The Russian Oven
The Russian oven dates back as far as the 15th century. These ovens are of a much larger size than what we are used to today. Not only used for cooking the Russian oven has a number of helpful uses. In order to discover these we must look at how it is made.
Russian Oven Design
The design of the Russian oven is what gives it its uniqueness. First of all it is made of brick, surrounding the main chamber there are small passageways designed to retain the hot air that is produced by the furnace. This is where the second use for the Russian oven comes about. It was used to heat the house, in the colder months people were even known to sleep on top of the oven. It's natural purpose of course, was to bake food such as bread, pies and porridge. It is widely believed that food cooked over a longer time on a steady heat holds a much better taste. So much so that you could prepare the same meal in a Russian oven, and one in a conventional oven and the result will be two different tasting meals. Another popular use of the Russian oven is for washing. It is said that some Russian ovens are big enough to fit a grown man inside the main chamber, and during the war they, as it has been reported that these ovens served as a hiding place from people fleeing the Nazis.
The Russian Oven in Myth and Legend
The Russian oven is a part of Russian history and culture bringing with it legends and fairy tales. One of which involves a man named IIya Muromets, considered a legendary hero in Russia. As a child he suffered a serious illness that resulted in him not being able to walk for 33 years. He was lay on top of one of these ovens and was subsequently able to stand and walk. As the Russian oven played such a large part in Russian culture it is often believed that the ovens hold characteristics almost human. There are fairy tales in which the oven is a helper; such as the story of "Geese-Swans" in which a journeying, hungry girl comes across an oven and asks for it directions. The oven offers her pie to enable her to carry on with her journey. The tale as it that on her return she requires a hiding place from her pursuers. The oven offered her a place to hide. This shows the significance of the oven to the Russian people.
Be sure to read about our deck ovens.