Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Soyer Portable Army Catering Stove

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Subcollections

Messes, Rations, Cooking, Meals and Catering

Overview

The "Soyer" army portable catering stove was based on design by Alexis Soyer and was first used during the Crimean War. The stove consisted of metal cylinder with enclosed grate for solid fuel in bottom and tinned cooking boiler above, with hinged lid, chimney and cowl.

Historical information

Named after its inventor, celebrated French chef Alexis Soyer, the Soyer stove revolutionised catering provision in the British Army. The stoves were first used during the Crimean War (1853-1856), and their simple and economical design proved so successful that variants remained in use for more than 120 years. One sealed unit could provide food for 50 men in all weathers, using a fraction of the fuel required by open fires. The stoves also served as space heaters.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99.115

Contextual Information

The Army Museum has an extensive range of catering equipment in its collection including a Wiles Junior Cooker and a Soyer pattern stove. Many items are currently on display in a covered shelter behind the main museum building.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Rare or representative

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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