Changes: Cauldron

Revision as of 16:05, 27 April 2012

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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in the latest update of Pottermore. As such, spoilers will be present within the article. Please take care when reading this article if you have not yet been through the latest update.

A cauldron is a vessel similar to a bucket or kettle and is used to brew and hold potions and also may be used to carry supplies. Cauldrons are heated over an open fire and can be hung over a fire from an iron handle.

Magical cauldrons

Many cauldrons have magical properties. The self-stirring cauldron was invented by Gaspard Shingleton. Bruno Schmidt of Germany once killed an Erkling by striking it with his father's collapsible cauldron. Shops in Diagon Alley sell both self-stirring and collapsible cauldrons. Other cauldrons may have Undetectable Extension Charms placed on them, as students often use them to carry many books and school supplies.

Types of cauldron

Here is a list of known types of cauldrons:

Pewter-cauldron-lrg — A standard size 2 Pewter Cauldron.

Self-Stirring Cauldron
Collapsible Cauldron
Copper Cauldron - can be purchased at the price of 25 Galleons at Potage's Cauldron Shop.^[1]
Brass Cauldron - costs 21 Galleons.^[1]
Pewter Cauldron - can be purchased for 15 Galleons on Diagon Alley.^[1]
Silver Cauldron
Solid Gold Cauldron

Cauldron thickness

"We’re trying to standardise cauldron thickness. Some of these foreign imports are just a shade too thin — leakages have been increasing at a rate of almost three percent a year"

— Percy Weasley's explanation^[src]

In general, cauldrons must stand up to great wear and usage. As one of his first assignments with the Ministry of Magic, Percy Weasley worked with the Department of International Magical Cooperation lobbying for a standard for cauldron thickness. Apparently, there was an issue with sub-standard imported cauldrons having defective, thin bottoms.^[2] Perhaps this is the cause for Neville Longbottom's knack for melting cauldrons during Potions class. First years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry used pewter standard size 2 cauldrons, as mentioned on the list that accompanied their Hogwarts acceptance letter.^[3]

Revolutions in cauldron making

There are always new attempts to revolutionise the cauldron. Humphrey Belcher theorised "the time was ripe for a cheese cauldron." The fire crab, which resembles a tortoise with a jewelled shell that shoots fire out its back end, is prized for its shell for use as a cauldron. This practise of poaching has lead to protected colonies in its native habitat of Fiji island.

Cauldrons in culture

The Leaky Cauldron of London is a popular pub for Wizards.^[3]
Cauldron Cakes are treats beloved by wizarding children.
Singer Celestina Warbeck sings tunes called "You Stole My Cauldron but You Can't Have my Heart," and "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love."
Chocolate Cauldrons are boxed chocolates (eight to a box), shaped like cauldrons and filled with firewhiskey.

Behind the scenes

Melted cauldron — A melted cauldron at Pottermore.

In the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the song Something Wicked This Way Comes was performed by the Hogwarts Student Choir at the Sorting Feast. The lyrics are taken from the opening scene of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. It was by John Williams.
Pottermore allows their users brew potions. When making them, ingredients are added to the cauldron, sometimes after being crushed in the Pestle and motar. The cauldron must be kept at the right temperature using the buttons below the cauldron on the brewing page; if the temperature is too high, the cauldron will melt and the potion maker will lose five points. When a cauldron melts, it cannot be reused and the potion maker must replace it with a new one from Potage's Cauldron Shop. ^[1]
Users of Pottermore are allowed to own only one of every available types of cauldrons at Potage's Cauldron Shop - Pewter Cauldron, Copper Cauldron, Brass Cauldron.^[1]

Appearances

Notes and references

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Pottermore
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 5 (Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes)
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)

[pottermore-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Pottermore

[GF5-2] Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 5 (Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes)

[PS5-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)

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[2]

[3]

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ==Cauldron thickness==
-{{Quote|We’re trying to standardize cauldron thickness. Some of these foreign imports are just a shade too thin — leakages have been increasing at a rate of almost three percent a year|[[Percy Weasley]]'s explanation|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|quote}}
+{{Quote|We’re trying to standardise cauldron thickness. Some of these foreign imports are just a shade too thin — leakages have been increasing at a rate of almost three percent a year|[[Percy Weasley]]'s explanation|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|quote}}
 In general, cauldrons must stand up to great wear and usage. As one of his first assignments with the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], [[Percy Weasley]] worked with the [[Department of International Magical Cooperation]] lobbying for a standard for cauldron thickness. Apparently, there was an issue with sub-standard imported cauldrons having defective, thin bottoms.<ref name="GF5">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' - Chapter 5 (''Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes'')</ref> Perhaps this is the cause for [[Neville Longbottom]]'s knack for melting cauldrons during [[Potions (class)|Potions]] class. First years at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] used pewter standard size 2 cauldrons, as mentioned on the list that accompanied their [[Hogwarts acceptance letter]].<ref name="PS5">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' - Chapter 5 (''Diagon Alley'')</ref>