Family tea drinking has long been an integral part of a heart-to-heart conversation. And what kind of meal, and even in the fresh air, without a samovar? Therefore, this wonderful tradition of our ancestors has survived to this day. And the shape of modern tea containers has remained the same. Here are just a few small innovations that have made them more convenient and comfortable.
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First, the expensive metal used in the past has been replaced by stainless steel, followed by a nickel-plated coating.
Secondly, they began to introduce electrical devices for heating liquid in the apparatus so that they can be used in apartments and houses with power grids.
Thirdly, manufacturers supplement their products with additional accessories and utensils necessary for tea drinking.
In the old days, samovars were made of silver, copper and cupronickel, and it was believed that the tea brewed in them had its own special taste and aroma. Therefore, their price in modern times is quite high, which is quite justified.
The difficulty, according to grandparents, was only in cleaning them. But it is successfully eliminated with the help of modern chemicals.
It depends on the purpose for which a tea-drinking apparatus is purchased, it can be both functional and perform a purely decorative function. Equipped with all the details and completely imitating real samovars, as well as selected in color and shape, decorative ones fit beautifully into any interior and create a truly soulful and warm atmosphere of the room.
For a room decorated in the Baroque style, a product with a Khokhloma painting is perfect, but for a modern design, samovars of ergonomic shapes with chrome plating will be a wonderful addition.
The finishing touch in the room depicting a peasant hut will be a decorative unit made of birch bark.
On open terraces or gazebos, copper devices are a universal option.
According to their type of application and parts included in the kit, all samovars are divided into:
Each of these categories has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, fire samovars (or wood-fired) are perfect for hiking, hunters or fishermen. They are heated with wood and, thanks to the thick walls of the container, keep the liquid hot for a long time. This type of aggregate provides a smoky flavor in strong, aromatic tea, which cannot be said about the electric “relative”. Depending on the volume, it can be used either by one person or by a whole friendly company.
But such a unit will be useless in apartments and houses with electrical supply, since it will not be possible to heat the water in it.
The category of electric samovars is improved and adapted to modern living conditions of people, but, at the same time, respecting the traditions of their ancestors. The device for heating water with electricity included in their design allows you to quickly brew fragrant tea. In terms of the boiling time of the liquid, they are comparable to modern electric kettles. Unlike fire appliances, this category does not form soot and does not need to be regularly cleaned from it.
Combined apparatuses are versatile models that allow you to use them both as heat and electric. This function is provided by a detachable device with a cord.
To narrow down the search for the optimal product model, experts recommend answering a few leading questions in advance.
So:
When planning to use these units often, experts advise choosing forged models with stiffeners. They are more durable than their cast "cousins", and their walls are thicker. These options include samovars in the form of "vases", "glasses" or "acorn". Aggregates with a spherical, cylindrical or cubic structure are more vulnerable to mechanical stress.
An important factor when choosing a samovar is a visual inspection and testing. Particular attention should be paid to the faucet. If you find the slightest defects in its movement, you should take into account the possible flow of water during subsequent use. Low heat resistance and inconvenient positioning of the handles can create additional discomfort in moving the device.
Depending on the material from which this or that samovar is made, its cost also fluctuates. More expensive are items made of silver, brass and copper. In addition to the amount required when buying a product, you will have to spend in the future on special cleaning agents for these metals. In contrast, the models with nickel and enamel coatings and printed patterns provide for cleaning with universal chemicals.
Another nuance that you should pay attention to when buying a samovar with wood is the need for additional purchase of wood fuel and cones. Users warn that when kindling devices of this category with cones, resin can form in the body. This should not be forgotten. Before using this type of tea making machine, you should also learn how to properly adjust the draft.
According to numerous reviews of samovar tea lovers, the following representatives of different categories are included in the rating of the best.
Graceful leaf-shaped corrugations and twisted handles add a special charm to this model. Made of high quality brass with food tin coating on the inner surface, the device will become a table decoration and can be used as an original and kind gift to your beloved friends or colleagues.
Thanks to the high-quality metal from which the parts of the product are made, the water in the case remains hot for two or more hours.
The device is equipped with a smoke exhaust pipe. Wood chips, firewood, branches and cones can serve as fuel for kindling the goods.
Specifications:
This model is a cone-shaped product with a grooved body and openwork handles. The sleek design hides a large volume of 7 liters. The smooth transition of the refined part to the original legs of the device makes it truly magnificent. Each facet, shining with a bright sun, creates a good mood for all members of the company. Wooden knobs that decorate the handles, lid and faucet play more than a decorative role. They prevent human fingers from touching scalding parts and surfaces. The kit includes a special pipe for exhausting smoke.
Thickened body walls and excellent thermal conductivity of brass ensure long-term retention of fluid temperature.
All wood fuels are used for the combustion.
