2022 - A Century of Aga Range Cookers
Models available through Blake & Bull - heritage Aga range cooker castings made new.
{this timeline excludes 30amp night storage {1981 EC2 & EC4} Aga range cookers made until around 2018 and Classic Deluxe cookers, made for a short while around 2000, & modules/companions made from the mid ‘90’s}
Aga Standard
1941 - 1972
- A} Black enamelled hob surface - boiler pipes would enter top back left corner, or to the side {unseen}. Hobs were varied depending on the boiler set up. You might choose this model to restore because of the square edge to the hob section and streamline rear profile.
- B} Domes were most commonly issued as full enamel bulbous domes. With the hinge being built into the hob section {not bolt on}
- C} The ‘smoke box’ {flue shroud} was squarer than its descendants and often had a sweet air wheel that turned to draw air into the flue from the room. We lovingly restore these period features.
- D} Square edge to hob section, appeals to those who like the ‘boxier’ look and shallower black section.
- E} Towel rail brackets bolt onto the front and would always be enamelled cast iron and the same colour as the Aga facade.
- F} These models were always solid fuel originally - the heritage features are retained when converting to electric. The small ‘ash pit door’, air lever, and grill are all part of this model’s charm. Originally taps would be inserted into the front to fill the tin bath and laundry tub too!
- G} Plinths are separate if needed. These Aga range cookers would have nearly always been built on the ground, the cast base plate being the foundation. Later installations of this model may be positioned on a plinth. Plinths were more common towards the end of the 60’s as the UK started to install fitted kitchen, inspired by the continent and brands like habitat. Fitted units were taller, so the Aga range cookers were raised to meet the uniform units.
- H} 2 or 4 ovens - hotter one to the top, cooler at the bottom on the right hand side. 4 ovens had a steel moulded warming cupboard to the left.
- I} The temperature gauge is front centre - just under the hob section, and the badge is elliptical and embossed into the front - not bolted on. The detail of the badge is highlighted by glass transfer and a final firing. Historically the models would have been a buttery cream and the badge deep brown.
Aga Pre Deluxe
1956 - 1974
- A} Black enamelled hob surface - boiler pipes would enter to the side or rear {unseen}. The launch of the deluxe saw a more rounded form to the hob and the rail bolted onto the hob for the first time.
- B} We see an upstand for the first time. A deep shelf at the back that you can pop a mug O’ tea on!
- C} The ‘smoke box’ {flue shroud} becomes vented for pb {purpose built} models which would have been OIL or solid for solid fuel models. Slots over the upstand.
- D} The lids become split, enamel to the base and chrome to the top.
- E} rail is open-ended and chrome capped, the temperature gauge moves to the right, and the hob section widens as it reaches the coloured front. More colours were made, a lot in powder blue!
- F} The air wheel replaces the air lever and opens up an aperture {to varying degrees} that increases air flow to the burner. Badges become ‘bolt on’ and either elliptical {early} or ‘coffin shaped’ {later}. Occasionally bright red!
- G} The smaller ash pit door is covered {solid fuel} or removed {oil} and the doors become uniform sizes for the first time.
- H} 2 or 4 ovens - hotter one to the top, cooler at the bottom on the right hand side. 4 ovens had a steel moulded warming cupboard to the left.
Aga Post Deluxe
1974 - 1995
{after ‘95 this has remained the Aga ‘proper’ but with changes depending on functionality & operating system}
- A} Black enamelled hob surface - boiler pipes would enter to the side or rear {unseen} if present - but becomes less common on younger installations. The launch of the deluxe saw a more rounded form to the hob. With a post ‘74 model the rails are capped by an enamel towel rail bracket.
- B} The upstand becomes smaller, shallower.
- C} Chrome lids become shallower and have a sharper edge to the top curve.
- D} The Black hob section is rounded, deep and bevels out as it extends to the coloured front.
- E} Plinths are more common and are more often seen as black metal as opposed to concrete or brick.
- F} On a 4 oven Aga range cooker models the warming cupboard front ‘hugs’ the right hand side with an overlap. The hob section was made in one section for a short while. They are quite rare. More common are split rail hobs, where the rail joins. The post ‘95 version has a more sophisticated solution for this and is the restorers’ preference.
- G} The larger control door stays, and has remained unchanged since. Solid fuel models were made, but most were Oil or Gas. Vents were variable depending on the age of the model and type of system / fuel. Electric
- H} 2 or 4 ovens - hotter ‘roasting’ cast oven to the top, cooler ‘simmering’ at the bottom on the right hand side. 4 ovens had a steel moulded warming cupboard to the left. On younger models the warming plate could be swapped out for a two ring gas or ceramic hob. The start of optional upgrades!
Aga ER3
2018/19 - today
- A} Single lid, lifting to reveal a 1 temp setting hotplate - full width, flanked by 4 removable cast iron slabs. These replace the shiny surface around the hotplate, so that you can pan drag to your heart's content!
- B} Dials, these have multiple settings - ups and downs and control the two main left hand ovens {yes left! On a traditional Aga you would expect these on the right}
- C} An induction plate {size variable depending on width of Aga} - touch controlled
- D} The first time {since the release of the Deluxe in 1956} that a hob front profile has been changed, on an ER3 Aga range cooker you will see a sweeping line in the cast. The towel rail brackets are also molded aluminum and coated, not casted and enameled. There is a little button branded badge on the ends too.
- E} Small push button that turns the bottom right warming oven on and off.
- F} Roasting / hot oven
- G} Element under oven - bottom of oven is hot zone - great for pizza! Use a grid to lift things from oven base
- H} The badge is on the right! And behind this door is a storage oven. It may pinch a bit of heat {residual} but has no heat source of its own. Sculpted vent in top line of enamel facade. {also on R3}
- I} Simmering/cooler oven with its own element.
- J} Element under oven - dedicated supply allows for independent oven
- K} Bolt on catches - nothing new here - they have been around since ‘95. But they are not found on Aga range cookers before this date, and sometimes folk do not like them as they can come loose {can only be tightened by engineer delving into Aga}
- L} Integral plinth, part of Aga, no need for concrete plinth… but is a fixed height and part of the Aga.
At Blake & Bull we meticulously restore Aga range cooker models from 1941 - up until the post ‘95 deluxe model, made up until around 2010. We are the careful custodians of 80 years of heritage. Proper cookers, sustainable & efficient.