COOKING. BY ELECTRICITY

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 6, 26 August 1927, Page 6

COOKING. BY ELECTRICITY

nn! ae Mrs. Florencé Sinclair’ briefly outlined the ‘advantages of the electric cooker. This was by way of introduction and will be followed by suggested menus with recipes ‘dnd instructions and advice on cooking, which should be of great help to us. Mrs, Sinclair -will answer with pleasure any queries from listeners-in, in connection with little difficulties and disappointments in dealing with electric ranges, and also ‘any special requests for recipes, etc. Send in your queries to ‘Verity,’ P.O. Box 1032, Wellington, and they will be dealt with as soon as possible, , "The chief advantages of the electric cooker,"? said Mrs, Sinclair, "are ecotomy, convenience, and cleanliness. Economy is effected by the heat is under absolute control, there is no waste, and the oven is so well insulated that the heat is retained for a long time after the current is switched off, and cooking continues by stored heat-after the old hay-box principle. It is a proved fact. that in cooking meat by electricity there is less weight lost than by any other method, and the flavour is greatly improved. The convenience of cooking by electricity must appeai to all, as the heat is available at any hour of day or night, and the time for the oven to reacli the required temperature can be vaged, so that work can be arranged beforehand. The heat being always uniform, the most perfect results are obtained. Another great factor is that the heat is confined to the stove, so that both the cook and the kitchen are kept cool, and the work is done in coinfort with a minimum of fatieue and a maximum of pleasure and satisfactory results Cleanliness is a most important thing in the preparation of food, and nothing lends itself so well to the achievement of perfect cleanliness as the electrical range. All surfaces, other than the actual elements, are enamielled, therefore rustless. Particularly in the oven is cleanliness necessary. Every internal fitting, including the side racks in which the food trays slide are removable, leaving a smooth enamelled surface without corners or projections, which is easily kept clean. Can I use an electric range? is a auestion that many will ask themsclves. Dees it require special knowledge or expert training? The answer is ‘no.’ Tf vou can cook hy coal, oil or gas, then rou can cook by electricitv with much less trouble, greater comfort and convenience. The most important point to rememher is, to do-as much cooking as possible with the stored heat in the oventhat is, the heat that is retained after the current has heen cut off-in fact 60 per cent. of your baking should he ‘lone by this means. Points to Remember. Food requiring the greatest heat should be preparcd and cooked first. 'Pre-heat the oven to betwcen 450 and 500 degrees-which is very hot-put in pastry, scones, etc., turn oven switches fo medium and leave for five minutes, then switch off both elements and finish on stored heat. While these are cooking prepare something that requires a medium oven, such as sponge sandwich, shortbread or biscuits. These should be put in im-.

mediately the first tray is removed without usiig any more ‘current. By the time these are finished your oven is the right temperature for a roast of meat, milk pudding, ege’ custard, or stewed fruit, etc. This 1s tlie meaning of cooking by stored heat. Should you then require the oven hot again for more cakes, turn the switches to high for a few minutes and the required temperature will soon be reached. ©The oven thermometer indicates the heat without haying to open the oven door, and there are ‘hree heats-high, medium and low-controlled by’ the element switches. The heat is distributed by an upper and lower element and is therefore perfectly even. Each stove 1s fitted. with two:or more top plates for boiling. Place a sancepan on:-one of these with the element. turned to high; immediately. it hoils, switch off and the vegetables will cook, by stored heat. If any thing boils over there is a drip

tray which can easily be removed and washed. To prepare breakfast if toast is required, switch the npper oven element to high. When red hot, place the bread under, During this process, the porridge is boiling on one of the top plates and bacon and eggs frying on the other. After the toast is removed from the oven there is sufficient stored heat to warm the plates. ‘What would happen if the power went off in the middle of cooking dinner?’? is a question often asked. ‘he reply is "forget all about it and go on as usual, but-do not open the door to see how the meal is progressing.’? ‘The oven will have ample stored heat to continue the cooking until the current comes through again. A few moments expended each dav ' fifteen minutes once a2 week will suffice to keep your electric range in spotless condition. [t can be washed with ordinary soap and water; if very greasy a little sand soap can be used.