Upon receiving an express tea maker, do not rush to add tea leaves immediately. Lay out the actual components supplied—such as the lid, infuser insert or strainer, and cup body—to verify where water is poured in, where the tea liquor decants, and whether your grip will contact hot surfaces. Structures vary across different sets, so follow the product's actual instructions.
Rinse the vessel with plain water before first use. Choose a small measure of whole-leaf tea, place it into the brewing compartment, add water for a brief steep, then decant all the tea liquor into the cup; if leaves remain submerged in water, the strength will continue to increase even after you lift the cup. Begin your trials with a gentler water temperature and shorter steeping time, then adjust according to the tea style and personal taste, without pursuing a rigid number of seconds.
Factor cleaning into the routine
Discard the spent tea leaves promptly after drinking, separate detachable components, rinse them with plain water, and leave them to dry. In an office lacking a proper drying area, teaware that is convenient for brewing may still end up disused simply because tidying it away is cumbersome.
The Jiang Rong Hao catalogue includes express tea makers, but components, capacity, materials, and dishwasher suitability cannot be inferred solely from the term "express tea maker". Check the product page before purchasing, and verify any missing details directly with the brand.
An initial test of an express tea maker should also include checking the pouring angle and resting position to ensure hot water does not run down towards your hand. If taking it to trade fairs, practice packing and unpacking it once more beforehand.
If using new teaware for the first time, test for leaks and check the drainage direction with plain water before conducting formal tea tastings, avoiding discovering an ill-fitted lid or strainer when pressed for time.