We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Kitchen

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Pie Bird?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 10,680
Share

A pie bird is a device which is inserted into a pie before baking for the purpose of ventilating the pie as it cooks. Using a pie bird prevents steam from building up and rupturing the pie, and it also helps the pie to release any juices which may build up during cooking, reducing the risk of an unsightly mess and a smoky oven. In addition to being functional, pie birds are also decorative, and some people like to collect them, whether or not they use them in pies.

The original pie bird design appears to date back to the 1700s. A traditional pie bird is made from ceramic, a material which is capable of handling the heat of the oven, and it is shaped like a bird with a gaping mouth. At the bottom of the bird, small arches allow steam and juices to enter the hollow body of the pie bird, while the mouth allows the steam to escape. The bird shape isn't required; pie birds can come in all types of shapes, ranging from decorative vegetables to miniature chefs.

To use a pie bird, a cook rolls out the bottom layer of pastry for a pie, presses it into the pie pan, and then places the pie bird in the middle. Next, the pie is filled around the pie bird, and the top layer of crust is carefully lowered over the device and the filling. The top of the pie bird projects from the pie, allowing steam to escape, while the rest of the body remains buried in the filling; to the more macabre minded, it looks like a bird is trapped in the pie.

In addition to venting steam, a pie bird also helps to support the upper crust of the pie. As a pie bakes, the middle has a tendency to collapse, especially if the pie is very juicy, and this can look unsightly. The pie bird acts as a pillar in the middle of the pie, holding up the top crust to ensure that it cooks crisply and evenly. For this reason, some people refer to pie birds as "crustholders." Pie birds are also known as pie funnels, pie vents, and pie chimneys, all reference to the venting function.

When a pie bird is used, the upper crust of a pie does not have to be pierced to allow steam to escape. Some people prefer this unbroken, smooth look, as it looks neater when presented on the plate. Some cooks also like the look of a whole pie served with a pie bird, as it looks old-fashioned.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon51560 — On Nov 06, 2009

I want to know more about pie birds. Also finding any opportunity to make demand of it at Bangladesh market. Please help me.

By pollick — On Oct 06, 2009

I did some quick research and discovered there are hundreds of online and real life stores that offer them. Many of the pie birds I saw were not expensive, but I'm not sure I would use the more decorative examples in actual pies. There are some pie birds available which are more functional than decorative, so you may want to decide if you want to collect decorative pie birds as a hobby or own a few functional pie birds for baking purposes.

By hotme — On Nov 29, 2008

I would like to purchase a pie bird. Where would I find one?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-a-pie-bird.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.