Just as there are stunt doubles in the movies, there are stunt double teapots. They are those not-so-photogenic yet oh-so-capable teapots who fill in for the show teapots. They also save those fancy schmancy teapots from staining and the possibility of chipping, cracking, and breaking. Useful if you are planning to photograph your tea time or want fancy service to customers and guests.

The Qualities of a Stunt Double Teapot

• Sturdy — This is a top item, since the teapot will undergo possibly two or three rounds of steeping a day. If it’s a tea room teapot (one of the working class teapots), it will go through possibly dozens of rounds of steeping a day. This involves temperature changes where the pot is warmed (boiling water is heated to 212° F and transfers a lot of that heat to the teapot during steeping) and cooled, lots of handling getting it out and prepping it and pouring and washing and drying, and then sitting on a shelf or in a cupboard or on the counter without the least bit of amusement (without thumbs they find it hard to send out text messages to teapot buddies on their iPhone or other mobile devices).
• Modest — Just as movie stunt doubles do not seek to have their photos splashed all over the tabloids nor fan magazines and web sites, these stunt double teapots have to be content to be in the background and let those show teapots be out in front, being photographed and videoed, showing up on web sites, blogs, and YouTube.
• Practical — Most of all, stunt double teapots must be champion steepers and capable of pouring without fault, although the occasional dribble down their spout will not be an issue since they won’t be in pictures. But then, the better they can pour, the easier for you to pour a cuppa to be photographed.

Some Good Stunt Double Teapot Options

• The Brown Betty Teapot — This little teapot has quite a history. Its origins date back to the end of the 17th Century and the birth of the British Ceramic Teapot. The original unglazed teapot was made out of red clay from the Bradell Woods area in Stoke-on-Trent. Today the Brown Betty teapot is still made in Stoke-on-Trent with the same clay from the original area. British people believe the Brown Betty makes the best pot of tea because of the type of clay that is used and the shape of the pot. *These teapots are not intended for use in a microwave or on a stovetop. We recommend an electric tea kettle to boil the water for brewing your tea. *Please note – because these teapots are handmade there may be some slight imperfections.
• Amsterdam and Price and Kensington Teapots — Colorful and great for everyday, but when it comes to those special occasions, you may want them to be in the background a bit. Steep in them and then pour the tea into one of those showy bone china or silver or even glass teapots for serving.
• Cast Iron, Silver, Stainless Steel, and Glass Teapots — While it is true that these teapots are often used in photos, they are also good steepers and may take that backseat position whenever you are serving your friends or doing a tea tasting where photos are being taken. You may want, for example, to pour the tea into cups and serve directly that way or photograph strictly in the cups.

Choose your teapot steep your tea and get ready for the main event. Lights! Camera! Action!

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