A plate-warmer. This was a box of tin or sheet iron on legs, with a door
in one side. It stood near the fire and in it were placed dishes to be
warmed, and food that was cooked and ready to eat but needed to be kept
hot until the rest of the meal was prepared, or until all the family had
gathered and were ready to sit down to the table. In very cold weather
the kitchen sometimes could not be kept warm, no matter how big and hot
the fire in the fireplace. It was then a comfort, and almost a luxury,
to have hot dishes from which to eat the food which the cold room soon
chilled.