Aga saga...

[Gem13]

We are hopefully going to be moving soon into a country house (i.e. house in the country, not mansion!). I say 'hopefully' because I am being ridiculously optimistic but that's a whole different thread on house buying...

The thing is, I think the kitchen has to have an Aga as the house is old and the kitchen is a really good size. DH is arguing for a flashy multi-hob stoves which I think look good but out of character for the house. He claims that Agas are expensive in the first place and too hot in the summer and useless for cooking.

Anyone with experience of the pros and cons?

BTW - we have a 12 month old and a baby on the way in case that is relevant (can they burn themselves by touching the doors of the Aga?)

Pupuce my dear, if it was my Aga you'd be very welcome to it especially in exchange for doula services. But sadly, it's a rented house and therefore a rented Aga also. Thanks for the offer Jasper, I may well take you up on that!

pupuce not compared to my aga.

WWW how old are your kids? My 4 and 2yo love the aga video! They like to impersonate the lady with the lovely English accent who narates it.
Do get in touch if you want it.

You might become a convert yet!

Jasper, just the one (and one on the way) - he's nearly 6 and I can't see him being impressed - we are talking Mr Blase "I'm too old for Tweenies thank you and they're boring" here...but isn't it funny the things that do grab them? You really wouldn't expect "do you want to watch the Aga video again" to be exciting!

jasper's are Scottish though, aren't they?

WWW- LOVED that aga rant! Thanks.

Agas aren't just for country living. We live in central London and have one. It is in the basement, which without the Aga would be rather dank, but with it is a welcoming kitchen, and hub of the house. Probably because it is naturally cool in the basement, the Aga never makes it too hot. We love it for cooking (DH is a practiced and able and willing cook, so that is not a royal 'we' ) and actually have a separate halogen hob which is a waste of space as it is never used.

The only thing I don't use it for are sponge cakes. I use the microwave/convection oven for that. All other cakes, fruit, fairy, muffins, banana etc do very well in the Aga, and if we had enough space for a 4 oven Aga, then sponges would be fine too.

It is great for stir fries, etc, as well as the trad. aga slow cook stews and so on.

As for it being hot to the touch for children, it is rather hotter than ordinary ovens, but not hot enough to damage. Mine learnt very quickly not to touch.

janh, yes they are Scottish and very unsophisticated

I love my aga, the 2 top hobs work so that you start things off on the hot one and move them over to the less hot one (instead of turning the heat down like on a conventional cooker). The hot oven works so that you move the metal thing up or down in the oven according to type of food (just like in a conventional oven)and the bottom oven is a plate warmer/ keeps things hot when dh is late for supper. I have 2 clothes airers nearby it so all my laundry dries very quickly (I hate tumble driers and don't have one). My kitchen is north-facing, has cold tiles on floor and is big so it's never too hot in summer with it on.
I just wipe it over with damp cloth when cleaning other kitchen surfaces. Never clean the ovens.

LOL, jasper, I just meant they would find posh English accents strange and fascinating!

yes Janh, they certainly do