Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1918 — DEVICE TO KEEP FOOD IN SUMMER [ARTICLE]

DEVICE TO KEEP FOOD IN SUMMER

Evaporation of Water From Cloth Cover Is Cooling Principle of Refrigerator. COOLER FOR DRINKING WATER Temperature of 50 Degrees F. Possible Under Ideal Conditions—Place for Meats, Fruits, Vegetables, Milk and Butter. Where ice is not obtainable an iceless refrigerator, home-made, will be a useful food keeper and food saver this summer. Maintaining a low temperature through the evaporation of water from its canvas cover, the iceless refrigerator will keep meats, fruits and vegetables cool and will extend the period for keeping milk and butter. It can also serve, as a cooler for drinking water. Separate Refrigerators. In homes where large quantities of milk and butter are to be kept it would be well to have one refrigerator for* milk and butter and another for other foods, as milk and butter readily absorb odors from other foods. It costs very little to build the refrigerator and nothing to operate it. The operation is as simple as the construction. The upper pan should be kept filled with water. The water is. drawn by capillary attraction through the wicks and I saturates the cover. As evaporation takes place heat is taken from the inside of the refrigerator, thereby lowering the temperature of the Inside and the contents. Capillary action starts more readily if the cover is first dampened by dipping it in water or throwing water upon it. The greater the rate of evaporatidh the lower the temperature which can be secured; therefore the refrigerator works best when rapid evaporation takes place. % Evaporation Is Rapid.

When the refrigerator Is placed In a shady place In a strong breeze and the air is warm and dry, evaporation takes place continuously and rapidly and the temperature Inside the refrigerator is reduced. Under ideal conditions the temperature has been known to be reduced to 50 degrees Fah/enheit. When it is damp, and the air is full of moisture, the refrigerator will not work as well, since there is not enough evaporation. More water will find its way to the lower pan, but It will be drawn up into the covering by capillary attraction when the air again becomes drier. The refrigerator should be regularly cleaned and sunned. If the framework, shelves ahd pans are white enameled they can more easily be kept in a sanitary condition. It Is well to have two covers, so that a fresh one can be used each week and the soiled oiie Washed and sunned.