Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've tried many different types of teapots, from high tech to antiques and they have all come up short when using loose tea and multiple steepings. This pot was a gift from my lovely daughter and her family and from now on, it is the only teapot I will ever use. To begin, the stainless steel infuser is an engineering marvel, with precisly cut fine perforations, enormous capacity, welded seams, and a perfect fit. It is ergonomically correct and made of quality material. It should last for decades and goes all the way to the bottom of the pot so you can make any amount of tea you desire. No cheaply stamped and crimped screening here, this infuser is not an after thought but an integral component of the total design. In use, the complete teapot is a symphony of motion. Remove the lid, spoon in your tea leaves, add your carefully heated water and replace the lid. That's it! At the end of your first steeping, simply lift up the lid, and the infuser and tea leaves come with it. Stand the tall, flat bottomed infuser on a saucer, (it is completely drained so you don't need a bowl), gently lift the lid from the infuser and return it to the pot. Pour and enjoy your cup of tea. Your remaining tea stays exactly as you prepared it. Looking at the the pot itself, you will behold an exquisitely executed, example of funtional artistry. Being nearly spherical in shape, it looks much smaller than it's generous internal volume would indicate. It is beautifully made, of a ceramic that looks like porcelain, with deep coloring and flawless glazing. The lid fits perfectly and seals to either the infuser or the pot with a soft, flanged, silicone rubber gasket that will not come loose when either carrying the infuser or pouring from the teapot. And the soft, sanitary gasket is replaceable should you ever accidentally tear it or lose it. Pouring is actually a joyful experience instead of a sloppy misadventure. The cleverly designed Curve spout produces a clean, fluid stream that allows you to put tea exactly where you want it, and there is absolutely no dribbling or dripping, whatsoever. A second steeping is easier than the first. Simply lift the lid (that soft silicone gasket is a dream) drop your waiting infuser into the pot and add another 45 Oz. (or less) of 182 degree water. With it's wide mouth and deep well infuser, there is no splashing. Replace the lid and time your second pot of tea. It will taste as good as the first and have less caffeine. The teapot handle is also elegantly designed. It provides perfect balance and is big enough for my extra large hand to easily grasp and shift the pot so as to pour in any direction. Even when filled to capacity, (45 Oz. is three hefty mugs worth) this pot is balanced and easy to carry. From my review, you might get the impression that I like this teapot a lot. Well, I do and even though it is a little pricey, I strongly recommend it to anyone and everyone. UPDATE:: The Mandarin color is not orange, it is a vibrant yellow with a slightly orange cast, more like the inside of a ripe, luscious mango or morning sunshine. It makes me smile. Cleanup is a cinch. All the leaves are in the infuser so you just tap them out, rinse it and towel it dry. Rinse the pot and lid, dry them as well, and assemble for storage. That's it! NEWER UPDATE: It has been six months since my last update and I am still enthusiastic about this teapot. There is none better and the infuser continues to perform beautifully. I did find one minor flaw, however: I discovered a tiny burr on the infuser that caught my towel as I was drying it. Under magnification, a tiny spur was evident. Using a sharp knife edge, I bent the spur out as far as it would go and then, with a diamond nail file, dressed it down to a smooth finish. This solved the problem in under five minutes but I spent another ten minutes admiring the fine craftsmanship while I had the infuser under my lighted magnifier. You may not enjoy functional elegance as much as I do but for me, I still look forward, each day, to my next satisfying experience with this remarkable teapot. EVEN NEWER UPDATE: Going on a year now and I am still delighted. I had a small incident with the cover, a hairline crack appeared and went through the glaze and the porcelain. Since I have never microwaved or heat stressed the cover, this could only have happened after the glazing and may have been present and unobservable until it became apparent after many applications of tannic acid. On the other hand, stresses from firing may have finally relaxed and the crack appeared. In any event, I eMailed the maker and described the problem. They were most gracious, establishing dialog immediately, and upon my furnishing them my mailing address, promptly sent me a new cover, post paid and free of charge. The color is a perfect match and I am enjoying my Circle Teapot more than ever. These are really nice people and apparently, when you become a customer, you also become a friend. They even take the time to read these reviews.