Egg Incubator, Prairie State

The incubator has two wire mesh pull-out trays to hold several dozen eggs and is heated by a kerosene oil lamp, the air which is circulated through the cabinet. The hot air also warms metal radiators in the top of the cabinet to help maintain a constant temperature.
Moisture is supplied into the egg chamber by placing water, which needs to be replenished frequently, into the moisture pan beneath the egg tray. The evaporation of the water raises the relative humidity of the atmosphere in the egg chamber. Below the galvanised iron moisture pan which sits in the bottom of the chamber, is a discharge outlet for the ventilating air to be expelled.
A drop-down 410mm x 160mm access door at the front of the cabinet is fitted with a 350mm x 100mm glass viewing window.
The kerosene oil lamp heater, made of galvanised iron, is attached to the outside of the incubator. The heater comprises of a fuel tank for the kerosene and an adjustable wick with screw mechanism. The heater is fitted under the "chimney" which directs the heat into the incubator. A thermostat causes a damper to open and close to either trap or let hot air escape from the lamp chimney.