Bread peel

A bread peel is a tool with a flat carrying surface and a long handle, used to put loaves into a bread oven and remove them. Older wooden examples belong to the household equipment of rural and domestic bake ovens. Høvåg Museum documents a long wooden peel and explains this function.

The peel formed part of the work around a heated oven. Embers and ash were removed before the loaves were loaded. It should be distinguished from an ember rake and from the narrow bakstefløy used to handle or turn thin flatbreads on a baking plate. The broad carrying surface and reach are important features of an oven peel.

When assessing an older wooden example, record its dimensions, blade shape, transition to the handle, wear and repairs. Short decorative paddles and modern serving boards may imitate traditional forms. Soot, dark colour or a long handle cannot establish age or a particular farm association. Compare the object with documented use and provenance.

Sources: Høvåg museum: omvisning og samlingspresentasjon; Københavns Universitet: Bagning i den murede bageovn.