How To Use Your Aga R7; Getting To Know Your Aga - AGA R7 100-3 User's Manual & Installation Instructions

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How to use your AGA R7

Getting to know your AGA

If you have not already seen a demonstration, ask your AGA
Specialist for details. A demonstration will show you how
to get the best from your new AGA and will give you hints
and tips. You will also see a selection of AGA utensils and
accessories being used.
To get the very best performance from your cooker we
recommend AGA saucepans with heavy 6mm Superthermic
encapsulated base and stacking lids so that the maximum
use of oven space is made and an AGA kettle for boiling
water
Top Plate
The top plate is the enamelled surface surrounding the
hotplates. It will become warm when the R7 hotplates are
in use. Although it is not a cooking surface you can use the
warmth for a number of useful activities, which more often
than not save time and washing-up! These include warming
honey or syrup in the jar, or melting butter or chocolate in
a basin - so saving on melting over a saucepan - but please
put the basin on a cork mat or folded piece of kitchen towel
to avoid scratching the enamel. Although it is durable and
hard-wearing surface vitreous enamel is glass and will show
scratch marks!
The top plate when warm can also be used to rest a cup of
coffee or tea or dry off awkwardly shaped tins, peelers or
food mixer and processor parts.
Hotplates
The hotplates operate separate from the ovens and are
independent of each other.
The boiling plate is on the left hand side and the simmering
plate is on the right hand side of the R7. The boiling plate
is the hottest with the simmering plate being the cooler
of the two. They both have electric elements embedded
into the cast iron which heat up in approximately 11 and 8
minutes respectively. The hotplates can be used completely
independently from the ovens.
This means the R7 differs from the traditional AGA heat
storage cooker in that they can be used for the entire
cooking time of appropriate dishes because the design keeps
the hotplates at a constant heat, whereas the traditional AGA
cooker continues to cook on a falling heat so for these we
recommend starting on the hotplates then transferring to
the ovens, this can be done with the R7 but is not necessary.
For instance, if making a pasta dish with sauce on the R7, it
can all be done on the hotplates.
The whole hotplate area can be used for cooking and several
pans can be accommodated on a single plate at any one
time. The hotplates are set very slightly above the top plate
to avoid accidental scratching if the pans are pulled to one
side. DO NOT drag the utensils from one plate to another as
the enamel will suffer!
The stainless steel insulated covers are brought down over
the hotplates when they are not in use. When the hotplates
are 'on' the insulated covers will be warm. We strongly advise
not to put anything such as kettles, saucepans or baking tins
directly onto the insulated covers because they will show any
scratches - invest in a pair of chef's pads to protect the surface
if the covers are to be used as resting places!
Keep the hotplates clear of any burnt on food or crumbs
by brushing with the wire brush, supplied with your AGA.
Cleaning details can be found on "Cleaning & Caring" page
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