FoodNet

Foods and household management

1914

Page 25

Presented as published in 1914. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
other, containing several kinds of food, all to be cooked over the same burner, either gas or kerosene, or on one section of the top of the coal range when space is being used for the wash boiler or irons. It requires intelligence to use such devices, and those who lack it cling obstinately to hot fires and violent cooking. FUEL AND STOVES 45 The coal range. — Progress is slow, and the coal range will not be abolished at present. Figure 18 is an example of a good nu^e as easy to manage as possible. The coal box at (1) has a lining that prevents the iron from burning out. The air enters at (2) and passes out at (3), when the fire ia first made. When it is necessary to heat the oven, a damper F:o. 18. — A modem coal range. is closed at (4), and the heated tur then passes around the oven in the direction of the arrows. The coal is put in at (5) and the ashes shaken down at (6), Larger ranges, resting upon the floor, have a " dump " for the ashes directly into the ash box in the cellar, and some makes have a device for operating this with the foot. The coal stove involves the 46 FOODS AND HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT labor of bringing in coal and taking out ashes, and space must be given to the coal bin and ash pit. A range of this size would serve for a family of five or six. It requires from 2 to 3 hods per day. A hood should be placed above a large range, whether coal or gas. To make a coal fire. — See that the grate is clean and that the ashes have been removed. You know that a onrrent of air con- taining oxygen is needed to make the fire bum. How will you arrange the damper at (2) and (3) when you are starting the fire? Coal does not begin to bum easily. Therefore we kindle it by materials that have a low kindling temperature, light wood, paper, and matches. In the bottom of the grate, lay twisted pieces of paper, or very finely spUt pieces of wood, or shavings, next in order larger pieces ' of wood laid " crisscross," yet close enough not to Ijet the coal fall through, and on the top a shovelful or two of coal. Wh^ do you not put in flat newspapers, and lay the kindling lengthwise and solid ? Put on the stove lids, arrange the dampers properly, and touch the match. Why do you use the match? Why does the match light? Perhaps your nature study lessons will help you to explain this whole kindling process. What should be the next step in the fire making? How should you finally arrange the dampers ? A coal fire will keep well for a considerable length of time, if the coal is put on and the ash removed regularly, provided the stove is well constructed, and the coal of good quality. Add fresh coal before the fire becomes a dull red, and shows ashes. If it gets too low, wood kindling will be needed, and this is poor management. Be careful not to put in so much coal that you cannot put the lid on firmly. It ruins the top of a stove if the hot coals touch it. Soot must be removed once in a while from the top and bottom of the oven, and from the stove pipe. The gas stove. — Figure 19 shows a well-constructed stove of the usual type. Notice the air space, and asbestos lining around the oven. The burner for heating the oven is at (1). Holes in the sides allow the heated air to pass outside of the FUEL AND STOVES 47