In most medieval households, cooking was done on an open hearth in the middle of the main living area, to make efficient use of the heat. This was the most common arrangement, even in wealthy households, where the kitchen was combined with the dining hall. Tools specific to cooking over an open fire were spits of various sizes, and material for skewering anything from delicate quails to whole oxen, along with adjustable hooks for pots and cauldrons.
In most medieval households, cooking was done on an open hearth in the middle of the main living area, to make efficient use of the heat. This was the most common arrangement, even in wealthy households, where the kitchen was combined with the dining hall. Towards the Late Middle Ages a separate kitchen area began to evolve by building a separate building or wing that contained a dedicated kitchen area, often separated from the main building by a covered arcade. This way, the smoke, odors and bustle of the kitchen could be kept out of sight of guests, and the fire risk lessened. Tools specific to cooking over an open fire were spits of various sizes, and material for skewering anything from delicate quails to whole oxen, along with cranes with adjustable hooks so that pots and cauldrons could easily be swung away from the fire to keep them from burning or boiling over. Utensils were often held directly over the fire or placed into embers on tripods.
Size: 4504px × 3672px
Location: England, UK
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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