Citrus Squeezers (2)

These tools at Smith’s Tavern are citrus/fruit squeezers:  one built into a four short-legged bench (T225) and the other a handheld tool (T226) - both almost entirely made of wood.  These tools were used to squeeze the juice out of citrus fruits like lemons and limes. The fruit needed to be cut in half then placed into the depressions in the tools.

Catalog Items:

Item T225

Location:	Right Shelf - 3rd
Length:	39 cm
Width:	10 cm
Height:	20 cm
Weight:	1108 g

The first item (T225) was a citrus juice squeezer.  The fruit halves would be put in the depression on the plank bench.  The tall handle with the wooden bulb press against the fruit and the second handle would be used to apply pressure to squeeze out the juices.  Where the juice would go after overflowing the cup is uncertain.

 

Our research was unable to find any information on this tool.  If anyone knows anything about this particular tool, please email the Historical Society with this much-needed information.

 

Reference (T225):  None

Item T226

Location:	Right Shelf - 3rd
Length:	27 cm
Width:	6 cm
Height:	7 cm
Weight:	303 g

The second item (T226) was a lemon squeezer.  It is two equal-sized handles, one with depression and the other with a wooden bulb that fits into the depression.  The lemon half would be set face-up in the depression and the two handles pressed together. Again, where the juices would go is uncertain but it would seem both tools would be messy operations.

 

Reference (T226):  Vintage Wooden Citrus Press or Juicer