Aga - should I get one?

[Julesnobrain]

We are doing a kitchen extension and refurb. DH wants an Aga. He does most of the cooking so I hardly feel in a position to object but I have heard conflicting stories and people seem to either love them or hate them. Should I make a fuss and insist on a gas range or not worry.?? Advice gratefully received

What fuel do you plan to use?

Gas. We live in London and don't have room to store oil or bio fuel

Well, mine is gas and we love it! We do have a very hot kitchen in summer, though - ideally, you really need a back-up electric/gas oven & hob to use over the summer months and switch the Aga off. Our back-up oven has packed up and we are baking, but I have to say, if you like Agas, you really get used to the convenience of having the temperature constant so that you can just pop something in when you want. We get masses of hot water from it, too. And the different ovens mean you can have a roast going at the same time as baking a cake, for eg. It's true - you either love 'em or loathe 'em. I think it's the best thing we've added to our house.

Meant to add, our house is very draughty so the heat from it is just bliss in the winter. I use no extra radiators anywhere near the kitchen.

Love, love, love my AGA. I changed the layout of my house so that I could install one, having grown up with one and had one installed at a previous house. This one does not do the hot water as the house is three storey and it would not have been possible. Yes the kitchen is baking at the moment, but with all the doors thrown open it is fine - and we don't really get that many summers like this do we? You will learn to love it.

Great thanks. How much heat do they throw off? is it like having a radiator on at full blast all the time? We won't have room for an Aga and a seperate oven and hob

Not full blast - something good to lean on on cold winter days. I don't have anything extra - not even a microwave, although I have relented and let the family use a toaster - sometimes difficult to follow the mantra -NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON AGA TOAST.

How big is your kitchen?

We have sold ours, too expensive to run.

Kitchen is open plan on to dining room and family room. so one wall units of 20Ft and an island. ie long and thin

I'd definitely go for it if it's going to be in an open space because it will heat up a large area. You won't need any other radiators on etc for your dining and family rooms. So, although they can be seen as expensive to run, it really depends on how much of the house they are able to provide heat for. And don't forget the hot water and drying your laundry around the Aga overnight etc!

I loved our Aga for the convenience, the comfort factor, it's clothes drying abilities and the warming oven but it made the kitchen to hot in summer. If you don't mind that then they're great.