An aga has been an iconic centrepiece in the British kitchen since their invention in 1922. An Aga is a cast iron cooker. Each Aga is built to order but there are staple elements in any Aga. These include the simmering oven, roasting oven and at least one hot plate.
You can buy Electric, Gas and oil Agas, but Agas don't come cheap so is it worth it?
1. Food Just tastes better.
The cast Iron nature of the aga means it uses radiant heat compared to the drying heat of an ordinary fan oven. The radiant heat ensures plenty of delicious moist roasts and solidarity with the forgetful cook who leaves things in the oven a little too long.
2. Warmth
Agas were originally designed to never be turned off so they could warm old farmhouses. This means there is seldom reason to have both the radiators and the aga on at the same time, especially with modern housing insulation.
This constant heat could be problematic in the past but now with the new generation Agas you are able to pick and chose which ovens you have on, and when.
3. Design
Whilst Agas are still a main feature in quintessentially British kitchens, due to the Aga's flexibility in colours and size they can suit any style of kitchen.
Agas come in a variety of colours from duck egg blue to heather and sizes from the small Aga Module to the 5 oven Aga.
4. It is multiple appliances in one
The aga has different ovens and hot plates at different temperatures making it a good all-round kitchen appliance. It can take the job of a toaster, a slow cooker and a rice maker among other things.
you can also use the floor of the roasting plate as a pizza stone, the simmering over as a rice cooker, the hot plates as a toastie maker and you can even make fried eggs, pancakes and drop scones directly on to the hot plate.
5. Made in the UK.
Agas have been made in Shropshire since 1940s with generations of families working side by side in the factory. Unfortunately, the Coalbrookdale foundry closed in November 2017
6. Long lasting
Agas are well documented for their longevity. The average lifespan of the aga is nearly 40 years, much longer than an ordinary oven. This is due to the quality of the materials used in an aga. the cast iron casing and enamel finish are built to last.
Aga ran a competition recently to find the oldest working Aga in England. The award went to the Hett family in Sussex who were still using their 1932 long barrel D aga. The Hett aga has been in use for 80 years.
7. They are an investment
The City-60 Models can be bought on 0% finance, with £465 deposit meaning Agas are becoming more affordable for everyone. Furthermore, the new designs of the Aga mean they can be transported much easier so if you move house it can easily come too.
Abbey Boilers service oil, gas and LPG Agas for £87.33-£93.60 plus VATand for those of you without an Aga, yet, Abbey Boilers installs range cookers too so you can always have your deliciously cooked food. Click here for more information.