Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-06-08
THE "HAY-BOx" STOVE,

Several readers have asked for in.
formation about the fireless stove,"
and, as it is greatly lauded in some
Eastern papers we copy the following
directions fer making them from the
Ladies' World.
"The fireless stove is not at all diff.
cult to make. and costs little or moth.
ing. Any tight box which has tight
ly fitting cover will answer; an old
trunk is just the thing, If there are no
cracks which cannot be made perfectly
tight. A lining of asbestos paper is a
help, though not necessity. A felt
or flannel lining also adds to its heat
retaining powers, but it must be put
in so as TO be removed and cleaned
when necessary. Any kind of tightly
covered vessels may DO used, tin or
granite ware, but earthen ones are said
to retain the heat the longest.
"Fill the box or trunk loosely with
hay, fine shavings, excelsior, or some
thing similar, making the right-sized
nests as needed in which to set the
cooking vessels used. A muslin bag.
filled loosely with hay, should be made
to cover all closely, then the box.
cover is closed and made fast, and the
cooking goes merrily on "while you
wait" In general, it will require
from three to five minutes actual boil.
ing on the fire for most vegetables,
the covered vessels containing them
to be set Immediately while still rapid.
ly boiling, into the prepared nests, and
the box.cover put on Immediately,
that no heat be lost. Most articles
must be kept in the box, tightly
closed, for from two to four hours,
though it may be kept hot for ten or
twelve. Roasted or boiled meats, or
meat soups, require from fifteen to
thirty minutes actual cooking on .
FIRE, always in tightly.covered vessels
from which the cover is not to be re.
moved. The amount OF water used
in the first place is important, and
must be learned by actual experience,
though q little more than "just
enough" is best. Tho hay should be
renewed every two or three weeks. and
the muslin bag washed, to prevent
sour or musty smells. The box may
hold several things at once, but they
should all be put in at once to avoid
opening until ready TO serve. A
smaller one can be made for the
nursery or sick.room, to keep things
warm"
At small expense, q most cleanly
and efficient fireless stove may be
made as follows: Procure Q close
wooden box with . tight cover, and
line to the thickness of one. half inch
or 50 with asbestos or mineral wool
then take tightly covered tin.box "a
bread box will answer) and fit snugly
within the asbestos.lined box. The
covered cooking vessels containing the
rapidly boiling food are placed in the
tin.box and both covers tightly closed,
when the heat will be retained as with
the:hay-filling. The tin.box may be
kept clean with little trouble, and no
reclining is necessary, as with the hay
filling. This style Of iireless stove
should not be made too large, as
SMALL ones, holding one or two vessels
only, retain the heat much better
and one may have several separate
ones, if necessary. It is claimed that
the fireless stove, or hay-box, gives
great satisfaction, and, as it is 90 easy
to make, and inexpensive, it should
be tried during the hot months, espec'
tally. If any of our readers have used
this convenience, satisfactorily ol
otherwise, we shall be glad to hear
them.
1T is said that horses will be given
phenomenal strength and endurance