Charcoal^ which is coal made by charring or burning
wood with only a limited supply of air, burns easily and
produces greater heat in proportion to its weight than any
other fuel. It should never be burned in a close room.
Anthracite coal is a kind of mineral charcoal derived from
ancient vegetation buried in the earth, and so thoroughly
pressed that nothing is left but pure carbon, a little sul-
phur, and the incombustible ash. It kindles slowly, yields
an intense, steady heat, and burns for a longer time with-
out replenishing than the hardest wood.
Coke^ often used in cities, is the residue of coal from
which illuminating gas has been manufactured. The heat
is intense, but transient.
Stoves for burning kerosene oil and gas have recently
been introduced, and are now so nearl}^ perfect that the
care of a fire for cooking purposes is trifling. Gas can
only be used in certain localities.
The cheapest fuel is the best kerosene oil. There need
be no waste, no superfluous heat, no vitiated air, if the fire
be extinguished immediately after the work is done, and if
the stove be kept perfectly clean, so as to secure a free
burning and perfect combustion. With two good stoves
having all the latest and best improvements, a large amount
of work can be easily and satisfactorily' accomplished.
The Making and Care of a Coal Fire.
If 3'Ou intend to buy a new stove or range, get one sim-
ple in construction, that yon may quickly learn all its parts
and their uses ; plain in finish, that 3'ou ma}^ easily keep it
clean ; and perfectly^ fitted part to part, with doors and
dampers shutting absolutely close, so that you may con-
trol the fire and heat. This latter point is of essential
6
The Boston Cook Booh.
importance in regulating the oven and in preventing a
waste of fuel.
Become thoroughl}^ acquainted with whatever stove you
may have. If necessarj^, take it apart ; learn how to
clean it in the inside, to regulate the dampers for all the
variations of wind, temperature, and fuel ; and then learn
how to make and keep a fire.
All stoves have a fire-box, with more or less space under-
neath for ashes ; a slide damper under the fire, letting in
the air ; an outlet for the smoke ; and a damper which reg-
ulates the suppl}' of hot air, sending it around and under-
neath the oven, or letting it escape into the chimne3\
Remove the covers and brush the soot from the top of the
oven into the fire-box ; then clean out the grate ; and if
the stove have conveniences for so doing, sift the ashes in
the stove and save all the old coal and cinders. Put in
shavings or loose rolls of paper, then fine pine kindlings,
arranged crosswise, and a layer of hard wood, leaving
plenty of air space between the pieces. Be sure the wood
comes out to each end of the fire-box. Put on the covers ;
and if the stove need cleaning, moisten some pulverized
stove polish with water, and rub the stove with a paint
brush dipped in the polish. When all blackened, rub with
a dry polishing-brush until nearly dry. Open the direct
draught and oven damper, and light the paper, as a slight
heat facilitates the process of polishing. When the wood
is thoroughly kindled, fill the fire-box with coal even with
the top of the oven. Brush up the hearth and floor, empty
the teakettle, and fill it with fresh water.
Page 6
Presented as published in 1884. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Charcoal, which is coal made by charring or burning wood with only a limited supply of air, burns easily and produces greater heat in proportion to its weight than any other fuel. It should never be burned in a close room.
Anthracite coal is a kind of mineral charcoal derived from ancient vegetation buried in the earth, and so thoroughly pressed that nothing is left but pure carbon, a little sulphur, and the incombustible ash. It kindles slowly, yields an intense, steady heat, and burns for a longer time without replenishing than the hardest wood.
Coke, often used in cities, is the residue of coal from which illuminating gas has been manufactured. The heat is intense, but transient.
Stoves for burning kerosene oil and gas have recently been introduced, and are now so nearly perfect that the care of a fire for cooking purposes is trifling. Gas can only be used in certain localities.
The cheapest fuel is the best kerosene oil. There need be no waste, no superfluous heat, no vitiated air, if the fire be extinguished immediately after the work is done, and if the stove be kept perfectly clean, so as to secure a free burning and perfect combustion. With two good stoves having all the latest and best improvements, a large amount of work can be easily and satisfactorily accomplished.
The Making and Care of a Coal Fire.
If you intend to buy a new stove or range, get one simple in construction, that you may quickly learn all its parts and their uses ; plain in finish, that you may easily keep it clean ; and perfectly fitted part to part, with doors and dampers shutting absolutely close, so that you may control the fire and heat. This latter point is of essential
The Boston Cook Booh.
importance in regulating the oven and in preventing a waste of fuel.
Become thoroughly acquainted with whatever stove you may have. If necessary, take it apart ; learn how to clean it in the inside, to regulate the dampers for all the variations of wind, temperature, and fuel ; and then learn how to make and keep a fire.
All stoves have a fire-box, with more or less space underneath for ashes ; a slide damper under the fire, letting in the air ; an outlet for the smoke ; and a damper which regulates the supply of hot air, sending it around and underneath the oven, or letting it escape into the chimney. Remove the covers and brush the soot from the top of the oven into the fire-box ; then clean out the grate ; and if the stove have conveniences for so doing, sift the ashes in the stove and save all the old coal and cinders. Put in shavings or loose rolls of paper, then fine pine kindlings, arranged crosswise, and a layer of hard wood, leaving plenty of air space between the pieces. Be sure the wood comes out to each end of the fire-box. Put on the covers ; and if the stove need cleaning, moisten some pulverized stove polish with water, and rub the stove with a paint brush dipped in the polish. When all blackened, rub with a dry polishing-brush until nearly dry. Open the direct draught and oven damper, and light the paper, as a slight heat facilitates the process of polishing. When the wood is thoroughly kindled, fill the fire-box with coal even with the top of the oven. Brush up the hearth and floor, empty the teakettle, and fill it with fresh water.