The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-01
Homemade SteriliZer
 For Dairy Utensils
Steaming Device Can Be Constructed at Little Ex- pense-Milk and Cream Keep Longer When
 Utensils Are Sterilized

| V x1l | A simple and efficient homemade
 steam fertilizer which can be built at
 a cost not to exceed $5 to $lO IS
 described in a new Farmers Bulletin, No. 74S, prepared by the Dairy Dl- vision of the U. s. Department Of Agriculture, Washington, D. c. Ihls
 bulletin can be obtained free Of
 charge on application to the depart
 ment.
 1 The ordinary washing of dairy l utensils, the dairy specialists point out, is not sufficient to insure freedom from bacteria. The only safe method of destroying in utensils germs Whlcn affect the hygienic and keeping quail tties of milk and cream is by sterlllza- ! tion Even when dairy utensils ap- pear clean, if they have not been propertly sterilized they may haroor i vast numbers of bacteria which con- ttaminate milk or cream that comes I into contact with them. Live steam at a temperature of at least 25O degrees F. is a thoroughly effective agent ana one that this homemade apparatus makes readily available on the aver age dairy firm.
 When placed on stove or oil heater the apparatus in question de- velops steam in a shallow pan and introduces the live steam through pipe into milk cans and buckets. In steriizing separator parts, small arr ticles and strainer cloths, galvanlz- ed iron box is placed over the steam outlet and used as a steriliZing cham Der. How to Construct the Sterilizer. The sterilizer for cans and milk pails consists of CD a roasting pan, CD specially prepared, insulated cover for it, and (3) a steam outlet pipe that runs through the cover. An ordinary roasting pan of standard size, about 20 inches long, IA inches wide, top measurement, and three inches deep, will be satisfactory.
 The insulated cover for the pan is in three layers, the lowest of which IS a sheet of galvanized iron covering the roasting pan and tapping little over the edges. On the bottom of the cover solder f1anges to meet and fit the inside edges of the pan and make a tight cover. F.
 For the steam pipe, cut; hole l h inches in diameter and around it solder securely a steam outlet pipe AZ inches, high and 1 # inches in diameter.
 To make the second layer of the cover, use a piece of asbestos board five-sixteenths of an inch thick and slightly smaller than the metal sheet. In the center cut hole which will fit tightly around the steam outlet pipe
 For the top layer of the cover make shallow pan of galvanized iron IA inches square with sides f1ve-eighths of an inch high. and cut a hole for the steam pipe. When the pan Cis pressed down tight on the asbestos. solder it firmly to the steam outlet pipe.
 On the pan, solder. on edge, 4 strips of stiff, galvanized iron three-eighths one inch from each corner and should run to within one inch of the outlet pipe. These strips provide ridges which raise the milk can from the pan and permit free circulation of steam.
 Paper may be used instead of as- bestos for the middle layer of the cov- CT. Pack tightly to height of three eighths of an inch over the galvanized iron bottom and on top place another galvanized iron sheet of the same size. Solder these two sheets all around the edges so as to make tight seam. This makes an insulated cover and pad about three-eighths of an inch thick, which will be found as satisfac- tory and even preferable to the asbes- tos insulation.
 Source of Heat
 kitchen stove, or other stove, or over any other heat that is sufficient to furnish steam at the end of the out let pipe at least 2O5 degrees Fahren- heit, or preferably 210 degrees to 211 if placed in the outlet pipe, will show whether the steam is hot enough.
 Operating the Sterilizer
 Place the, outfit, with one inch of water in the pan, on the stove, and see that the cover fits tightly. The first steam that comes from the ap- paratus will have a temperature of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until a thermometer placed in the out let pipe shows at least 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place the milk can previously washed and rinsed-in- verted over the steam outlet and rest ing on the ridges. Sterilize for five minutes; remove, shake out any wa ter, and place the can upright on the floor. The can should be absolutely dry in one or two minutes. If not, it is an indication either that the steam was not hot enough or that the can was not washed clean. Remember that the steaming does not remove dirt, so that previous washing is es- sential.
 In winter or in cold rooms an insu- lating cover for the milk can is desir- able, since otherwise the can may be cooled so quickly that it will Aot dry thoroughly. An insulated cover that will serve this purpose can be made from a blanket.
 SteriliZe the milk-receiving tank and separator parts and all milk pails in the same way and for the same time.
 Before striner cloths, separator parts, can covers, and small utensils can be sterilized, it is necessary to pro- vide bottomless. galvanized-iron box 15 by 15 by Il inches high, to be used as a sferiliZed cha amber The fOur