BAIN MARIE, SINK, HOT PLATE, AND RACK FOR SAUTE-PANS.
Further on at the end of the stove and parallel with the bain marie there is another, two feet six inches square with two taps for hot and cold water, used for keeping sauces hot for a private dinner in the house dinner room, being three different bain maries, one for fish sauce, one for the coffee-room, and one for the private dinner. Next is a slate sink two feet and a half long, one foot two inches wide, and eleven inches deep, with two taps for hot and cold water used for washing various kitchen utensils used at the charcoal stoves. Above the sink, hot plate, and bain marie, is an iron rack nine feet long with hooks to hang huge sauté-pans. Near it is a hot plate two feet six inches square heated by steam, upon which are placed dishes prepared for dinners and from thence removed to the house dinner-lift, which is drawn up either by steam or hand machine. The sink trap bell is one of the most simple and useful fixtures of a kitchen; I invented it after twelve months of the greatest inconvenience arising from a complete stoppage in many of the drains of the club, which not only created an offensive effluvia but frequently caused the opening of the greater portion of the basement of the house. Since the introduction of the trap bell to the sinks throughout the kitchen department such offence has entirely ceased. The bell is made of copper and is six inches long and ten in circumference. It screws to the sink and has several holes pierced through for the passage of the water only and the prevention of anything else passing down. It will be seen that the plug is attached to a rod, which is in its turn joined to a chain. By pulling the latter the plug is removed and if it be necessary to keep it open a link of the chain may be attached to a nail fastened in the wall. The expense is a mere trifle, the comfort none can fully appreciate. I am happy to add that my example has since been followed with similar success throughout the club, and that it has been likewise copied in many noblemen’s and club-house kitchens.
SINK TRAP BELL.
I now beg leave to remark to my readers that if I have been a little tedious or profuse in giving the exact measurement of the different parts and every object of this kitchen by feet and inches, it was with the view to be useful to those who have honoured me with their subscription, and the public; I dare hope that my humble efforts will have the effect of producing hereafter a reform in the art of building and fitting up a kitchen which, without being of an immoderate size, contains all that can be wished for as regards saving of time, comfort, regularity, cleanliness, and economy. I am happy to have this opportunity of acknowledging that without the great liberality of the honorable members of the Reform Club, and the kindness of that celebrated architect Mr. Barry, I could never have succeeded in accomplishing the improvements so essential in a well regulated establishment; I shall, therefore, remain always gratified for the encouragement they never ceased to give me in confiding to my direction this new system of building and fitting up a kitchen which is now in active operation, not only for the economy of the Reform Club but to serve as a guide to the amateurs of a good kitchen as well as of good living.