How To Fit Replacement Lid Chromes, Liner & Seal To An Aga Range Cooker Lid

I am Katy from Blake & Bull, I have written this guide to show you just how easy it is to refurbish your own lids at home - making them more efficient, cleaner,and altogether a bit more fancy! I was brand new to the process and this took me just 50 mins. 

Not a job to be rushed, but not a time consuming one either. Most satisfying too, to see new lids gleaming back at you! 

Upgrade to our exclusive non-stick liners and your 'new look' will last longer too!

You Will Need -

1. A drill and a 4mm metal drill bit
2. 7mm socket and ratchet or spanner
3. An old towel on which to rest your chrome (we had cushioning corrugated card in the workshop)
4. A Vacuum cleaner
5. A microfibre cloth
6. A marker pen
7. A flat head screwdriver
8. A cup of tea (for after)
9. You might want latex gloves when handling the chrome & insulation
10. A camera to document your before & after efforts for us

NOTE - This takes you through re-building your lid and replacing your Chrome & Liner.We recommend that you remove your lid to do this, call us if you do not know how or refer to our lid removal guide (coming soon)

 

1. Once you have removed your lid,clean down your area removing all debris that might scratch your new Chrome & Liner. Clean your lid rim with enamel safe cleaning products. And lay on your clean soft towel. 

 

2. Now you are ready to get started -Have your springsand spring cups ready. This takes a bit of strength and determination, but it gets the hardest bit out of the way!

 

3. Position yourself side on to the lid ring, so that your hip is 'alongside' the lid. Put your cups on the end of the 2 spokes, push one end of the spring on. Now you will have to pull back onto the cup closest to you, and pull away (compressing the spring) to pull and push it onto the opposite cup/spoke.

This took me two attempts, and I had to swap sides so that I was using my strongest hand to get it in. A great sense of achievement when it 'sprung' into place!

 

4. Well done! The rest is less arduous! 

 

5. Now lay your lid ring onto your Lid Chrome, lining up the holes with the protrusions on the lid rim. Do not worry about any superficial underside markings on the chrome, you won't see these & they are all part of the chroming process.

 

6. Now you need your nuts (2 sizes) and bolts (provided), with your socket and ratchet to hand..

 

7. Slide the larger nut on the bolt. Use your middle finger to hold the smallest nut in place on the underside of the chrome rim. Use the larger nut to balance the bolt on the lid ring. Then holding the smaller nut in place, screw this tight.

 

8. Now it is time to pop in your pre-cut insulation. You will see that Matt cuts it in the workshop with a slight taper, lay the slightly smaller side in first.

 

9. Push this under the chrome, working your way around pushing under the rim. 

You might want to use gloves here. 

 

10. Once the four bolts are in place, gently drop your liner into place. Remember that aluminium liners are easily scratched by hard steel tools. Keep your work area clean. Prep your drill, bit, and pen.

 

11. You will be supplied with 5 flat head screws, now is the time to mark and drill the holes to receive these.

Line up the one closest the the spring, with a vertical line to locate the centre of the cast iron raised area (seen here), then mark a cross here for the drill bit above the hole. 

Start gently with the drill and you will feel a sudden 'give' when you have gone through the underside cast hole.

 

12. TIP - Have a vacuum to hand to hose up any swarf (aluminium filings) as these will scratch your liner if you accidentally drag them along the liner surface. 

 

13. Once you have drilled one hole, move onto the remaining 4, two together at the hinge end, two more opposite each other.

 

14. Centre the lid liner, and peer down the side. You will see the cast iron lid raised areas, the holes are in the centre of these raised bits - this is where you mark and drill...

 

15. Now tighten down all your screws.

 

16. Nearly there! Prep your fancy new springy rope seal, and heat resistant sealantsuitable for seals on Aga range cooker lids. Make a 5mm diameter hole in the sealant lid, cutting the cone around a third of the way down. 

TIP - As with the swarf be careful not to drag your rope across the aluminium, the tough metal coating on our rope seals can scratch the aluminium and non-stock liners. 

Squeeze your sealant around the lid liner rim, over the screws. Around 5mm wide and not too deep. Careful not to over squeeze!

 

17. Gently lay your rope seal down, centring the join at the hinge for a pleasing finish. Don't let it 'drop in', guide it and softly push into place with your thumb.

 

18. That's it! you are done. Leave the sealant to dry, overnight if you can. Then you are ready to refit the lid, guide coming soon! 

>> If this has given you an appetite for more DIY tasks on your range cooker, see our page on other DIY tasks or take a look at our range of DIY kits! 

>> Browse the Blake & Bull online shop, with spare parts, kettles, roasting tins and much more!