KEEPING FOOD COOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18939, 10 February 1925, Page 12

KEEPING FOOD COOL.

Whatever simple means we decide on depends upon some form of evaporation. The question is to choose- the most effective form, combined with the least trouble. For general household purposes the oldfashioned "drip-safe," with wooden framework and hessian sides is hard to beat. To be really effective it requires a good quantity of water; that is, if it is a fair size, with a couple of shelves. One with a sloping wooden roof allows a more effective draught to blow through the walls than if a liessian roof were used. Hung in a shady place, where there is a draught, milk, salads, fruit can bo kept quite cold. It will also keep butter hard, provided it has not been allowed to become soft; but in hot districts its powers of refrigeration are hardly great enough to harden softened butter. One of the simplest butter coolers is an oblong piece of water-bag canvas, about 12 to 10in., with a brass ring in each corner, through which strong twine is passed. The four strings are caught in a hook above the centre, giving a boatshape to the canvas, which should be thoroughly wetted. Tho butter is placed itt a glass or china dish, on a basin, and this receptacle is placed in the middle of the canvas, with enough water poured around to overflow into tho dish. A simple cooler for a small quantity is <: well-scrubbed flower pot that has been well soaked in water. A plate holding tho butter is put half-way down the flower pot, which is covered with a piece of damp muslin with ends hanging down into the saucer of water in which tho flower pot stands. This, of course, must bo kept in a good draught. It is not generally known that strongly salted blued water is very much cooler than, ordinary water. Where plaster of pariS' butter coolers are used which have to be dipped in water every day, this mixture of salted blue water is particularly effective. It has to he remembered that where any of these plans are used everything must be frequently scrubbed with hot water and soap, or a musty smell and tasto will he given to the food. A very great convenience ' for cooling purposes will bo found in fitting a window of the kitchen or storeroom with a cool aspect with a projecting outside framework either half or the. whole height of the .window. This . framework is enclosed with mosquito netting and fitted with shelves. These '. are most conveniently made of. parallel bars of electric wiring, which fit into slots, r Four rows covering Bin. in width are wide enough for any recep table. They can be removed, washed at fcho'-sink, and replaced with much less trouble than scrubbing b fixed board. Hooks? can ho hung on the bars for meat, and tho whole fitment provides a most convenient ample cool storage space.