I agree -- get an electric tea kettle if your are a serious tea drinker.

One, it heats up really fast.

Two, it doesn't get all yucky sitting on your stove.

A really good cast iron tea pot like these: http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/teapots-teapot-sets/cast-iron-teapots

I use the flowering teas and absolutly love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Primula-Flowering-Tea-40-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000P7506M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351622073&sr=8-1&keywords=Flowering+tea

get a black n decker tea kettle from amazon. It is awesome. You plug it in, fill kettle and flip switch. A minute later you have boiling hot water!

Boil in a kettle, microwave, or get hot water from your Keurig. For teas, I love Teavana and they have tons of accessories. This is what I use. I keep it at my desk at work along with a tin of tea. Sure, a cute little teapot would be adorable but it's just something else to clean, and they're heavy as crap. If you just want a cup of teat this is great.

http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-makers-infusers/p/teavana-perfect-teamaker

You don't boil water in a teapot. You boil the water in a kettle.

One teapot is much the same as another. If you are looking for a kettle, we've had a Krups for about 10 years that's still going strong.

If you are using loose leaf tea in the teapot, you will also need a strainer. Alternately, you can brew in the cup using a tea ball.

Bee House. The best. You will not regret.

First boil water in here: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1351570048&sr=8-11&keywords=tea+kettle

Then steep in here: http://www.amazon.com/Harold-Imports-75-Ounce-Capacity-Teapot/dp/B002GTB9JE/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1351570121&sr=1-5&keywords=teapot

Cover the tea pot with a cosy for about 5 min http://www.amazon.com/Shaker-11G44-Ginger-Cat-Cozy/dp/B005DGC68K/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1351570216&sr=1-9&keywords=tea+cosy

Pour tea into your favorite mug and drink it hot.

to boil water or to steep tea?

i'd like to start making loose teas at home, but don't have any equipment. thanks!