One must bear in mind that all Colonists are not going out as pioneers,
but that many will be setting up new homes in districts where in
certain matters conditions of living will be even more advanced than
they are in the old country. For instance, in parts of South Africa,
the Transvaal, and the Cape, electric power is fast coming into common
use, while gas is not used at all and coal is scarce and expensive.
In such cases, electric lighting will be found general in quite small
townships and in quite small houses, and therefore the electric cooking
stove will become, not a luxury such as we in England would deem it,
but a necessity.
Having ascertained how far electric power is in use in the district
to which the colonist is going, and also how it is supplied and how
available, it is possible then to consider the advisability of taking
out a portable electric stove, such, for instance, as can be connected
up with an ordinary light in any room. A portable stove of this kind,
about twelve inches square, which is a combined Grill and Water Boiler,
can be had for 35_s._ complete, with flexible wiring for connecting
up. Its consumption is about 750 watts of electric energy per hour or
about three-fourths of a unit—the cost of course depending on the price
charged per unit in the district. In any case, this is a little stove
that at a cost of approximately a penny will produce a full meal with
tea, coffee or soup, a grilled steak or chop and toast in something
less than half an hour. It is so small and so capable, that, whether
sure of finding electric power or not, the outgoing colonist would add
little to his expenses and less to his luggage by taking one on the
chance of finding it useful.
But when certain of electric power and when going out to establish
a home forthwith, in a district where electricity is in common use,
certain fittings and assuredly a cooking stove, should be taken
without hesitation. There are some to be got out there no doubt, but
they are cheaper here, and also there is more variety to choose from.
Several types of electric ovens are now on the market; the price of
them varies according to size and capacity. One that is strongly to be
recommended for wear and capability, for family use in a small kitchen,
is the “X.L.” It stands 36 inches high; it is 24 inches in width,
and weighs 130 pounds. It is a thoroughly good and strong stove and
can be installed wherever electric current is obtainable. One of its
commendable points is its perfect freedom from dust or smoke, another
is that each of its compartments can be used independently of the
others, being controlled by separate switches. There is also a minimum
and a medium switch, and when both are put on together the maximum
degree of heat is obtained. The oven is large enough to hold a joint
and pastry or bread, while the grill, the hot-plate and plate-warmer
can be used or shut off, as desired. The price of this complete is £18
10_s._ f.o.b. at any English port. These “X.L.” stoves are manufactured
by O. G. Hawkes, Ltd., at Globe Works, Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham.
Smaller and less expensive is the “Tricity” range and outfit supplied
by the Berry Construction Company, 29a, Charing Cross Road, whose
wholesale agents are Messrs. Gillespie & Beales, Amberley House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C. The Tricity Cookers are listed for
Direct or Alternating Current Circuits of not less than 100 voltage.
In addition to the oven and hot-plate, either of which can be used
independently of the other, the outfit comprises an extension cooker
which gives another boiling ring, and the whole equipment of utensils
consists of thirteen articles, comprising a complete apparatus. The
full list with stove and extension cooker costs £12 10_s._, but the
oven and hot-plate alone is four guineas. Ordinary tin kettles and
saucepans will answer, but the outfit is purchasable in parts and may
consist of as few articles as any one wishes to take.
That fine explorer, Boyd Alexander Smith, and in fact all experienced
travellers, speak of the value of having a mincing machine at hand. It
comes in useful for so many purposes, making tender and digestible
meat that is often too tough to use in any other way. It assists in
making savoury dishes out of remnants, will grind down the stale
crusts, and save much trouble in many ways. A good mincing machine can
be got for 12_s._ 6_d._, but one that has adjustable parts, making it
useful for cutting up vegetables and beans, is a little more in price.