Soyer stove, sealed pattern, 1953

The Soyer stove, named after its inventor Alexis Soyer, was first used in the Crimean War (1854-1856). It was so successful that it continued in use in the British Army with minor modifications for over 100 years. This example, which was manufactured in Wolverhampton in 1953 as a sealed pattern for the Army, is of the same type as that used in the Crimea.

With the introduction of his new portable stove and easy to make recipes, Soyer managed radically to improve the way that British soldiers were fed. His stoves were very simple to use and economical. According to Soyer's own calculations they could save an army of 40,000 men 90 tons of fuel per day. One stove could cook sufficient for fifty and be used either indoors or out, as they would work in all weather conditions, including heavy rain.