Also means
furnace
Usage Note
Fourneau refers to a kitchen stove or cooking range, particularly a large professional one, and also to a smelting furnace in industrial contexts. Être aux fourneaux is a common idiom meaning 'to be cooking' or 'to be in the kitchen'. The plural is fourneaux.
Examples
"Le chef était aux fourneaux dès l'aube."
Natural Translation
The chef was at the stove from dawn.
Literal Translation
The chef was at the stoves from dawn.
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