Il-Kcina / The Kitchen

Spiritiera tal-istim / Steam stove

Spiritiera tal-istim / Steam stove

L-ispiritiera tal-istim kienet tintuża f’kull dar. Kellha fjamma tan-nar b’saħħitha u kienet tintuża ħafna drabi fit-togħlijja tal-ħwejjeġ f’xi galdarun. Barra il-pitrolju li kien jintuża, kienet tintuża wkoll l-labra fina b’naqra ta’ ponta li kienet tiċċappas b’xi spirtu vjola sabiex tħarrek il-bidu tan-nar. Wara li tintuża, din l-ispiritiera li ħafna drabi kienet tintuża f’xi bitħa jew inkellha f’xi setgħa kienet titpoġġa f’xi post bħal kċina li wieħed kien isib l-ispiritieri tal-ftejjel bit-tnejn jew bit-tlieta, it-trepit, l-inkaljatur, il-lembija u l-ixtelliera.

A steam stove was used in every household. It had a strong flame and was used to boil clothes in a pot. Other than using petrol as fuel, a purple-coloured spirit was used and smeared on a fine needle with a start the fire. After being used in the courtyard, it was placed back in its place for example in the kitchen next to the other gas stoves, it-trepit, coffee roaster, large basin and the plate rack.