What makes a good set
- Borosilicate glass. This is heat-resistant glass that handles hot water and a candle's gentle heat. If the listing doesn't say borosilicate or heat-resistant, skip it.
- A removable infuser. This is essential with a warmer. Brew, lift the infuser out, then put the pot on the flame. Stainless steel or glass infusers are both fine.
- The right capacity. About 500–600 ml (17–20 oz) suits one or two people. About 1 L (34 oz) suits sharing.
- A matching warmer. The point of a set is that the pot sits perfectly on the stand.
- A comfortable handle and a drip-free spout. Read reviews for spout drips. That's the most common complaint.
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How to avoid cracking a glass teapot
- Don't put a cold or empty glass pot over a lit candle. Add hot tea first.
- Don't pour boiling water into a glass pot that has just come out of the fridge or a cold room.
- Wipe the base dry before you set it on the warmer.
- Retire any pot with a chip or a crack. Heat finds weak spots.
Good teas for a glass pot
Choose anything with a colour worth seeing. Flowering ("blooming") tea balls, hibiscus, rooibos, a bright oolong or a deep Assam all qualify. Flowering teas especially are made to be watched.