# Gaiwan Tea Set Checklist

| Piece | Capacity or fit to check | Is the setup usable without it? | Leave it out when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaiwan and lid | Check working capacity, not just brim capacity; a 150 mL (5.07 US fl oz) bowl can hold only 100 mL (3.38 US fl oz) to its lid | Not as a gaiwan setup; another brewing vessel would change the setup | You already own a suitable gaiwan |
| Drinking cup or cups | A solo cup should receive the whole decanted infusion; small shared cups need a serving plan | No drinking vessel means nowhere to serve, but an existing cup works | You already have cups that suit the pours |
| Sharing pitcher, also called a gong dao bei | It must receive the infusion you intend to empty into it | Yes, when pouring directly into suitable cups | Your solo cup already holds the whole pour |
| Strainer | Check that it sits securely over the receiving vessel | Yes; the gaiwan lid retains larger leaves | The small particles reaching your cup do not bother you |
| Tray or tea towel | Check the space occupied by the assembled pieces | Yes; a separate tray is not essential | A towel already handles your drips |
| Kettle or hot-water supply | A thermos can bring hot water to a desk; 1 L is about 33.82 US fl oz | Not without some source of hot water | You already have a kettle; it need not match the ceramics |

Fluid-ounce equivalents use mL ÷ 29.57, rounded to two decimal places. They are US fluid ounces, not ounces by weight. The bowl example is a possible difference between advertised and working capacity, not a rule for every 150 mL gaiwan.