Past to Present: The AGA Cooker
The AGA cooker is still turning up the heat in the kitchen after nearly 100 years
Rebecca Gross
15 November 2015
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
There’s no denying the AGA cooker is a statement-making cast-iron centrepiece in any kitchen. With solid looks that blend traditional and modern style, the AGA cooker is vintage and rustic, yet still chic.
Invented in 1922, the AGA’s heavy iron casting absorbs, retains and radiates heat. This means food is cooked by radiant heat, with the oven itself functioning as a constant heat source (rather than circulating heated air as in most ovens). This radiant heat seals the surface of food and allows it to retain its natural flavours and moisture. Plus, it keeps the kitchen warm and toasty.
From its coal-burning origins to the high-tech modern versions, here’s what to know about this classic cooker.
Invented in 1922, the AGA’s heavy iron casting absorbs, retains and radiates heat. This means food is cooked by radiant heat, with the oven itself functioning as a constant heat source (rather than circulating heated air as in most ovens). This radiant heat seals the surface of food and allows it to retain its natural flavours and moisture. Plus, it keeps the kitchen warm and toasty.
From its coal-burning origins to the high-tech modern versions, here’s what to know about this classic cooker.
THE AGA COOKER
Nobel Prize-winning Swedish physicist Gustaf Dalén invented the AGA cooker, which he patented in 1922. Dalén was working as the chief engineer of Swedish company AGA (Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator) when he was blinded in an explosion. He continued his experimental work after the incident, attempting to relieve the drudgery of cooking his wife experienced on a daily basis. After a great deal of work and experimentation, Dalén designed an all-in-one cooker, water heater and laundry dryer that would more or less look after itself.
Nobel Prize-winning Swedish physicist Gustaf Dalén invented the AGA cooker, which he patented in 1922. Dalén was working as the chief engineer of Swedish company AGA (Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator) when he was blinded in an explosion. He continued his experimental work after the incident, attempting to relieve the drudgery of cooking his wife experienced on a daily basis. After a great deal of work and experimentation, Dalén designed an all-in-one cooker, water heater and laundry dryer that would more or less look after itself.
The AGA found major popularity in Britain, and was manufactured there from the early 1930s. Coalbrookdale foundry first cast the cooker components in the 1940s, which the Aga Rangemaster Group continues to manufacture there today. By the mid 1950s, AGAs sold at a rate of 50,000 per year.
HOW IT WORKS
The AGA cooker is a heat-storage stove and cooker. It works on the principle that a heavy cast-iron frame can absorb heat from a relatively low-intensity, but continuously burning, source. The accumulated heat can then be steadily transferred from its core into its ovens and hotplates to be used for cooking, and even heating a room.
There is no temperature control for the traditional ovens as the AGA is left on continuously, working on thermal mass.
The AGA cooker is a heat-storage stove and cooker. It works on the principle that a heavy cast-iron frame can absorb heat from a relatively low-intensity, but continuously burning, source. The accumulated heat can then be steadily transferred from its core into its ovens and hotplates to be used for cooking, and even heating a room.
There is no temperature control for the traditional ovens as the AGA is left on continuously, working on thermal mass.
THE STYLES
Power
Originally heated by slow-burning coal, today fuel options include gas and electricity, as well coal options are no longer available. AGAs are available in solely conventional or traditional models or a mixture of both (known as Dual Control).
Tips on choosing gas or induction cooking
Power
Originally heated by slow-burning coal, today fuel options include gas and electricity, as well coal options are no longer available. AGAs are available in solely conventional or traditional models or a mixture of both (known as Dual Control).
Tips on choosing gas or induction cooking
Size
AGA cookers come in a variety of sizes, from two- to five-oven models. Behind the various doors (depending on the model size) is a burner, roasting oven, simmering oven, baking oven, warming oven and even a slow-cooking oven in the larger models. All models have two hotplates – a boiling plate and a simmering plate, and some also have a warming plate.
AGA cookers come in a variety of sizes, from two- to five-oven models. Behind the various doors (depending on the model size) is a burner, roasting oven, simmering oven, baking oven, warming oven and even a slow-cooking oven in the larger models. All models have two hotplates – a boiling plate and a simmering plate, and some also have a warming plate.
