Care guide
Caring for your cast iron teapot.
Three minutes, twice a year, ten minutes each. That is all it takes to keep a CasaMonami teapot in daily use for decades. Read on for the full routine.
- 01
After every use
Empty the pot. Rinse with warm water only — no soap. Turn upside down on a wooden trivet to air-dry completely.
- 02
Twice a year
Warm the empty pot over low heat for 2 minutes. Rub a teaspoon of camellia oil over the outside with a soft cloth, paying extra attention to the rim and spout. Buff dry.
- 03
Never use olive oil
Olive and vegetable oils go rancid. Camellia oil is the traditional Japanese choice and what we recommend. Food-grade mineral oil also works.
- 04
If you see rust on the outside
Scrub gently with a soft brush and water, dry thoroughly, oil, and continue using. Outside rust is cosmetic only.
- 05
If the inside enamel chips
Stop using immediately and contact us. Enamel chips are rare; we replace any pot that develops one within the first year.
When to retire a tetsubin
Never. A tetsubin is one of the few kitchen objects designed to be inherited. With basic care, your pot will outlast you. We have seen pots from the 1920s still in daily use.