“AGA- Home to great cooking!”
AGA- Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator
The AGA cooker has been the heart of the home for decades, showing off their iconic designs that fit in with every home and lifestyle. The AGA cooker was invented in 1922 where the cooker would be on all the time. In recent years times have changed and technology is made so that the AGA cooker does not have to necessary be on all the time.
An AGA has a different way of cooking to most ovens and here’s why. They are built from cast iron which is fantastic at radiating heat. It cooks using the radiant heat which is gentle on the food that is cooking away in there and locks in moisture, flavour and goodness, which means the food will taste delicious. Once you have an AGA there’s no turning back. Many AGA owners will tell you that they can’t imagine life without their AGA. Family and friends seem to be more keen on joining in with the food prep. The cast iron is produced at the Shropshire foundary in Coalbrookdale, and was one of the first foundaries in Europe to win an environmental award.
History of the AGA
1920- The now famous AGA was born.
1930- The AGA grew steadily and became a popular addition to the kitchen.
1940- The demand for the AGA marches on, and it became a life-saver for many families during the war.
1950- The sucessful AGA exposed a new range of colours.
1960- The first oiled-fire cooker was born, then followed by a gas.
1970- The inventors were trying to develop a new wave of AGA cookers.
1980- 50th anniversary was held, and the first electric cooker was born.
1990- The heat storage got a friend.
2000- Baking oven was produced and other models were designed.
2010- A change in the models completely.
The Different Ranges of AGA Cookers
Classic AGA Cooker
- Electric
- Gas/Propane
- Oil
- Array of colours
- Ovens and hotplates on at all times
- Electric
- Gas with electric hotplates
- Array of colours
- Ovens on at all times but with switch on and off hotplates
- Avaliable in 3 oven or 5 oven
- Electric
- Array of colours
- Each oven and hotplate can be switched on and off seperately
- Available in 3 oven or 5 oven
AGA 60- designed for the smaller spaces
- Electric or with a Gas hob
- Array of colours
- Hotplate and both ovens can be switched on and off independently
There is an AGA to suit everybody… so which one will you choose?
Here’s the question… How does an AGA cooker work?
An AGA is always ready to cook instantly. There are no switches or dials on this type of cooker as the AGA looks after itself. The cooker has an outstandingly efficient energy store, that transfers the heat from it’s core into it’s ovens and hotplates. The thermostatic control maintains a consistent temperature throughout, and the high levels of insulation within the outer casing and beneath the hotplate cover ensures that every AGA uses the fuel economically. It will certainly release a unique source of gentle, friendly warmth into your kitchen.
It produces a wider gentler cooking process without the fierce direct heat that comes from conventional cookers. Ask any AGA owner and they will tell you that their food really does taste better, and a brilliant result is achieved every time they cook.
An AGA range cooker consists of these 8 properties
- Insulated Covers– they are the great AGA hallmark. When closed, they are gently warm to touch. Open them and both hotplates are instantly ready to cook.
- Boiling Plate– can hold three average sized saucepans at once just like a hob. The high heat that comes from these make the water boil fast and faster than most electric cookers.
- Heat Source– when the AGA is at the operating temperature just a trickle of energy is all that’s needed. Choose from natural gas, propane gas, electricity or oil.
- Simmering Plate– this has a far gentler heat than the boiling plate. It works wonders when frying an egg. It can hold three average sized saucepans and can also be used as a griddle.
- Roasting Oven– the oven alone is big enough to cook for the whole household. It can also be used for grilling and baking. It is spacious and can accomodate for a 13kg bird.
- Baking Oven– the baking temperature is perfect for bread, cakes and biscuits. The cast iron interior holds the heat so the door can be opened to take a peak at the progress.
- Simmering Oven– produces such tender and flavoursome meat. It is slow cooked from morning to evening.
- Warming Oven– keeps food warm without it drying out. Ideal when cooking a few different courses. It also gives the added benefit of keeping the plates warm.
The AGA Thermometer
The heat indicators are oil filled and used on 30-amp electric oil and non-aims gas models. It gives you a guide to the amount of heat being stored in the iron castings. You will see the gauge drop when the food is cooking because food absorbs the heat. On some of the models it is displayed electronically on the hand-set.
Using the Thermostat
The AGA will take 24 hours before the changes you do to it take effect. Adjustments on the thermostat should only be used in small stages.
AGA’s Fabulous Shades
There is a new limited edition in the range of colours for 2017 and that is the Dartmouth Blue. This colour is available on the AGA 60, AGA Total Control and AGA Dual Control. There are also the colours White, Black, Cream, Pear Ashes, Pistachio, Aubergine, Duck Egg Blue, Heather, Dark Blue, Pewter and Claret. Some colours are only on some of the models so look carefully when selecting your AGA model and colour.
Prices
AGA’s are a very expensive piece of kit that start from around the £6,000 mark. Having said that you know that every meal time is going to be delicious, all your friends and family will be amazed, make your cooker fit in to your decor with the perfect colour style and have it last for many years to come.
The All Important Running Costs
The new AGA models have of course been built with the 21st century lifestyle in mind. The AGA Total Control, AGA Dual Control and the AGA 60 have controllable features to allow the owner to have much more control over their AGA cooker’s energy consumption. Once the AGA is up to the right temperature, it uses little energy to maintain the temperature. During the Summer months, energy consumption may be less if you are not using the oven. Using the hotplates uses a large proportion of the energy, so being able to turn these off will make a great saving.
AGA Has a Wide Appeal
Many celebrities love a AGA. They include- Mary Berry, Marco Pierre White, Daisy Lowe and Jamie Oliver.