At the present time electric toasters, heating plates,
chafing dishes, and coffee percolators are largely used in
dining rooms where attachments can be made with the
electric current. These are very convenient and if used
carefully are not expensive.
Gasoline
Accidents arising from the misuse of gasoline have
created a prejudice against it as a fuel, but if used with
care and judgment, it can well replace coal and wood in
the warm, if not in the cold weather. When open to the
air gasoline is constantly giving off a highly inflammable
and explosive gas so that it should never be used in a room
where there is a fire or an open flame.
Coal Oil
Kerosene or coal oil is much in use as a hot weather
substitute for coal and wood. The objections to its use
are the odor, soot and grease. If the stoves are kept
thoroughly clean these objections are minimized. A cloth
wet with gasoline will take off the grease more quickly
and effectually than anything else.
Alcohol
Since "denatured alcohol" has been manufactured and
the tax on fuel alcohol removed in 1907, the price has been
reduced somewhat, but it still costs from 50 cents to 65
cents or more a gallon. As it has only two-thirds the
heating power of kerosene or gasoline, it is an economical
fuel only for cooking in small quantities. It is safer to
use than gasoline, but not so safe as kerosene.
Coal and Wood Stoves
The same general principle is observed in the construc-
tion of these different stoves, namely a good firebox, drafts,
an oven damper, and a chimney damper. A good steel
range represents the highest development in cook stoves.
The fire box and grate are suited to the fuels used, the
grate being coarse for wood and fine for coal. A rocking
grate is better than the older form which shakes by a
backv/ard and forward motion. The front drafts regulate
the amount of air admitted ; the chimney damper when
open, creates a strong draft, drawing the air through the
JANUABY MENUS 153
fuel and thus increasing combustion. The oven damper,
when closed, throws the heat into the oven, when open,
permits it to be drawn up the chimney.
In lighting a fire open front drafts and chimney dampers,
until the fuel is burning briskly, then close all to consei've
the heat. Keep the oven damper closed except when it is
desirable to cool off the oven or to increase the draft to
make the fire burn better. Watch the fire, replenishing
the fuel before it burns too low, thus economizing on fuel.
In using soft coal a little air should be admitted over the
fire when coal is first put on to burn the gases driven off.
In selecting a wood or coal stove see that the dampers
work easily and perfectly ; that the ash box is large enough
and can be readily cleaned ; that the side door when opened
will not scatter ashes on the floor ; that the oven is a
good shape and size and suited to the needs of the family;
that the stove can be readily and easily cleaned inside,
which should be done at least every six months or oftener
if soft coal is used.
Keep the ash pit free from ashes for if they accumulate
too much the grate becomes overheated and will warp or
burn out.
The Labor Saving Cook Stove
Page 86
Presented as published in 1912. 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
At the present time electric toasters, heating plates, chafing dishes, and coffee percolators are largely used in dining rooms where attachments can be made with the electric current. These are very convenient and if used carefully are not expensive.
Gasoline
Accidents arising from the misuse of gasoline have created a prejudice against it as a fuel, but if used with care and judgment, it can well replace coal and wood in the warm, if not in the cold weather. When open to the air gasoline is constantly giving off a highly inflammable and explosive gas so that it should never be used in a room where there is a fire or an open flame.
Coal Oil
Kerosene or coal oil is much in use as a hot weather substitute for coal and wood. The objections to its use are the odor, soot and grease. If the stoves are kept thoroughly clean these objections are minimized. A cloth wet with gasoline will take off the grease more quickly and effectually than anything else.
Alcohol
Since "denatured alcohol" has been manufactured and the tax on fuel alcohol removed in 1907, the price has been reduced somewhat, but it still costs from 50 cents to 65 cents or more a gallon. As it has only two-thirds the heating power of kerosene or gasoline, it is an economical fuel only for cooking in small quantities. It is safer to use than gasoline, but not so safe as kerosene.
Coal and Wood Stoves
The same general principle is observed in the construction of these different stoves, namely a good firebox, drafts, an oven damper, and a chimney damper. A good steel range represents the highest development in cook stoves.
The fire box and grate are suited to the fuels used, the grate being coarse for wood and fine for coal. A rocking grate is better than the older form which shakes by a backward and forward motion. The front drafts regulate the amount of air admitted ; the chimney damper when open, creates a strong draft, drawing the air through the
fuel and thus increasing combustion. The oven damper, when closed, throws the heat into the oven, when open, permits it to be drawn up the chimney.
In lighting a fire open front drafts and chimney dampers, until the fuel is burning briskly, then close all to consei've the heat. Keep the oven damper closed except when it is desirable to cool off the oven or to increase the draft to make the fire burn better. Watch the fire, replenishing the fuel before it burns too low, thus economizing on fuel. In using soft coal a little air should be admitted over the fire when coal is first put on to burn the gases driven off.
In selecting a wood or coal stove see that the dampers work easily and perfectly ; that the ash box is large enough and can be readily cleaned ; that the side door when opened will not scatter ashes on the floor ; that the oven is a good shape and size and suited to the needs of the family; that the stove can be readily and easily cleaned inside, which should be done at least every six months or oftener if soft coal is used.
Keep the ash pit free from ashes for if they accumulate too much the grate becomes overheated and will warp or burn out.
The Labor Saving Cook Stove