The 80/20 Rule of Cooking With an AGA
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If you are new to cooking with an AGA, one of the biggest mindset shifts is realising that you do not cook the same way as you would with a normal cooker.
With a standard oven and hob, most people do the majority of their cooking on the hob. The oven tends to be used mainly for roasting, baking, or the occasional traybake.
With an AGA, it is often the other way around.
The 80/20 Rule Explained
A simple way to think about AGA cooking is the 80/20 rule.
Roughly speaking:
- About 80% of cooking happens in the ovens
- About 20% happens on the hotplates
This is the opposite of how many people cook on a conventional cooker, where the hob tends to do most of the work.
Why AGA Cooking Happens Mostly in the Ovens
AGA ovens hold steady radiant heat, which makes them ideal for many everyday dishes.
Instead of standing over a pan adjusting the heat constantly, many meals can simply be placed in the oven and left to cook gently.
This works especially well for:
- Roasts
- Casseroles
- Soups
- Traybakes
- Baked puddings
- Slow cooked dishes
Because the heat is steady and reliable, the ovens end up doing most of the work.
When You Use the Hotplates
The hotplates are still important, but they are usually used for quicker tasks.
Typical jobs include:
- Boiling kettles or pans of water
- Starting sauces
- Browning meat before slow cooking
- Quick pan cooking
Often food is started on the hotplate and then moved into one of the ovens to finish cooking.
AGA Cooking Is Often More Relaxed
One reason many people enjoy AGA cooking is that it can feel less frantic. Because the ovens hold steady heat, dishes often need less attention once they are inside.
Instead of constantly adjusting temperatures or stirring pans, you can let the ovens do their job.
Learning to Trust the Ovens
For people used to conventional cookers, the hardest part is often learning to trust the ovens.
Once you start using them more regularly, it quickly becomes clear why so many AGA owners rely on them for everyday cooking.
Helpful Accessories for Everyday Cooking
If you cook frequently on your AGA, it also helps to protect the cooker from everyday splashes and marks. Many owners like using Chef’s Pads to protect the hotplate lids while cooking.
You can browse my collection of Chef’s Pads for AGA-style cookers here.
Final Thoughts
The 80/20 rule is a helpful way to understand how cooking with an AGA tends to work. Most meals rely on the steady heat of the ovens, while the hotplates are used for quicker tasks.
Once you get used to this shift, AGA cooking often becomes simpler and more enjoyable.
