Can You Use a Glass Teapot on a Simmer Plate?
If you don't have an electric tea kettle, you will need to heat water for tea using a stovetop kettle. While most stovetop kettles don't require the use of a simmer plate, there are times when doing so is a good idea. Does this Spark an idea?
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Simmer Plates
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Simmer plates (also called "heat diffusers") act as barriers between the flames of a gas stove and the bottoms of pots, pans and kettles. They protect cookware and can also help prevent scorching delicate sauces and foods such as chocolate.
Teapots
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A tea pot is used for steeping (or brewing) and serving tea. Tea leaves are added to the pot, and hot water is poured over them. When the tea is ready, it is poured out into cups. Teapots are not designed for boiling water for tea, and should never be placed on a stove.
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Glass Teapots
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Glass teapots are made from tempered glass and allow you to watch as your tea leaves unfurl. Never pour boiling or very hot water into a glass vessel that hasn't been tempered as it might shatter.
Tea Kettles
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Tea kettles are used for heating water on a stove, and can be made of metal, glass, and more rarely, clay. Don't confuse a tea kettle with a teapot: Kettles are safe to use over a heat source, but teapots should be kept on non-heated surfaces.
Using a Simmer Plate for Tea Water
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Simmer plates can be used when you want to protect a valuable tea kettle, such as one made of silver, on a gas stove. However, simmer plates are not recommended for use with ordinary kettles, as they slow down the water boil. The quicker the boil, the more oxygen is preserved in the water, resulting in better tasting tea.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Karen
