FORLIFE Stump Teapot
I've tested a lot of teapots over the years. It comes with the territory! And I keep coming back to this one — not out of habit, but because nothing else I've found performs as consistently.
The FORLIFE Stump is a design that's been widely imitated, which tells you something. The copies are easy to spot: they look similar but tend to drip when you pour, which defeats the whole point of a teapot. The original doesn't. The spout is engineered to give you a clean, controlled pour every time. It sounds like a small thing until you've poured a cup and ended up with tea everywhere except in it.
The removable strainer basket is the other reason I recommend this for a Western brewing setup. It's deep enough to give loose-leaf tea room to expand properly — which matters more than most people realise — and it lifts straight out when the steep is done, so you're not over-steeping your tea. But it also means the teapot works perfectly well with a teabag if that's what you need. For a household where not everyone has made the switch to loose-leaf yet, that flexibility is genuinely useful.
It holds 530ml, which is two generous cups. The lid is hinged and stays attached while you pour, so there's no juggling. Lead-free ceramic, dishwasher safe, and — something I appreciate more than I expected — you can buy replacement baskets. The basket is available separately, so if something breaks, you replace the part, not the pot. For a brand that cares about sustainability, that matters.
If you're only ever going to buy one teapot, I think this is the one.
The details:
- 530ml capacity (two cups)
- Extra-fine 0.3mm stainless steel infuser basket — works with fine loose-leaf, whole-leaf, and teabags
- Drip-free spout
- Hinged lid — stays attached while pouring
- Lead-free, high-fired ceramic
- Fully dishwasher safe
- Replacement baskets available
- Available in eight colours