The aim of this book is to present in a convenient form such directions
for making and using fireless cookers and similar insulating boxes, that
those who are not experienced, even in the ordinary methods of cookery,
may be able to follow them easily and with success. The fact that their
management has been so little understood has been the cause of failures
among the adventurous women who, attracted by their novelty, have tried
to experiment with them and have come to the mistaken conclusion that
they are not practical, have limited scope, and are altogether a good
deal of a disappointment. Such women have made the statement that they
are not adapted to cooking starchy foods; that they will not do for most
vegetables; that raised breads and puddings cannot be cooked in them,
and that there is little economy in using them! It has invariably been
found, however, that a better understanding of their management has
resulted in complete success, followed inevitably by enthusiasm.
The first few chapters of the book give directions for making and using
a cooker, methods of measuring, and some tables for quick reference,
followed by a large number of frequently tested recipes, some of which
are entirely original, but many of which are based on the well-tried
recipes from such books as Miss Farmer’s “Boston Cooking School Cook
Book,” Mrs. Lincoln’s “Boston Cook Book,” Miss Smedley’s “Institution
Recipes,” and Miss Ronald’s “Century Cook Book,” somewhat modified and
adapted to hay-box cookery. “The Fireless Cooker,” by Lovewell,
Whittemore, and Lyon, has furnished some excellent ideas, such as the
refrigerating box and home-made insulated oven and insulating pail,
which have been elaborated in this book. Miss Huntington’s bulletin,
“The Fireless Cooker,” has also been suggestive of a number of
experiments which are to be found in the Appendix.
The chapter on “Institution Cookery” was introduced in the hope that
many small institutions, boarding-house keepers, and those who are
managing lunch-rooms, would be induced, by finding recipes arranged in
suitable quantities for them, to introduce fireless cookers into their
kitchens, and benefit by the great saving in labour and expense which is
specially necessary to those who are dependent upon their kitchens for
support. When a little experience is gained by using them, it will be
found that all the other recipes in the book can be enlarged without
minute directions.
It will be noticed that nearly every recipe in the book states how many
persons it will serve, the idea being that, in spite of the variable
quantities which different people use, this would act as a guide to
those who wish to plan rather closely. Where two numbers are given the
variation is in proportion to the difference between the amount eaten by
men and by women.
The Appendix describes or suggests a series of experiments illustrating
the scientific as well as the practical side of fireless cookery. Many
of them would be easy for the average housekeeper to carry out, and
would illuminate the subject to an extent which would repay her; but
they are specially planned for students of household economics who have
time and opportunity for such work, and who are supposed to know more
than mere methods of housework, and to require an explanation of the
principles involved.