Rooker - what was old is now new

[navyintel]

I found a picture of an ash and coal rake from an 18th century technical encyclopedia from France Circa 1750.

They had a plate that showed a Baker's Rooker.

So I adapted the design and materials and came up with the items shown in the pics attached. I had enough steel to make two. One long for reaching way back and one for up front work and scraping into a dust pan.

Material:

1 each 1 1/4 in X 1/8 in X 8 feet steel strap
1 each 1x1 x 36 in hardwood dowel
2 each -1/4 x 1 in bolt with nut and washer

Overall it is 54 inches

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Some things you just can't improve on. Nicely done!

[navyintel]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

This is a plate from a 1730's encyclopedia from France. Different equipment used in a bake shop. I also posted this on the fire starting thread.

[Gulf]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Thanks for the post. I can see where it would work. I'll be trying one out for myself, real soon .

[kanoer54]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Is spring steel the same as strap steel? I would be interested in fabricating these also.
jon

[navyintel]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Is spring steel the same as strap steel? I would be interested in fabricating these also.
jon

I used flat weldable steel, not spring steel. You should be able to pick it up at any metal retailer or hardware store.

Did the pics from the 18th century help?

[Gulf]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

I have some "mild steel" stock that would be easy to work with. After your original post, I had tried to Google "French oven tools", "rooker" etc. But, could not find it. The pic form the 18th century encyclopedia is golden .

Thanks again,

[navyintel]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Try this video on YouTube. It shows a rooker in action.
Baked Beans - 18th Century Cooking Series at Jas Townsend and Son - YouTube

[kanoer54]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Yes, this helps a lot. I will be looking into this further once the weather warms up here. I definitely need a tool which can satisfy these needs. Thanks for the info on these rookers!!!

jon

[Gulf]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Thank's Michael,
This link that you pm'd did show a lot more of the rooker. It will definately be in my line up for the "first team" of tools .

Edit: Jas Townsend is a little deep for me on his historical reinactments and such but, he has a lot of great WFO videos and some very interesting history tied to his recipes!

Thank's again,
Joe

[Gulf]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Navyintel,
I finally got around to throwing one together this morning.






It is a little wider bladed than usual. I went out to my cold and presumably "clean" oven to try it out. I easily raked out another 5 or 6 tablespoons of ash hiding in the corners. The shape of these things make it much easier to rake the very back. The hoe I was using did not get to that area real well. It is also much easier to rake the blind spots just the sides of the arch. The rooker is a great little tool and, very easy to build.

Thanks for the idea .

[cobblerdave]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

G'day Gulf
That looks the part. I'm warming to this tool more and more as time goes on.
I recon if I can find some steel to suit I'm going to make myself one. My oven entrance protrudes into the oven floor and I recon there's ash in those corners from the first fire!
I've put away some 1 1/4 in hard wood stock away for the handle already. It will plane and sand up well.
Regards dave

[Greenman]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

This rooker seems to be an interesting tool, and getting some good reports. I have been using this curved bladed tool to move the fire around the oven and remove ash and coals etc. It is made of aluminium sheet and is a little less than 3" across the blade. It works both left and right handed and I use it to both push and drag ash and coals. As you can see it is a front line tool.

[navyintel]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

Gulf's tool looks great. The design has the final metal at 90 degrees and straight, not curved. This makes 100% of the coals in contact with the tool regardless of the handel angle. Good job.

Michael

[cobblerdave]

Re: Rooker - what was old is now new

This rooker seems to be an interesting tool, and getting some good reports. I have been using this curved bladed tool to move the fire around the oven and remove ash and coals etc. It is made of aluminium sheet and is a little less than 3" across the blade. It works both left and right handed and I use it to both push and drag ash and coals. As you can see it is a front line tool.

G'day Steve
How thick is that blade? I have some aluminum which is 2.5 mm thick that might make a good rooker if it stiff enough. I like aluminium ...less likely to wear an chip the oven
Regards dave