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.
Joan says
Owner of a 6/4 here–and love it. Also in regards to the MCM question, Fallingwater has the original white AGA in it’s kitchen. There’s a photo of it in the cookbook by the Kaufman’s chef
magnarama says
Joan — the Kaufmans’ chef wrote a cookbook?? Do you have the name of it, or his name?
Hazel Atlas says
It was a ‘she’ and her name is Elsie Henderson. I had the pleasure to meet her, she was 100 at the time! Quite an amazing lady.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fallingwater-Cookbook-Hendersons-Memories/dp/0822943573
http://www.post-gazette.com/food/2013/08/29/Fallingwater-cook-and-author-Elsie-Henderson-turns-100/stories/201308290220
magnarama says
Thank you *so* much, Hazel Atlas! I’ve gotta have that book…
…Maggie
Allison says
The cost of an AGA isn’t so great when one realizes they are the stand-in for central heating in many European homes.
Except in rare circumstances, I don’t see many Americans being willing to “remodel” how they heat and cook for the sake of a beautifully colored solid fuel AGA.
Karen Klinedinst says
Thanks for the heads up! We’ll be renovating our kitchen in the next year in our circa 1920 Baltimore rowhouse; and one of these stoves would be perfect.
Crewmom says
Pam, would it be possible to get any info on the metal insert and cabinet pulls? Thanks so much.
pam kueber says
I have the designer’s business card “somewhere”; not sure if I will ever find it…
Mag says
I’m all eyes, Pam, if/when you find that business card. 8^)
maria says
Yes, I’d *love* a source for those cabinet pulls, they’d be the perfect in my kitchen!
Groovy Ghoulie says
Try a web search for art deco cabinet pulls.
RJK says
yes, yes, I want the source for my cabinets in my 50’s laundry room!
E says
Please, please tell me that AGA is bringing back some of those cast iron models with gas cooktops to the US market. I’m selling my house and have to leave my Aga 6/4 behind. I really would love to get another AGA, but won’t have room for the standard model plus a separate gas cooktop.
pam kueber says
I think they are already here
ineffablespace says
The AGA 6/4 which seems to be 6-burners on top like Americans would be used to, with AGA type ovens–sort of a hybrid, used to be sold in US, because I’ve seen them, but they don’t show up on the current US website (?)
But E, I would find out if the buyers want the AGA for sure, because it may be worth taking with you if you can’t get a new one.
E says
The 6/4 was sold in the US until up to two years ago. It’s still sold in Britain as the Model S. It has the traditional AGA ovens, although they are temperature controlled and not on all the time, and the gas cooktop. It’s actually perfect for the American market and cooks far better than any Viking or Wolf range.
Believe me, if the buyers didn’t want the AGA I would take it with me.
ineffablespace says
At $5500 -8000 for the 24″ and $12,000-15,000 for a 39″, the two conventional AGAs that are closest to the typical American sizes, these ranges are a commitment on several levels.
With a conventional AGA you have to relearn to cook and either be committed to a range that is always on (they use them as a heat source in UK) or have a conventional range for summer use, when the AGA is shut off.
The Elise is channeling the looks of Lacanche, which is more expensive than the AGA .
If you are selling your house, a conventional AGA would be a negative to many people because of the change in cooking style and you may need to be willing to take it out and replace it or take an essential loss on the range.
Some people really like cooking on them, and apparently it’s a completely different experience. Generally though if you are buying something because it comes in great colors, it may make more financial sense to buy appliances you like and get someone to custom paint them.
Kate says
The total control operated like a regular range and can be turned on and off, made for warmer climates it does not have to run constantly like its original British counterpart. I have a. Total control three oven with a gas module and Love it, I also live in South Carolina
Rick S says
The cost of the AGA is more affordable if you add it to a refreshed kitchen vs a gut remodel. It does look like a stove to love.
rick
Mary Elizabeth says
Rick, it all depends on where you want your money to go, right?
pam kueber says
Yes, some of us want fancy cars, while others of us want fancy kitchen appliances!
vintigchik says
And some of us cannot afford either 🙂
oh Holland says
If only I had a fancy husband with a fancy wallet … car for him, AGA for moi!
Alas …
MJ says
Or a fancy self with said wallet…both car and AGA for moi. 🙂
SLW says
I have the the 36″ Legacy dual fuel AGA. I love it! We downsized and this was my splurge – and I have no regrets. I can cook a turkey, 4 casseroles and broil cheesy bread all at once and still have the 5 burners available. I only wish I could have afforded the cast model…
Carolyn says
I’ve been reading romance novels for (ahem) years and those set in Great Britain never said they were cooking or getting warmed up at the stove but specifically at the AGA (coal or wood). Now I wonder if that term is similar to us saying the ‘fridge, maybe not so much a contraction of refrigerator but Frigidaire.
I like the trivet in the counter – how handy!
You’re right, not so much MCM but what one of your contributors called her cottage “Rural Electrification” or something like that.
Mary Elizabeth says
I think you are right, Carolyn. But in a recent novel about the Welsh detective Evan Evans, he and his bride-to-be lament about the cost of the Aga that they want to install in their renovated shepherd’s cottage.
Dan says
The original AGA was a gas stove designed to be “on” 24 hours a day. The temps on the burners and in the ovens were preset. Cooks did not adjust temperatures, but instead moved food from burner to burner or oven to oven as needed. That was the reason for the heavy cast iron construction, including those massive burner lids.
Let’s hope AGA is leading the way out of the wilderness of stainless steel and greige.
cathie says
They are lovely but completely unattainable for the average consumer because of the price. That little 24″ is over $8,000. Too bad they can’t make their product more affordable
Lizzy says
This class of stove is called a “trophy stove”. Guess why?