In many Australian rural homes during the 1960s and 70s, the wood burning kitchen stove was more than just a cooking appliance; it was the heart of the house. In winter, it became the warmest and most inviting room, drawing family members together for warmth, conversation, and sustenance.
A Simple Test of Warmth
Testing if the stove was ready for baking or cooking was a matter of intuition and experience. One common method involved opening the oven door and briefly placing your hand inside. If the heat was just right, the baking could commence. It was a skill honed over time, blending practicality with a touch of culinary artistry.
The Rayburn Stove
For many families the Rayburn stove was the centerpiece of the kitchen. This iconic wood burning stove was known for its robust design and versatility. The Rayburn didn’t just cook meals; it heated water, warmed the kitchen, and provided a reliable heat source during chilly winters. Its cast-iron construction retained heat exceptionally well, making it an efficient choice for households of the era.
The Rayburn featured multiple ovens and a hotplate on top, allowing for a variety of cooking methods. Whether you were slow cooking a stew or frying eggs, the Rayburn delivered consistent results.
The Right Wood for the Right Heat
Feeding these stoves was a task requiring both effort and strategy. Larger logs were used for sustained heat, perfect for slow cooking or keeping the house warm overnight. Smaller sticks and kindling ignited quickly, ideal for starting a fire or giving the stove an extra boost of heat when needed. Managing the woodpile became an essential part of household routines.
A Hub for Connection
The kitchen stove wasn’t just a practical fixture; it was a gathering place. Families would huddle around its warmth to listen to the radio, tuning in to popular shows that brought entertainment and news into their homes. The stove's steady heat created a cozy atmosphere where stories were shared, and laughter filled the room.
A Slithery Visitor
One winter day, as our family enjoyed the cozy warmth of the Rayburn stove, an unexpected visitor made its presence known. A red-bellied black snake had found its way into the house, slithering up through a knothole in the pine floorboards to bask in the stove’s inviting heat.
After carefully dealing with the situation, we set about inspecting the house, discovering several other knotholes in the floorboards that could serve as entry points for other unwelcome guests. Determined to prevent future surprises, we covered every knothole with pieces of tin, ensuring that no more reptiles would join us uninvited around the stove.
A Special Place for an Orphan Joey
The Rayburn stove’s warmth extended beyond the family to a little orphan kangaroo joey we were raising. A hessian bag hung from the front of the stove, serving as a makeshift pouch. The gentle heat from the stove created the perfect environment for the joey, mimicking the warmth and security of its mother’s pouch. The sight of the tiny creature peeking out of the hessian bag added a special charm to our kitchen and remains one of my fondest memories of life around the stove.
Clothes Drying and Warmth
Clotheslines strung in front of the stove served a practical purpose, turning the kitchen into a makeshift laundry. Damp socks, shirts, and towels dried quickly in the rising warmth, especially on rainy days when outdoor drying was impossible.
Meeting Place
The stove served many roles, from heating water for the evening bath to providing a space for the day’s informal gatherings. It wasn’t unusual for neighbors to stop by and linger in the kitchen, their conversations punctuated by the crackling of the fire and the clinking of kettles.
Rick’s Commentary
The wood burning kitchen stove remains a nostalgic symbol of simpler times, representing resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of family and community. It was more than a source of heat and food; it was a centerpiece of daily life, a place where connections were forged and memories made. For those who experienced life around one of these stoves, its warmth is not easily forgotten.
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