Cauldron

A cauldron (Latin caldarium, "hot bath") is an item 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 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.

Cauldron Thickness
In general, cauldrons must stand up to great wear and useage. 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. 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 cauldron's, as mentioned on the list that accompanied their Hogwarts acceptance letter.

Revolutions in Cauldron Making
There are always new attempts to revolutionize the cauldron. Humphrey Belcher theorized "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 practice 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
 * 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."

Behind the scenes

 * In the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the following song was performed by the Hogwarts Student Choir at the Sorting Feast. The lyrics are taken from the opening scene of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Music: John Williams

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble

Something wicked this way comes

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing.

In the cauldron boil and bake;

Fillet of a fenny snake,

Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;

Witches' mummy; maw and gulf.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble

Something wicked this way comes

Chaudron