Gas v solid fuel range cooker

[lexie01]

Are there any MN who use a solid fuel range cooker who could offer me advise plse?

I am in the process of replacing my kitchen and was 100% certain that I wanted a Aga. I have had the survey done and everything but I am now starting to have second thoughts about the running costs and environmental impact. I have been reading about the wood fired Esse and Rayburns but I can't really find any information about how much wood is required each day to keep it running, how often it has to be filled up and just how practical it is for a family of 4 living in the subs. Can anyone help?

I can tell you about calor gas Agas and anthracite agas.

Calor gas: v expensive, but very little to maintain, anthracite is cheaper but you have to be there twice a day to fill and empty, and heat varies as the wind blows.

I guess wood will have the same problem, and you need a large amount of well-seasoned wood otherwise your chimmney will fur up.

Can't the agents tell you or put you in touch with someone who has what you are looking at?

Imo, if you want a range on all the time, you obviously don't care too much about enviromental impact or the cost!!

I have used both. My first was a wood fired stove, I lost count of the number of times I went to start cooking supper only to find a dull red glow in the bottom of the fire box because I had forgotten to fill it and that was with a basket of logs within easy reach! So it was either microwave everything or starve till the stove was up to cooking heat again. We also got through a lot of wood, and had problems finding a good supply of seasoned logs (still do as a matter of fact as we have a wood buring stove for heating the frontroom.)

When I moved, I had a gas fired Aga put in - it has been the heart of the home ever since, always ready to cook, supplies all the hot water, and keeps the kitchen lovely and warm plus I dry all my clothes above it on a drying rack.

New Agas have a burner that fires up to maintain the temperature so it is not 'on' all the time( after 24 years I have just had the burner replaced in my Aga, which is how I know! )

I can't imagine life without an Aga.

Thanks Shelpit - you have confirmed my worst fears about using solid fuel. The blurb for the Esse seems to suggest you fill it once and then can essentially leave it for 12 hours before refilling - which sounds just about manageable. I did worry that it might become my 3rd baby though (or 4th if you count DH!!)and you seem to suggest that it might!

Meltedmarsbars - didn't really find your comments that helpful. I do care about environment (reason for asking about solid fule in the first place!) but I also care about having a vaguely warm kitchen that doesn't freeze in the winter. At the moment I have to have the heating on all day every day to get some warmth (and yes I do wear jumpers)so I suspect just having the aga on will not make that much difference!