Everhot, ESSE or AGA: please help me choose...

[GrumpyMuleFan]

We've moved house and renovating the kitchen. We had assumed that we'd have a new AGA as had a dual control in our old house. But, after doing some research, we're leaning towards an Everhot or ESSE. I see Sarah Whittaker has moved to ESSE. Any owners out there who can tell me how they are getting on? I would really love to hear some experiences.

The Everhot 150plus is basically two separate cookers together - the 90 and the 60. So it will have a join down the middle.

I think I would look at the versatility of the 150i with the induction, partly because it gives you more cooking flexibility, partly because I think two everhots would cost more to run, partly because I think it would make the kitchen quite toasty with 4 hot plates and 4 ovens (you may like that!) and partly because I prefer the seamless look of the 150i.

I think the plus does look a little like two ovens shoved together (also, the 60 has a separate/external control box, so I'm not sure if the 90's internal box controls it all, or you would also have to find a cupboard for the 60 box).

Anyway, all things to consider perhaps when you go and have a look.
Of course the real question is...which colour will you choose?!

Went to see more Everhot stoves yesterday and have def decided that’s what we’re getting. For us they win on function, price and aesthetics: I love the square tops and the colours are beautiful shades. We’re debating the 150i + and 160. A big overwhelmed by the end and so best to let it all sink in for a few days. I’m with you @goldtrap and prefer the look of the 150i. DH is adamant on the +. I love them both, so happy either way.

The colour choices…. I had thought white or burgundy, but loved the cream yesterday. It’s softer than the AGA cream and a lovely hue.

Last questions - how do you protect the tops? Do pans scratch them? Also, do you use the splash guards?

Thank you do much everyone. This has been do helpful 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Ok, so I protect my tops by not putting anything on them!! Like I said it had/ will have pole position in the kitchen.
In the 15 years I never used a splash guard, just a quick soapy wipe once a week. Of course it doesn’t stay like new, but still stayed nice. For me, getting a guard out and putting it on seemed a faff too many

You can get fabric covers for the tops on Etsy. I basically use the top as extra worktop when it's shut.

For toast you want Bake O Glide sheets on the simmering plate. You don't need to switch the simmering plate on, it gets plenty hot enough from the hot plate next to it.

I've just got a new kitchen with a lilac Everhot 100i and I adore it!
I was brought up with an Aga and always wanted one, but the new Agas aren't as good quality any more. The Everhot is much cheaper to run as well.

I used to have the fabric cover tops, but actually I find it easier just to pop a teatowel down if I'm going to put a pan on top of the closed lid. I wouldn't put one straight on. I only put something on the lid if I want to keep it warm for a short time, or if people are helping themselves to something from a dish. (Or a pile of towels for drying)

I will say that your Everhot arrives pristine, but after a while the cooking surround (eg the ropes, the metal around the plates etc) becomes discoloured from use and you can't be too precious about it because that is the nature of the cooking. I love that the ovens remain clean and shiny, though!

I've never used a splashguard (maybe that would save the cleaning?!). What I don't use now is an electric kettle or toaster, as the everhot is 'everhot' I like to use its constant heat source rather than switch on anything else electrical.

(Also, was hoping you'd say tangerine or pink fandango for your colour choice 😁 Or Lilac! You could always get a mini Everhot stove in a crazy colour to complement your neutrals!)

There's nothing that I can't cook on my Everhot. Cakes, Yorkshire's are great. I do turn my top oven down and up for those!

I have ine induction and it's fab. In the summer the rest of it is on eco permanently unless I want to use it. It only takes a couple of hours to get the ovens to temperature from eco.

I totally agree with all this. I do the same.

Can I ask how you use them to heat their kitchens room? Are they good for that?

They are just on all the time so they heat the room. Everhot heats less than the others but it's the only heat source in my kitchen and it keeps it warm.

The Everhot isn't enough to heat my kitchen on its own over winter.

However I did get the massive radiator ripped out and replaced with a tiny one as I was melting.

😁 poor you! I think our kitchen is about 5 x 7 m do you think that I’ll be melting too?! No radiators.

Unless you're going for a 150+, which is essentially a 90 and a 60 together, then you're probably going to need a small radiator in addition (or underfloor heating).

Doh crumbs this is growing horns! We are looking at a 90. So thankyou for the heads up. With our raeburn I sometimes use a radiator- or put the electric oven on and open the door! So you are right I think. Thank you!

Sorry OP I didn’t mean to take over - I started a different thread re Evernote and of course got myself confused. I hope you manage to choose! And then you need to choose the color…😀

My parents had an electric Aga, you can completely set them to save loads of money (in terms of not being able to do that on an old gas one that they inherited and cost them loads of money) which is relative because they are all expensive to run. I love the colours of the Everhot though, the orange and yellows are gorgeous!

I love the ever hot too, its lines and its colours are beautiful! We have just discovered we can have the gas Rae burn converted to electric- who knew! It’s not as sexy but it’s 21/2 k instead of 10 plus. So sadly I’ll put down the ever hot catalog..and start looking at the floor catalogue, or maybe replace some of the cupboard doors…hmmm!