VARIETIES OF COAL.–Probably the most typical gas used for cooking is coal. This gas is available in two varieties, particularly, anthracite, or exhausting coal, and bituminous, or gentle coal. Their relative price is determined by the locality, the sort of range, and an clever use of each range and gas. Onerous coal prices rather more in some locations than gentle coal, however it burns extra slowly and evenly and offers off little or no smoke. Comfortable coal heats extra quickly than exhausting coal, however it produces appreciable smoke and makes a fireplace that doesn’t final so lengthy. Except a range is very constructed for gentle coal, it shouldn’t be used for this function, as a result of the burning of sentimental coal will put on it out in a short while. The most effective plan is to make use of every number of coal in a range particularly constructed for it, but when a housewife finds that she should at instances do in any other case, she ought to understand {that a} completely different technique of administration and care of the range is demanded.

SIZES OF COAL.–Because the impact of coal on the range have to be considered within the shopping for of gas, so the completely different sizes of exhausting coal have to be recognized earlier than the correct could be chosen. The sizes generally known as range and egg coal, which vary from about -/ to -/ inches in diameter, are meant for a furnace and shouldn’t be used within the kitchen range for cooking functions. Some individuals who know learn how to use the dimensions of coal generally known as pea, which is about / to / inch in diameter, like that sort, whereas others want the dimensions known as chestnut, which is about / inch to -/ inches in diameter. In actuality, a mix of those two, if correctly used, makes the very best and most simply regulated kitchen coal hearth.

QUALITY OF COAL.–Along with understanding the names, costs, and makes use of of the completely different sorts of coal, the housewife ought to have the ability to distinguish poor coal from good coal. In actual fact, correct care ought to be exercised in all buying, for the one that understands the standard of the factor to be bought will likely be extra more likely to get full worth for the cash paid than the one who doesn’t. About coal, it ought to be understood that good exhausting coal has a shiny black shade and a vibrant floor, whereas poor coal accommodates slaty items. The standard of coal may also be decided from the ash that is still after it’s burned. Giant chunks or nice portions of ash point out a poor high quality of coal, and wonderful, powdery ash a great high quality. In fact, even when the coal is of the correct, poor outcomes are sometimes led to by the dangerous administration of a hearth, whether or not in a furnace or a range. Giant manufacturing firms, whose enterprise relies upon significantly on the correct sort of gas, purchase coal by the warmth units–that is, in line with the amount of warmth it is going to give off–and at some future time this plan could need to be adopted within the non-public house, until another gas is offered within the meantime.

Combined with poor coal are sure unburnable supplies that soften and stick collectively because it burns and type what are generally known as clinkers. Clinkers are very troublesome as a result of they typically adhere to the range grate or the liner of the firebox. They typically type through the burning of an especially scorching hearth, however the typical temperature of a kitchen hearth doesn’t produce clinkers until the coal is of a really poor high quality. Mixing oyster shells with coal of this sort typically helps to stop their formation.

COKE.–One other gas that’s typically used for cooking is coke. Previously, coke was a by-product within the manufacture of illuminating gasoline, however now it’s manufactured from coal to be used as a gas. Due to the character of its composition, coke produces a very popular hearth and is due to this fact favorable for speedy cooking, similar to broiling. Nonetheless, it’s used extra extensively in resorts and establishments than in kitchens the place cooking is finished on a small scale.