Danica wrote:
> 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!

No offense, and not trying to start drama... but isn't doesn't that
basically contradict itself. "You don't need to boil the pot, but you
do need to scrub and rinse 4 times with hot/cold... and then brew some
tea... if it tastes like clay, *then* boil it with tea"

It doesn't affect the pores, as the pot would be used like this
thousands of times over its life. I just cut out the "what-if" scenario
and brush out the pot, boil it with some of the same type of tea, and
then rinse it, wipe it out well and dry it. All I've done is cut out a
few steps and ensure I'm not wasting any brews after the first.

Dunno, its all up to each individual...