On this day in 1886 the patent for Candy Kettle was granted. U.S. Patent No. 352,642.
The Candy Kettle was invented by Thomas Burkhard, of Brooklyn, New York. This patent application was granted on November 16, 1886 as U.S. Patent No. 352,642.
Mr. Burkhard discovered that if a kettle which has its surface with which the candy comes in contact of cast-iron or cast-steel be employed for cooking candy the kettle will not, after being overheated, impart a burned taste to candy subsequently cooked in it.
Mr. Burkhard found that the objects being employed for cooking candy have been made of copper or have copper bottoms, and great care has to be exercised in their use, as they will burn at a temperature of about 300º, and once burned the copper undergoes some change, which will cause it always afterward to impart a burned taste to the candy cooked in it, even though the candy may not be overheated.
I think I can speak for almost every person when I say I do not want my candy to taste burnt. To prevent this Mr. Burkhard invented a Candy Kettle composed of concave-convex shell of cast iron or steel, forming the bottom and a portion of the sides or body, and a body portion of copper inserted within the said shell.
One reason Mr. Burkhead would have left the copper in the kettle is that copper is a great conductor of heat. It heats evenly and holds its heat for long periods of time. Candy Kettles are still used today, although most of them are now strictly copper, they can be purchased on Amazon, Ebay or places that still artistically craft them by hand.
The Candy Kettle plays such an important role in the confectionery world they even have an annual kettle award that was established in 1946. The winner walks away with a Candy Kettle they can proudly display. The award represents the highest recognition an individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry can attain.
