Cookware

Medieval Cookware

bronze_pot.jpg

Medieval cookware is an on-going but often neglected topic of interest for me. I’m utterly fascinated with the idea that the implements influence the food and cooking choices. My dream is to someday cook a meal using only period cookware and techniques.


Ideas I want to research:

  • I’ve seen references to cooking over a brazier. This would be like cooking in a tagine only possibly with an open pot over a brazier of coals.
  • Modernly when we conceive of spit roasting something we place the spit directly over the flame. I’ve seen indications that the spit would be placed next to the fire, sometimes with a drip pan below to catch all the nice meat drippings (much better then dripping them into the fire to cause flare up). This also argues spit cooking as an indirect cooking method.
  • Cooking that -was- done directly over the fire was handled in pots either with intregral feet or with a separate trivet.
  • Ovens were the property of bakers. They were used for breads and tarts. I really doubt that any meats were ever baked.


Random list of sources/links:
Ceramic Analysis
http://www.postex.demon.co.uk/thesis/thesis.htm
This report discusses some of the
history and importance of cauldrons and focuses on the development of cast
iron for everyday use.
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jselmer/cauldrons.htm
Seller with bronze cauldron (pretty)
http://www.thadenarmory.com/sell/cookware/cookware.htm
www.juliasmith.com/historicpottery/cooking.htm

4 thoughts on “Medieval Cookware

    1. Thanks! It’s not one of my main focus but it is something I occasionally noodle on. I’ll definitely post more if I have it.

  1. Oh, goodness. This is one of my passions.

    Kitchen Utensils, by Phillips V Brooks

    Search out the woodcuts at the end of Scappi’s _Opera_, which is nothing BUT kitchen images, by a medieval superchef from late medieval Italy.

    Cooking and Dining in Medieval England, by Peter Brears.

    On Facebook, look for the group Cooks Play Date West An Tir War. Lots of us gather at a war over 4th of July weekend to cook while other people whack away at each other in armor. Lots of pictures there of us having a blast, and our period-cooked dinners are…legendary. If I can root our collective horns.

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