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Musing on tetsubins...could I get some of the beneficial impact of tetsubin on my water by adding a bit of steel wool to my stainless steel kettles?

debunix wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:04 am

Musing on tetsubins...could I get some of the beneficial impact of tetsubin on my water by adding a bit of steel wool to my stainless steel kettles?

Good question, but don't do it. Steel wool is might be covered with all kinds of chemicals to prevent rusting. Also active rusting is undesirable: it gives the water fishy metallic taste. I'd be more tempted to experiment with natural ore rich in iron.

@Bok

Love that tetsubin!!

Thanks! And with the first few test done, it does not seem to have any averse effects on the teas I tried it with.

What concerns old Tetsubin, one can safely ignore Hojos advice against them, I think he’s wrong there. While it’s true that damage might not be visible before cleaning and using them, they are otherwise set up to zero if cleaned properly.

My new to me Kunzan tetsubin. I tried to buy this exact model from Hojo, but when I asked for the PayPal invoice, he quit replying. I sent a follow up email 2 weeks later stating I still wanted it, but still nothing. Lucky for me I happened upon one on Yahoo auctions that was only a little rusty inside, but half the cost! A lovely thang indeed.

debunix wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:04 am

Musing on tetsubins...could I get some of the beneficial impact of tetsubin on my water by adding a bit of steel wool to my stainless steel kettles?

I’d used a steel wool similar to this with my glass kettle for a while in the past. It did not give any effect near my tetsubin at all. I stopped using it once I switched to softer water.

https://www.procook.co.uk/product/proco ... steel-wool

I would not expect any effect at all from something that does not rust.

Darbotek wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:54 pm

My new to me Kunzan tetsubin. I tried to buy this exact model from Hojo, but when I asked for the PayPal invoice, he quit replying. I sent a follow up email 2 weeks later stating I still wanted it, but still nothing. Lucky for me I happened upon one on Yahoo auctions that was only a little rusty inside, but half the cost! A lovely thang indeed.

Nice Tetsubin, did you boil tea leaves inside it to blacken rust? I outline steps that worked really well here and here.

Victoria wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:27 pm

Nice Tetsubin, did you boil tea leaves inside it to blacken rust? I outline steps that worked really well here and here.

I did, but I think I was a bit impatient. I brought the tea to a boil, then simmered for an hour and then let it rest for a few hours. It didn't change the rust at all, but the water comes out clean and has no rusty flavor. Does it matter what kind of tea? I used a big chunk of some cheap aged white cake I had from my gong fu days. Made the house smell great, but it didn't do anything to the rust.

Darbotek wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:35 pm

Victoria wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:27 pm

Nice Tetsubin, did you boil tea leaves inside it to blacken rust? I outline steps that worked really well here and here.

I did, but I think I was a bit impatient. I brought the tea to a boil, then simmered for an hour and then let it rest for a few hours. It didn't change the rust at all, but the water comes out clean and has no rusty flavor. Does it matter what kind of tea? I used a big chunk of some cheap aged white cake I had from my gong fu days. Made the house smell great, but it didn't do anything to the rust.

I think an oxidized tea, like black/red, will work better to remove and blacken existing rust inside kettle. I’ve heard of people using cheap Lipton tea bags, I used crappy loose old black tea I had. Sometimes you’ll need to boil tea leaves several times for this to work correctly. Since water tastes good already this is a very good sign, but it will continue to rust more quickly if not treated. Also, make sure to let it completely dry after each use by removing boiling water from hot kettle to let evaporation do the drying.

All this talk has inspired me to tidy up my tetsubin.
I purchased this iwachu tetsubin a couple of years ago in used but very usable condition. There have always been light rust spots through the inside and out, but recently I noticed it was getting a bit worse.
I dumped the dusty end of a few packs of black tea in and brought it to a simmer for 10 minutes or so, whilst gently applying the tea around the outside with a coarse brush, paying particular attention to the base of the handle, around the rim and spout, and a couple of other places that were developing rust.
I think I managed to remove and protect the rust fairly well without losing the 'patina' that it had developed. The inside is much better and it is pouring clear and tastes as I think it should.
I'm pretty happy with it now. Thanks for the tips.

If anybody is wondering, I don't use this on the gas stove. This is just where it was cooling off.

If it’s badly rusted you can also add another boil with lemon water. Then boil with tea. That gets rid of even the worst rust. I’ve cleaned completely neglected Tetsubin with thick layers of rust with this method. I couldn’t believe how well it works!

I will have to keep that in mind if I come across a bad one.
I could have gone with another boil of tea, but for the most part all the spots are black and the seal, which had a decent patch of rust, is also black. I'll have to keep an eye on it with a bit of use and i may get a picture of the inside if the rust doesn't return.

I also keep a pitcher handy where I collect excess tea from brewing and when I’m finished I brush the hot Tetsubin with it from time to time to keep the outside black and rust free.

Boiling with lemon juice sounds a lot kinder to a treasured piece than what I learned to use way back when for severe rust on sturdier (and less precious) kitchenwares: naval jelly.