That round perforated metal tool with the wooden handle is a stovetop heat diffuser, also commonly called a simmer plate or simmer ring. It was designed to sit directly over a gas or electric burner, underneath a saucepan or pot. Its job was to spread the burner’s heat across a wider area instead of allowing one concentrated hot spot to hit the bottom of the cookware.
This was especially useful when cooking foods that needed very gentle heat. Sauces, soups, rice, custards, and melted chocolate can scorch quickly if the burner gets too hot. By placing the metal plate between the flame and the pot, cooks could maintain a steadier, lower temperature and reduce the chance of food sticking or burning. The perforations helped distribute that heat, while the wooden handle made it easier to move the diffuser without touching the hot metal.
