A samovar (Russian: самовар, IPA: [səmɐˈvar], literally "self-brewer") is a metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water. Although originating in Russia, the samovar is well known outside of Russia and has spread through Russian culture to Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, Iran, Afghanistan, the Kashmir Valley in India, the Middle East, Azerbaijan and is also known in some parts of Central Europe. Since the heated water is typically used to make tea, many samovars have a ring-shaped attachment (Russian: конфорка, konforka) around the chimney to hold and heat a teapot filled with tea concentrate.[1] Though traditionally heated with coal or kindling, many newer samovars use electricity to heat water in a manner similar to an electric water boiler. Antique samovars are often prized for their beautiful workmanship. Samovars are typically crafted out of plain iron, copper, polished brass, bronze, silver, gold, tin, or nickel. A typical samovar consists of a body, base and chimney, cover and steam vent, handles, tap and key, crown and ring, chimney extension and cap, drip-bowl, and teapot. The body shape can be an urn, krater, barrel, cylinder, or sphere. Sizes and designs vary, from large, "40-pail" ones (though largely metaphorical, food-service sized samovars were often very large indeed), to smaller family-sized ones, holding 4 litres (1.1 US gal), to those of a modest 1 litre (0.26 US gal) size.[2] A traditional samovar consists of a large metal container with a tap near the bottom and a metal pipe running vertically through the middle. The pipe is filled with solid fuel which is ignited to heat the water in the surrounding container. A small (6 to 8 inch/15 to 20 cm) smoke-stack is put on the top to ensure draft. After the water boils and the fire is extinguished, the smoke-stack can be removed and a teapot placed on top to be heated by the rising hot air. The teapot is used to brew a strong concentrate of tea known as zavarka (заварка). The tea is served by diluting this concentrate with boiled water from the main container, usually at a water-to-tea ratio of 10-to-1, although tastes vary. Samovars (sometimes also spelled Samavar or Samaavar) Â are used to boil water for tea and are a staple in most Persian homes. Just like in Russian, Tea is a popular drink in Iran. Â Pretty much everyone begins their day with a cup of tea, drinks some more after each meal as well as some between meals. Originally from Russia, Samovars found their way south to Iran and quickly became popular. Initially all Samovars operated with choral by placing the hot coals in the designated heating pipe. Gradually the water would heat up with the help of the rising heat from below. Â Strong tea is brewed in the small pot and placed on the top portion. The steam rising from the boiling hot water below keeps it warm. When serving tea, a glass cup is partially filled with the strong tea from the small pot first and then hot water from the samovar is poured over it. Through the centuries Samovars have evolved and eventually electric ones were invented. There are different types of samovars ranging in different sizes, but most importantly the artwork that goes into it can be very intricate and unique. Some can be amazing pieces of art. The Russian Samovar is a large heated container used to boil water for tea. The word "samovar" literally translates as "self-brewer." Samovars are usually ornately decorated and are part of a traditional tea-drinking ceremony. Throughout history, Russian families have spent hours at the table drinking tea and eating traditional Russian treats such as the пряник (PRYAnik)—a type of honey and ginger cake. This was the time for socializing and the samovar became a big part of the Russian culture of family time and hospitality. Key Takeaways: Russian Samovar Russian samovars are metal pots used for heating water to make tea. They contain a vertical pipe that heats water and keeps it hot for hours. Some Russians believed that samovars had a soul and could communicate with people. The brothers Lisitsyn opened the first large samovar factory in Tula in 1778, and samovars became popular from 1780s onwards. Samovars have become one of the symbols of Russia around the world. Russians believed that each samovar had its own soul because of the sounds that samovars produced when heating the water. As each samovar produced a different sound, many Russians believed that their samovar was communicating with them, just like the other house spirits that they believed in, such as the Domovoi. How a Samovar Works A samovar contains a vertical pipe filled with solid fuel which heats the water and keeps it hot for hours at a time. To make tea, a teapot with a strong tea brew called заварка (zaVARka) is placed on top and heated by the rising hot air. When not in use for tea making, the samovar remained hot and was convenient as an immediate source of freshly boiled water. There are three main reasons why the samovar became so popular both in Russia and abroad in the 18-19th centuries: Samovars were economical. A samovar has a complex structure and usually consists of 17-20 parts. Altogether, the structure of samovars was an amalgamation of all the knowledge that existed at the time on preserving energy. The heating pipe was fully surrounded by the water that was being heated and therefore created the largest possible amount of energy without much energy loss. Water softener. Additionally, a samovar softened the water during the heating process, with the limescale dropping to the floor of the container. This meant that the boiled water coming out of the samovar's tap was pure, soft, and had no limescale. Easily monitoring of water heating. Due to the sounds that samovars make when the water begins to heat, it is possible to monitor the stage of water heating throughout the process. First, the samovar is said to sing (самовар поёт - samaVAR paYOT), then to make a particular noise called белый ключ (BYEly KLYUCH)—the white spring, before boiling (самовар бурлит - samaVAR boorLEET). The tea is made once the white spring noise appears. Materials and Characteristics Samovars were usually made of nickel or copper. The handles and the body of the samovar were made to be as ornate as possible, as it added to its value and promoted the factory that produced it. Samovars were sometimes also made of silver and gold. Different factories produced different shapes of samovars, and at some point, there were around 150 types of samovar shapes being produced in Tula. The weight of a samovar also mattered, with heavier models being more expensive. This depended on the thickness of a samovar's walls as well as on the amount of brass that was used to create the ornate details on the surface. Thicker walls meant that a samovar would be used for a longer time. Sometimes, certain factories created thin-walled samovars but used more lead when attaching the taps and handles to the main body of the samovar, which added to the general weight. The exact weight distribution had to be specified in the documents that accompanied each samovar but was often deliberately left out, leading to legal cases when disgruntled customers took the sellers to court. Cultural Significance The samovar became popular in Russia in 1780s and a large factory was opened in Tula by the brothers Lisitsyn. Whole villages could sometimes specialize in making just one part, contributing to the complex and expensive process of producing samovars. Most families had several samovars that were easily heated with pine cones and twigs. Eventually, electrical samovars appeared and began to replace traditional ones. Samovars continued to be used during the Soviet Union years, especially in rural areas. Nowadays, they have been mostly replaced with electrical kettles, but still have a strong presence as a souvenir item that is displayed in a prominent place in a home. However, there are still those who prefer to use electric and even traditionally heated samovars. A large part of the samovar making industry is now directed at tourists and Russian history enthusiasts, and Russian samovars remain one of the most well-known symbols of Russia around the world.