The Aga may look fantastic on the outside, but inside is where the real magic resides. Remember, there is absolutely no need to turn temperatures up or down - simply open the relevant door or lid, pop in the food and wait for the delicious results. The Aga is a tremendously versatile kitchen appliance, but don’t take our word for it...
Click the red circles below to see what lies beneath the fabulous exterior.
1.Insulated Covers
In highly polished stainless steel, the two insulating covers are an instantly recognisable Aga hallmark. Individually assembled by hand in the Shropshire based Aga factory, both are pleasantly warm to the touch when closed and instantly ready to cook when open. To save money, air laundry here instead of using a tumble dryer.
2.Boiling Plate
Why have a kettle or toaster when you have an Aga. The fearsome high heat on this hotplate can boil water quicker than most electric kettles and there’s enough space for three average sized saucepans. Treat yourself daily with delicious Aga toast and toasted sandwiches, stir fry with a wok and grill succulent steak.
3.Heat Source
Once an Aga is up to operating temperature, only a trickle of energy is needed to keep it there. choice of heat source is entirely up to you, as there are models to run on natural or propane gas, oil or electricity. The important thing to remember is that unlike other cookers, every Aga has identical cooking characteristics no matter which type of energy you choose.
4.Simmering Plate
Like the Boiling Plate but a little less intense, this also holds three average sized saucepans. Naturally excellent for sauces and other gentle tasks, the Simmering Plate also doubles as a versatile griddle (there’s no better way to cook eggs or scotch pancakes).
5.Roasting Oven
This remarkable easily accommodates a 28lb turkey with room to spare. The radiant heat cooks food from every angle, leaving dishes moist, flavoursome and utterly delicious. Grill near the top of the oven (yes an Aga can grill) and fry or bake on the floor. A heat conducting plate directs heat to the base of the roasting oven, making this a wonderful place for pizza or apple pie with the crispiest base ever.
6.Baking Oven
Featured in every 3 or 4 oven Aga. Like all Aga ovens, the cast iron interior holds in heat tenaciously so don’t be afraid to open the door and take a sneak peek at progress. As with the roasting oven, a venting system allows different foods to be cooked simultaneously with no transference of taste or smell - baked fish and cookies for example.
7.Simmering Oven
Using the versatile Simmering Oven in conjunction with the hotter ovens and hotplates is the key to Aga cooking simplicity, and of course the famous Aga flavour. In this oven, even the toughest meats will succumb to the tenderising warmth, rice will be extra fluffy and root veg will steam to perfection. There aren’t many dishes that won’t benefit from this part of the Aga.
8.Warming Oven
Featured on every 4 oven Aga, this oven keeps cooked food warm without drying it out and is absolutely ideal for entertaining. You’ve probably heard the stories of baby lambs being revived here - it’s actually a surprisingly common occurrence.
9.Warming Plate
A most useful general purpose surface standard on every 4 oven Aga. Never be short on space when taking something hot from the oven, keep plates, the kettle or gravy boat warm, leave dough to rise majestically - even open stubborn jam jars easily thanks to the gentle warmth. An optional two zone ceramic or gas hob can replace the warming plate if you wish.
|
1. Insulated covers |
6. Baking oven |
Where did it all start?
The Aga Cooker may seem a very British product, but it was actually invented by a Swedish scientist named Gustaf Dalen. Gustaf was the fourth of five children, and even though a school teacher once commented 'Gustaf is no use for anything', he went on to become Sweden's most important Nobel prize winner.Amongst other inventions, Dalen invented the ingenious Sun valve, an apparatus that automatically switches lighthouse beacons on during darkness and off again at dawn. In 1909 Dalen ascended to Managing Director of Svenska Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator (AGA for short) but only three years later, the inventor was seriously injured during an experiment and tragically lost his sight.
Through the support of his family and colleagues, Gustaf recovered and remained the president of AGA for a further 25 years. Gustaf and his four children created the cooker we know and love today - the first low energy, coke fuelled Aga Cooker (named after his company) was born in 1929.
