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Why is Aga so expensive?
Aga is a life-long investment, which adds value to your home. A lot of craftsmanship goes into creation of every cooker – from moulding cast iron to 3 days of applying multiple protective coats of vitreous enamel. Aga will work for decades perfectly, providing it is looked after, easily replacing 10 other kitchen appliances. Unlike cheaper cookers, Aga’s cast iron ovens use indirect radiant heat, so food cooks gently, doesn’t dry out and retains its natural goodness and flavour. It is truely value for money, as any Aga owner will confirm.
What about the environmental issues?
Today every Aga is both 70 percent made from recycled materials and 70 percent future recyclable. An Aga lasts a lifetime, unlike many other household appliances. We continually strive towards greater environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. For instance, our new 16-amp electric Aga is, thanks to AIMS – Aga Intelligent Management System – programmable for greater control and versatility.
If the Aga is always on, isn’t it too hot in summer?
Aga owners do not find this a problem; in fact it’s an advantage for chilly evenings and mornings. Aga eliminates only gentle heat of 3,000 Btu’s per hour, the equivalent to one gas hotplate burner or 10 x 100 watt light bulbs. Also as most of the cooking takes place in the ovens, the heat from hotplates is not really an issue. With constant coming and goings in the summer the heat is easily dissipated - the kitchen is not closed up, as it is in winter.
Some Aga owners choose to turn their Aga down, this does not change the taste or quality of the food but it will increase the cooking time slightly.
Do I have to learn to cook all over again?
No, but there are one or two special Aga techniques that will make your life a lot easier and stress free - at least when it comes to cooking! You don`t have to preheat the oven or worry about precise temperatures or times. The Aga ovens are kinder and more forgiving than those heated by hot air.
The golden rule is to cook as much as possible in the ovens.
If I can’t smell food cooking in the ovens, how do I stop food burning?
You can use a timer, available from the Aga Cook Shop collection. As cast iron retains its heat you can safely open the oven door to peep at a cake or soufflé without it sinking or collapsing. It is one of the Aga’s greatest advantages that because there are minimal or no cooking smells from the ovens, your kitchen stays fresh without lingering odours.
What are the temperatures in the ovens?
Aga cooking is entirely different from a conventional cooker, so use the names of the ovens as a guide, not temperatures. Aga is automatically controlled, without knobs or dials, each oven is set at a different heat so cooking is straightforward. An Aga demonstration or One-to-One cooking tour will allow you to experience the unique Aga method personally.
How do I adapt my favourite recipes to Aga cooking?
You can either check with a similar recipe in Aga book or online at www.agalinks.com . Alternatively, you can attend an Aga demonstration for a full explanation of cooking on an Aga. It is easy to adapt to Aga cooking.
How big are the ovens?
Each oven is large enough to hold a 13kg turkey or 6 chickens or 4 legs of lamb. You can use all ovens simultaneously, as well as cook sweet and savoury dishes in the same oven because there is no transfer of flavours in an Aga. You can also use direct cooking methods e.g. grill, shallow fry and bake in one oven simultaneously.
Every inch (centimetre) of space can be used as the ovens are indirectly heated all around, and tins slide directly onto runners.
How many does an Aga cook for?
Aga ovens are very spacious: 2 oven can cook for up to 8 people, 3 oven for up to 10 and 4 oven – for up to 14. The 4 oven Aga represents the ultimate domestic and entertainment cooker, as four different ovens can be used simultaneously.
Of course you can’t grill (broil) on an Aga, can you?
Yes, you can. Aga grills in two ways – at the top of the Roasting Oven on the supplied grill racks or in a cast iron ridged grill pan on the Boiling Plate. Aga grilled food keeps its succulence. Aga is also famous for its delicious soft inside, golden crispy on the outside toast. Plus toasted sandwiches can be made on a Simmering Plate, so no need for a sandwich toaster.
How do I clean the Aga when it is hot all the time?
The hot ovens and hotplates help to keep themselves clean by carbonising cooking spills and splashes. Vitreous enamel can be wiped after use with a damp cloth. It’s only when spills are left that they become less easy to remove. A wire brush is provided to clean the hotplates. A variety of special cleaning products from Aga Cookshop Collection can help you give your Aga a showroom polished look.
Is the Aga dangerous for young children?
The Aga is probably the safest cooker on the market today. It was designed by a blind man and has rounded contours. As the Aga is continuously burning, the children know it is always on. The saucepans are out of reach or hidden away in the Simmering Oven. There may be radiators in your home, which may be hotter and more of a threat.
Will the Aga be too heavy to fit into my home?
It comes in pieces and is hand built in your home, so access is not a problem.
Made from quality cast iron Aga is heavy, however, we can discuss your circumstances and put your mind at rest. Aga is not on legs, it is a flat load, weighing less per foot than a water bed or piano.
How could I fit an Aga into my kitchen, it’s very awkward and I haven’t got a chimney?
Wherever you live, there’s an Aga to fit your home. We will help you to decide which one can suit your needs better by carrying out a home survey. Depending of your choice of fuel, there is a number of flue options to choose from. Access is not a problem at all, since every Aga comes unassembled on a pallet.
Do I need an additional cooker?
Most Aga owners do not have an additional cooker but it is a personal choice. Aga can cook any meal from variety of international cuisine, as you can see for yourself at the Aga demonstration. If you would like to have an option to switch your Aga off during the summer, a conventional cooker made to match your Aga – the Module - can be fitted in your kitchen, either as a part of an Aga or as a separate entity.
Can I air my washing on my Aga?
Yes, using a clothes horse or airier positioned in proximity to Aga. Tea towels can be “ironed” as they dry on the Simmering Plate insulated cover. However, be careful not to drape clothes or sheets to obstruct the ventilation holes on the burner door. Odd shaped cooking items can be dried at the back of the Aga too, such as graters or the food processor blade.
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