Kettle, cast iron

MediumCast Iron

Dimensions9 × 10 in. diameter (22.9 × 25.4 cm)

ClassificationsHousehold, Kitchen, Miscellaneous

Credit LineGift of Mable and Clifford Simon. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number73.8.7

Status

On view

Collections

Household objects, Musical instruments and Tools

Label TextAlthough its origins date back to ancient times, cast iron cookware became immensely popular during the Victorian era. Made by melting iron and steel together and pouring the molten metal into a sand mold, cast iron was prized for its durability and affordability, qualities that made it a staple in nearly every household kitchen. Many pots, like this one, were designed with handles for hanging above a hearth or with short legs to rest directly over hot coals. Early American kettles were often simple, heavy pots, but improved casting methods (like Abraham Darby’s 1707 patent) and the Industrial Revolution made them cheaper, allowing settlers to carry them West, while later designs adapted to cooking stoves, becoming flat-bottomed for easier stovetop use Cast iron remained a dominant feature of American cooking well into the 20th century, until it was gradually replaced by state-of-the-art non-stick aluminum cookware in the 1960s. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2072/history-and-resurgence-of-cast-iron-cookware. html?srsltid=AfmBOorWSGcc3SbdFKYK2EQrYGEhQ0hrw76pRMrCI0Yg9emN823R1tG8

Locations