Is an Aga Cooker Good for Baking?

If you’re an avid baker, you’ll know all too well that baking is a science. It takes precision, practice and, in most cases, a reliable oven to get good results. On that note, you may have wondered if an Aga cooker is good for baking; is it reliable? Can they yield good results? Will your bakes just burn? In this article we answer those questions and more, helping you to decide if an Aga cooker is right for you.

So, is an Aga cooker good for baking? Aga cookers are a great option for bakers as the gentle radiant heat that Agas produce creates the perfect environment for a wide range of baked goods. Many aga cookers even come with a dedicated baking oven, although both the roasting and simmering ovens can also be used for baking. 

Read on to learn more about baking in an Aga cooker and to find a few recipes that can be baked in an Aga.

CAN YOU BAKE IN AN AGA COOKER?

You absolutely can bake in an Aga cooker; the radiant heat that an Aga produces is the perfect environment for a wide range of baked goods, and has been proven to be kinder to food than a conventional oven.

Many Aga models even come with a dedicated oven for baking, which is set at a constant temperature of 176°C to 204°C (348°F – 399°F) . So, if you’re interested in purchasing an Aga, and have a keen interest in baking, it may be worth spending some time to see which models include a baking oven.

In the meantime, though, you learn more about how Aga cookers work here.

Which Aga Oven Do You Use for Baking?

3 and 4 model Aga cookers typically come with a dedicated baking oven that is at an optimum temperature for producing perfect baked goods.  This baking oven is usually located on the bottom left of the cooker.

Alternatively, for models without a baking oven, avid bakers can use the roasting oven with the Aga plain shelf.

Location of the baking oven in a 3 oven model

Which Aga Models are Suitable for Baking?

Aga models with 3 or more ovens come with a dedicated baking oven. However, that is not to say that you cannot bake at all in 2 oven Aga models. As previously mentioned, the roasting oven can also be used for baking. Recipes will usually call for the bake to be placed on the grid shelf on the floor of the oven, with the cold plain shelf sat on the shelf above.

The simmering oven is also a great choice for baking items that need to be baked at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time, such as fruitcakes and cheesecakes. What’s more, if your Aga model has one (4+ oven models), the warming oven can be used to make pavlova! 

HOW DO YOU BAKE IN AN AGA COOKER?

The art of baking in an Aga cooker is rooted in remembering the core principles of cooking on an Aga and fully utilising the different heat zones (not all bakes will achieve the best results in the baking oven!). It’s all about experimenting with your Aga cooker to see what works best for you and your favourite bakes.

Although, as a general rule of thumb, more dense items (like pavlova or cheesecake) need a low and slow bake, therefore the simmering oven, or the floor of the baking oven is perfect. However, bakes that require a higher temperature (or those that can tolerate it) can be baked in the roasting oven; this is great for bread in particular as the high heat helps to create a golden crust, whilst the radiant heat of an Aga helps to keep the inside soft and moist.  

Meanwhile, classic, simple creations such as a basic sponge cake, brownies, cookies, and shortbread can be easily cooked in the baking oven, alongside any other creation that requires constant, moderate heat.

WHAT CAN YOU BAKE IN AN AGA?

With an Aga cooker, the possibilities are endless. Below we have showcased just a few classic recipes, both sweet and savoury,  that can be baked in an Aga, but there are hundreds of options available, you just have to work out the best part of your Aga to bake your creations in.

WHY BAKING IS BETTER IN AN AGA COOKER

Whilst getting used to cooking or baking in an Aga cooker can take a bit of time and practice, it has been proven that Agas treat food better than conventional ovens, and it’s all down to the radiant heat that they produce. The ovens ‘lock in’ moisture, creating perfectly fluffy sponges.

An expert stated that due to the predictability of an Aga, alongside the constant heat, it is easier to understand how the cooker works as a whole, allowing users to easily get their desired results by utilising the right part of the cooker. For this reason, it is easier to get a crust on bread and get an even bake on cakes.

RECONDITIONED AGA COOKERS AT RANGE EXCHANGE

Range Exchange is the home of reconditioned Aga cookers that are like-new and showroom standard. We offer a wide range of Aga models that are suitable for baking, whether you’re looking for a traditional oil or gas Aga, or a New Gen model like eControl and Total Control models. We also offer Module Aga Cookers that offer more space, and more cooking options, perfect for Star Bakers.

Take a look at our range online today, or get in touch with us for more information.