Nigerian Kitchen Equipment: The Unsung Heroes of Our Childhood

Imagine stepping into a Nigerian kitchen in the 1990s. You wouldn’t just find cooking tools; you’d discover instruments of discipline and endurance. These kitchen appliances were not merely tools; they were survival tests that forged resilience. If you’ve never inhaled the fumes of a kerosene stove, dodged a flying eba stick, or had a near-miss with an electric ring boiler, can you truly claim to have grown up in a Nigerian home?

Fast forward to today, and we have high-tech blenders and sleek stovetops, but let’s be honest—Gen Z can’t relate to the intense workout we endured with these appliances. Join me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we revisit the kitchen tools that raised us. Prepare for laughter, cringes, and perhaps a few tears as we remember these legendary items.

1. Four Corner Kerosene Stove: The Indestructible Legend

The four-corner kerosene stove was a household icon. If your house had one, you were blessed. You could use N200 worth of kerosene to cook for three days straight, and still have enough leftover to boil water for tea. The stove was a beast. You could drop it, kick it, or even spill a bucket of water on it (accidentally, of course), and it would still be working like nothing happened.

But the moment you made the unforgivable mistake of pouring water into the Kerosine while cleaning! The kind of beating that would follow was one for the other day. Trust your mom’s preamble scream, it would be better imagined than any shout you’d ever heard. You’d better start preparing your best excuse.

2. Daddy’s Steel Cup: The Untouchable Sacred Object

Every Nigerian home had one of these: Daddy’s big steel cup. If you never encountered this cup, did you even grow up in Nigeria? This wasn’t just any cup, it was the sacred cup. Reserved for Daddy, it sat there, gleaming like some kind of holy grail. There was no touching it unless you were ready to face the wrath of the “mummy’s slipper.” If you were bold enough to sip from it, you’d better start panicking before you even put the cup down. That slipper was like a radar, it could detect anything.

3. The Anointed Plates: The Special Occasion Heroes

Now, let’s talk about the plates. Every Nigerian home had that one set of plates that never saw the light of day unless it was Christmas or some special event. Those plates were practically “anointed.” I don’t know about your house, but in mine, it was like there was a secret WhatsApp group where all the family members were informed: “don’t touch the sacred plates”. They were literally the VIPs of every household. God forbid you tried to use one of them for everyday meals—you’d get the “What are you doing with that plate?!” lecture, followed by an emergency family meeting.

4. Electric Ring Boiler: A ‘Shock’ to the System

And then, there was the electric ring boiler. Don’t be fooled by its simple design. This thing was dangerous. It was supposed to boil water, sure, but what it really did was deliver electric shocks that could spiritually awaken you faster than any motivational speaker. 

You could be minding your business, trying to boil water for tea, and then—boom! You touch it with your bare feet, and it’s like a jolt straight to your soul. You’d jump and scream like you just saw a ghost. Honestly, who needs shock therapy when you have this device in the house?

5. The Special Christmas Day Cooler: A National Treasure

Now, this one takes me back. Every Nigerian mum had that cooler—the *special* Christmas cooler. The one that was hidden away like it was a national treasure. It was always tucked in the back of mummy’s wardrobe, and woe betide you if you dared open it on a regular day. If you even thought about looking for that cooler when it wasn’t Christmas, well, you might as well pack your bags and leave because your life in that house is over.

The cooler was practically a sacred object. Only during Christmas or big family gatherings would it be revealed. If you somehow found it when you weren’t supposed to? Well, let’s just say you’d be looking for a new home real quick. Your siblings? They’d go into full-on “who sent you” mode.

6. The Tray with an Orange Fish: A Bride’s First Test

Every new bride was expected to add this one to her list of wedding items: the tray with the orange fish. It wasn’t just a serving tray, it was a test of your balance, your composure, and your ability to keep calm under pressure. If you ever dropped that tray, you were about to feel the wrath of your mother’s hand like you’ve never felt before. 

I mean, dropping it wasn’t just a mistake, it was a disaster in the making. You’d be hearing “you want to disgrace me?” for the next 30 minutes.

