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4. Troubleshooting

In this chapter, we will review the most common problems that emerge in the process of tea-making and the solutions thereof. Those having obvious solutions, such as changing the spiral if the samovar doesn't heat the water are omitted. Rather, we will focus on issues that are not as trivial and require some knowledge beyond common sense.

Problem                       |Cause                     |Solution  
------------------------------+--------------------------+-------------------------- 
The tea is foamy, especially  | Some unboiled water has  | Dump the tea, boil the 
after adding sugar            | slipped in during the    | water thoroughly and try 
                              | process of teamaking     | again. 
------------------------------+--------------------------+-------------------------- 
There's an oily film on the   | Tannin has been cooked   | Make new zavarka in a  
surface of the zavarka, the   | out of the tea leaves.   | well steamed, hot pot. 
tea has an unpleasant, sour   |                          | Do not heat it after it 
taste                         |                          | has cooled down. 
------------------------------+--------------------------+-------------------------- 
An oily film has formed on the| Tannin has formed in the | Make a new cup of tea. 
top of the diluted tea        | cup because it has been  | Drink it soon after 
                              | standing too long        | making. 
------------------------------+--------------------------+-------------------------- 
Water drips from the faucet   | The valve is not water-  | First, try to use the 
of the samovar even when it   | proof anymore            | other 'closed' position. 
is closed                     |                          | If it doesn't fix the 
                              |                          | problem, clean the valve 
                              |                          | from the residual calx. 
------------------------------+--------------------------+-------------------------- 
The zavarka pot as well as the| The wet tea leaves molded| Dump the zavarka, and 
tea have a rather repulsive   | inside the teapot        | sterilize the pot. A UV 
odor                          |                          | lamp such as the one used 
                              |                          | for erasing EPROMs comes 
                              |                          | in handy 

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