Solid Fuel Cookers
And Heat Storage Cookers
from Italian Traditional Food

Everyone likes solid fuel cookers

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This article deals with the types of cookers that are generally known as “solid fuel cookers”, although, the same basic cookers are now also available with an oil or gas-fired heat storage system.

Why people like solid fuel cookers

Derived from the old-fashioned form of cooking by fire on an open range, this method means that the food is cooked in the most natural way possible, resulting in very little shrinkage. Users of these cookers claim that their food tastes better, that this method of cooking becomes a way of life, and they would not change willingly to other cookers.

Heat storage cookers are always fully insulated, whereas solid fuel cookers are either fully or semi-insulated. Fully insulated models are at a constant heat for immediate use while semi-insulated ones are kept at a lower temperature with the heat easily and quickly increased when needed. Manufacturers give a handbook with full instructions for use.

Heat conservation

Solid fuel cookers and heat storage cookers, whether at a constant heat or semi-insulated, all work on the same principle of heat conservation. In each cooker there is a firebox, or a source of heat. This heat surrounds the oven, which is cast iron and can reach such a great temperature that the floor of the oven can be used for simmering. The heat also runs under the hotplates, which when not in use must be covered by their hinged, insulated lids in order to conserve the heat.

Heat generators

The heat given out by solid fuel cookers fluctuates more than with the oil or gas-fired heat storage cookers because change of wind and certain types of mild or muggy weather can cause a solid fuel cooker to go “dead”. But if this happens the cooker can be boosted by altering the indicator or the air-control on the ashpit door, depending on which model you have.

Constantly alight

As these cookers are designed to be constantly alight, if they are allowed to go out it takes some time to reheat them to the necessary temperature for cooking. Semi-insulated cookers do not take so long to relight as fully insulated ones, which can take up to 24 hours to be completely ready for use again. However, if a cooker is looked after with care and understanding there is no need for it ever to go out.

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