When we walked the show floor at KBIS 2016, Pam and I noticed right away that there were a lot of booths that were almost entirely white, grey and beige. So when we spotted the colorful AGA stoves booth, it was a breath of fresh air with big smiling lollipop sprinkles on top. Color, color and more color — plus, they even had a retro inspired kitchen setup. Oh happy day!
AGA’s luxurious ranges are heavy duty cast iron and oh so cute…
This little lemon yellow model was the first one of AGA’s stoves to catch our eye…
And look — they have pink and aqua too! Plus, how cute is that little metal tin on the right side of the photo that looks like a miniature AGA stove?
This AGA City24 range is only 24 inches wide, made to fit in small apartment or home kitchens.
Where would we use these classic AGA cast-iron cooker styles?
- Pam suggests: These would be very cool in a sweetheart prewar vintage style kitchen… but maybe not so much for a midcentury kitchen, at least in the USA; she gets design cognitive dissonance at the thought because these would not have been common in midcentury American kitchens. But continue on with this story — because AGA is introducing some new options that might be a better fit, aesthetically, for our post-World-War-II kitchens.
The AGA name has been around since 1922, and the company shares a lot of fascinating historical information on their website.
AGA Elise and Falcon models — coming in 2017:
We turned the corner of the display, then saw these more contemporary-looking ranges set within a retro-modern kitchen display. This AGA range has a more appropriate look for many of our kitchens — and lookie the colors!
When we returned home, we could not find these design on the AGA website. So, we reached out to the AGA PR department, which in a flash explained:
The center range pictured is the AGA Falcon, which is flanked on both sides by the AGA Elise (shown with gas and induction cooktops). All three are new prototypes we unveiled at KBIS for feedback, and all are slated for release in 2017.
We also liked the combination island and seating area shown in the booth. It was made of a large slab of butcher block countertop, edged in aluminum edging with a checkerboard metal insert [same as used on the backsplash] in the center of the island to act as both decoration and a handy trivet.
Also notice: The simple edge-beading of the slab coors — a nice touch, more fancy than simple radius edges but still simple. And, we liked the vintage style metal cabinet pulls with ribs that mimicked the ribbing in the countertop edge.
AGA stoves are not inexpensive, but having seen them for the first time in person, I can say they are a thing of beauty — and for sure, another great option for Retro Renovators to be able to consider.
Amy szczepanski says
Oh man I never knew about the bottom freezer that’s so cool now I will be on the hunt! I own the wall mounted fridge with a GE wonder kitchen which my dad built in a booth space for me! I can tell you it is secured to the wall with a bracket piece it hooks on and also supported by sitting on the bottom piece. We actually supported it a third way for extra safety thou. It took three people to left it into place as its a few hundred pounds as you stated!
Amy szczepanski says
Oops posted on the wrong article. I am going to bed now.
magnarama says
I’m a private chef whose primary client has the big 4-oven standard gas Aga with the lift-up burner plates, plus the mini-Aga companion 24-inch — just like in the very first photo above, but cherry red. I’d never seen an Aga til I walked into that kitchen — and lemme tell you, learning to cook on it was no small feat.
Not only is it always-on, but you can’t regulate the ovens’ heat. They’re at four pre-set temps, and one upper plate is for boiling and one for simmer. And the ovens are incredibly poorly designed, very narrow and deep, with handles that have no grip openings so you have to pinch them with your wet/greasy fingers. Cleaning the interiors? Forget about it.
I can see what a boon they’d be in damp, chilly Britain, where I understand they use them not just for cooking and home heating but for drying their clothes, linens and everything else. But we’re in hot, humid South Carolina, for crissakes!
But today even in the U.K., given the modern options, the traditional AGA is just another aspirational luxury status object, for those whose kitchens are decorative rather than functional. Believe me, private chefs see lots of those kinds of kitchens.
But having gotten that out of my system, I must say I simply adore the metal-edged butcherblock island and countertops shown above in their display booth. AGA should start selling those!
Kathy says
Been drooling over those since I saw them on “the Two Fat Ladies” BBC cooking shows on PBS. Great for cooking long and slow. Oh well, have to content myself with a crockpot.
Or the 60’s style crockpot–an ovenproof dish cooking some “Stayabed Stew” all day in the oven. From the “I Hate to Cook” cookbook by Peg Bracken, a fun read (and decent recipes actually) if you can find it! (Just substitute frozen or fresh for some of the canned ingredients).
http://community.tasteofhome.com/community_forums/f/30/t/716828.aspx
Laura says
I have been wishing for a 40″ range with an induction cooktop & the Aga Elise looks very much like the Rangemaster Elise available in the UK. I can’t wait for it to be introduced! Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
Joe Felice says
That does it! I’ve just got to go to KBIS next year.
Karin says
Great post. I first saw Agas when I read British books on kitchen decor. They seem to be very popular in the UK and Europe. My British friends tell me that many older homes in Britain don’t have central heating, which may be why the Agas were designed to be left on. Fun fact-Prince Charles has at least one of these that he uses to whip up gourmet meals sourced from his organic farm. Hmmm, must be chilly in those old estates. So if you have the scratch, you too can cook like the royals, lol.
Lizzy says
Exactly – Here on the Gulf Coast we have only a few cold days most years. I have a 1200 square foot mid century modest. and cold days are when I fire up the oven and cook for the freezer. It heats the house perfectly! I have central heat but running the oven is more comfortable.
I also have a big, drafty, 1805 plantation house out in the middle of nowhere. I completely understand why the British use an Aga for heat; retrofitting central into old houses like that is tricky at best, often impossible, costs a fortune! By geographical quirk, that house gets a winter, and we have to use fireplaces plus gas heaters. It is Not Romantic! It’s cold. And ones allergies go nuts from the smoke. I’m sure the British love a nice clean warm Aga instead of the hassle of fires, or underheating in general.
lynda says
The induction looks interesting. One fact about induction, you do not need the strong fan hood like the gas ranges need. Also, since the glass top does not heat up, they are much easier to clean up spills. I wonder if the range would still have the gas ovens, or be all electric? I remember seeing a large red gas AGA at one of the Home Expo Design stores before it closed. (the ones Home Depot owned)
Gorgeous ranges, for sure. You might even have to shore up flooring in some kitchens with the weight of all that cast iron!
Pat says
I just don’t think I could get used to an oven door without a window, I would be opening the door way too much to check on stuff.
Joan says
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340866265520973526/
Here’s a link with the photo of Fallingwater’s kitchen–warm and welcoming : )