Variations
AGA cookers come in modern, streamlined styles as well as classically traditional, to suit the personality of individual kitchens.
Personality-packed kitchens
AGA cookers come in modern, streamlined styles as well as classically traditional, to suit the personality of individual kitchens.
Personality-packed kitchens
Colour
The cookers come in a range of different colours, including black, white, aqua, duck egg, aubergine, pistachio and the classic and original cream.
The cookers come in a range of different colours, including black, white, aqua, duck egg, aubergine, pistachio and the classic and original cream.
KITCHEN INTERIORS
An AGA cooker will likely be the centrepiece you design your kitchen around. Fortunately, it suits a range of kitchen styles from classic to contemporary and eclectic to traditional.
Eclectic
Colour contrast is at play in this kitchen, with the black AGA cooker making a bold statement against white cabinets and an aqua splashback.
More splashback ideas
An AGA cooker will likely be the centrepiece you design your kitchen around. Fortunately, it suits a range of kitchen styles from classic to contemporary and eclectic to traditional.
Eclectic
Colour contrast is at play in this kitchen, with the black AGA cooker making a bold statement against white cabinets and an aqua splashback.
More splashback ideas
Modern
Teal is the colour of choice in this modern white kitchen. The AGA adds a colourful focal point in the kitchen, while complementing the colours in the rug.
Teal is the colour of choice in this modern white kitchen. The AGA adds a colourful focal point in the kitchen, while complementing the colours in the rug.
Contemporary
‘Shine’ is the order of the day in this kitchen, where the sleek surfaces and glimmering tiles contrast beautifully with the textured and industrial look of the AGA cooker.
Stellar black kitchens
‘Shine’ is the order of the day in this kitchen, where the sleek surfaces and glimmering tiles contrast beautifully with the textured and industrial look of the AGA cooker.
Stellar black kitchens
Traditional
This traditional kitchen uses lots of freestanding elements as well as a farmhouse sink, drawing inspiration from early 20th-century kitchen design. The white AGA complements these individual elements, as well as the rustic style of cabinetry with bold black handles.
This traditional kitchen uses lots of freestanding elements as well as a farmhouse sink, drawing inspiration from early 20th-century kitchen design. The white AGA complements these individual elements, as well as the rustic style of cabinetry with bold black handles.
Classic
A classic piece for a classic interior. The AGA means business in this calm and neutral kitchen.
The history of Australian kitchen design
A classic piece for a classic interior. The AGA means business in this calm and neutral kitchen.
The history of Australian kitchen design
PROS AND CONS
Pros
Pros
- The AGA is known for its longevity. It’s an investment piece that will go the distance.
- Not just an oven, the AGA does a number of jobs besides cooking, including replacing the need for heating – at least in the kitchen.
- It’s manufactured from 70 per cent recycled materials, such as cast-iron lamp posts.
Cons
- AGAs have been criticised for their high energy consumption, inefficiency and environmental impact (though more energy-efficient models are now available), so watch your gas bill if you have a gas-burning option and your carbon footprint.
- The cookers can weigh around 500kg, so they’re not easy to move.
- They have a fairly hefty price tag, but do have the potential to last more than 50 years. Spare and replacement parts can also be very expensive though.
WHERE TO BUY
You can buy an AGA cooker new or secondhand. Contact your local AGA supplier or check auction sites and secondhand goods suppliers.
TELL US
Do you have an AGA cooker? We’d love to see it! Upload a photo to the Comments section, and tell us what you love about it.
MORE
12 Essential Ingredients for a Traditional Kitchen
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Your Guide to Choosing an Electric Oven
You can buy an AGA cooker new or secondhand. Contact your local AGA supplier or check auction sites and secondhand goods suppliers.
TELL US
Do you have an AGA cooker? We’d love to see it! Upload a photo to the Comments section, and tell us what you love about it.
MORE
12 Essential Ingredients for a Traditional Kitchen
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Your Guide to Choosing an Electric Oven
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You can buy different types of AGA that maintain the god looks but dont have to be "on" all the time. see my post earlier with link.
Thanks for the link above @Lisa Imbruglia. They look amazing, and without the sweltering in Summer effect.
I would own another of these in a heartbeat.. have had the 2 so far... miss it dearly. Pity I couldnt bring it with me!