced.
Pros:
- Beautiful designing
- Comes with two cups
- Perfect as a gift
- Great heat retention
Cons:
- Too small in size
- Expensive
6. Sotya COMINHKPR109165 – Authentic Japanese Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Sotya
- Weight: 3.61 lbs
- Capacity: 11 oz
- Interior: Coated
- Colour: Black
The Sotya tetsubin is a beautiful masterpiece, crafted with heavy-duty cast iron. They don’t just sell their product but also take care of the after service.
This Japanese tetsubin improves the quality of water. By releasing iron ions and chloride ions in the water, you can exceed the water quality.
The capacity of this kettle is disappointing. It is too small, but on the plus side, it is great for portable purposes. If you and your husband are going out for an outing on the countryside then you can take this teapot along.
You are recommended not to pour more than 750 ml of water in the pot. It will overflow while boiling. The interior is coated that ensure easy cleaning and also has anti-rust properties. This one is not suitable for stovetop application.
You can rather use it on the electric stove or boil the water in radiant cooker. Also, you should keep it dry as soon as it is free. This also include a micromesh stainless steel filter for loose teas or blooming teas. The price is on the higher side though.
Pros:
- High-quality iron properties
- Beautiful exterior
- Anti-rust properties
- Authentic design
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Too small
7. Iwachu 480-872 – Excellent Quality Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Iwachu
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Capacity: 22 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Black and Golden
This teapot is magnificently crafted in black and golden color with black on the base and golden fishes on the top. This is another traditional design of Japanese tetsubin.
The porcelain enamelled interior keeps the water fresh and away from any smell. The small kettle is quite productive and suitable for keepsake and usage.
There are concerns of rusting, but you can avoid them for the longest period by keeping it dry most of the time.
This is not suitable for stovetop usage, and you have to make tea in a conventional form, by boiling water in some other appliance and transferring the hot water in the pot. This is a considerable model for all.
Pros:
- Beautifully designed
- Durable
- Great for keepsake as well
- Perfect gifting option
Cons:
- Small in size
- Have rusting issues
8. Huswell COMINHKPR114226 – Largest Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Huswell
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Capacity: 60 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Black
The Huswell teapot is extremely magnanimous in its presentation. It is beautifully designed in black colour with a sweet print on it.
In order to ensure pure tasting tea, the teapot has porcelain enamelled in the inside. This also makes cleaning extremely easy.
It is not for stovetop usage. Therefore, you have to warm the water first and then set it up for brewing in the teapot. The fine mesh strainers allow you to stop steeping the leaves instantly and get the perfect brew.
The large size is amazing, and it is solidly made with food safe material. The problem with this kettle is that it’s not extremely portable.
Pros:
- Impressive designing
- Tough metal used in the making
- Food-safe material
- Enamelled inside for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Too large to carry outside for picnics
9. Kendal DH800-a – Superior Cast Iron Teapot with Removable Infuser
Photo: Kendal
- Weight: 5.05 lbs
- Capacity: 38 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Umbrella
Well, here we give you another option in a large capacity teapot with this mesmerizing model from Kendal. It is available in 38 oz size. However, the heavyweight might be a little annoying.
The designing is in the style of umbrella with black finish. You will really love it in your house as it ensures beautiful décor as well.
The heavy cast iron will enhance the tea experience while retaining better heat inside. The enamel coating prevents the rusting and also makes it easy to clean.
It also comes with a removable stainless-steel mesh infuser that makes steeping the loose the tea leaves easier. This can be used over a flame, electric or glass burner to heat the water.
Pros:
- Metal quality is superior
- Durable product
- Large in capacity
- Retain heat for a long period
Cons:
- Heavy
10. Tokyo Matcha Selection Nanbu Tetsubin – Top-rated Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Tokyo Matcha Selection
- Capacity: 27 oz
- Interior: Non-Enamelled
- Colour: Black
If you are looking for something purely authentic then this is the product that you should buy. It does not have any dramatic feature to lure the buyers but the traditional setting of the teapot is what makes it unique.
The design is mesmerizing in black colour and little horses embellished on the top. The capacity is 27 oz with a foldable handle and removable lid. The size is suitable for a small family though.
The inside of the kettle is non-enamelled. Therefore, you have to be very careful with the maintenance. It might just rust sooner than you have expected.
It does not have any stainless-steel strainer as well. The brewing is done in the conventional way. You can use this as a basic kettle as well. This one is made from the hardest iron.
Pros:
- Great overall quality
- Appealing design
- Made with hardest cast iron
- Durable
Cons:
- Requires a lot of maintenance
- Might get rusted and corroded
11. MV Trading T8130 – Ultimate Cast Iron Teapot Set
Photo: MV Trading
- Weight: 6.4 lbs
- Capacity: 27 oz
- Interior: Enamelled
- Colour: Black
So, this is an amazing teapot set, available in a capacity of 27 oz and comes with two cups. The designing is so amazing that you will find it really fascinating.
The cups are in a size of 4 oz and all the components are coated with enamel on the inside which makes cleaning very simple. It also prevents the teapot from rusting.
The designing of dragonfly on the face of the kettle is extremely inviting. This model comes with a trivet as well. This is an extremely suitable gifting option for anniversary, Christmas, and birthdays.
This one also includes a removable stainless-steel mesh basket infuser that helps in easy steeping of the tea into the cups. The weight is a little over which makes it difficult to carry outdoors.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Does not rust
- Durable model
- Ideal choice for gifting
Cons:
- Extremely heavy
12. Juvale YT-160722-01 – Traditional Looking Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Juvale
- Weight: 2.13 lbs
- Capacity: 34 oz
- Colour: Blue
So, if you are looking for something extremely fancy in design then this is the ideal solution. Some people purchase the cast iron teapots for keepsakes. While the performance of this kettle is also great but designing wins the hearts.
