Sunday, March 23, 2014

A water boiler for instant tea, in active use from 1940s to present day Sri Lanka.

This water-boiler made of copper had a fireplace at the bottom. A central metal tube carried away the heat via a chimney to the exterior. The black bulge in the chimney tube had a door through which chips of wood could be dropped to the fire at the bottom. The copper part contained water which on reaching boiling point could be drained via the tap.
I took this picture in 2012 at a tea-boutique in Haldumulla on the road to Badulla. LP gas fired burners have largely replaced this item in boutiques.

A large replica of a 'water-boiler' - 'Boileray' S, installed opposite the Castle Hotel, Pathana near Hatton.