Aga ranges

I have an Aga 6-4 DF. It's not installed yet, but I don't plan to use an Aga certified technician to install it. I'm trusting that my GC, who has done plenty of pro-style range installations, is competent enough to handle the job. I've talked with Aga-Heartland tech services about this very question. Aga recommends a certified technician for their traditional cookers. But, as for the Legacy and 6-4 units, that is pretty standard equipment and no specialist should be necessary for installation.

Posted by: Brooklynista at August 26, 2008 6:29 AM

First of all, there are different kinds of Agas. The Aga that is "always on" is the traditional Aga Cooker. That is an all gas unit, constructed of enamelized cast iron and which cooks/bakes by way of radiant heat. That unit has very few bells and whistles and, as such, rarely breaks down, if ever. It is known to have very long life lines, and in fact, I have yet to hear of one to be pronounced as irretrievably dead. (As an aside, Aga, the company, has been in business for approximately 90 years. No way would they have lasted this long if their product was as faulty as CMU claims.)

The Aga Legacy and 6-4 are much more contemporary, dual fuel models that have been introduced to the North American markets (and elsewhere) only a few years ago. Unlike the traditional cookers, they do not stay "always on" but can be started up and shut down, just like any other range. I'm not sure about the construction of the Legacy, but the 6-4 is also an enamelized cast iron unit that is an excellent conductor/conserver of heat for cooking/baking. Neither of these models are any more expensive to run than a standard DF range. Nor is there any credible repair history/ track record that has developed as yet on either of these units. At this point, any so-called record of rate of break downs is totally anecdotal, as are the many rave performance reviews I have seen and/or personally received from Aga Legacy and 6-4 owners.

Deepbtuz, as with anything, I'm sure you know to take care in placing reliance upon advice and opinions that are culled from the internet. You have no way of knowing why, how, or on what people are basing their claimed knowledge. I have found this to be especially true when it comes to Aga ranges. At this point, these products are marketed to, and serve, a small, niche market. They are not well known in the US and, unfortunately, most of what is known pertains to the traditional Aga Cooker and not the Legacy or 6-4.

At any rate, if you want more informed data and opinions on Agas, I suggest you (1) call Aga-Heartland technical services (in Canada); join other Aga owners on the Agalovers group on Yahoo Groups or the Forum on the Aga-ranges website.

Good luck!

Posted by: Brooklynista at August 26, 2008 10:14 AM

My question to you, CMU, is why are you are concerned about what anyone else chooses to spend on their stove? So what if I chose to spend 7K+ on it (which is what my 6-4 cost me, btw, and not the 10k that horrifies you :)? Would my "ostentatious" and "pretentious" choice of a cooking unit be more palatable (yes, pun intended)if you knew that, while I spent that amount on my range of choice I continue to drive around in my 12 year old car with 125k miles on it? Or that I don't have a flat screen TV, or even cable TV, for that matter? My point is, most of us in America (and especially those of us who are writing into a website called Brownstoner) likely have something in our lives that others might deem "ostentatious" or "pretentious."

Truth is, I actually agree with you that the cost of pro-style ranges, and other high-end appliances has become outrageously expensive. Indeed, there was once a point in my life when, like you, I would have thought it totally absurd to even consider spending this kind of dough on a range with 6 burners and 4 ovens (one each for roasting, convection, simmering and a broiler)). But, the peculiar circumstances of my life (including the loss of my antique stove in the midst of my neverending reno - a beloved unit I'd been cooking on for over 25 years, btw) combined in such a way that this choice of the Aga 6-4 ending up making a whole lot of sense to me. And, yes, for a period style/ country kitchen remodel, the Aga's looks were very much a part of that decision. But I fail to understand why this should irk you. Would you like me to come over to your house and start speculating on where and how I think you have wasted your money?

BTW, despite my enthusiastic response, please don't read my tone as antagonistic. I'm not looking to get into a drawn-out debate with anyone over an appliance decision I've made for myself that I am quite happy to live with. At the same time, as an Aga owner, I was only hoping to share some info about the product with the OP. To each his or her own.

Posted by: Brooklynista at August 26, 2008 12:00 PM

It's pronounced Ah-Gah, MM. And I am definitely NOT a pretentious American, Aga owner and all! :)

Posted by: Brooklynista at August 27, 2008 6:19 PM

Traditionalmod, I usually dig your posts, but I think you're a bit off target this time. I actually shared a similar reaction to your post about the Brits with Townhouse Lady (although I would not have expressed in quite the same way she did). :) If you follow the line of discussion from Cmu to Dittoburg, Dittoburg doesn't come off as snobbish. He's only suggesting that countries can produce all kinds of things that can be either "good" or "bad," including America. He even qualified his reference to some of America's lemons as being "not really fair tho." Similarly, just because the Aga is a British product doesn't immediately render it suspect is the point.

Well, you are right, Hancock1 and DeepBTUz, we have definitely gotten off the track of initial point of the post. Although IMO, whenever Agas come up for discussion, this kind of passionate back and forth that strays far from the point of origin is pretty typical.

Posted by: Brooklynista at August 27, 2008 7:36 PM