Popular Science Monthly 



Iceless Refrigerator Using Evaporation sides. A little 

 for Cooling 



r' is not always convenient or possible to 

 have ice for refrigeration. When such 

 is the case, as in a camp or isolated places, 

 the evaporation method may be applied. 

 Milk or butter will keep much better by 

 this method than in the regular ice-box or 

 refrigerator. A very satisfactory iceless 

 refrigerator may be easily constructed as 

 shown in the illustration. The measure- 

 ments given are not arbitrary, as any size 

 suitable for needs may be used, the entire 

 cooling process being the result of the 

 evaporation of the water as it flows down 

 the burlap curtain forming the sides of the 

 cabinet. 



A suitable cabinet for ordinary purposes 

 is about 1 8 in. wide, 36 in. long and 40 in. 

 high. It consists of a skeleton framework 

 of corner posts 2 in. square with a base and 

 top band made of a board 1 in. thick and 

 6 in. wide. The side to be used for the 

 front is fitted with two doors built up just as 

 frames and hinged to the corner posts, 

 meeting at the center just like cupboard 

 doors. All of these openings are filled 

 with burlap set in so that the outside 

 surfaces will be flush with the outside sur- 

 faces of the corner posts. This may be 

 done by building a light frame of quarter- 

 round or light stock just to fit in the panel. 

 Stretch the burlap over the panels and 

 push them into the panel opening from the 

 inside of the box frame. When this part is 

 complete it makes a burlap inclosure 

 without top or bottom. 



The bottom or support is made of a 

 frame the same size as the main box with 

 corner posts about 10 in. long and the band 

 the same as for the top and bottom of the 

 box frame. Within this box frame build an 

 inverted pyramid of galvanized sheet 

 metal, allowing the edge to come up and 

 over the edge of the side rail on the base; 

 then extend it up about ^ in. In the 

 center of the pyramid solder in a metal tube 

 for a drain. The upper projection of metal 

 will catch any overflow of water and lead it 

 to the center drain pipes. 



The top consists of a galvanized pan or 

 tray the same size as the box frame and 

 about 4 in. high, with a ventilator pipe 

 soldered in the center. This pan is placed 

 on top of the box frame. Wicks 4 in. in 

 width are hung over the edge so that they 

 will come in contact with the burlap sides. 

 These wicks will evenly and slowly siphon 

 the water placed in the tray to the burlap 



experimenting will be 

 required to get the size of e the wicks right 

 for the proper flow of water. These can be 

 made of lamp-wick web or felt. The size 

 may require altering according to the 

 weather, as some days will be more humid 

 than others. 



The refrigerator 

 the center part 



Before placing the box frame on the base, 

 small blocks of wood or the ordinary 

 furniture domes should be used, under each 

 corner post so that a space will be provided 

 for the proper draining of the water. 

 Shelves may be placed inside to rest upon 

 brackets fastened to the corner posts. The 

 edges of these shelves should not touch the 

 burlap in any place. 



As such a refrigerator depends on the 

 evaporation of water in air currents the box 

 should be placed where there is a slight 

 draft to produce the right circulation. The 

 air passing up through the center tends to 

 draw the damp air from the sides. 



