Are glass teapots safer than porcelain?
Both can be good. Choose plain glass or plain undecorated porcelain, and avoid decorated interiors or rims.
What's actually in it
Glass and porcelain are both hard, non-plastic materials. The safer choice is usually the plain one: clear glass or plain white porcelain with no decoration where tea sits or where your mouth touches.
Decorated ceramic can be different. Paint, glaze, metallic trim, and old or damaged finishes are the parts to treat with more care.
What the research says
A 2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials study measured cadmium and lead migration from ceramic mugs using 4% acetic acid over 24 hours. The study found greater migration from exterior lip areas, especially overglazed decorative cadmium sulphoselenide pigments, than from interiors.
The study tested mugs, not teapots. Still, it supports a practical tea rule: choose plain glass or plain undecorated ceramic for surfaces that touch hot drinks.
Skip chipped, heavily decorated, or metallic-rimmed pieces for daily hot tea.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Migration kinetics of cadmium and lead from ceramic mugs. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |
What to use instead
For tea service, shop plain glass or stoneware cups and use the same rule for teapots: keep hot tea away from decorated surfaces.
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