How to Use the Hotplates on an AGA

If you are new to cooking on an AGA, the hotplates can feel a little intimidating at first.

They do not work like a standard hob, and there is usually a moment where you wonder whether you are meant to be in charge of them or whether they are in charge of you.

The good news is that once you understand what each plate is for, they are wonderfully simple to use.

What Are the Two Hotplates on an AGA?

Most traditional AGA-style cookers have two hotplates. One is hotter and designed for fast cooking, while the other is gentler and better for slower cooking.

• Boiling plate: the hottest plate, used for fast cooking
• Simmering plate: the cooler plate, used for gentler cooking

Once you know which is which, a lot of AGA cooking starts to make more sense.

What Is the Boiling Plate Used For?

The boiling plate is the one you use when you need strong heat and quick results.

It is ideal for:

• Boiling kettles and pans of water
• Stir frying
• Fast pan cooking
• Making toast using the right equipment
• Bringing dishes quickly up to temperature before moving them elsewhere

If a recipe needs a good blast of heat, this is usually the plate you want.

What Is the Simmering Plate Used For?

The simmering plate gives you a gentler heat, which makes it much more forgiving for everyday cooking.

It works well for:

• Sauces
• Simmering pans gently
• Scrambled eggs
• Sauteing more gently
• Drop scones and toasted sandwiches on suitable material

It is also useful when you want to slow something down a bit rather than having everything furiously bubbling away.

How to Get Better Results on the Hotplates

A few small habits make AGA hotplate cooking much easier:

• Use pans with flat bases for good contact
• Move pans between the hotter and gentler plate depending on what the food needs
• Keep the lids closed when the plates are not in use
• Do not drag pans across the enamel or lids

AGA cooking is often about moving food between heat zones rather than endlessly adjusting knobs, which is part of the charm once you get used to it.

How the Hotplates Work With the Ovens

One of the handiest ways to use an AGA is to combine the hotplates and ovens. For example, you might brown or heat something up on the boiling plate, then move it into the simmering oven to finish gently.

That sort of cooking flow is where an AGA really starts to shine.

Helpful for Everyday AGA Cooking

If you use the hotplates regularly, it helps to keep the lids looking their best too. Many AGA owners like using Chef’s Pads to help protect the hotplate lids from drips, splashes and everyday kitchen chaos.

You can browse my collection of Chef’s Pads for AGA-style cookers here.

Final Thoughts

The hotplates on an AGA are much easier to use once you stop thinking of them like a standard hob. One is there for high heat, one is there for gentler cooking, and together they make everyday cooking surprisingly flexible.

Once you get the hang of them, you will probably wonder why they seemed so mysterious in the first place.