Mamacita's New Toy

Here is my sad tale: my kitchen has no vent above the stove. Thus anything we cook we also have to smell for days after. I have been interested in trying the Lampe Berger for years, but it's the sort of unnecessary purchase I generally try to talk myself out of. Until Monday, when I cooked pork chops and immediately decided I didn't want to smell them all week. Not a very compelling picture, I know, but it's cute enough in person.

In case you are curious:

The Lampe Berger ... was invented by [French pharmacist] Maurice Berger in the early days of the twentieth century.

Lampe Berger lamps were considered a disinfecting home appliance. Through a unique process of high temperature catalytic combustion, Lampe Berger eliminates and destroys the molecules behind unpleasant odors such as cigarette smoke and cooking while pleasantly perfuming the air and destroying bacteria.

Which sounds like a crock, but my grandmother used them to get rid of the cigar smoke in her house, and they actually worked. The lamps use oil for fuel -- generally the oil is scented. My lamp came with "Fresh Linen" scent, though I probably would have preferred the unscented version, or the (sadly, discontinued) verbena.

And I'm telling you all of this because I love it so far, and think everybody should have one. I bought it here, and they evidently shipped it as soon as I clicked the "purchase" button, because it arrived this morning, when my house still smelled like pork chops.