Thank you, Marthavila.

What a wonderful explanation. I have secretly long-harbored a desire for the 4-Oven or a 6-4 cooker for many, many years. Alas, the price point for these baby's is as magnificent as their looks.

Maybe someday I will get a chance at my forever stove.

Thanks MV! The 6-4 is high on my Lust List.

Great post. I noticed a lot of misconceptions about the AGAs last week in a few posts so hopefully this will clear up the misconceptions.

My mom has a new 6-4 duel fuel and is loving it. I am having stove envy for whoever posted a pic of that red 6-4 last week.

I just got an offline email asking about the Aga weights. That might be an especially important piece of information to know in some cases, e.g. if your home is not on a slab. Luckily, weight was not an issue in my case. My near-500 lb Aga 6-4 is situated on the second floor of my century old rowhouse however no reinforcements were needed.

Anyhow, here are the weights:

Aga 4-Oven Cooker: 1290 lbs.

Aga Companion: : 310 lbs.

Aga 6-4: 463 lbs. No point load

Aga Legacy 44": 341 lbs.
Aga Legacy 36": 300lbs.

Covington and Zeebee, you're welcome! If it helps -- those prices I quoted are January 2010 prices from a single vendor. (It's also why I gave them as "approximate" quotes.) I purchased my unit in '08 from Domain Home. The prices on Agas then were not quite as high as today. Plus, I not only benefited from there being a storewide sale on Aga ranges, but also on a designer-purchased discount and tax waiver (an architect friend allowed me to use his resale #). In the end, it ended up costing me a whole lot less than the retail price at that time! Now, what I didn't know at the time of purchase was that Domain was on the verge of bankruptcy and liquidation. That probably had alot to do with their willingness to negotiate on price. But I tell you all this only to suggest that you might want to check local appliance stores that are going out of business and sites like eBay and Craigslist for much better pricing deals. In this economy in particular, there are definitely deals to be had!

I thought I'd chime in here as a fellow AGA owner and in case anyone has questions about the bottom-of-the-line version: the 36" Legacy. I bought mine with minimal research and probably could have made a better choice for my needs, but I have come to really like it.

The small oven size does bother me a bit, but really only at Thanksgiving, when my turkey size is somewhat limited. Other than that, everything I have fits in fine. The multifunction oven takes forever to preheat, but I have grown to LOVE the tall convection oven.

The five-burner stovetop meets my needs extremely well. It has a 15,000 BTU burner in the middle, and the other four vary in capacity. The configuration is quite handy and fits all my huge pots when I'm cooking for Mardi Gras.

I've owned an aga, wolf and lacanche. I have particular feelings about each oven but will say, for style alone aga and lacanche eat a wolf alive :)

The traditional vision of an english kitchen can not be complete without the thought of a gorgeous aga range in some fabulous color (black is a color LOL). They have a unique beauty all of their own.

I posted a similar question in the appliance forum and though I don't remember the poster name (pllog?) I do remember the gist of their answer.

It's a form, and function issue. An aga and a lacanche fit a certain vision. Both perform differently, but given the needs of the cookers, both might work wonders. It's a question of whats right for you. For me, an aga does not meet the cook top needs, but other than that, I have no issue with them. Many could say the same about other stoves...for someone who is oven heavy and understands a real aga....they'd never let their aga go :) it's about what works for what cook.

To those of you who think you cannot afford an Aga think again. I purchased a 9 year old one from Ebay and it looks brand new. The price was less than half of a new one. Many dealers will infact give you deals on used agas. Remember that Aga's last over 50 years so you really don;t have to buy a new one. Just make sure you have a certified Aga technician that can check it out.

Well now I just have to chime in on this. I picked up my brand new four oven Aga from a store going out of business. The price was a steal to say the least. Yes! A steal! Am I happy? My husband and I could not sleep the whole night we were so excited to get this stove, and at a very affordable price. We fell in love with the looks of it over 15 years ago thinking never in our wildest dreams would we be able to afford one. Definitely watch your papers for kitchen shops or appliance stores going out of business. Better yet, call around and see if there is an Aga floor model that they plan on liquidating. We got ours from a Home Depot Expo that closed in our area. It will be installed next weekend and I hope I will not be frustrated with the different way of cooking. This forum has been so helpful. Marthavila, how do you broil a steak with the cooker?

