It was the law, any other way and the gravy police called round 'for a word'.
We had a York range till the back end of the 50s, so cooked with coal or logs. What eventually became the kitchen was more a scullery with a big pot sink and a cedar draining board. The washing machine was a big round tub with a paddle and the mangle clamped on to the draining board.
1960s next.