A bed warmer was a common household item in cold countries, especially Northern Europe. It consisted of a metal container, usually fitted with a handle and shaped somewhat like a modern frying pan, with a solid or finely perforated lid. The pan would be filled with hot coals and placed under the covers of a bed, to warm it up and/or dry it out before use.
After the invention of rubber, the classical bed warmer was largely supplanted by the hot water bottle, which is still widely used. In the late 20th century, electric blankets and then the electric bed warmer were invented to fulfill the same need.
After the invention of rubber, the classical bed warmer was largely supplanted by the hot water bottle, which is still widely used. In the late 20th century, electric blankets and then the electric bed warmer were invented to fulfill the same need.
If I am not mistaken bedwarmers like the ones pictured were also used durin the Pilgrim & Pioneer Eras also.
It's a mercy there weren't more fires when those were used! But in cold climates I would think they were truly needed in the olden days. My mother spoke of bricks warmed atop stoves and then wrapped in a piece of rag or quilt and placed underneath the covers at the foot of the bed!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the fires!
ReplyDeleteI had not heard about the bricks!