CHAPTER III
PORCH EQUIPMENT
ICELESS REFRIGERATOR NO. 1
Country homes without ice houses and too far from town to have access to manufactured ice may have an iceless refrigerator as a good substitute. This convenience comprises a simple wooden frame with a covering of canton flannel, burlap, Indian-head cloth or linen crash made to fit so that little air is admitted into it. Wicks made of the same material as the cover are tacked on top of each side of the cover and extend over into the pan of water sitting on top of the frame. This water is taken up by the wicks and carried down on the sides of the cover by capillary attraction when evaporation takes place, drawing the heat from the inside and lowering the temperature. The more rapid the evaporation, the lower the temperature. Tests have shown that if the refrigerator is kept in a place where the air circulates around it freely, a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit may be obtained.
Materials:
40' of white pine.
1 pair of 1-1/2" (butt) hinges to fasten the door.
1 2" gate hook to close screen door.
1/2 lb. 5-penny nails to build frame.
3-1/2 yds. wire screening to cover frame.
4 sq. ft. sheet zinc to make shelves.
1 pt. white paint.
1 can white enamel.
1 square pan for top of refrigerator.
1 large pan for bottom.
Sandpaper.
2 cards of snap hooks and eyes to put on cover.
5 yds. white canton flannel.
Dimensions:
Frame: 4 pieces 1/2" thick × 3" wide × 48" long, for upright pieces.
16 pieces 1" thick × 1" wide × 16" long, to be used as crosspieces for top, bottom, and shelves.
Door: 2 pieces 1/2" thick × 3" wide × 39" long, for upright pieces.
2 pieces 1" thick × 1" wide × 16" long, for crosspieces.
