Toasters

The complexity of colonial hearth toasters reflected the culinary importance of toast, particularly among colonists from Great Britain. Set before the fire, the most elaborate toaster held several pieces of bread in an open, four-legged, wrought iron rack. Kick toasters were used for browning both sides of bread. The cook used a toe to nudge the device around on a central swivel. Long-handled drop toasters were lifted and turned manually. Simpler models required the cook to pick up and turn slices by hand. Cooks of modest means speared a slice of bread on a large, forged-iron fork and held it to the fire.