Definition of bran tub

The term "bran tube" has its roots in the mid-19th century, originating in the UK during the height of the industrial revolution. It refers to a simple mechanical device designed to extract wheat bran (a byproduct of the milling process) from wheat flour. The process of milling wheat flour requires removing various parts of the wheat kernel, such as the bran, germ, and endosperm. Bran is the tough outer layer of the wheat kernel that contains fiber and other nutrients. During the milling process, bran is typically separated from the flour using sieves and other mechanical equipment. In the mid-1800s, many small millers found it challenging to afford expensive milling equipment, forcing them to use less efficient methods to remove bran from their flour. One such method involved passing the flour through a series of tubes made from woven materials, like straw or hemp, called "bran tubes." The tubes acted as a sieve, trapping bran and other impurities while allowing the flour to pass through. The effectiveness of bran tubes as a bran separator was limited, and they fell out of favor with larger mills as advanced milling techniques emerged. However, their name lives on in popular culture as an antiquated and humorous term for a simple device used in past industrial processes.