When a tea ball is too small
A tea ball can be convenient for a small portion, but its compact shape leaves limited expansion room. Check the wet leaves before blaming the recipe.
Closing easily is only the first test
A mesh ball that closes neatly around dry tea may look perfectly sized. After brewing, the leaves can tell a different story. Rolled or twisted leaves expand as they become wet, and a full dry compartment can become a tightly packed mass. Water may not move through that portion as evenly as you expected. The fact that the latch shut without difficulty does not prove there was enough working space.
Open the ball after it has cooled and inspect the contents. If the leaves are compressed into its shape, try a smaller portion with a proportionately smaller amount of water, or switch to a larger basket. Simply adding more leaves to solve a weak cup can make crowding worse. A tea ball is a tool with a particular capacity, not a universal container for every mug size.
Check the closure and the lifting point
Before each use, make sure the hinge and latch are intact and the two halves meet as intended. A small gap can release fine particles. Do not squeeze damaged mesh back into shape with bare fingers if loose wires are exposed. A chain or handle should give you a comfortable way to retrieve the infuser without fishing in hot tea. Secure it as designed rather than trapping it under the mug.
At the end of the infusion, lift the ball onto a suitable dish and let it drain. Avoid tapping it forcefully against a thin glass rim to shake out the last drops. If the closure is awkward to open when wet, wait until it is cool and work over a surface that can catch the leaves. The small amount saved by rushing is not worth scattering hot wet tea across the counter.
Let convenience decide its place
For a modest portion of a tea that fits comfortably, a ball can be easy to store and quick to use. For large leafy infusions or a generous mug, a roomy basket may be less frustrating. Clean the hinge and seam as well as the visible mesh, following the maker's instructions. If you regularly struggle to fill, empty or rinse it, choose another format. Good teaware should make your usual cup simpler, rather than requiring you to keep adapting the tea to a container that is too small.
