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What do we see when we look closely?
Examine this kitchen scene, published in an English cookbook in 1780. In the 18th century, cooks had to work over an open fire. There was no refrigeration and no running water. The array of devices and tools cooks used depended on their skills and the wealth of the household. Discover six different tools in this kitchen and how they were used.
Roll over different areas of the kitchen to discover answers to the questions below.
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- Q1What is the iron bar called?
- A1It is called a hearth crane. A hearth crane was a hinged iron bar added to some hearths in the 18th century. A cook could swing the crane outward from the hearth, enabling him or her to tend a pot without stepping directly into the fire.
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- Q2What is the round disk with the attached chain?
- A2The disk is part of a spit that attach to a spit jack, a mechanical device for turning meat over a fire. To rotate meat, a cook turned a hand crank (located above the fire), which rotated the disk below. A rack above the hearth holds three additional spits ready to be used.
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- Q3What is the rectangular pan below the fire?
- A3It is a drip pan. Drip pans were placed under meat cooking on a spit to collect juices. The flavorful juices could be used to make gravy, or added to dishes for seasoning.
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- Q4How are the jars on the shelf used?
- A4They might hold pickled walnuts, onions, or cucumbers. In the 18th century, cooks commonly pickled fruits and vegetables to preserve them.
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- Q5What are the bird-shaped objects on the wall?
- A5They might be baking tins or culinary molds for shaping jellies and desert puddings. In the 18th century, elaborately molded creations in the shape of birds, fish, and other items were often the crowning glory of a host's table.
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- Q6How is the bucket on the floor used?
- A6It might be used to carry and prepare ingredients before cooking, or to bring cooking water into the kitchen. In the 18th century, water was not always readily available; kitchen workers often had to collect it from wells, cisterns, or rain barrels.
-
- Q1What is the iron bar called?
- A1It is called a hearth crane. A hearth crane was a hinged iron bar added to some hearths in the 18th century. A cook could swing the crane outward from the hearth, enabling him or her to tend a pot without stepping directly into the fire.
-
- Q2What is the round disk with the attached chain?
- A2The disk is part of a spit that attach to a spit jack, a mechanical device for turning meat over a fire. To rotate meat, a cook turned a hand crank (located above the fire), which rotated the disk below. A rack above the hearth holds three additional spits ready to be used.
-
- Q3What is the rectangular pan below the fire?
- A3It is a drip pan. Drip pans were placed under meat cooking on a spit to collect juices. The flavorful juices could be used to make gravy, or added to dishes for seasoning.
-
- Q4How are the jars on the shelf used?
- A4They might hold pickled walnuts, onions, or cucumbers. In the 18th century, cooks commonly pickled fruits and vegetables to preserve them.
-
- Q5What are the bird-shaped objects on the wall?
- A5They might be baking tins or culinary molds for shaping jellies and desert puddings. In the 18th century, elaborately molded creations in the shape of birds, fish, and other items were often the crowning glory of a host's table.
-
- Q6How is the bucket on the floor used?
- A6It might be used to carry and prepare ingredients before cooking, or to bring cooking water into the kitchen. In the 18th century, water was not always readily available; kitchen workers often had to collect it from wells, cisterns, or rain barrels.
- 1What is the iron bar called?
- 2What is the round disk with the attached chain?
- 3What is the rectangular pan below the fire?
- 4How are the jars on the shelf used?
- 5What are the bird-shaped objects on the wall?
- 6How is the bucket on the floor used?
