The first ovens weren't really ovens at all. They were open fires that were placed on the ground and later simple masonry would be used to hold the burning wood. These and later simple ovens were mainly used to make bread and other basic bakery goods.
By the middle ages, taller brick & mortar hearths equipped with chimneys were being built. The food being cooked was placed in a metal cauldron that was hung above the fire. It is thought that the first oven was built in 1490 in Alsace, France. This oven was made entirely out of brick and tile, including the flue.
Soon after, inventors began to improve on the bothersome smoke that accompanied wood-burning ovens. Fire chambers were invented that contained the smoke and holes were built into the tops of these chambers so that flat-bottomed cooking containers could be placed on top of the cauldron. Wood-burning stoves quickly fell out of fashion once iron stoves were invented.
Once electric ovens were invented, the game changed. Humongous turkeys could be cooked in mere hours and cooking was at its finest. The modern kitchen would look nothing like it looks today without the addition of ovens.
Fun Facts:
- Portable ovens were available for purchase as early as 1600 B.C.E.
- It wasn't until the 1700s that ovens were viewed as more practical than fireplaces.
- Wood-burning ovens are gaining popularity again as more and more are installed in outdoor settings. They are typically used for pizzas or other baked goods.
Oven:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please be respectful. Think to yourself, "Would I say this to a child?"