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Original poster

Aga novice - what do I need please?

24 replies

traceybath · 22/02/2011 08:15

We're moving house in about a month (fingers crossed) and new house comes complete with a gas AGA.

So I've never cooked on an AGA so could any experts tell me what I need please.

Am thinking a decent cookery book and do I need specific saucepans/baking tins etc?

Thanks.

Oh and there is no other oven so I'm going to need to get to know it pretty quickly.

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 22/02/2011 08:20

If you already know how to cook you don't need a specific cook book.

I believe normal pots and pans are fine too. One of those toast racks is good though, for making toast.

It's all about getting to know your Aga and timings. Once you have used the oven a few times, for example, you'll then know how long things take etc.

Bellie · 22/02/2011 08:29

You don't need a different cookbook, although if you get a specific aga one, it does help in cooking things like rice (they go in one of the ovens something that you would never guess!)

Toast thingy is great (looks like a large table tennis bat made out of mesh).

I used my normal saucepans etc no problem at all.

I love it - have used the other oven in my kitchen once (on the day we moved in as I was too scared and hungry to try it!!) Never looked back!

Am now looking to re-furb the kitchen and take the other oven out.

Bellie · 22/02/2011 08:30

Oh - sorry - the only thing that I would invest in is a kettle that can go on top - why use the scary amount of electricty to boil a kettle when you have heat available on tap!

Original poster
traceybath · 22/02/2011 08:55

Oh thank you! Was rather looking forward to investing in new saucepans Grin

Right - may just purchase one new cookery book then and think the people we're buying from are leaving the toast thingy.

OP posts:
KristinaM · 22/02/2011 13:39

The baking trays that fit on the rails are good. I have a half and full size and use them every day. Also the stainless steel roasting tin and grill rack, a cold plain shlef and a bake o glide roasting set

Thin baking trays can warp in the roasting oven as it's so hot. But I don't kmwo if it's different on a modern oven with a thermostat

It's worth checking what the previous owner is leaving. The racks and cold plain shelf are really part of the aga. If you have removal men packing or friends helping you, they often don't realise this and pack them by mistake with the other kitchen ware

BlackBag · 22/02/2011 14:39

How exciting,

I went to a cooking demo at the local Aga showroom which really helped. Seeing someone confidently sliding the pans around, shoving stuff in the oven, top tips for quick meals and cleaning.

They also offered a % off Aga cookware. I have the stacking saucepans with the flat lids and a big round frying pan thing with high sides and a lid that I use loads. Ask the current owner what they plan to leave and therfore subtly remind her not to pack. Agree that the shleves and trays are really part of the oven and rather expensive to replace.

Also check who they use to service the thing and if they're happy with them.

Original poster
traceybath · 22/02/2011 15:02

Actually there's an aga shop locally - may pop in and see if they've got any demos lined-up.

Its a gas aga and pretty old I suspect - how often do they need servicing?

OP posts:
CrystalStair · 22/02/2011 15:07

I did this too last year and have found THIS very helpful indeed.
www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Book-Aga-Know-how/dp/1904573231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298387014&sr=8-1

You Aga shop will do free demos too and you can pay to go to other more specialised classes at the Aga shop - Cooking for Christmas etc. I menat to go but never did and am getting on OK with it. If it's oil do get it serviced every 6 months. We didn't and it went off one night having got more and more feeble for months. I HATED it while it wasn't working properly because I thought it was just what Agas are like. The difference after the service made me giddy with relief! Good luck! And you can always use it to revive baby lambs too!

Original poster
traceybath · 22/02/2011 15:08

Thanks Crystal!

One of my abiding childhood memories is of piglets sat near/in aga on my grand-parent's farm Smile

OP posts:
CrystalStair · 22/02/2011 15:11

Lovely. I feel our Aga would be complete with a piglet perched on it. DD1 (aged 7) sits on the top like a little cat. IT is defintely a meeting point oo - people love leaning on it chatting.

Original poster
traceybath · 22/02/2011 15:15

Oh I am so looking forward to the aga. It will hopefully distract me from the turquoise bathroom suite and chocolate brown floral wallpaper in the hall/stairs.

OP posts:
CrystalStair · 22/02/2011 15:16

Sounds delightful! Turquoise is the new white.

AintMissBeehiving · 22/02/2011 19:47

Toast tennis racquet
Long arm oven gloves (ouch)from Aga shop
Kettle
Astonish for cleaning it

Is it a two oven or four oven? If it's a two oven you can buy a cold shelf to put in the oven for cakes etc

KristinaM · 23/02/2011 21:14

Bathrom suites can be taken out, wallpaper can be stripped, partners can be kicked out and husbands divorced. But you will love your aga FOREVER

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 23/02/2011 21:21

i never use that toast thing found it rubbish - i cook mine on floor of roasting oven

i use reiss pans can fit 4 on each ring at a push and put them in ovens

i dry clothes in my simmering and warming ovens!

op it's 18 months since i started a thread just like this!!

KristinaM · 24/02/2011 08:09

You need to use the toast thigie with the bake o glide circle or your toast gets burnt, even in the simmering plate ( mine is really hot)

mrsshackleton · 24/02/2011 16:12

Definitely the toaster and kettle, but the previous owners may leave them - ours did. Ditto cold plain shelf and racks

Any old pan will do, whatever Aga tell you

BakeOGlide v useful

The book CrystalStair mentioned is great but annoyingly it doesn't have an index so v hard to check things quickly in it. I also find Amy Willcocks v good for basic tutorial at the front on agas and then lots of tasty recipes. But once you have the hang of it you can use any book

Enjoy Grin

omletta · 24/02/2011 20:24

cant remember what they are called but we call them ear muffs - they are circles of padded insulating material which go over the hob covers and retain the heat - saves a fortune.

mrsshackleton · 24/02/2011 21:09

OOh try to remember omletta because I need some of those, only downside to the aga is the £££ it costs

omletta · 24/02/2011 21:58

Chefs Pads - on Aga web site - sorry cant do links, £12.99 I think, they make a real difference!

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 24/02/2011 22:49

mine are all burned and ruined. I buy new ones but within weeks. Burned and ruined

omletta · 25/02/2011 10:42

Paula - is it possibe that your Aga is too hot? or that the insulaton on your plate lids is shot? They should last for years, if yours are getting burned that just showes how much heat is being wasted.

omletta · 25/02/2011 10:43

Opps showes shows!!

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 25/02/2011 23:03

omletta - no my aga is a bit nippy compared to other peoples....its just me bernie wintersing them on the rings Blush

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