7. The Double-Edged Eba Stick: A Multi-Use Weapon

Now, let’s talk about the eba stick. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of one of those things, you know what I’m talking about. It wasn’t just a wooden spatula for stirring eba—it was a discipline weapon. If your mother was the one stirring, you knew better than to stand in her way.

It was like the stick had a life of its own, if it wasn’t stirring your eba, it was hitting your head for misbehaving. The best part? That stick never broke. No matter how many times it hit your head, it always came back for more. It was built for endurance, just like the rest of us.

8. Mortar and Pestle: The Ultimate Full-Body Workout

Let’s talk about pounding yam with the mortar and pestle. If you’ve never done this, I’m sorry, you didn’t grow up in Nigeria. Pounding yam wasn’t just a task—it was a full-body workout. You didn’t just pound the yam, you engaged your entire body in the process. It was like your arms, legs, and core all had to work in harmony to get the yam just right.

And the best part? If you dropped the mortar by mistake, your mum’s voice would echo through the house: “Nkechi, how many times did I call you?!” Trust me, this was a workout you couldn’t fake. You either got it right, or you got a proper lecture.

9. Grinding Stone: The OG Blender

Before we had fancy blenders, there was that long-lasting grinding stone. If you were grinding pepper on that stone, you had better be prepared. It wasn’t for the weak. It was the original “blender,” and it would humble you.

You didn’t just grind food; you grinded your entire spirit. If you didn’t have the stamina to keep up, you might as well sit down and let the elders do it. The stone didn’t care about your weakness, it only cared about getting the job done. And it always did.

10. Steel Basin (Igbako) – The All-Purpose Giant

This wasn’t just a kitchen basin—it was the kitchen basin. The steel igbako was the original all-in-one utility bowl. It handled everything from washing rice to mixing garri for soaking, and even doubled as a baby bathtub when necessary (don’t act like you weren’t bathed in one at some point).  

But here’s the real catch: the sound it made when it fell on the floor could awaken the dead. If you mistakenly knocked over an aluminum basin at night, just be ready for a surprise lecture about “when will you learn” before you even had time to pick it up.  

And if your mum was particularly creative, she could turn it into an impromptu drum during morning devotions.

11. Calabash – The OG Bowl

Before fancy ceramic and plastic bowls became popular, there was the calabash. This natural bowl was used for everything: soaking garri, drinking palm wine, and even serving food in traditional gatherings. The calabash had a vibe, an ancestral energy that made food taste better.  

But here’s where things got tricky: the moment a calabash cracked, it was considered bad luck. Mums would immediately go into full “spiritual warfare” mode, wondering who brought bad energy into the house. If you were the unfortunate soul responsible for breaking it? Ah, may God be with you.  

12. Clay Water Pot (Amu) – The Natural Refrigerator

Before refrigerators became common, there was the amu: the clay water pot. If you’ve never sipped cool water from one of these, you haven’t truly lived. The amu was the original cooling system, keeping water naturally chilled without any electricity.  

The only problem? It required careful handling. If you dared to break it, you might as well pack your bags and leave the house voluntarily. Breaking an amu meant instant judgment, and a whole family meeting would be called to discuss your “carelessness.”  

13. Cane Broom – More Than Just for Sweeping

Okay, technically not a kitchen item, but let’s be real—this broom had many roles. Sure, it was used for sweeping the kitchen floor, but in the hands of a Nigerian mother? It was a disciplinary tool. If you had ever been chased around the house with one, congratulations, you survived Nigerian childhood.  

And don’t forget how painful it was when one of the sticks snapped and pricked your foot! That kind of pain would make you rethink all your life choices.  

Which of these relics would you still use today?

Looking back, these kitchen tools weren’t just about cooking—they were about building character. They tested patience, strength, and sometimes, your ability to avoid getting in trouble.  

So, after all this talk about these legendary kitchen relics, which one would you bring back today? Would you bring any of them back, or should they stay in the past? Perhaps you’re still using one of these items as a memento of those glorious days. 

Let me know in the comments which of these relics raised you into the warrior you are today. For the Gen Z folks who have never touched a grinding stone or lifted a pestle to pound yam, una no fit relate!