[Sca-cooks] Period baking ovens

[Terry Decker]

What I have seen suggests that it is wood storage.  The firebox style of
oven is (to my knowledge) a modern period invention which came into use
after iron became readily available.  Fireboxes require the heat be
conducted, which is very wasteful of energy in a totally stone or brick
heat-mass oven.

Bear


>I am having a difference of opinion with someone at my work about the
arched
>space often shown under built-in wall ovens.  He says he has seen a picture
>showing a fire in that space; I've only ever seen wood stored there, if
>anything is in there at all.  What have you folks come across?
>
>
>Nancy Kiel