On May 16, 5:39 pm, "wff_ng_7" > wrote:
> "wff_ng_7" > wrote:
> > Hopefully these two will be a bit more difficult to figure out! ;-)
>
> > They are both used in the kitchen and are both "old" (but I won't say how
> > old). Both are used for tasks that are still done today in the kitchen, but in
> > more modern versions.
>
> > Here's the first one. What is it and why is it shaped the way it is?
> >http://i6.tinypic.com/6gsumgz.jpg
> >http://i4.tinypic.com/4vrztwi.jpg
>
> Since no one seems to be able to figure out what this is, I'll tell everyone.
> It's a clam steamer from sometime in the 1800s. I was told around 1850 or so.
> The strange shape at the bottom is so that it can be dropped in a burner hole on
> a wood stove after you remove a lid. If you look very closely at the second
> photo, you can see that the very bottom is copper to improve the heat transfer.
>
> The other notable feature on it is the metal channel down the side. The purpose
> of that is to draw off the excess steam from the top of the pot and channel it
> down into the stove, where it will be carried off by the chimney draft with the
> smoke. I also have an "odorless" cast iron skillet that is based on this same
> concept to draw the cooking odors into the stove.
>
> --
> wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

So, have you revealed the 2nd mystery item yet? Inquiring minds and
all that...