Somehow, our architects and builders habitually neglect to study the
requirements of the kitchen, but persist in constructing for this use a
plainly constructed room, generally cramped in size, with no means of
escaping the great heat generated by the range or stove, which in the
hot months of summer is almost unbearable. If men were often obliged to
remain in such a place, a large part of the day during the hot season,
they would be quick to seize upon any plan which would mitigate the heat.
But as their wives, daughters or “help” preside in that department, they
offer no amendment to the long-established mode of kitchen construction.
Now, a kitchen can be so constructed that even with the largest size
family-stove or range in use, it will be as comfortable as any other room
in the house, and at an expense not to exceed the cost of the stove or
range used. To do this, build of brick a large open fire-place, say from
three to twelve inches broader than the length of the stove or range
to be used, and from front to rear deep enough to receive the same.
It is best to set an ordinary cook-stove with the side to the front,
so that the oven door can be convenient. The oven door, of course, on
the opposite side is permanently closed. The range being differently
constructed can readily be set in the brick enclosure or open fire-place,
the walls of which should be built perpendicular to the floor, and about
five feet high. The back wall should be sufficiently thick to commence
at this point a smoke-flue 8 × 12 inches, with an opening to receive the
smoke-pipe from the range or stove, and continue it out through the roof
of house (see “Chimneys”); resting on the walls of this open fire-place
build, either with wood or brick, a tapering flue, so that after emerging
from the roof it will expose an opening of not less than four square
feet. A cap should be put over this to prevent an entrance of rain, but
not to contract the draught space.
You will see by this arrangement you have a large chimney with a
fire-place at the bottom large enough to receive the stove or range.
Now construct a sliding sash with double strength glass, and balanced
with weights, with the upper end of sash inside the draught flue, and the
lower end to reach within a foot of the floor, and about four inches from
the side of stove. You will readily perceive that the heat from the stove
inside the flue will constantly cause a strong draught between the bottom
of the sash and the floor, which will prevent heat from escaping into the
kitchen, keeping it as cool as any room in the house. Even with the sash
up, the draught will take nearly all the heat through the flue over the
stove, carrying with it the steam and odor during the process of cooking.
A coat of whitewash inside the brick-work will add to the appearance and
give light, which is shadowed by the flue.
The kitchen should be large and light, and, if possible, be joined by a
broad covered porch, upon which much of the kitchen work can be done in
warm weather.
As this little book is merely hints to builders, we cannot go into the
details of hot and cold water, stationary wash-tubs and such matters. But
we will say, more important than all this is a well-constructed drain
pipe, not less than three inches in diameter, leading from the kitchen
sink to a point some distance (according to the nature of the ground)
from the house. This pipe inside the kitchen, should have a trap to
prevent offensive odors escaping into the room.