BETTER BREAD BAKING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18550, 25 August 1928, Page 4

BETTER BREAD BAKING.

MR A. J. WOODHAM’S ENTERPRISE.

All unawares Christchurch has recently harboured the beginning of a small revolution—a revolution in the methods of baking its daily bread. Every generation has its pioneers and, all unsuspecting, the city has harboured in its midst a pioneer in his particular field.

As long ago as last November, Mr A. J. Woodham, of Searell’s Road, Papanui, because of an article which appeared in the "Baker’s Review” desci ibing the many advantages of electric bread baking, determined on further investigation. Exhaustive inquiries resulted in an order being placed in February of this year with the Christchurch branch of the British General Electric Company for a twodeck "Magnet” Electric Bread Oven. Mr Woodham based his choice upon the excellence of this firm’s electrical products known so favourably the world over.. In addition to making a wise choice, Mr Woodham had the honour of placing an order for the first purely bread oven in the Dominion which relied on electricity as its heating medium. Thus began an interesting development which promises to become almost a landslide among the city’s baking firms. The advantages of electricity for bread baking are almost too obvious to require enumeration, but it might be expedient to mention the excellent quality, flavour and texture of the finished product; its crisp, clean brown crust and its freedom from "staleness” after having been kept for a few days: From the point of view of the baker, the even temperature obtainable, the absence of the labour inseparable from the use of raw fuels, the clean, spick-and-span appearance of the bakehouse, and the delightful ease of control possess an appeal which is difficult to resist. Electricity has definitely come to stay in the bread baking industry, and the British General Electric Company is proud to be associated with Mr Woodham in the progressive move he has made. “Magnet” Electric Ovens possess many interesting features, amongst which may be numbered the all-enamel oven interior and drop-down door, and the special design of heating element fitted directly to the oven interior and contained in steam-tight tubes, thus practically eliminating the possibility of element failure. The finish and general construction of "Magnet” ovens leave nothing to be desired, and the “Magnet” was selected by the Wellington Hospital Board for installation in the Wellington Hospital. Bakers and others interested may at any time inspect the oven at Mr Woodham’s bakehouse, Searell’s Road, Papanui. The business premises of the British General Electric Company in Christchurch are situated at Worcester Street, where details and information may be obtained. 9651