Universal Mult-I-Heat Economy Cooker

The Mult-I-Heat Economy Cooker was one of the features found on Universal Electric ranges in the 1930s.

The Economy Cooker was one of the most useful and efficient features of the ranges.  The Economy Cooker was used for cooking food that required long and slow cooking.  It was possible for an entire meal to be prepared in the Cooker.

The surface cook top of the ranges contained an insulated well in place of a burner.  It was equipped with a heavy 6 quart aluminum pan which fit down into the well.

The insulated well for the Economy Cooker is shown in the upper left corner of the range surface top.

Also included were two 2 quart aluminum pans with tight fitting lids, a rack and a cover.   It had its own heat control knob and cooked at a low wattage.

A frying basket that fit into the 6 quart pan was also available to be used for deep fat frying.

Besides slow cooking, the Economy Cooker could also be used as a bottle sterilizer for baby bottles, jelly glasses or canning jars.

Shown below are a couple of recipes from a Universal cookbook, Recipes and Instructions for Universal Electric Ranges, circa 1940, to give you an idea of how the Economy Cooker was used.

CHICKEN STEW WITH DUMPLINGS

4 to 5 pound hen
Boiling Water
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 carrots, sliced
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter

Cut hen in pieces as for frying, put into Economy Cooker, cover with water, adding salt and pepper.  Turn switch to LOW for approximately 2 hours.  Add carrots and peas and cook another hour.  Thicken stock with flour diluted in cold water and add to chicken and vegetables.

DUMPLINGS

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

Blend dry ingredients.  Combine milk and egg, stir into dry ingredients.  Drop by spoonfuls over thick stew.  Cover.  Turn switch to MEDIUM until steaming and then to SIMMER about 15 minutes.

This photo shows the Roast, Vegetables and Steamed Pudding that was cooked in the Economy Cooker, as well as the components of the Cooker that were used in the preparation of the meal.

The Economy Cooker could be thought of as a forerunner to the modern slow cooker or Crock-Pot.  Very little electricity was used to cook with the Economy Cooker.