The Washington times., 1929-01-08
GIVE A CARE To
ELECTRICAL
DEVICES

Your gifts that you viewed with
such pride on Christmas Day
where will they be a year from
now? Still being used and giving
as much joy and satisfaction as
when they were new-or stored
away in some remote corner. a
source of concern each time they
are remembered?
The answer to this question rests
with you. The return in service
made by any piece of equipment
depends upon the use and care
given it.
Carelessness Blamed
Particular attention should be
given to your electrical gifts. 1t
has been estimated that about IS
per cent of all the difficulties ex.
perienced in the use of these appli.
ances Is due to the carelessness of
the user. Such devices should be
used only on the voltage and type
Of current for which they are in
tended. This information is given
on the nameplate. Read it before
connecting the appliance
Since electrical appliances first
came into use, there has been a
decided improvement in heating
elements, so that We have now a
promise of long and useful ser
vice. However, it is generally true
that there is a definite life to a
heating element and that life is
mea sured in the length of time the
NJ
it becomes obvious that leaving an
appliance connected to the circuit
when it is not in use is wasteful.
Such a procedure not only costs
money in increased bills, but also
subtracts from the useful life of the
appliance. a.,
Current Uses
Turn off the current as soon as
you have finished using an electrical
device. and as a safety feature re-
move the plug also. When doing
this, remember to grasp the plug
rather than the cord, because by
pulling on the cord you will eventu-
ally weaken or even break the con-
nection.
Heating elements that are ex-
posed, as on coasters. are subject
to mechanical damage and should
not be carelessly handled. In clean
ing such devices avoid touching
the element itself, for there is dan.
ger of breaking the wire or strech.
ing it out of shape, which might
cause a short circuit. If crumbs
collect on your toaster remove them
carefully with a long handled brush
or shake them out gently.
your electric percolator absolutely
clean and well aired. This should
be done as soon as possible after
using. In cleaning do not i'm
merse the percolator in water, as
this will ruin the heating element.
This preca ution is probably stamped
on the bottom of your percolator
and is true of all electrical appli-
ances having a heating element.
Wash it out with very hot water,
using a small brush for the valve
and stem. Rinse thoroughly with
clean, hot water and air-dry the in,
side with the cover raised and all
parts removed.
Watch the Cleaning
The inside will stain slightly. but
not badly, if coffee is not allowed to
stand in it longer than necessary
and If the percolator Is rinsed soon
after using. Never use anything
harsh to clean it as this Is apt to
remove the plating.
We'll begun is half done" is
surely true with regard to the break
ing in of a waffle iron. The diff
Guilty experienced with Wattles
sticking to the iron is due many
times to the incorrect use of the
iron the first time. Proper greaslns
and preheating are necessary. Al.
though all manufacturers do not
agree as to the need for greaslnS'
Good Housekeeping Institute pre-.
fers to do it the first time to avold
all danger of sticking.
In cleaning your waffle iron, don't
be too anxious to keep the gr1ds
spotless As your iron becomes sea
soned, the inside will darken, nu!
remember that If that Is secured
off, 1t will be necessary to reseason
the iron. This means ereasinE again
to avoid sticking. When finished
using. it is we'll to heat the iron
for a few minutes to burn off my
excess fat which might cause ran
cidity.