Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-09-11
CARE OF THE REFRIGERATOR.
Few Staple suggestions whIch
VIII Lead to Economy and
Cleanliness.

The refrigerator is one Of the impor-
lant household appanages for which the
chateiaine must hold herself directly
responsible. Servants are prone to be
phenomenally careless in this respect,
and a refrigerator in bad condition is
menace to health. The position of the
refrigerator is important. 1t should not
be kept in the cellar or other damp loca-
ton, but should always be placed where
it can be well lighted and drained.
Never allow the drain pipe to connect
with the sewer. A new refrigerator
should be allowed to stand from IL to
"a hours after the ice chamber is filed
before any article Of food is placed in
it, advises the New York Herald.
In up-to-date houses there are sep
arate refrigerators for milk and butter
and meat, with still another compart-
ment for fruit and vegetables. The
vegetable and milk compartments are
lined as well as shelved with heavy
glass. Where one has no separated and
guaranteed divisions neither fish,
cheese, cabbage, onions nor bananas
should be kept in the general refriger-
ator. Their flavor will not only affect
the other food, but will render the but
ter, milk and any gelatinous prepara-
tons absolutely unfit for use. When
artificial ice is used care must be taken
not to let fish come in contact with it,
as the ammonia used in the freezing
affects the fish. Meat should never be
laid directly on the ice, natural or arti-
fetal, as it extracts all the good meat
juices.
Ice should always be washed and laid
carefully in the ice box, not thrown in.
Most housekeepers contend from their
own experience that ice wrapped in q
thick coating OF newspapers lasts longer
than when left uncovered, but the man
ufacturers say it should not be wrapped
in anything, as that prevents the free
circulation Of cold air. The inference
is plain. II the saving in the ice bill IL
the main object to be achieved, wrap
the ice. If, as in extremely hot weather,
there is danger of the food spelling, I'M
cover. One woman thinks she has SIM
plified matters by covering the outside
and top of her ice box with a heavy
blanket lined with newspapers.
In getting ice it is a matter of econ
omy to put in as large piece as pos
sible at first, in order that the refriger-
ator may become thoroughly cooled,
then keep full, or nearly SO, as small
quantity of ice will melt much faster.
In small ice box 25 pounds put in three
times a week will last better than
smaller piece put in daily. In taking ice
from the refrigerator for table use no
more should be picked off than is need
ed on account of it's melting so much
more rapidly. Covers and doors should
always be kept tightly closed. Food
must never be placed in the refrigerator
until thoroughly cooled, as it occasions
moisture. Neither should food be Kept
in the refrigerator without ice and with
cover and doors closed. Chemicals OF
| any kind must be kept out of the ice
box and all hooks should be heavily
| timed.
Once a week is often enough to wash
| the refrigerator, if ordinary care is given
| to the articles stored in it. Take every
thing from the interior, put the shelves
in large dishpan and wash in hot soap
suds in which pinch of soda has been
dissolved. Rinse with cold water, wipe
perfectly dry and put out doors in the
| sun to dry for an hour. Wash thessides
| of the refrigerator in the same way,
| using flexible wire for the drain pipe
| and skewers for the corners and grooves.
Also pour warm water in the waste pipe
to clear the slime that accumulates
| from the ice.