Tula plant "Shtamp" presents a brass product with a nickel-plated coating. The beautiful cone-shaped shape has several faces, one of which depicts the coat of arms of the manufacturing city. The product will be an excellent gift for any celebration and for a person of any age category. The simultaneous combination of solidity, exclusivity and originality in it distinguishes it from other "relatives".
A smoke exhaust pipe is sold with the tea drinking device. Also in the store of this category of goods, you can buy any suitable fuel.
Specifications:
The name of the device suggests that its shape is similar to an acorn and is quite original. Smaller in liquid capacity, but the product of the same Tula manufacturer, gained its popularity due to the rapid heating of water. It boils in a 2.5 liter casing in just 10-12 minutes. And the brass, from which the unit is made, contributes to easy thermal conductivity and the maintenance of the reached temperature at the same level for two hours. The kit includes a smoke exhaust pipe.
Specifications:
This product is made of nickel plated brass. The metal provides excellent thermal conductivity for cold formed parts.The coating provides a long service life and a beautiful appearance to the product. The samovar capacity is 1.5 liters. The device is equipped with a thermal switch that is triggered when the water reaches the required temperature and in order to avoid its further evaporation. A protective device built into the housing protects the electric heater from damage if connected to an energy source without water. Keeping the liquid hot is 2 hours.
Specifications:
This model also features a nickel-plated electric brass apparatus. All major parts are cold formed. "Oval" is equipped with a thermal switch that prevents the heating element from overheating when water evaporates in the housing. The samovar is endowed with a protection function that protects the electric heater from combustion in the absence of liquid inside when connected to a power source.
The permitted volume of water is 3 liters. The high thermal conductivity of the metal causes its rapid heating, and the thickness of the walls of the case allows keeping the liquid hot for 2 hours.
Specifications:
The model is represented by an electric brass apparatus with a capacity of 3 liters. Conical in shape, it is equipped with an automatic shut-off function when the water reaches boiling point. Cold stamping of brass parts provides excellent thermal conductivity of the samovar, and the dense walls of the body allow keeping the liquid hot for a long time. A quick boil makes it possible to use such a model daily instead of an electric kettle. A beautiful design in Russian style will become an everyday table decoration.
Specifications:
This model is made of brass by cold stamping parts. The coating is a heat-resistant painting with gilding on a black background, which impresses with its luxury and grandeur. The unit body holds 3 liters of liquid. This volume is enough to serve 4 people. Thanks to high-quality metal, the samovar has a high thermal conductivity and keeps the water at a constant temperature for more than 2 hours. This product can be used every day, and it will also be a great gift for friends or acquaintances.
This model can be presented in several original forms, in the form
cone, oval, cylinder or acorn.
Specifications:
A very interesting proposal for the consumer market came from a Tula manufacturer. Its exclusive design solution will not leave any lover of football and strong aromatic tea aside. The presented set consists of a round samovar, decorated in the form of a soccer ball, a teapot and a metal tray. Such a set is able to decorate even the most ordinary tea party. The parts made of high quality brass by cold stamping ensure structural strength and preservation of the liquid inside the body in a hot state for a long time. The inner side of the kit is processed with food-grade tin, which allows you not to worry about the harm of the coating on the human body. A high-quality heat-resistant varnish coating creates a stable barrier against possible contamination of the surface of products. A volume of 5 liters allows you to treat a company of 5-10 people with fragrant tea. Depending on the wishes of customers, the shape of the tray can be rectangular, oval or round.
Specifications:
The model is represented by a voluminous body that holds 7 liters of water. This amount is enough to drink delicious, aromatic tea for up to 8 people. Made of brass with an internal food-grade tin coating, it provides high-quality heating of the liquid, followed by maintaining the temperature for 2 hours. The faceted surface of a cylindrical shape gives strength and reliability to the structure of the apparatus, which is less susceptible to mechanical damage than a cast one.
The peculiarity of the combined models is their versatility. Having a smoke exhaust pipe and an electric heating element, it can be used both in apartments with power supply, and in summer cottages or hikes, heating water in it with charcoal, cones or chips.
Specifications:
The Shtamp plant produces an original tea set consisting of a samovar, a teapot, a tray and a sugar bowl, which quickly gained popularity among consumers. The original design and high quality of products is an excellent gift option for a birthday, anniversary or wedding.
The volume of the case is 4.5 liters, which allows you to treat up to 7 members of a family or company with a fragrant drink.
The kit is equipped with a smoke exhaust pipe and an electric heater, which allows it to be used both at home and outdoors.
Made of high quality brass, the set ensures fast thermal conductivity of surfaces and long-term retention of water when hot. Any type of wood fuel is used to heat the fluid in field conditions.
Specifications:
A friendly conversation in a warm atmosphere of family or friends, and over a cup of hot delicious, aromatic tea from a traditional Russian samovar, nothing can replace. Therefore, in order to create a truly homely atmosphere during tea drinking, you should not rush to buy the first random product. The questions suggested at the beginning of the article will concretize your direction and narrow the circle of searching for the best option. And the technical characteristics of the models you like will help you find the one and only necessary product.