Lesson Three:

Tools and Brewing 

Tools of the Trade:

Cauldron: the most iconic tool used by a Potioneer, they often have strong emotional ties to their owner. They are made of various materials and come in various sizes, the preferred depending on where you are in the world. The three most common (in Britain) are:

Pewter: Best for beginners and inexpensive, and gives a little bit of leeway thanks to slow brewing time (precise measurements still required). Pewter is a metal alloy, and the earliest use dates back to an Egyptian tomb in 1450 B.C.E. All Hogwarts students are required to have a Pewter Cauldron size two. 

Brass: Brews at medium speed, slightly more expensive that pewter. Good for intermediate witches and wizards, and also a metal alloy. Brews up to a 100 times faster than pewter, and has been found he western portions of Asia and the East Mediterranean dating as far back as the third millennium before the Common Era, finding it's way to the Roman Empire and parts of Europe. 

Copper: The fastest brewing material, brewing a hundred times faster than brass. Only a skilled Witch or Wizard should use a copper cauldron, as there are more chances of making mistakes, ruining the potion and causing dangerous mishaps. Copper is not an alloy and has been used as far back as 10,000-9,000 years ago.

Silver and Gold cauldron are also used, but are rare and expensive. Silver cauldrons have the least likelihood of failure and give potions longer shelf lives, and fire crab shells may also be used. 

Other: Other equipment need is a set of scales, measuring cups, a ruler, a shape knife, mortar and pestle, and a sort of stirring instrument. Cauldron cleaner may also be required. 

Brewing Processes: Potion brewing requires patience and precision, and it is very important to follow instructions if you are a beginner, in a non-research process. 

1. Always measure the ingredients out beforehand, as it may take pressure off brewing. 
2. Heat cauldron to required temperature/acquire a self heating cauldron
3. Add ingredients, walking through the instructions step by step adding them in the correct order. 
4. Stirring. Can be done with a wand, but you should never point it directly at your cauldron. 
5. Potion brew time is also important, and is given in Estimated Brew Time (EBT), but it may vary slightly
6. The last step is to store the potion in glass or crystal phials. The Siphoning Charm can be used to transport it from a larger cauldron to be stored.

Many potions can be used right after brewing, and others not. Most potions, however, have an expiration date. A phial must always be labeled with the name of the potion, effect, ingredients, date brewed, expiration date, usage, and any warnings about allergies or side effects.