Ice and ice boxes almost as soon as invented became about as luxurious as a dishwasher is today.

Imported ice cost about as much as cotton. It was relatively cheap, even transported.

A man with a horse drawn cart would deliver blocks of ice to your house weekly, or you got it from the butcher, fishmonger or chemist. The ice blocks would get placed in the top of your fridge and allow the home owner to store leftovers. Before the ice box, fresh food had to be purchased and eaten same day.