Brazier

Abrazier(/ˈbreɪʒər/) is a container used to burncharcoalor othersolid fuelfor cooking, heating or cultural rituals. It often takes the form of a metal box or bowl with feet. Its elevation helps circulate air, feeding oxygen to the fire. Braziers have been used since ancient times; the Nimrud brazier dates to at least 824 BC.^[1]

History[edit]

The word brazier is mentioned in theBible.TheHebrewword for brazier is believed to be of Egyptian origin, suggesting that it was imported from Egypt. The lone reference to it in the Bible being the following verse:

Jeremiah 36:22–23- the winter palace of KingJehoiakimwas heated by a brazier (Hebrew:אָח).

Roman EmperorJovianwaspoisoned by the fumes from a brazierin his tent in 364, ending the line ofConstantine.

Uses[edit]

Heating[edit]

Despite risks in burningcharcoalon open fires, braziers were widely adopted for domestic heating, particularly and somewhat more safely used (namely in unglazed, shuttered-only buildings) in the Spanish-speaking world.Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxochitlnoted thatTezozomoc,theTlatoaniof theTepaneccity ofAzcapotzalco,slept between two braziers because he was so old that he produced no natural heat. Nineteenth-century British travellers such as diplomat and scientistWoodbine Parishand the writerRichard Ford,author ofA Handbook for Travellers in Spain,state that widely braziers were considered healthier than fireplaces and chimneys.^[2]^[3]

The brazier could sit in the open in a large room; often it was incorporated into furniture. Many cultures developed their own variants of a low table, with a heat source underneath and blankets to capture the warmth: thekotatsuin Japan, thekorsiin Iran, thesandaliin Afghanistan,^[4]and thefoot stovein northern Europe. In Spain thebraserocontinued to be one of the main means of heating until the early 20th century;Gerald Brenandescribed in his memoirSouth from Granadaits widespread habit in the 1920s of placing dying embers of a brazier beneath a cloth-covered table to keep the legs and feet of the family warm on winter evenings.^[5]

Scent[edit]

Moist rose and grapevine trimmings produce a pungent, sweet-smelling smoke, and make charcoal, but unless fully pre-dried (seasoned or kilned) as with wood, doproduce carcinogenic particulates in the air.

Aromatics (lavender seeds, orange peel) were sometimes added to the embers in the brazier.^[3]

A "brazier" for burning aromatics (incense) is known as acenserorthurible.

Other[edit]

In some churches a brazier is used to host a small fire, called new fire, which is then used to light thePaschal candleduring theEaster Vigil.

Braziers were common on industrialpicket lines,largely replaced by protest marches and rallies, and a newspaper casts strikes as morewhite collaras a further reason for their decline.^[6]

The Japanese translation ishibachi- principally for cooking and in cultural rituals such as theJapanese tea ceremony.

Since 1957Dairy Queenhas used the word "brazier" on their signage to indicate the particular locations that serve hot food like hot dogs and hamburgers, etc..

Gallery[edit]

Simple box-style brazier, with broad grill, intended as a metal container (e.g. kettle/tray) heater/cooker
Pompeii, Italy. Table and small brazier to keep food warm. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection
Brazier used for lighting thePaschal candleduringEaster Vigil.
This is a small one used for cooking tortillas.