VACUUM FLASK Tea urn

​A tea urn is a large, specialized container designed to heat and dispense large quantities of hot water or brewed tea for commercial, catering, or institutional use.

​It serves as a high-capacity alternative to a standard kettle, providing a continuous supply of hot beverage for crowds.

• ​Shape and Material: They are typically large, cylindrical, or slightly tapered vessels. Modern commercial urns are almost universally made of stainless steel for durability, easy cleaning, and insulation. Older, traditional models could be made of silver or ceramic, often with decorative elements.

• ​Capacity: Their primary distinguishing feature is volume. Tea urns can range from small models holding a few liters (about 20 cups) up to very large catering models holding several gallons.

• ​Heating Element: Modern tea urns are electric. They have a powerful heating element (often concealed for easy cleaning) to rapidly bring the water to a boil.

• ​Temperature Control: A built-in thermostat is crucial. Unlike a kettle, an urn does not simply boil and stop; it maintains the water at a set temperature (usually near boiling) over a long period.

• ​Dispensing Tap/Spigot: Located near the base, a gravity-fed tap or spigot allows the user to easily and safely dispense the hot water or brewed tea directly into a cup or teapot. This tap is often designed to be dripless.

• ​Lid and Handles: They feature a securely fitting lid to retain heat and steam. Sturdy, insulated handles are positioned on the sides for safe transportation when the urn is empty or cool.
• ​Indicator Lights/Gauges: Most units have indicator lights (e.g., "Boiling" and "Keep Warm") and a water-level gauge or sight tube to show how much water remains inside.