The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-24
Ixssks1se x1roaxx DnUDexsE
Ksrosese ssssesstA - . Re~evsr 81 Grease
On Dishes and Pans.

i
On Dishes and Pans.
When one who has not bcen obliged TO deal
| with the economy OF tho kitchen first takes
hold OF the matter the subject Of cooking be-
comes very attractive. 1t possesses all the in
terest OF q new field for the application OF
science for tho most important and costly cle-
ment In getting living. But when tho cook
Ing Is ended. tho table cleared. and the dirty
plates and the metal dishes pile UP. the inter-
est In the kitchen is likely TO wane. Tho
poetry thereof has departed; tho next step is
In attempting to remove the fat from the pans
and plates: taking 1t of with hot water and
soap and discharging 1t into the drain. whore
1t becomes a most dangerous element by stop
ping the pipes and producing dangerous con-
ditions productive OF typhoid fever. diph-
iberia. and many other diseases.
Science has almost exhausted tself in the
effort to overcome tho evil of kitchen grease.
There Is nothing taken away from the house,
hold through the sewer-except when tho dis
ease generated from the kitchen grease has
entered that house-that needs so much care.
80 many precautions, as the removal of the
products OF the dish tub.
Ono day it occurred to me to reason little
upon tho theory of dishwashing. | thought
perhaps might accomplish something in the
same way that had solved making the bread
without mixing with the dough IN unpleasant
element derived from the active exercise OF
the human hand. What is dishwashing? is
the conundrum. Mainly tho removal OF
grease. Then why add grease to grease. all to
be softeDed by hot water, in order to induce
the alkali in soap to take up a little more2
In all the bleacheries which como under my
supervision tho bleachcrs use u little refined
Kerosene oil as a detergent. On inquiry also
discovered that skilful managers OF laundries
put a little refined kerosene oil into their
water for washing. Kerosene oil is one OF the
purest detergents that nature yields. to some
extent Rermicide and an antiseptic; unplens-
ant only from its bad odor.
1t then occurred to ne that teaspoonful
added to pan full of slightly warm water
might not give any unpleasant odor and might
instantly attack the grease on tho metal pans
and the dishes. so as to bring 1t into an emul-
sion which tho water would hold in suspen-
sion and so carry away. The theory proved to
BIO we'll founded. In practice pans and dishes
can DO cleaned with one-haf OF the work and
in a more thorough manner by this method
than by the application OF hot water and soap.
Whether or not the emulsion or com bination
OF the grease with the mineral or kerosene
oil. will breed bacteria or will become foul in
the sewers is n matter that subsequent inves-
tigation must determine.
Moreover. when the heat applied to cooking
is put into an oven in which it can lie absolute
ly regulated and kept ut u moderate point the
cooking may all be done without making use
OF any metallic pans Of any kind. IL one prefers
to cook either in tine French china or in COM
mon stone or earthenware-the finest kind OF
chinaware which have been fired at u high de-
gree of heat in the potteries being less liable
to "crackle or craze as it is termed. than the
common varieties. All the work Of cooking
may be done In the carthenware dishes in
which the food is to DO served This method
does away with large amount Of that part OF
the work OF the victuallng department. which
Is less attractive than the cooking itself.
1t is possible that the suggestion for making
use OF cold water. with little kerosene oil
mixed with 1t. for dishwashing. may solve
some dihlcuties in the distribution OF food
previously cooked. Efforts have been made |
to introduce in the common schools hot broth
as a lunch for some Of the poorest children.
who are ill nourshed. Difficulties have oc- |
Cured in this matter for lack of hot water to |
be used for washing the utensils II the theory |
OF cold water and kerosene oil is justified in |
general use-as it has already been by some |
Of the most intelligent persons to whom the |
suggestion has been made. who now practise |
washing dishes in this and no other way-this
slight difficulty In the distribution OF cooked |
food may be removed EDWARD ATKINSON.