Yixing

[Balthazar]

I have five lead test kits sensitive to 10ppb on the way to check my pots.

I've heard that home lead test kits are massively unreliable. Have you found some you are confident aren't?

(Though if I remember correctly false negatives are much more of an issue than false positives, so at least higher likelihood to provide peace of mind if one believesthe result.)

[Baiyun]

I have five lead test kits sensitive to 10ppb on the way to check my pots.

I've heard that home lead test kits are massively unreliable. Have you found some you are confident aren't?

(Though if I remember correctly false negatives are much more of an issue than false positives, so at least higher likelihood to provide peace of mind if one believesthe result.)

I ordered lateral flow tests (same principle as the famous C-19 RATests) rather than colour test strips or surface probes, but in the end, who knows what I get re-sold by some Australian water test online shop. The plan is to pour boiling water into each preheated pot, let it cool down to room temperature, then test the water. I have some scuba diving lead around somewhere, so maybe I'll confirm one of them that way, brew up a lead storm for my leftover test but probably not in one of my clays!

My pots are all modern Zhuni/Hongni so it won't help the F1 question at hand. I was also pretty close to buying a 60s Shuiping for the clay, so for those who purchased them for assumed purity and are now nervous, I hope some F1 people can test their wares and report back also.

[pedant]

How'd you get to that page shown in the screen shot? I'm having a boomer moment and can't figure out how to find that page.

https://www.facebook.com/edxrfer/shop/all_products

here's a link to the actual shop

I like these prices better than TWL. It’s nice to cut out the middle-man when there is no value add.

i see what you're saying, but presumably it's at least easier to order from a western-facing vendor? nothing wrong with making things available to a wider audience.

[Baisao]

I like these prices better than TWL. It’s nice to cut out the middle-man when there is no value add.

i see what you're saying, but presumably it's at least easier to order from a western-facing vendor?

Maybe. And maybe it’s not worth the additional cost. I’ve had no issues ordering directly from Chinese or Taiwanese vendors. I’m surprised more people don’t do this.

[OCTO]

I have five lead test kits sensitive to 10ppb on the way to check my pots.

I've heard that home lead test kits are massively unreliable. Have you found some you are confident aren't?

(Though if I remember correctly false negatives are much more of an issue than false positives, so at least higher likelihood to provide peace of mind if one believesthe result.)

I ordered lateral flow tests (same principle as the famous C-19 RATests) rather than colour test strips or surface probes, but in the end, who knows what I get re-sold by some Australian water test online shop. The plan is to pour boiling water into each preheated pot, let it cool down to room temperature, then test the water. I have some scuba diving lead around somewhere, so maybe I'll confirm one of them that way, brew up a lead storm for my leftover test but probably not in one of my clays!

My pots are all modern Zhuni/Hongni so it won't help the F1 question at hand. I was also pretty close to buying a 60s Shuiping for the clay, so for those who purchased them for assumed purity and are now nervous, I hope some F1 people can test their wares and report back also.

I've tested, almost daily for the past 20 plus years.... here are my findings....

1. I'm still alive and kicking away.

2. I'm still brewing from my F1 pots.... darn.. my sample size keeps growing to incorporate Qing, Ming (ROC), Factory, Non Factory, Artist, Common pots.

3. I'm still meeting my tea buddies who have been brewing with F1 pots for way longer than I have.

4. I'm still alert and showing no signs of sickness that prohibits my daily anatomical functions.

5. I'm still making new tea friends... one cup at a time.

Conclusion: I'm still having lots of fun bonding with my pots.

Cheers!!

[Bok]

Amen to that!

[Baiyun]

@OCTO I am glad you're well, and I wouldn't assume otherwise. I don't expect pot aficionados to develop outright complications.

I have always been conservative when it comes to such matters, and a recent career change into medicine does not seem to diminish this anytime soon. Further, I have only been drinking out of unglazed pots for a bit over 2 years, with 3 out of 4 being a very recent addition. Since I plan to use the same few pots for many more years to come, I am happily investing the hundred bucks for testing them now, before I run countless litres of boiling water through them. I also like my teas to be either tested, or with farming method details provided by a reputable vendor. Just personal choice.

[LeoFox]

OCTO I am glad you're well, and I wouldn't assume otherwise. I don't expect pot aficionados to develop outright complications.

I have always been conservative when it comes to such matters, and a recent career change into medicine does not seem to diminish this anytime soon. Further, I have only been drinking out of unglazed pots for a bit over 2 years, with 3 out of 4 being a very recent addition. Since I plan to use the same few pots for many more years to come, I am happily investing the hundred bucks for testing them now, before I run countless litres of boiling water through them. I also like my teas to be either tested, or with farming method details provided by a reputable vendor. Just personal choice.

Based on that post I linked to, one of those pots had about 300-400 ppm of lead. I remember reading somewhere that 90 ppm is a limit for food safe wares - but I'm sure that keeps shifting. In any case - let us know your results

[.m.]

Based on that post I linked to, one of those pots had about 300-400 ppm of lead. I remember reading somewhere that 90 ppm is a limit for food safe wares - but I'm sure that keeps shifting. In any case - let us know your results

It says under the graph in the original link Pb (ppm): 3093.90, but i'd be very careful in interpreting what that means. It would definitely be interesting to know how much of this lead can leach out during use.

[LeoFox]

Based on that post I linked to, one of those pots had about 300-400 ppm of lead. I remember reading somewhere that 90 ppm is a limit for food safe wares - but I'm sure that keeps shifting. In any case - let us know your results

It says under the graph in the original link Pb (ppm): 3093.90, but i'd be very careful in interpreting what that means. It would definitely be interesting to know how much of this lead can leach out during use.

3000? That's a lot!

[Baisao]

Based on that post I linked to, one of those pots had about 300-400 ppm of lead. I remember reading somewhere that 90 ppm is a limit for food safe wares - but I'm sure that keeps shifting. In any case - let us know your results

It says under the graph in the original link Pb (ppm): 3093.90, but i'd be very careful in interpreting what that means. It would definitely be interesting to know how much of this lead can leach out during use.

The nice thing about lead is that it makes the tea sweeter

[Baiyun]

There is no safe limit for lead, or blood lead concentration for that matter, it just keeps accumulating in the body.

With all the lead piping and soldering out there in the world, it is unfortunately not realistic to have a zero lead policy.

Governments tend to set the alert level for lead in drinking water samples to 10-15ppb (note: billion, not million in this case).

So if a pot leaches out enough lead into compliant boiling water to indicate on the 10bbp lateral flow test, I shall retire it.

[LeoFox]

There is no safe limit for lead, or blood lead concentration for that matter, it just keeps accumulating in the body.

With all the lead piping and soldering out there in the world, it is unfortunately not realistic to have a zero lead policy.

Governments tend to set the alert level for lead in drinking water samples to 10-15ppb (note: billion, not million in this case).

So if a pot leaches out enough lead into compliant boiling water to indicate on the 10bbp lateral flow test, I shall retire it.

Maybe you'll consider some of that guys pots?

Also,
Check this out

https://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f ... d2a50acbb2

[PamelaOry]

Hello, posting pictures of my pots here as directed. I’ve had these for over 10 years and don’t remember where I got them. Any and all insight/info would be greatly appreciated.

[Bok]

@PamelaOry looks like the first one could be a green label period F1, so 1977-82. But pics are too dark to be sure… maybe take some daylight ones?

The other is some sort of modern Yixing.