Duh, I don't know, Quiltgirl! That's 'cause I don't have the Aga Cooker! I have the Aga 6-4. That unit has a dedicated ceramic broiler. I just throw a steak on the rack, and minutes later, it comes out grilled to perfection! I'm thinking maybe Donnaclaire can help you out with this.

Donna -- I noticed a post of yours, after I began this thread, in which you said you found the learning curve on the Aga Cooker to not be all that steep. Can you explain a bit more about that -- and answer Quiltgirl's question in the process?

Vanisleevt, big congratulations to you and DW on going for that Cooker! Having seen one in the showroom, I've got no doubt that a cream 4-oven will be a beauty in your kitchen! BTW, did you ever resolve the cab color issue?

You know, it's nice to see the Aga owners beginning to surface here. Like you, Holligator! I didn't even know you owned a Legacy. Woo hoo! Sure hope all of you post some photos of your beauties asap!

Holligator, do you mind sharing about how long it takes your multifunction oven to preheat? I'm seriously considering an Aga Legacy. My husband spoke to a chef at the local appliance store, and he had almost nothing but praise for the Legacy. I was hoping that because the ovens were electric and small, that they would heat up quickly.

marthavila,

No we haven't decided on a cabinet color, we're a ways off yet. I just dropped off the deposit cheque for the cabinets this week. We still have to iron out the details but we're well on our way. I just sat down now after spending all day yesterday and today demoing the kitchen.

Pickle2, my multi-function oven usually takes well over 30 minutes to preheat. Once, it took over 40 minutes to reach the set temp. The tall oven takes a normal amount of time, and the broiler is lightning fast. I'm beginning to think that this is something peculiar to my range, because I haven't seen complaints about this anywhere else. I suppose I could have someone take a look at it, but I don't use the oven that much and am kind of used to planning ahead when I do.

Van...I adore that soft cream color Aga is producing. It's yummy...hagan daz icecream in a stove! Ok does money grow on trees in your house cuz here's my vision for your kitchen...a gorgeous and really soft yellow for the cabs, with some in pine left natural (protected finish, natural color) with that antique feel. Here's where it get's expensive...I want honey onyx counters for you. With that creamy stove, soft soft creamy yellow cabs....beautiful honey onyx....oh gad I'm almost ready to swoon....

Does money grow on trees? (and if so, for that vision will you cut me off a branch?) heh heh

[sniggle, chortle, gigfaw] Onyx counters. Sometimes Igloo cracks me up to the point where I emit noises that don't fit the standard abbreviates.

While we're joshing, Igloo, can you do a money no object for the lady, because I'm pretty sure she doesn't like yellow?

igloochic,

No money does not grow on trees but I do have a deserving wife and I am spending a ridiculous amount on this reno. We spent the last year and a half looking for property ( 2 - 5 acres ) near our current house and couldn't find what we were looking for so we've decided to invest the money in this house. Our boys are 1 1/2 and 5 1/2 and all schools are walking distance, priceless IMO.
Anyways, DW is not a fan of yellow as mentioned by plllog. The cabinets will be flush inset, single bead in something similar to BM Acadia White with soapstone counters. We haven't chosen the cabinet color yet or counter slab but you get the idea. I will check-out your color suggestions because without looking I have no idea what they are.

Vanisleevt, it seems a bit odd to me that DW loves the cream color so much but does not like yellow undertones in white. Have you considered having your cabinets color-matched to the Aga? Here, again, I'm thinking of Ndvweb's beautiful kitchen (others can check out link reposted below.) It worked so well for her, seems like it could work for you and be the simplest way to get a "white" that works with your cream Aga. BTW, I love the way you talk about your wife being deserving of a great reno. With an attitude like that, you sound like you are defintely getting off on the right foot!

