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City of Armadale - History House > Records

STERILIZER - FOWLERS VACOLA

Overview

Round galvanised metal container with a flat base. Two oval metal handles at top edge of the steriliser on opposite sides to each other. On one side is a semi circular metal pocket. On the inside of the pocket are small holes that face into the steriliser. On front and to the right of the pocket at top is a moulded makers mark with text on a raised oval indentation. Inside is a raised round perforated base that sits on a single hinge allowing it to be lifted up.

Historical information

This steriliser was used by Olga Beales to sterilise preserving jars at their family home on the orchard at Roleystone (c1925-1956) and the orchard at Seville Grove. (c1956-1970s). Water was placed into the steriliser, bottles were then placed onto the perforated base. The lid was then placed onto it and then placed onto a stove top which would boil the water, creating steam that would sterilise the bottles. The thermometer was placed into the side metal pocket to monitor the internal steam temperature.
The steriliser was produced by Fowlers (established 1915), an Australian manufacturing company, based in Victoria that manufactured items including domestic jar sterilising units.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-COA2019.25A
Material
Metal
Width
35.7000 cm
Height or length
42.8000 cm
Themes
Environment
People
Social History
Inscriptions and markings

[FOWLERS / 'VACOLA' / REG No B10522 / STERILIZER]

Statement of significance

MEDIUM
The steriliser was used by Olga Beales to sterilise preserving jars at their family home on the orchard at Roleystone (c1925-1956) and the orchard at Seville Grove.
Preserving and pickling excess food, such as fruit from the orchard, was an important skill for any household if they wished to preserve food for long time storage in a time when cheap accessible refrigeration was limited as was easy access to shops selling fresh food.

City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

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