Old house, what would this be?

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The first house I lived in, in the scullery kitchen, was a small chimney, in a corner, which had been blocked off close to the ceiling. I had always assumed, the chimney had originally served a fire, and a tub, for boiling washing, back in the day....

On TV, HuH, they had what would seem to be something similar, but with the fireplace, and a tub all still in place. A small brick built fireplace, in the corner, with set above it a large, inset, rusty steel, or maybe cast-iron pot. It was described as a bread oven, or for making a stew in.

Were these things used as ovens, or for washing? I thought all the cooking, was done on a sort of cast-iron range, in the living room?
 
Occasionally also used for boiling a Christmas pudding, depending on the poverty of the household and the scarcity of large cooking vessels used only once a year. In old books you will find occasional references to such food tasting of soap, and shirts smelling of cooking fat.
 
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