How Does an AGA Cooker Work?
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The History of AGA Cookers
Beloved by cooks around the world, AGA has been a kitchen staple for over 100 years. AGA cookers were invented in the 1920s by Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Gustav Dalen in Sweden. He set about creating a cleaner, safer, and more convenient way of cooking.Â
Throughout the 20th century, more environmentally friendly, economical models were developed, before looking to consumer convenience in the 21st century.
Read more to learn about the Aga cooker and how it has changed over the course of its 100-year history.
How Does an AGA Cooker Work?
Traditionally, Aga cookers were designed with one single continuous heat source that warms a heavy cast-iron core to radiate heat into the ovens and hotplates using solid fuel, and later introduced oil and gas-fired models, all of which have now been discontinued.
The latest generation of Aga cookers follows two main design philosophies: the classic heat storage models, the most traditional style of Aga cooker and the highly controllable heat storage models to suit modern-day convenience.
Traditional Heat Storage Aga Cookers
Heat Storage Aga cookers use the traditional Aga design, built around the principle of constant heat and exceptional cooking performance, their control is deliberately simplistic. Unlike modern controllable models, heat storage Aga cookers are designed for the ovens to remain switched on, storing heat within the iconic cast iron to provide an always-ready cooking experience. Now with the added flexibility of separately operated hotplates and ECO settings for more manageable ambient warmth.Â
The radiant heat from the cast iron construction creates the perfect environment for slow cooking, baking, roasting and simmering, while also bringing warmth and character to the kitchen.
Aga cookers have a cast iron body that enables easy heat absorption, storage, and transmission in the form of radiant heat. This gentle heat gives Aga cookers the ability to lock moisture into food whilst cooking and keep it warm for hours without drying it out.
Loved for generations, heat storage Aga models combine timeless design, reliable performance and the unique cooking experience that has made AGA a British kitchen icon.
Heat storage models try to preserve the original AGA experience. The cast iron stays hot continuously, giving:
- very stable radiant cooking
- background warmth
- instant readiness
- familiar AGA baking characteristics
Whilst offering flexibility to better suit the demands of modern-day living.
Dual Control (the most popular heat storage model)
Fully electric, the Dual Control Aga cooker is part of the new generation Control Series. Offering flexibility and reduced running costs whilst retaining the gentle warmth Aga cookers are famed for. Offering the best of both worlds, the Dual Control Aga cooker has the traditional cast-iron ovens which are always available for use, with independently controlled hotplates which can be turned on and off as required. The ovens also offer an ECO mode – ideal for use during the milder months!
The R3 Aga cooker series offers the traditional, on all-the-time ovens for ambient warmth but with the added benefit of high-speed infrared grill. Bringing together the very best of the latest technology with tradition, this cooker is easy to use, simple to control and economical.
Modern controllable Aga cookers combine the iconic cast-iron cooking performance and timeless design of a traditional Aga cooker with the flexibility of modern technology. Unlike Heat Storage models, controllable Aga cookers allow you to utilise each cooking zone independently, program your cooker to be on/off and adjust the heat settings to suit your lifestyle – giving you greater control over energy use and cooking preferences.
Designed with AGA’s renowned cast-iron infrastructure but with strategically placed heating elements, they deliver exceptional cooking results across baking, roasting, simmering and slow cooking, while providing the convenience of a more flexible, energy-efficient kitchen appliance. Available in a range of sizes and colours, modern controllable AGAs offer the perfect balance of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary living.
The controllable models offer many benefits:
- Oven & hotplates can be switched on independently
- Lower running costs than traditional AGAs
- Retains classic radiant cooking
- Fully controllable
Ideal for people wanting the classic AGA experience with modest energy usage.
Total Control (the most popular control-series model)
Fully electric, the Total Control Aga cooker is part of the new generation Control Series. Offering fast heat-up times and controllability, this cooker suits modern-day living whilst keeping running costs low. With separate controls for each oven as well as the individual hotplates, this model is more economical and controllable than the classic traditional Aga cookers. Fully programmable to suit your lifestyle needs.
The Aga eR3, now known as the Aga Compact, is fully electric, offering fast heat-up times and flexibility whilst combining both cast-iron radiant heat cooking and conventional cooking. The mix of ovens, hotplates and an induction hob means you have a cooker for all seasons and one that makes it very easy to manage energy usage.
eR7 (Signature)
This model is the latest iteration of the Total Control and offers the same fast heat-up times and the flexibility for each oven to be used independently, enabling you to achieve lower running costs. With a touch control panel, multiple heat settings for the ovens and also separate controls for the hotplates, the eR7 Aga cooker is designed to suit modern-day living.
Aga Mini (City 60)
The City 60, currently known as the Aga Mini, is the perfect fit for smaller spaces. At just 60cm wide, this cooker wraps everything we love about Aga cookers into a more compact package. This cooker size is equivalent to a slot-in cooker or a standard kitchen unit, making it the ideal fit for limited space.
Is It Easy to Use an Aga Cooker?
If you’ve never used an Aga oven before, it may take a little bit of getting used to, but before you know it, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed with a regular oven!
The main difference is that you generally move food between heat zones rather than constantly changing temperatures. For example, a typical AGA gives you:
- Roasting oven – high heat for roasting, grilling, baking and browning.
- Baking oven – moderate heat for cakes, biscuits, pies and pastries, depending on the model.
- Simmering oven – gentle heat for slow cooking, casseroles, rice and long-cooked dishes.
- Boiling plate – very high heat for boiling, frying and searing.
- Simmering plate – gentler heat for sauces, simmering and slower pan cooking.
One of the biggest advantages is that the cast-iron ovens provide radiant heat from multiple directions, rather than relying purely on hot air. This can make cooking quite forgiving, particularly for roasts, casseroles and baking. Locking moisture into food and giving even cooking results every time!
Top tips for beginners:
- Bring food to the boil on the boiling plate and then move it to the simmering oven to finish cooking
- Close the heavy lids when you finish using to save heat
- Put food higher up in the oven for more browning, or lower down for more of a gentle heat.
The modern electric models allow you to choose the right Aga cooker to suit your lifestyle and requirements