burying the pots
overnight in hot stones and ashes, the whole being covered with earth;
and in the "clam bakes" on the Atlantic Coast, the damp seaweed spread
over the embers on the clams prevents the escape of the heat during
cooking. The peasants in some parts of Europe are said to begin the
cooking of their dinners and then to put them into hay boxes or between
feather beds, so that the cooking may be completed while the family is
absent in the fields.

The chief advantages in the use of the fireless
cooker are these:

1. It saves fuel, especially where gas, oil, or electric stoves are
used. Where coal or wood is the fuel, the fire in the range is often
kept up most of the day, and the saving of fuel is not so great. In
summer, or when the kitchen fire is not needed for heating purposes, the
dinner can be started in the stove early in the morning, and then placed
in the fireless cooker, the fire in the range being allowed to go out.
During the hot weather, the use of a kerosene or other liquid-fuel stove
and a fireless cooker is a great convenience, since it not only
accomplishes a saving in fuel, but helps to keep the kitchen cooler. The
saving in fuel resulting from the use of a fireless cooker is greatest
in the preparation of foods such as stews, which require long and slow
cooking.

2. It saves time. Foods cooked in this way do not require watching, and
may be left, without danger from fires or of over-cooking, while other
duties are being performed or the family is away from home.

3. It conserves the flavour of the food and makes it easier to utilize
the cheaper cuts of meat which, although not having so fine a texture or
flavour, are fully as nutritious, pound for pound, as the more expensive
cuts. Long cooking at a relatively low temperature, such as is given to
foods in the fireless cooker, improves the flavour and texture of these
tougher cuts of meat. Most people do not cook cereals long enough. By
this method, the cereal may be prepared at night, cooked on the stove
for about fifteen minutes, and then put in the fireless cooker. In the
morning it will be cooked and ready to be served.

The fireless cooker may be used to advantage in preparing the following:
soups; pot roasts; beef stew; Irish stew; lamb stew; corned beef and
cabbage; boiled ham; baked beans; chicken fricassee; vegetables, such as
turnips, carrots, parsnips, beets; dried vegetables, such as peas and
beans; and dried fruits, such as