Here is a link that might be useful: Ndvweb's Kitchen

Holligator, that is a really, really long time. I wonder if the ranges (not just yours, but Aga Legacy ranges in general) are wired weirdly or something. I think my crummy electric 30" range heats up in 15 minutes or so (to 350). I guess at least the other ones heat up quickly, but it's something to think about.

marthavila,

DW chose the cream AGA because of the colors offered it was her favorite and it's timeless. As you know, a four oven isn't an appliance you buy, use for 10 years and then replace it, it's for life as is the kitchen built around it. I think she's realized that the cabinet color must have yellow undertones to go with the cream AGA. I'll keep you updated once we decide on the cabinet color. She does like the kitchen you suggested and also jbrodie's kitchen.

Add me in as a Legacy 36" gas/electric owner. We bought our house in October and have been working on the reno ever since. (House is 167 years old, so there is much to do.) We have demo'd the kitchen down to the studs and carpenters start tomorrow! They are sistering new studs to the old to straighten up the walls before the cabinets go up next week. The lovely brick-red Legacy is the only thing worth saving from the old kitchen. It is absolutely filthy, though, from top to bottom--POs were complete slobs. Anyone have advice for cleaning it inside and out?
I was a little concerned about the oven size, and since I didn't have the expense of a new range, decided to add a wall oven to my kitchen plans, so I think I've gotten the best of both worlds!

I just got my sample piece of cream enamel in the mail right after my last post. WOW, that is on the yellow side.

I bought Mary Berry's book called New Aga Cookbook. Her recipes not only teach you how to use the Aga, but they are delicious. They also come in the American system of measuring so you don;t have to keep on looking up conversions. It shows you how to grill a steak, make a pizza, and do vegetables in simple as well as more complicated ways. What is great about this stove is that you can prepare meals way in advance, clean up the kitchen and then actually enjoy a meal with guests. I am not a great cook, but this oven sure does make me feel like one.

Hi Everyone,

Although it looks like this thread is dying a natural death here, the other one is still alive and kicking over on the AF. :-) Please come and join us over there, especially if you own an Aga Cooker or Range! It's my hope that, over time, we might be able to develop a real sub-community of those who are interested in all things Aga on the Garden Web, along with a well-informed and useful database of facts and tips on Aga cooking through these threads. So, if that sounds good to you, then come over to the AF and help us grow this discussion!

I think I just posted yesterday about my new fear of the appliance forum, but I might tiptoe over there and peek at the Aga thread. I don't own an Aga (yet), but may soon.

Oh, don't be afraid of the AF, Pickle! Gender-wise, there's probably a lot more testosterone going on over there than on the KF side. As a result, some of the AF conversations probably do have less of the warm, nurturing, feminine sensibilities that tend to dominate our KF discussions. Still, the majority of folk who post on the AF are active participants on the KF as well. And while it's true that the AF threads can heat up from time to time (as can happen here as well), much of that stuff is so much bluster and blubber. Few of us take it terribly seriously or become deterred by it. LOL! So come on over! And, by no means do you have be an Aga owner join the Aga thread. Heck, as you will see on that thread, even Aga bashers are welcome. :-)

I think the Appliances Forum is mild, really.

But if one did want to soften, mellow, and - dare I say it - feminize it even more, one could simply create a subforum titled "BTUs, You Betcha".

I bet most of the "boy energy" would head straight there. Like moths to light, bees to honey, lions to Christians, Icarius to the Sun. I'd go there and get a tan myself.

Anyway, I am enjoying the AGA thread. The cookers seem like fascinating devices. I've seen the 6-4 at my friend's house, it is a beauty.

ROTFLOL!!!

Oh, I'm tearing up with laughing. "BTUs, You Betcha" !!!!

I agree with John that as online Forums go, Appliances isn't generally that bad. I think they keep a good lid on flamers at GW as a whole. After all, it started as a "women's" community. But some of the guys over there can get rambunctious and play the appliance version of "Yo' momma!" I said something, because it's counterproductive, let alone unkind, for them to be scaring away perfectly nice people like Pickle.

John, that was a hoot.

And we're still looking for posters on the AF Aga thread. So bump!

John, that was a hoot.

And we're still looking for posters on the AF Aga thread. So bump!