This secret vintage cabinet in your kitchen could save you money on your energy bills!

by: Nina Ross
September 30, 2024

source: Wikipedia

The pictures you have posted show you the so called California Cooler a type of cabinet which was typical for the early 20th-century kitchens especially in warm climate zones. These coolers were made to preserve consumable foods before the introduction of electric coolers during the summer period.

What is a California Cooler?

A California Cooler is a pantry or kitchen cabinet with ventilation specifications. It generally has slatted compartments (as described in your images) to let in air, and doors or small windows that can be opened to a particular outdoor environment. These vents used helped in cooling since it provided passage of air thus making the perishable stay cool than the general room temperature. As with the case of lighting, warm air flow was particularly efficient during those areas with relatively cooler nights this was to ensure that the fruits, vegetables and other products were fresh during the day.

How it Works

This kind of design rests on a simple principle of air flow in a given structure. Cool air would channel through the lower vent travel through the shelves through the upper vent to remove heat and moisture. The shelves made of wooden slats similar to the ones in your cooler meant that the air could pass through the items of food. Sometimes the windows, or what were referred as the vents had screens through which one could not see a number of insects but fresh air nevertheless got in.

Why It Was Used

This was so because before refrigeration, preservation of food became a big problem, especially in places like California. The cooler lasted longer than the fresh foods and meat, dairy products and also the leftovers meant that food storage was made easy by the cooler since homes did not have iceboxes or electric refrigerators.