HEART OF THE HOME CONT .
BURLANES INTERIORS © Sarah London
HOW TO INSTALL YOUR AGA
So you ’ ve got your heart set on an AGA , how to go about installing it ? According to Gena , ‘ It ' s a good decision to install your AGA before other kitchen units . The floor should be sturdy and solid , such as concrete or stone . If your floor is wooden , then you ' ll need to install a floating floor to heatproof the base and support the weight as well . You shouldn ' t have cables or electric sockets behind your AGA . You ' ll need electricity for the flue fan , but make sure they ' re isolated . AGAs also need air from the outside to burn safely , even the models that don ' t need fuel will require a vent in order to remove cooking smells . All this boils down to AGA installation being a complex job that can take two technicians all day to complete .’
Luckily for all of us a little overwhelmed by all the requirements of installing this one-of-a-kind cooker , AGA actually provides an installation and delivery service , depending on the model you ’ ve chosen , as well as offering all the pre-installation information you ’ ll need . In Kent there are also a wealth of local installers ready to assist . Sevenoaks-based Burlanes ( burlanes . com ), a registered AGA supplier , provides a telephone consultation once you have purchased your range , ensuring that everything is in place for the installation and that everything will run smoothly once their engineers arrive , giving purchasing your AGA that personal touch !
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR AGA
An AGA cooker can last for decades if it is taken care of properly , and luckily the maintenance process for an AGA is pretty simple – it ’ s mostly got to do with keeping it clean . Karen explains ; ‘ Cleaning an AGA is simple as it does not require too much upkeep as the heat burns off most food spills , but AGA do sell great products to make sure your appliance always looks beautiful . With everything from e-cloths , hot plate and wire brushes , scrapers and enamel cleaners ; and of course simply use good old fashioned warm soapy water . Some of the latest electric models have easy to remove doors for cleaning the inner panels . For the domed lids you can buy splash shields that neatly fit on the lid as a splashback , these are washable and reusable .’ Gena also advises you to clean the enamel coating at least once a day with the help of a wire brush , the hot plates can be cleaned with a damp cloth and dried afterwards to avoid rust .
The warmth from an AGA is the kind that draws you in and comforts you , not the scalding kind , nor the overwhelming kind ; a simple soft warmth that spreads through the home and infiltrates your soul . The warmth makes the kitchen more of a family room than ever before , with people gathering round to defrost after a bitterly cold winter ’ s day . Stories are to be shared in front of your AGA , hugs are to be given , hot chocolate drank , and warm hearty meals are to be deliciously cooked to perfection . The magic of the ever-present warmth somehow gives us permission to reconnect with loved ones and to spend our most precious hours in the heart of our home chatting and laughing – the way life should be lived .
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