THY COLLECTIBLES Bamboo GongFu Tea Serving Tray (21x12 Large)

Absolutely! This is actually an excellent starter tray. The slide-out plastic collection tray makes cleanup incredibly easy—you just pull it out and empty it, no fuss. It's sized well to accommodate a teapot and cups without feeling cramped, and the drainage system helps contain the water mess that's inherent to GongFu brewing. At this price point, it's a low-risk way to start practicing traditional tea ceremonies without investing in expensive equipment.

The collection tray is surprisingly deep at 2.5-3 inches, which gives you plenty of capacity for multiple brewing sessions before needing to empty it. Several reviewers specifically praised this depth, noting they could go through an entire tea session without worrying about overflow. That said, water doesn't always drain perfectly into the slits—you may occasionally need to push water toward the drainage holes manually.

The floral and vine patterns on the legs and apron panels are actual hand-carved details, which really elevates the look. Multiple reviewers mentioned the tray looks even better in person than in photos. However, there are some inked Chinese characters that aren't carved—just printed—and a couple of reviewers noted these can appear faded or blurry. The carved elements are the real visual highlight here.

This is worth noting: several reviewers received trays with bamboo splits or cracks already present on arrival. Some also mentioned misalignment at glue joints, suggesting quality control could be better. That said, many others praised the solid, sturdy construction and had no issues. It's a bit of a quality lottery. Given the affordable price, some buyers felt minor imperfections were acceptable, but if you're looking for museum-quality bamboo work, you might want to consider a higher-end option.

There is a drain nipple on the tray, but heads up—several reviewers found the tubing that comes with it (or standard tubing) doesn't fit properly. You'll need tubing with a 5/16" inner diameter to fit the drain nipple snugly. It's a minor inconvenience, but easily solvable with a quick trip to a hardware store if you want a direct drainage setup.

For the price, this tray punches above its weight. You're getting solid bamboo construction, hand-carved decorative details, a generously sized surface, and a deep, removable collection tray. Most reviewers felt it was an excellent value—some even said it exceeded their expectations. The main trade-off is quality control inconsistency (cracks, alignment issues), but if you receive a good one, it's a fantastic deal for both beginners and enthusiasts.