PRACTICE ECONOMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 8

PRACTICE ECONOMY

SOME FUEL SUGGESTIONS. In many homes it is essential io practice economy with gas, electricity and coal, particularly in those households- where there is a large family to feed and probably two hot meals at least each day are- required. Apart from the obvious procedure of leaving gas or electricity on only for just sufficient time to neat or cook, and not turning them on before, while immediately they are no longer needed turning them off, it is a matter of great importance to know how else to make heating go further.

In addition to suggestions for putting two pans over one heater, when simmering is all that is necessary and cooking in the “pagoda’’ steamers where one pan fits. over the top of another > and. therefore more heat from one source is used, there is another way of saving fuel by using the right utensils. The method entirely depends upon the principle that a black surface absorbs more heat than a shiny and polished one. This is an easily proved and demonstrated scientific fact.

In exhaustive tests carried out with black-bottomed pans it has been found that a big saving in heat can be achieved with their use instead of shiny vessels. Also, it is advisable to see that the pans used are flat at the bottom surface. Considerable heat is wasted if this is not so, and in this respect it must be noted that pans which were flat to begin'with sometimes show a nasty tendency to warp after the application of heat.

With gas in particular it should be seen that the air supply is never obstructed in any way, for if this happens more gas will be used in the production of less heat. Jets should be inspected and cleaned regularly and this will ensure that you get the maximum heat from the amount of gas you consume.