Looking for new tea tray recommendations

[gregcss]

I've been using a bamboo tea tray for the last several years which has worked great, but will need to be replaced soon. I am looking for a larger tray to comfortably fit at least 1 cup, 1 pot, and one cha hai pitcher. So something around 40cmx30cm (15inx10in) or a little bigger.

Some of the trays I saw fit this requirement but I ruled them out because they have a raised artsy center piece that takes away from the usable area. I also ruled out the tray with drain tubes - I just dont care for that setup at the moment.

The stainless steel tray might be worth a try but i'm concerned about the clanging noise. I could use silicone to put between the top part and bottom to reduce noise. $10 +$25 shipping from King Tea or $45 + $5 from a US vendor. Seems like this type of tray would be available at restaurant supply stores.

Does anyone have recommendations? I am in US would like to purchase within US if possible due to shipping.

Thanks

[DailyTX]

This maybe slightly more expensive than your vendors. I have been looking at this vendor’s tea tray lately:
https://purplecloudteahouse.com/

I have too many tea trays, I am trying hard to not adopt anymore

[klepto]

The first one I bought was made of wenge wood and it had lines with a circular pattern. Bad choice because tea gets trapped in crevices and the tea stains are nasty. I think I'm going to go with a simple tea ceremony fabric, the kind that absorbs spilled tea/water. I don't know any good sites for trays but I'm curious what you will choose.

[hopeofdawn]

Yinchen has a very lovely duanni and copper one that I've been eyeing for a while, even though I can't really justify a second tea tray at the moment: https://yinchenstudio.com/collections/a ... e-tea-boat

[gregcss]

I came to a realization that I dont need a big 'ole tea tray and that a small tea boat is enough to collect drippings. I got a cheaper one to start with and so far i like it more than the tray.

[Bok]

I came to a realization that I dont need a big 'ole tea tray and that a small tea boat is enough to collect drippings. I got a cheaper one to start with and so far i like it more than the tray.

Words to the wise

[Pants404]

I do enjoy a minimalist setup when I am brewing in the kitchen/shed/garden but when I am in my dedicated tea space I enjoy a larger tray. My partner found this one for me when she was in China last, but I have seen it listed in places like AliExpress with a search for wooden tea tray.

[gregcss]

I do enjoy a minimalist setup when I am brewing in the kitchen/shed/garden but when I am in my dedicated team space I enjoy a larger tray. My partner found this one for me when she was in China last, but I have seen it listed in places like AliExpress with a search for wooden tea tray.

Very nice setup

[karma]

@Pants404 where'd you get that tea scoop? Also cute bird, Squish is a great name.

[Pants404]

Pants404 where'd you get that tea scoop? Also cute bird, Squish is a great name.

That was a piece of scrap copper that I hammered into shape.
Squish was named so because my partner's car was crashed into on the day we got her.

[klepto]

I think a small Chaozhou tea boat would fit the bill for me, because I still spill a bit of tea on my table runner.

[Bok]

I think a small Chaozhou tea boat would fit the bill for me, because I still spill a bit of tea on my table runner.

Be creative, no need to buy a dedicated tea boat.

See attached appropriated items

[klepto]

I think a small Chaozhou tea boat would fit the bill for me, because I still spill a bit of tea on my table runner.

Be creative, no need to buy a dedicated tea boat.

See attached appropriated items

, very unique!!

[OCTO]

Agree with @Bok.

Don't have to get a dedicated teaboat or tea tray. I have friends using a plain granite grinding block paired with a shallow bowl.

Cheers!

[wave_code]

I recently picked up a new tray because my old one was falling apart and was too small to begin with. I was looking for a ceramic base one, but went for a cheaper bamboo one because it was available locally. While its nice being able to brew very wet if I want, the problem is its also what starts to ruin the tray quickly. If the lacquering or coating of the tray isn't done well even starting with just a tiny little bit of water if it gets underneath that it starts to bubble because it can't evaporate out of the wood/bamboo, then more gets under, and then it cracks, and starts to peel, and before you know if you've lost the entire coating. This thing should still last me a good long while, but if I get another tray it will be at minimum ceramic base, if not all ceramic, or just go for the teapot boat on some sort of lacquered wood or stone slab.