Cooking by Electricity.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 June 1906, Page 205

Cooking by Electricity.

We have recently seen the latest improved electrical cooking appliances. These were imported by the Wellington Electric Light and Power Company, and were manufactured by the General Electric Company of U.S.A. They consist of electric flat irons, chafing dish, stove, water heater, percolator and cigar lighter. The general appearance of these appliances is pleasing although, with the exception of the cigar lighter and flat irons, they are essentially for kitchen use. Electrical firms have for many years attempted to place on the market effective "and economical cooking devices, but their efforts have been attended with very little success, owing chiefly to the large current consumption and difficulty m finding an insulation which would not perish. The secret of the Gereral E'ectnc Co.'s apparatus apparently lies m the insulation, which is called " Quartz Enamel," as it is practically indestructible — a fact which extensive tests have proved. Provision is made in the construction of each utensil for readily removing the electrical unit, and the operation of replacing this is very simple, as they are made in the shape of cartridges, the wire being wound edgewise on porcelain " and coated with the insulating enamel so that it can be readily withdrawn and a new one inserted. The flat iron is designed strictly on electrical and thermal principles, and shaped m order to ensure an even distribution of heat at the face, and only part of the weight is m the mam casting! the remaindei being in the handles, which are made

of some heavy metal ; the reason for this being to take away unnecessary metal from the body in order that the irrn may heat up more rapidly. This also has its advantage m giving a better balance to the iron. A special asbestos covered cord of about 8 feet in length, is attached to the iron, and the stand is specially designed so as to enable the iron to be left on it without the slightest danger of scorching anything which may be underneath. The electrical portable broiler is extremely simple, and consists of a cast-iron top with polished flutings and corrugations running lengthwise. The object of these grooves is to prevent the meat from touching the hot surface at a greater number of points than is absolutely necessary. The broiler stands on four enamelled iron legs which raises it about 6 inches above the table, or base, on which it stands, and the top is so constructed as to allow the meat iuice to run towards a small spout located at one end. With the exception of the top, the broiler is finished in aluminium bronze, and its size is g" x 12", while it weighs only 13J- lbs. The heater of the broiler consists, as mentioned before, of cartridges slipped into holes bored in three cylindrical lugs which form part of the top casting, and the heat is readily transferred to the top. The

electrical connection is made by cord, and a three- way plug which allows of three variations of heat, high, medium and low, with a consumption respectively of 4 200, 800, and 400 watts. This means that the broiler could be used on full pow er for

about 3-Jd. per hour, taking the cost of current at 3d. per unit ; but, of course, once the broiler is fairly heated the medium or low stages would be used. The electrical grid is very similar in design to the broiler, with the exception that the top is a flat polished aluminium casting. The capacity oi this, however, is smaller, and, consequently, the

consumption is lower ; for the different stages this latter is ■ high, 900 watts ; medium, 450 ; and low, 225 watts. The combination cooker, having three stages of heat, is undoubtedly the most up-to-date, useful and convenient electrically heated device ever placed upon the market, and is equipped as before with indestructible units ; it is claimed that it is capable of cooking an entire breakfast and it should find a ready sale where electrical current is to be had at a reasonable cost. The cooker consists of a water heater, holding about 2\ quarts, which may be changed into a cereal cooker by removing the cover and placing in the opening the aluminium vessel containing the cereal. It is equipped with a long side handle, and its top opening is fitted by the smaller part of the two-part cover ; then by removing the inner cereal vessel and the large ring portion of the cover, a steamer with perforated bottom may be placed m the water heater and the full-sized cover put on : this gives the double-boiler arrangement. The time taken for cooking a breakfast with this device is from 25 to 30 minutes. The advantages of cooking and other electrical heating devices is obvious, as the initial cost is low, the cost of operation slight, besides doing away with soot and the smell of gases, etc., and for general use too much cannot be said of them. There

is little doubt that if the supply station will realise the benefits which will accrue from the general use of electrical cooking and heating devices, and meet the consumer with a special rate, thousands of homes will adopt electricity m the kitchen. We learn that at Schenectady, which is the head quarters of the General Electric Co.'s works, houses are building AMthout chimneys and e^e-3 the baths are heated electrically.

Sir William Arrol and Co. have constructed for Messrs. John Brown and Co., Clydebank, two very high electric derricks for use in the building of the express Cunarder. On account of the great height of the ship, exceptional derricks are necessary, and those now erected are designed to raise a load of five tons to a height of 120 ft. from the ground level, with a working radius of 35ft. from the centre of the mast and with a jib slewing through 180 degrees. The mast is an open lattice-work column of square sections 6 ft. square at the centre, and tapering to 18 in. at the ends. The platform for the electrical gear is at a height of 95 ft. from the ground level.