Hi Melinda,

This has been asked before, though on a separate group...

I always wonder how can the handle of the pot be hot - did you pour hot
water over the handle as well? If you do, avoid that. You should be able
to lift the pot by the handle with steam coming off the body of the pot but
not the handle.

Another way not to get burnt is to tie a thread around the lid and the
handle - like you see in many Chinese teapots. Then while pouring, you
press your 2nd finger on the thread to avoid direct contact on the lid.

Another way is not to lay your finger on the lid, but on the side of the
knob on the lid, that way the heat is not so burning hot, but take care not
to cover the ventilation hole.

Another way is to get a tea tong (bamboo, you see it quite often in Chinese
tea ceremony) to handle the lid - grip it by the knob - when you pour hot
water and replace the lid, etc. If you don't have the tong, a small sugar
cube tong will do, or a pair of chopsticks if you are comfortable using it
with ease.

Samar

"Melinda" > wrote in message
om...
> OK, I have just had it...I have never heard anyone ask this question
> before but it comes up for me every time I try to do gung fu with my
> yixing pot. The thing gets so hot (from pouring the hot water over it,
> in it, steeping, etc.) as well as the cups getting hot...I have a very
> difficult time doing this without some hurt fingers. Even the handle
> of my yixing gets hot. So, for those of you who do this on a regular
> basis, do I just live with it or is there some secret? This is for
> oolong btw so the water needs to be hot, I know. Thank-you in advance.
>
>
> Melinda, gung fu-ing the last of my Bai Hao.