13amp AGA or another induction range?

jackyann

As for opening the oven door to warm the room - I remember in the 70s when I was a student midwife and did home visits, I was amazed at how many people did that, because they had no other heating.
I second the comments about not using an AGA or any range cooker unless it is also your boiler, and you are making very good use of all that warmth that leaks out.
A properly used slow cooker will cook food gently like an AGA at a tiny fraction of the price. It isn't appropriate for all slow cooked things, but I have a Miele warming drawer that I use a like a slow oven as well.
Depending on your budget, have a look at Miele - excellent service & very efficient ovens (no connection other than 18 years' experience of cooking with them!)

Gloomendoom

Ben84 wrote: »

So, I wouldn't even consider an aga of any type. They're amazingly expensive to buy and use, and they have a colossal environmental impact for what they do.

AGA make conventional ranges too. Their environmental impact is no greater than any other conventional cooker. Actually, they probably make less impact as they are better insulated.

jackyann wrote: »

As for opening the oven door to warm the room - I remember in the 70s when I was a student midwife and did home visits, I was amazed at how many people did that, because they had no other heating.

I used to do it when I was a student. Gas cookers do tend to make the windows run with condensation though.

Onward_2

Thanks for the comments everyone.

@Ben84, that's a good call re investigating a propane cooker and cylinder. I'll certainly do that. Out of interest did you run a range on the cylinder and if so which one? Also how much did a 47kg cylinder cost you and roughly how long did it last? Thanks

Hintza

We put the Rangemaster Induction 110 (various models) made by Aga in our self build and I don't think we would have anything else now.

The missus was desperate for an Aga and it took a long time to persuade her otherwise. The biggest benefits are:- the easiest hob you will ever have to clean and secondly much needed additional space for serving etc (straight on to the top of the hob).

My second choice would be bottled gas hob with an electric oven which is what we had in RSA. But that would now be a very distant second place.

I didn't like the build quality of many of the Ranges and would ideally have preferred thicker steel but hey ho this is the modern world.

If you entertain a lot and you can fit it in I would opt for a 110 over a 90 everyday!

Onward_2

Thanks for the reply Hintza. Yes I'm coming back to the induction range as an option. I've looked at the Rangemaster ranges, which are nice but had heard the Stoves machines now rivalled them for build quality?

Re using LPG my investigation has found that there are very few ranges built for LPG and to convert a dual fuel range you need a 30amp supply for those ranges, which is my current problem of only having an 13amp supply.

So I believe my options are:

1. Get another 13 amp AGA.
2. Install a 32 or 45 amp cooker circuit and then get an induction range.
3. Install a 32 or 45 amp cooker circuit, and facility for a 47kg propane cylinder, and then get a dual fuel range converted to LPG. I'm assuming running an LPG range is more expensive than an induction range though, any thoughts?

Btw, I'm looking at a 90cm cooker because the space left in the kitchen is a 985mm width surrounded by built-in granite worktops, which was specially built for the previously taken AGA.

Thanks all in advance for any comments or advice.

pwllbwdr

The reason for getting an aga has to be simply whether you want one. They are expensive to run but many people who have had one wouldn't be without. Including me. The heat from it is part of the household heat, but that is of course why they are costly to run.

The aga 6-4 and other similar things are worth considering but they are just larger conventional ovens. If the hobs are electric you will probably need a cooker circuit one. The only reason the 13a aga can be run from a normal ring main is because the element is on for much longer periods of time, and so is 'only' (!) 2kw or so.

Hintza

Onward wrote: »

I'm looking at a 90cm cooker because the space left in the kitchen is a 985mm width surrounded by built-in granite worktops,

That is going to leave so awfully big gaps.

Gloomendoom

We had the same problem that Hintza had in that Mrs G really wanted a heat store AGA as that is what she grew up with. However, neither of us were keen on the running costs. We compromised and now have a dual fuel AGA Six-Four. It will fit in the space you have exactly. It's also made of cast iron so hasn't got that tinny feel that many ranges have.

On the downside, they are overpriced for what they are and they can't be had with an induction hob, just gas/lpg or ceramic electric.

Incidentally, despite Mrs G's hobby being cooking, we have had it since 2009 and are only on our third 13kg bottle of propane.

Onward_2

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yes Hintza, I'm looking at what I can do with the gaps, re an extra surround next to the cupboard because as well as not looking great things will drop down the sides!

I guess I will see what the costs of the various AGAs, cast iron ranges and 'ordinary' ranges, and wiring a circuit and drilling holes to house a gas cylinder. Then the running costs of each machine, and then what I actually want the kitchen to look like. If I'm honest I'm not a prolific cook so I'll be a light to medium user so it may be a fighht between head and heart!

Ben84

Onward wrote: »

@Ben84, that's a good call re investigating a propane cooker and cylinder. I'll certainly do that. Out of interest did you run a range on the cylinder and if so which one? Also how much did a 47kg cylinder cost you and roughly how long did it last? Thanks

I never had a range, just a regular freestanding cooker with a single oven, four burners and an eye level grill. With this, a 47 kg cylinder would last ages, somewhere about 1-1.5 years, and I usually cook every day as well as baking a few times a week. As a 47 kg cylinder contains about 650 kWh, that's a lot of cooking.

Anyway, mine was old and judging by how well it heated the kitchen not that well insulated. New cookers have energy rating labeling now, so you can compare them quite easily to find a more efficient one.

As for the cost of propane, it's been a while since I used one, I'm on the mains gas now. There's a site that tells you about current energy prices however:

http://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/domestic-fuels

Check locally too, prices vary, but they think about £60 a cylinder now, working out as roughly 10p a kWh. That's a bit cheaper than electricity in most places. Also, it will work during a power cut.