Trystan Casey
Electric Aga ovens are controlled using a touch-screen control panel hidden beneath the top glass door. They can also be controlled via a handheld programmer or a smartphone app. Electric Agas are designed to be left on 24/7 and always ready to use. However, this is not the most efficient way to run an Aga, and it is recommended that you only turn on the hot plates when you need to use them. If you do turn your Aga off, it will take around 7 hours to reach full temperature again.
Characteristics and Values of Turning on an Electric AGA
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Control | Thermostatic, touchscreen, handheld programmer, Smart Life App |
| Temperature | 130 for slumber, 180-200 for day-to-day cooking, 230 for roast dinners |
| Usage | 24/7, timer, manual |
| Efficiency | Cost-efficient, energy-efficient |
| Functions | Ambient heat, drying clothes, ironing, melting chocolate, warming tea, boiling kettle |
| Tips | Do not adjust controls once set, reduce hotplate usage, use ovens 80% of the time and hotplates 20% |
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What You'll Learn
Using the control panel
The Aga cooker is thermostatically controlled and designed to be kept on 24/7, always ready for use. It is also possible to control your Aga cooker from your phone using the Smart Life App, which allows you to adjust temperatures and schedules.
The Aga ERA ovens and the cast-iron hotplate are controlled using a touch-screen control panel, hidden beneath the top glass door. The cooker also includes a hand-held programmer to pre-set the cast-iron heat-storage ovens.
Once your Aga has reached its optimal temperature, your ovens should be in their respective temperature zones. You will know your Aga has reached this temperature when the thermometer reaches the Normal Zone (Silver). At this point, your controls are set, and they shouldn't be adjusted.
If you do need to adjust the temperature, it is recommended to keep the Aga on low when not in use, rather than turning it off completely. This is because the cast will retain its saturation, and cooking will be more successful. For example, you could use 130 for slumber when not in use, 200 for day-to-day cooking, and 230 for roast dinners.
It is important to note that the hotplates are the most power-hungry area of the Aga, so reducing their use will greatly reduce running costs.
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Controlling your Aga from your phone
Aga cookers are thermostatically controlled and designed to be on 24/7, always ready for use. The traditional models of Aga cookers are always on and ready to use, while controllable on/off models give you individual temperature control in each oven and hotplate.
If you want to control your Aga cooker from your phone, you can use the Smart Life App to control your ElectricKit Oven temperatures and adjust automatic schedules. This is perfect for timing your Aga Cooker to reach ideal temperatures for when you get home from work, or adjusting settings or timers when away from the cooker.
The Electrickit is another way to convert your Aga to electricity, allowing you to turn off or turn down all the elements when you're not using it. You can also use your phone to switch different parts of your Aga range cooker on and off, helping to save money on running costs and being more environmentally friendly.
The Aga Dual Control Natural Gas Range is another option, with three ovens heated by natural gas and hotplates heated using electricity. The hotplates work independently from the ovens, allowing you to turn them on and off as needed.
By controlling your Aga from your phone, you can save energy and money by only turning on the cooker when you need it, instead of leaving it on 24/7.
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Reaching optimal temperature
Electric AGAs are thermostatically controlled and designed to be kept on 24/7, always ready for use. They can be controlled using a touchscreen control panel or a handheld programmer, as well as via a smartphone app.
To reach and maintain the optimal temperature, it is recommended to keep the AGA at a lower temperature when not in use, such as 130 degrees Celsius, and then increase it to 200 degrees Celsius for day-to-day cooking and 230 degrees Celsius for roasting. This approach balances cost efficiency and the unique qualities of the AGA, such as the ambient heat it provides.
While the AGA is designed to retain heat, opening the hotplate cover will result in rapid heat dissipation, affecting the oven temperature. Therefore, it is advised to cook 80% of the time in the ovens and only 20% using the hotplates.
If the AGA is turned off and allowed to go cold, it will take around seven hours to reach full temperature again. To avoid this, some users keep their AGAs at a higher temperature, such as 180 to 200 degrees Celsius, to take advantage of its functions, such as drying washing, ironing, and keeping tea warm. However, this may not be the most cost-effective approach.
In summary, to reach and maintain optimal temperatures, balance usage with cost efficiency, utilise the different temperature zones within the AGA, and avoid frequently adjusting the settings once they are optimised for your needs.
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Energy efficiency
Electric Aga cookers are more energy-efficient than traditional Aga cookers that run on oil, gas, or LPG. They typically have an efficiency rating of 90-95%, compared to 65-75% for oil Agas and 70-85% for LPG Agas. This is due to their ability to reduce heat loss, maintaining consistent cooking temperatures without consuming excessive energy.
There are several ways to improve the energy efficiency of an Aga cooker, regardless of the model. Firstly, it is important to be mindful of energy usage. If you are out of the house or not using the Aga for drying washing, turn it down. Take advantage of the fast-heating ovens by only turning them on when needed. If you are using the hotplates, try to cook multiple dishes simultaneously on different heat zones to save energy and time. Keep the oven doors shut when taking out dishes to prevent heat loss.
To reduce running costs, it is recommended to use the economy or slumber setting on your Aga cooker, which reduces the amount of heat produced. For older models, ensure that your Aga is regularly serviced and the insulation is checked to allow the cooker to run at maximum efficiency.
Newer models of Aga cookers are also designed with energy efficiency in mind. The R3 series, for example, has a programmable e-setting that allows the cooker to turn on and off automatically, helping to save energy. The ER7 series offers total control, with a programmable electric oven that can be switched on and off as required.
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Tips for cooking
Electric Aga cookers are more environmentally friendly and convenient for those without access to gas or oil supplies. They are also a popular choice for individuals seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumption. Here are some tips for cooking with an electric Aga:
- The Aga's insulation plays a key role in its energy efficiency, helping to retain heat and reduce energy consumption.
- The cast-iron structure of an Aga stores heat and releases it gradually, ensuring a consistent temperature.
- You can use the ambient heat to dry your clothes and save running a tumble dryer.
- If you have a decent gap between your points of use, you may benefit from a timer or simply turning your Aga on and off.
- Only use the hotplates as you need them, and reduce your use down to one.
- If you are using the boiling plate for frying, move the pan to be half on/half off to reduce the heat.
- Once a pan is boiling on the boiling plate, move it to the simmer plate to keep it at a rolling boil.
- To stop your hot plates from losing heat, boil water in a kettle before using saucepans on the plates.
- To grill or brown cheese, potatoes, or toppings, use the top-level rack in the roasting oven.
- If you want to cook something at a high heat but don't want it to brown too quickly, lower the shelf level or place a baking tray above the food.
- The golden rule of cooking with an Aga is to cook 80% in the ovens and 20% using the hotplates.
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