Traditional vs. Electric Aga Cookers: What’s the Difference?
For generations, Aga cookers in Britain have been at the heart of the home. The Aga cooker is famously known as the cast-iron range cooker that is always-on. However, in recent years lifestyles and technologies have evolved and so has the offering of Aga cooker models.
Today, the choice often comes down to traditional models versus modern electric versions. If you are considering an Aga cooker, it can be confusing to wrap your head around the different models available. Understanding these options can help you choose the cooker that best suits your needs.
In this blog, we will look at the differences between how a traditional Aga cooker works vs. how the range of new electric Aga cookers work.
What Defines a Traditional Aga Cooker?
When we talk about a traditional Aga cooker, we are referring to the iconic always-on cookers that have been a staple in kitchens since the first Aga cooker was invented in 1922 by Dr. Gustav Dalen. These cookers are designed to be on 24/7, providing constant warmth into your home and ready-to-use cooking capabilities at any time.
The famous feature of these models is their radiant heat capability. Radiant heat refers to the heat transfer through the cast-iron body of the cooker. Designed to be always-on, a traditional Aga cooker provides constant warmth to the home and a unique cast-iron cooking experience that has earned its loyal following.
How does a Traditional Aga Cooker Work?
Traditional Aga cookers use heat from one centralised source which is radiated around the whole cast-iron body of the cooker, including the ovens and the hotplates. This means having one burner, one flue, one set of workings and controls to heat the hotplates and ovens to different temperatures. This is done using cleverly designed flue/ducting and cast-iron conduction plates which ensure the correct temperatures are maintained throughout.
Key Features of Traditional Aga Cookers:
Always On: These cookers are designed to stay on 24/7, maintaining a consistent temperature.
Fuel Types: Typically powered by oil or gas, though solid fuel versions were also popular in earlier designs.
High Running Costs: With a need to stay on constantly, traditional Aga cookers consume a significant amount of energy.
Limited Flexibility: The fixed temperature settings can make them less versatile than modern cookers.
Ventilation Requirements: Traditional Aga cookers require venting to remove cooking smells, moisture, and products of combustion.
Installation: Traditional models arrive in component form. This requires a factory trained installation engineer to build the cooker and can be costly.
Servicing requirements: All traditional models require servicing. Oil-fired and solid fuel Aga cookers require servicing every 6 months, while Gas-fired is every 12 months.
All of the traditional models have long since been discontinued and are no longer manufactured by AGA. They have now been replaced by the new generation of all-electric Aga cookers. This is known as the Control Series.
While traditional Aga cookers will always hold a place in history, the new range has been developed by AGA to offer much more functionality that suits modern day living. For those looking for more control, efficiency, and adaptability, the electric Control Series offers a wide variety to choose from.
What Defines the Modern Electric Aga Cooker?
As the name suggests, the Control Series Aga cookers are made up of various models that offer functionality and flexibility. Each cooker is designed to reduce running costs while retaining the many features people love about Aga cooking. The modern electric Aga cookers still offer cast-iron cooking capabilities and provide radiant-heat along with many other benefits.
How does an Electric Aga Cooker Work?
With the ability to turn ovens and hotplates on and off as needed, the Control Series Aga cookers are more controllable, helping you regulate energy use and tailor your cooking experience.
Unlike traditional Aga cookers that have one centralised heat source, electric Aga cookers now have elements that heat up each oven independently. These elements are positioned in the bottom of each cast-iron oven and work to heat that particular oven up when required. The only exception to this is the Dual Control Aga cooker and R7 Aga cooker models which behave more similar to traditional models with one centralised element meaning the ovens are always on.
Key Features of Electric Aga Cookers:
Controllability: These cookers are designed to be more controllable to suit modern lifestyles.
Low Running Costs: Thanks to fast heat-up times and eco functions the electric Aga cookers are significantly less costly to run.
Flexibility: Individual operation of cooker facilities making the cooker more flexible.
Modern Technology: Electric Aga cookers have many new features including induction hobs and grills.
Clean Burning: Electric Aga cookers are clean burning, allowing them to ventilate directly into the room rather than through a flue, this gives you greater flexibility meaning the cooker can be placed anywhere in the room.
No Installation Requirements: Unlike traditional Aga cooker models that arrive in component form, these newer models are delivered as a fully built unit with an inbuilt plinth, negating the need for additional costs for installation.
No Servicing Requirements: The electric models in the Control Series do not require servicing.
What are the Main Differences Between Traditional Aga Cookers and Electric Aga Cookers:
- Economical – Electric Aga cookers are much more energy efficiency than traditional Aga cookers.
- Cooking 0ptions – Electric Aga cookers offer more functionality to better suit modern day living.
- Size – Electric Aga cookers come in a variety of sizes including 60cm, 90cm, 100cm, 110cm, 150cm and 160cm to suit 21st century kitchen designs. Traditional Aga cookers are only available in 986mm and 1478mm wide and require a plinth to bring them up to modern work top height.
- Controllability – Electric Aga cookers allow you to tailor your cooking experience while Traditional Aga cookers are not controllable.
Why Choose a Reconditioned Electric Aga Cooker from Range Exchange?
At Range Exchange we specialise is reconditioning only the youngest Aga cookers focusing exclusively on the latest electric models in the Control Series. We are proud to be the only Aga cooker reconditioner specialising in the new generation Control Series electric Aga cookers.
The Benefits of Choosing a Reconditioned Aga Cooker:
Cost Savings: Take advantage of huge savings on reconditioned electric Aga cookers at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Expert Craftsmanship: Our reconditioned Aga cookers are meticulously reconditioned by our team of experts, ensuring showroom quality every time.
Modern Features: You’ll still benefit from all the advanced features of the Control Series, including oven temperature control and energy efficiency.
Green Credentials: By choosing a reconditioned model, you’re making a sustainable decision by extending the lifecycle of a luxury appliance.
The new generation of electric Aga cookers we have available are the following models:
These Aga cookers boast the latest technology whilst encompassing everything we love about traditional Aga cookers. Learn more about Different Control Series Aga Cookers.
Explore our wide range of reconditioned Aga cookers today. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert guidance or to check our current stock availability – Please call us on 01625 569 445.
Hear from Our Customers
We are proud to deliver our reconditioned Aga cookers all across the UK. Our specialist is very young electric Aga cookers and all the latest models. Hear what our customers say about our reconditioned Control Series electric Aga cookers.
Nicole M
Purchased: Reconditioned 3 Oven Total Control Electric Aga Cooker
I can not fault Range Exchange. From our first visit to the showroom meeting lovely Charlotte and the two guys that deliver and install. All so friendly. Charlotte has a wealth of knowledge about Agas. Every question was answered and Charlotte gave you all the time you needed.
We decided on a total control three oven Aga which we are delighted with. The guys who came to fit it were also so knowledgeable and helpful. Explaining every step.
Further to this we were sent some extra bits which were a delight to receive!!
Highly recommend Range Exchange.
Also you feel confident should you have any problems it would be sorted without question.
A wonderful family owned business who actually care about the customer. Thank you.
Katherine H
Purchased: Reconditioned 3 Oven Total Control Electric Aga Cooker
What a fantastic service from start to finish! The 3 gentleman that came to install were so friendly and professional. Absolutely love my AGA which I have waited many years to have and I am so happy to finally have one. For anyone looking for an AGA that doesn’t want to pay the obscene price of a brand new one these are the people to use. Highly recommend!!
Jan B
Purchased: Reconditioned 3 Oven Dual Control Electric Aga Cooker
Arrived very early and where extremely efficient and quick, extremely helpful people and I absolutely love my Aga.
