I don't know that you need to boil, unless the maker has used chemical
dyes in the clay which must be boiled out to make the clay safe. It is
a custom, though, which many practice. However there is a risk in
boiling that loose miniscule particles of clay could get lodged in the
pores of the teapot, or so I hear. It makes sense to me; the pots that
I have which I haven't boiled seem to 'breathe' better. Stephane of
Teamasters, and my personal experience suggest that with a pure yixing
clay teapot you don't need to do more than scrub (no soap) out any clay
particles then rinse with hot, then cold, water up to four times to get
the clay smell out. If the clay smell persists then you probably have
a lower quality yixing pot, in which case I sometimes will steep a
gonfu infusion of a tea type for 30 minutes in the pot. This usually
cures it. Some pots need additional curing: use as a pitcher for tea
that you brew in a gaiwan. I just did this with a pot I got and was
amazed at how the quality of the infusions changed--from being too
tannic and bright to floral and mellow as the clay cured. It took
about 5 infusions of tea after an initial 30 minute curing. This pot
in particular I think was boiled for 30 minutes by the vendor before
they shipped it to me.

Good luck!


DPM wrote:
> Well, folks, I think Michael was right: everyone has their own method.
>
> Thanks for your advice. I'll do a bit of scrub-'n-boil, and then start
> brewing.
>
> Thanks again,
> Dean
>
> Happy New Year, all!
>