Eorbow Wooden Gongfu Tea Tray with Drainage

This is where honest expectations matter. Several reviewers praise the overall appearance and craftsmanship — it looks attractive for the price. However, a few buyers report that the wood surface can be uneven or have a rough finish, and one reviewer mentioned splinters. The construction leans more toward functional than premium. If you're looking for a flawless, high-end bamboo or hardwood tray, this isn't it. But for a budget-friendly entry into Gongfu tea service, most people find the look acceptable.

Reviewers consistently say cleaning is straightforward. The drip tray underneath is removable, so you can just pull it out, dump the collected water, and wipe it down. The wooden surface can be wiped clean after each session. The simplicity of the drainage system means there aren't a lot of nooks and crannies where tea residue builds up. That said, the plastic drip tray component — while functional — doesn't look as elegant as the wooden top, which a couple of reviewers noted.

Absolutely — that's actually one of its strengths. At 17 inches, it's compact enough for a desk or office countertop without dominating the space. The self-contained water storage means no external drainage setup or hoses to deal with. You can do a quick Gongfu session, enjoy your tea, then empty the water box and wipe down when you're done. It also works as a nice conversation piece in an office setting. Just know that during longer sessions, you may need to empty the water storage box since it's not oversized.

The listing mentions it as a set, and some reviewers reference a pump for draining water. However, the pump quality has been noted as something that could be better. The good news is that if the pump doesn't meet your needs, it's easily replaceable — several tea enthusiasts point out you can upgrade to a better pump separately without any trouble.

One reviewer specifically noted that the drainage tube was too small and didn't fit properly. This seems to be an occasional quality control issue rather than a universal problem, since most reviewers describe the drainage system as functional overall. If you do run into a fitment issue, it's a relatively simple fix — a slightly larger tube from a hardware store would do the trick.

It's marketed as a gift set, and the wooden appearance does make a nice presentation for someone interested in tea. It works well as an introductory gift for someone curious about Gongfu tea — it's a complete setup at an accessible price. Just keep in mind that the construction quality is budget-level, so if you're gifting to a serious tea enthusiast who already has equipment, they may notice the plastic components and rougher wood finishing. For a friend or family member who's just getting into Chinese tea culture, though, it's a thoughtful and functional gift.

A tea tray catches all the spills, drips, and overflow that naturally happen during tea service — especially during Gongfu-style brewing where you're rinsing vessels and pouring frequently. This Eorbow tray has a built-in drainage system with a water storage box underneath, so spilled tea flows through the slotted surface and collects below instead of soaking your table. Reviewers consistently mention that it keeps their table clean and provides a safe, heat-resistant surface for hot teapots.

The main things to consider are size, material, and drainage system. This Eorbow tray is 17 inches, which is a solid middle ground — big enough for a full Gongfu set but not so large it takes over your desk or countertop. It's made of wood, which gives it that classic, traditional look that reviewers appreciate. For drainage, it uses a water storage box rather than a tube-to-bucket system, which keeps things self-contained and simple. If you're just starting out with Gongfu tea, this is a reasonable entry point at a budget-friendly price. If you want premium construction and flawless wood finishing, you'd need to spend more.

Tea trays generally come in a few styles: tabletop trays with built-in water storage (like this Eorbow), trays with an external drainage tube that runs to a bucket below, and dry trays without any drainage at all. This Eorbow is the self-contained type — the water collects in a box underneath the wooden surface, so there's no external hose to deal with. That makes it convenient for desks and smaller spaces. Larger, more elaborate trays with external drainage can handle longer tea sessions without needing to be emptied, but they're less portable.

For a traditional Gongfu setup, you'd typically place a teapot or gaiwan, a fairness pitcher (cha hai), small tasting cups, and tea tools like tongs or a pick. This Eorbow tray at 17 inches comfortably fits a standard Gongfu tea set. Some people also add a tea pet or a small tea towel. The built-in drainage means you don't need to worry about coasters or towels underneath — everything drips through to the water storage box below.

Place your teapot or gaiwan in the center of the tray along with your tea cups. During a Gongfu ceremony, you'd warm your vessels by pouring hot water over them, rinse your tea leaves, and pour servings — all directly on the tray. Any overflow or spills get caught by the drainage system. At 17 inches, this tray gives you enough room for a standard Gongfu setup with a teapot and several cups, though it's not oversized. Reviewers say the size works well for a typical home tea service.