Perfection seems like a lot to ask of a teapot. Functionality seems
more realistic. I test the vacuum of Yixing teapots and if the vent
hole is accessible, I check whether blocking it stops the flow, I
don't regard either of those tests as crucial though. The main thing
is how the pot handles and pours. I have tossed pots in the trash or
deposited them at Goddwill for irremediable dribbling down the front or
one burnt finger too many.

There are teapots with historical, scholarly, or sentimental value
quite separate from their ability to hold a proper amount of heat for
their respective types of tea and deliver that tea reliably to cup or
serving vessel. I don't own any of those. Having said that, I try to
give any teapot a fair chance. I just bought a rather pricy (for me)
new Yixing teapot--black zini clay and a cool square shape--intending
to use it for puerh. The built in strainer tends to clog up with the
fine broken bits that flake off cakes or bricks. I'm going to try a
piece of stainless mesh in front of the strainer, and if that doesn't
work, I'll give it a shot with darker oolongs.
BW

Danica wrote:
> I'm curious about people's experience with less-than-perfect teapots.
> The rule is balance of spout-mouth-handle and perfect occlusion of the
> vent/ spout. If you block the vent-hole and the spout keeps pouring,
> what kind of an effect does this have on the tea? What about an
> imbalanced spout-mouth-handle? If you've got one of these imperfect
> teapots, what do you do with it--do you keep it? Get rid of it? I'd
> love to know other people's thoughts/ experiences.