Cooking on an AGA is a little different to using a standard oven or hob.
Once you understand how the heat is stored and transferred, you can use it more efficiently and save on running costs.
One of the simplest ways to do this is by following what’s known as the 80/20 rule.
What the 80/20 Rule Means
The idea is straightforward: around 80% of your cooking should be done in the ovens, and only about 20% on the hotplates.
The AGA is designed as a heat storage cooker, so the ovens retain heat and use it more efficiently.
By contrast, the hotplates lose heat quickly whenever the lids are open. The less you rely on them, the less energy the cooker needs to recover and maintain temperature.
Why It Matters
Each time a hotplate lid is lifted, heat escapes directly from the top of the cooker. That heat must then be replaced, which increases energy use and running costs.
Using the ovens for most tasks helps the cooker stay at a steady temperature, and the results are often better too.
The ovens provide even, radiant heat that cooks food gently from all sides, rather than relying on direct contact with a hot surface.
When to Use the Hotplates
Hotplates are best reserved for quick tasks. A good rule of thumb is the “seven-minute principle”.
- If it takes longer than seven minutes to cook, it’s probably better done in an oven.
- Use the boiling plate for fast jobs such as stir-frying, searing meat, boiling water or making sauces.
- The simmering plate is ideal for heating milk, melting butter or chocolate, or keeping small pans warm.
Once these short jobs are done, close the lids again to trap the heat.
Cooking More Efficiently
To make the most of your AGA’s stored heat, plan meals so that oven use is prioritised.
Use the residual oven heat for warming plates or drying herbs.
Keep lids closed whenever possible and use the correct oven for the task, whether roasting, baking, simmering or warming.
Some owners take the 80/20 idea even further and treat it as a goal to reach 100/0, cooking entirely within the ovens where possible.
That might not suit every dish, but it highlights just how efficient oven cooking can be once you get used to it.
Final Tips
Once you learn how to balance oven and hotplate use, the AGA becomes more predictable, efficient and enjoyable to cook with.
You’ll save energy, reduce heat loss and still get the results that make these cookers so popular.
For advice on improving your AGA’s performance, including servicing, re-enamelling and insulation upgrades, contact the Smart Range team. We work across Surrey, Kent, Sussex and London
