How was ice kept cold in the 1800s?

By the end of the 1800s, many American households stored their perishable food in an insulated "icebox" that was usually made of wood and lined with tin or zinc. A large block of ice was stored inside to keep these early refrigerators chilly.

How did they have ice before refrigeration?

For millennia, those rich enough got servants to gather snow and ice formed during the winter and stored it in straw-lined underground pits called 'ice houses'. But the ancient Persians stumbled across a neat bit of physics that allowed them to create ice from water even during the summer.

How was ice kept frozen before electricity?

Ice was cut from the surface of ponds and streams, then stored in ice houses, before being sent on by ship, barge or railroad to its final destination around the world. Networks of ice wagons were typically used to distribute the product to the final domestic and smaller commercial customers.

How did they have ice in the Old West?

Outside of Flagstaff were some ice caves, and saloonkeepers would harvest ice from the caves during the summer.

How long did a block of ice last in an icebox?

Iceboxes were commonly found in homes. Similar to our modern day refrigerators, these ice and food storage devices acted as coolers. Of course the insulation was less sophisticated than what's available today, and even large blocks of ice typically only lasted for one day.

How people kept stuff cold before refrigerators

How did they keep milk cold in the 1800s?

↑ How did they keep milk cold in the 1800s? In temperate climates, the cooling properties of slate were sufficient to keep cheeses and milk at a low temperature for every bit as long as in our modern refrigerators. The victorians also made use of terracotta pots that had been soaked in water.

How did ice houses work in the 1800's?

They were wooden boxes insulated with sawdust, cork, or even seaweed and lined with tin, zinc, or another non corroding metal. Iceboxes were usually held in kitchen. Ice, for iceboxes, was delivered once or twice a week or an owner of the icebox could pick up a block of ice from an ice-house and fill it him/her self.

How did cowboys keep beer cold?

It would usually last most of the summer. Down in Arizona, you'd see signs in front of saloons saying “Cool Beer,” not “Cold Beer.” Wet gunny sacks and sawdust would keep the beer fairly cool. Outside of Flagstaff were some ice caves, and saloonkeepers would harvest ice from the caves during the summer.

Did cowboys drink warm beer?

Due to the lack of pasteurization, cowboys had to consume beer while it is still warm. A flat beer would result if this isn't done. No matter what temperature it was, whiskey remained tasty and potent.

Does sawdust keep ice from melting?

It took about a foot of sawdust to prevent air from getting to the ice. As long as the air doesn't get to the ice, it won't melt. To complete the temporary ice house, they covered the top of the ice with sawdust and then spread layers of straw to shed the rain.

How did they keep things cold in the 1700s?

Community cooling houses were an integral part of many villages to keep meat, fruit and vegetables stored. At various points in time ice houses were built often underground or as insulated buildings – these were used to store ice and snow sourced during winter, to keep foods cold during the warmer months.

How did they make ice in Victorian times?

Ice houses were very simple - a huge well - often 40 feet deep or more, into which ice was tightly packed. A drain at the bottom would let any melted water out into the surrounding soil or back into the pond.

How did they make ice cream in the 1800's?

Ice cream at this time was made using the “pot freezer” method, which involved placing a bowl of cream in a bucket of ice and salt (note: not mixing the ice and salt with the cream as many believe). In 1843, this method was replaced by the hand-cranked churn which was patented by Nancy Johnson.

How did they keep meat cold in the old days?

Into the 1930s, households used large blocks of ice to keep food cold in "iceboxes." This photo is from the 1920s. Courtesy of the Sloane Collection. By the end of the 1800s, many American households stored their perishable food in an insulated "icebox" that was usually made of wood and lined with tin or zinc.

How did old ice boxes work?

Known as icehouses, these pits were filled with ice harvested from nearby lakes, which they could keep frozen all summer long by using straw for insulation and stone walls to reduce heat transfer.

What did a saloon girl do?

Starved for female companionship, the saloon girl would sing for the men, dance with them, and talk to them – inducing them to remain in the bar, buying drinks and patronizing the games.

What did beer taste like in the Old West?

Most brews would have come from grains but lower quality grains not used for bread making. And it would have tasted sweet like a whiskey mash before distillation.

Was alcohol stronger in the 1800S?

Was Alcohol Stronger In The 1800S? Americans drank more alcohol in the early 1800s than ever before. More than five gallons of pure alcohol per capita per year was consumed during that time period. In modern times, an average adult consumes about two gallons of water per day.

Why did saloons have swinging doors?

The spring-loaded two-way hinged doors were perfect for drunk patrons to leave without pushing and breaking the 'pull' door. Also, since saloons typically never closed in those days, you never had to worry about locking up the doors.

Was there ice cream in the Old West?

All over the frontier West, folks enjoyed ice cream served to them by street peddlers, at stand-alone parlors or saloons, and in bakeries, candy shops, coffee houses and restaurants. Flavors included tastes we know and love to this day, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and lemon.

Did they really drink whiskey in the Old West?

Cowboys never had a reputation for being very sophisticated connoisseurs. The whiskey they drank was simply fuel for the saloons' many other pastimes, whatever those happened to be. Quality and flavor among whiskies in the late 1800s varied widely. There were few regulations about how the stuff should be made.

How do the Amish make ice?

Millersburg Ice is capable of producing up to 10 tons of ice per day in 300-pound blocks. To start the process, large containers called “cans” are filled with water and then placed in a massive vat of brine that is chilled to -32 degrees. Inside the cans are rods that shoot air into the water to keep it circulating.

How did they make ice for ice houses?

During the winter, ice and snow would be cut from lakes or rivers, taken into the ice house, and packed with insulation (often straw or sawdust). It would remain frozen for many months, often until the following winter, and could be used as a source of ice during the summer months.

How do you make ice without electricity?

Mix equal parts water and fertilizer in a bucket or a large bowl, till dissolved. Next, carefully place the smaller metal bowl half filled with water in the bucket. Note: it must be a metal bowl, plastic will not work. The bowl of water will freeze, though it takes several hours from what I've read.