How to Use a Samovar

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Things You'll Need

  • 2 tsp. of tea leaves per person

  • Teapot

  • Charcoal

  • Lighter or matches

  • Paper

A samovar is used to heat water that can be used to make coffee or tea. Their decorative design has made many samovars popular collectibles. There are two main types: traditional and electric. The electric are simpler to use, but the traditional are more commonly seen. The only type of samovar that can be safely used inside is an electric model; all others need to be used outside, since they require open flames. Whichever type of samovar you have, using it to heat water for tea or coffee is a simple process.

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Step 1

Pour water into the samovar. The exact amount will depend upon the capacity of your model.

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Step 2

Plug in the samovar. Do this step if you are using an electric model. Otherwise, skip this step.

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Step 3

Place the tea leaves into the teapot and set aside.

Step 4

Place charcoal down the chimney into the samovar. After you put in the last piece of charcoal, light and drop the flaming charcoal on top of the others. This will catch the rest of the fuel on fire. You can also try to drop flaming pieces of paper into the chimney on top of the charcoal to light the fire.

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Step 5

Place the chimney extension (if there was one included with your samovar model) on top. This will hasten the rate at which the water boils.

Step 6

Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the water to boil.

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Step 7

Pour a small amount of boiling water into the tea pot to make a tea concentrate. The water is poured out by opening the spigot.

Step 8

Let the tea concentrate steep for several minutes. Pour a small amount of tea into a cup, and add boiling water from the samovar on top of the tea to fill the cup.

Step 9

Place the teapot on top of the samovar to keep it warm. Remove the chimney extension and replace it with a cap to snuff out the charcoal.

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