FoodNet

Efficiency in home-making and first-aid to good cooking

1915

Page 42

Presented as published in 1915. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
I low much should be allowed per person including that for cooking? About one pound. What max be substituted for shortening? Carefully prepared drippings, always without any bacon or sausage fat, also uncolored butterine, or crisco or snowdrift. THE KITCHEN FIRE. What is one of the most important things in cooking ? To have the tire right. Is a hard coal tire difficult to manage? Not if one knows bow and takes the right care of it. What should be done first in building a coal tire? All the ashes and coal should be cleaned out of the firebox : then the ash pan should be emptied. Efficiency in Home Making 79 Why need the ash pan be emptied ? Because the ashes will absorb part of the heat as well as prevent a free circulation of air which is necessary if the fire is to burn well. How should the fuel be put in? Twist up some pieces of paper lightly ; put in the bottom of the grate; lay some pieces of kindling wood lightly 011 this, crossing each other so the air can pass through easily ; on top of this a layer of hardwood cut in rather small sticks; put on the covers, open the dampers, and light the paper. In two or three minutes, when the wood has begun to burn, sprinkle on lightly a thin layer of coal ; when this is burn- ing well till the firebox with coal to within two inches of its top. \\ hy not till it full clear up to the covers? Because it wastes the coal ; and it heats the top of the stove so that it warps and destroys it. But will it not make the oven hotter to have the stove crowded full of coal and the lids red hot? No, it will not; the air has no chance then to pass over the hot coals and around the oven, which is necessary if the oven is to be heated well. What four things are apt to make the oven bake badly? Not keeping the layer of ashes, which will settle on the top of the oven, cleaned out, and also those that settle under the oven, and allowing pieces of coal to lodge on the top of the oven just above the firebox, so tin- current of hot air is prevented from circulating around the oven; also allowing the ashes to fill the ash pan when one is baking, as they will absorb much of the heat. As soon as one finishes using the fire what should be done? Coal should be put on ami all of the dampers closed, and the check which allows the cold air to pass in over the coal should be opened. Will the fire burn much if left this way? No, it can be kept for a long time, and when wanted, if the ashes are raked out, the clampers opened, and the check closed, the fire will burn briskly in a few minutes. 80 Efficiency in Home Making Will it make less work to care for the fire if it is kept turned off in this way when not in use? It will; for it not only will save the coal but there will be that much less coal to bring up and put on the fire, and less ashes to rake out and empty; so it pays in the amount of labor as well as in coal saved, and the oven does not clog up with ashes so soon, and there are less ashes to settle through the house in handling. Where must the cold air in a stove enter in order to make the fire burn? Always below the firebox, and flow up though the fire. Where must it enter to check the fire from burning? Above the firebox, so it will pass over the fire, and not through it. Should the coal burn to a white heat? No, never.