Acorn Teapots

I guess I didn't read the directions as I pour the water directly into the pot. I do bring my water to a boil, but then take it off the burner and pour a little in my cup and in the teapot to warm them up then dump out this little bit of water. Then I add my tea to the pot/cup and pour in the water. I've never had a problem with it. I also like the way the cover "hooks" onto the pot so no fear of it falling off when pouring out the last of the tea.

there was a very thin scratch on the pot, which didnt bother me at all. however after 2 days of making tea, water beads came right out of the scratch. each pot of tea had more leaking. i called harney and they sent another immediately without waiting for me to send back the pot. but as i read the directions even here on this page, i see you are supposed to let the boiling water cool. i am becoming a tea maven and want to follow harney directions for tea. i drink the flavored black teas, and they all suggest 212 degree (boiling) water. its disappointing that id have to vary the temperature from the ideal just to avoid future cracking. my replacement pot has not leaked and i do put boiling water in it, but in the future, i would not buy this brand. maybe time for cast iron. ive been to harney's soho location and they do serve the teas in a ceramic forlife brand bell pot. maybe i should have bought that one, but i didnt like the metal top as much as i like the appearance of the acorn. when i called the forlife manufacturer, tney too mentioned the water should not be at boiling temperature. so i am confused about why tea should be steeped in boiling water if the ceramic pots don't stand up to that hot temp.