The paint however might come off after continual usage. So, you have to be very careful with the cleaning. It has a stainless-steel infuser that can accommodate the loose tea or the bags for brewing.
The material is so good that absorbs the heat and retains it. This distributes the heat evenly throughout the kettle. Also, you need to boil the water in another vessel as it is not stovetop safe.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Design is amazing
- Perfect for gifting
- Retains the heat perfectly
Cons:
- Need maintenance
- Be careful with the cleaning
How to Buy the Best Cast-Iron Teapot
There are a few things that one must consider as they purchase the best tetsubin teapot. If you think that you can skip these important points then you will probably end up buying the unfit product.
1. Origins
Always make sure that you know the origin of the teapot. By origin, we mean the making and manufacturing brand of the teapot and where they are situated.
These teapots were invented by the Chinese and Japanese. That is why they are also known as the Japanese tetsubin. Therefore, if you want the best cast iron teapot for money then prefer buying one from a Japanese brand. They make the highest-quality and most authentic teapots.
Always search a little extra about the origin and maker of the teapot. You will also get information in the process of manufacturing on the authentic website of the makers. You should also keep this feature in mind if you are buying a teapot as an heirloom piece.
2. Capacity
As you have seen in the review above, the capacity of cast-iron teapots largely varies from one another. Well, you can suit yourself with the capacity that fits the size of your family.
If you don’t want to repeatedly prepare tea for your large family then consider buying Primula Blue Floral Design Cast Iron Teapot as it is available in a capacity of 34 oz.
3. Design
So, you will find the cast-iron teapots available in different colors, shapes, and sizes. The original designs of Japanese teapots are with blooms or dragonfly. So, if you wish to bring home the authentic tetsubin then these are the options.
Other than that, you can surely find the pieces that will fit your personal taste and suit the house décor as well. There are simple teapots with no embellishments on the outside or with quirky designs as well.
You can also purchase a matching cup and saucer to complete the set with the cast-iron teapot. This will enhance your experience of tea parties.
4. Quality
Surely, you are purchasing a teapot to waste your money. The prime agenda of every buyer is to purchase a product that can return full value of money.
The quality of the teapot can be predicted from its origin as well. If you are buying the kettle from a local dollar store then there is a large probability for it to be a fake product.
However, the authentic and best cast-iron kettle is manufactured in Japan that will have the highest quality standards. Make sure to purchase from there.
5. Durability
Your grandmother might have an old cast-iron teapot safely placed somewhere in here heirloom collectives. Well, if you are also buying it for cherishing purpose then make sure the teapot is extremely durable.
Always check the box of the kettle and ask the manufacturer about the economic life of the kettle. This also reminds us about the warranty. You should insist on getting the best warranty on the teapot so that if anything goes wrong, you can get it exchanged.
6. Price
The cast iron teapots are available at different prices. Therefore, it is important to set a budget before you go out shopping.
The original teapots that are made in Japan are heavily price. The price will be more if it is a vintage piece. You can get a teapot at a cheaper price as well from the local dollar store. But such pieces are not durable or made of quality cast-iron material.
How to Brew Tea in Cast Iron Teapot
Photo: Primula
The process of brewing tea in cast-iron teapot is pretty simple. Follow the instructions below:
1. Select the Tea
Most of the contemporary teapots are enamel-coated from inside. Still, patina can develop after some time of usage. It depends on the kind of tea you are using.
For the same reason, you should select one kind of tea- anything with lightly oxidized oolongs. With the respective feature, pick the tea of your choice for brewing.
Read More: The Best Green Tea
2. Preheat and Rinse
To effectively work with cast iron teapot, you need to preheat it. This is one of the essential steps. Boil water in some other pan, fill the teapot and rinse.
It will warm up the teapot as well as clean it from inside. It is because of the shape of the teapot, sometimes it becomes difficult to clean it through all the nook and corners.
3. Measuring the Tea
Tetsubin teapots are available in a variety of sizes. Therefore, it is important to measure the content of water that you intend to use.
You can start with 1 teaspoon of tea grounds in 8 oz of water. You can adjust the quantity of tea as per your taste as you learn further about the teapot.
There are pots that comes with in-built strainers basket. If you have that then try to brew a small quantity of tea and not over pack the strainer as you leave the room for leaf expansion.
You should place the tea in the strainer and dip it inside the kettle water. If the pot does not have a strainer then simply release a spoon full of tea leaves in the kettle.
4. Heating the Water & Steep
The measured amount of water has to be heated in a separate pan. Once it reaches the required temperature, simply pour it inside the teapot where you have already kept the tea leaves. Then you can steep. For green tea, one should steep for 2-3 minutes at 175 – 185 degrees F.
5. Serve & Clean
Your tea is ready now, so it’s time to serve. It is important to take off all the tea at once to avoid over-extraction.
If the teapot does not have its own strainer then you will have to use a separate tea strainer to take out the tea. You can use as many infusions as you like to make the tea more aromatic and enhanced.
Now, once the tea is out, you should pour some fresh warm water in the pot. After thoroughly rinsing, you should make sure that the pot is thoroughly dry. You are restricted to use soap on the kettle.
Conclusion
In the end of this cast-iron teapot review, we would like to give a quick revision to the readers. We have got all kind of models mentioned in the list. All of these are extremely durable and promising.
If you wish to buy a kettle with small quantity then Towa workshop tetsubin cast iron teapot is one of the finest. We also have the top-rated model in our list- Primula design cast iron teapot.
Even all the other models that we have mentioned have exceptional qualities that put them miles ahead of other contemporary and competitive teapots in the market.