Their Main Elements And Factors

Heat, cold, and gravity are the three elements of refrigeration. By the simple force of gravity the cold air falls to the lowest point in the refrigerator, entering the provision compartment and displacing the lighter air which goes through the air flues into the top of the ice chamber. When it comes in contact with the ice and metal under it all the moisture and impurities arc condensed and pass off through the drip pipe. This dry, pure air then passes into the pro-vision chamber, again forcing the air into the ice chamber to be again relieved from its impurities, continuing the cycle and thereby causing a positive circulation of pure, cold, dry air, the three necessary conditions for the preservation of perishable articles, There are many refrigerators on the market which serve no better than a common box, in that they lack the most important factor of a good refrigerator, namely "insulation." A good refrigerator should keep, not ice, but food, by having a sufficiently low temperature by the aid of ice to restrain (though it is almost impossible to kill) the bacteria that develop in a warm temperature. It is insulation in the refrigerator that keeps this temperature low, by preventing the hot air from entering, and coming in contact with the provisions.

Insulation and circulation are two most important factors in refrigeration, for without one the other can not exist.

The insulating materials can not be seen, as they are in the walls of a refrigerator, and for this reason it is difficult for the inexperienced to know a good refrigerator.

There are many insulating materials used in the manufacturing of refrigerators. While dead air is the very best non-conductor of heat known, it is very difficult to get dead air space, and materials that are most commonly used are cork, asbestos fibre, charcoal sheathing, felt and mineral wool. Loose charcoal is good, but will absorb moisture, and dryness is absolutely necessary for the best of refrigeration.

Appearances of a refrigerator have no bearing on its merits, as some of the least attractive ones are the best.

The most economical and efficient refrigeration occurs when the temperature of a refrigerator is below sixty degrees. The placing of provisions therein raises the temperature in proportion to the quantity, as do also the numerous openings of the doors, admitting warm air.

There is no economy in buying small refrigerators. Many a person has purchased a small one only to be disappointed in its capacity, to soon discard it and buy a larger one.

The price of a refrigerator varies somewhat as to the style. For instance, a refrigerator with three front doors will cost more than one with but two front doors. The interior construction must be considered when comparing prices.

Porcelain and glass-lined interiors are best for the provision chambers, although a good hard non-rust-able metal is practical for the ice chamber.

See that the interior of a refrigerator is as free from corners and joints as possible, so that it can be easily cleaned.

A front door to the ice chamber allows the top of the refrigerator to serve as a shelf. This style can sometimes be placed under a shelf.

Some refrigerators are made with a front and back door. The idea is to place the back of the refrigerator to a window so that the ice can be put into the ice chamber from the outside of the house.

Window Refrigerators

Window refrigerators are small metal or wooden boxes which fasten to the outside of a window and have a door which opens as the window is raised. They are accessable from the inside only, and are valuable as a cooling place in the time of year when it would be extravagance to buy ice.