What Can You Cook in the Simmering Oven on an AGA?
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The simmering oven is one of the handiest parts of an AGA, but it is also the one many people underuse at first.
If you are not quite sure what to cook in it, you are definitely not alone. A lot of AGA owners start off using the roasting oven and baking oven more confidently, while the simmering oven gets treated like the mysterious quiet one in the corner.
The truth is, it is incredibly useful once you get into the habit of using it.
What Is the Simmering Oven Best For?
The simmering oven is designed for gentle, low temperature cooking. It is ideal for dishes that benefit from slow cooking, steady heat, and a bit of time.
It works especially well for:
- Meals with lots of flavour that improve as they cook slowly
- Dishes that need to stay moist and tender
- Food you want to put in and largely leave alone
If that sounds suspiciously like the dream, that is because it is.
Easy Meals You Can Cook in the Simmering Oven
There are plenty of everyday dishes that work beautifully in the simmering oven, including:
- Casseroles
- Stews
- Chilli
- Soups
- Curries
- Slow cooked beef dishes
- Pulled chicken
- Rice pudding
- Overnight porridge
These are the sort of meals that suit busy days. You can get them started, close the oven door, and get on with your life.
Unexpected Things You Can Cook in the Simmering Oven
It is not just for casseroles either. The simmering oven is also useful for:
- Baked apples
- Poached fruit
- Cheesecakes and heavier puddings
- Melting chocolate gently
- Steaming vegetables in stacked pans
- Warming plates
- Keeping dishes hot before serving
Once you start thinking of it as a gentle, all-round useful oven rather than just a slow-cooker substitute, you will probably use it more often.
How Long Does Food Take in the Simmering Oven?
Cooking times depend on the recipe and the dish you are using, but as a rough guide:
- Casseroles and stews: around 2 to 3 hours
- Soups: around 1.5 to 2 hours
- Rice pudding: around 2 hours
- Slow cooked meats: around 3 to 5 hours
Some dishes can happily stay in longer, especially if you are aiming for meat that falls apart beautifully.
Tips for Better Results
- Use a lidded casserole dish to keep moisture in
- Bring casseroles or soups up to heat on the hob first if you want to speed up cooking
- Use the floor of the oven for gentler heat
- Use the shelf for slightly more heat
These little tweaks make a big difference, especially when you are still figuring out what your own AGA likes best.
Why the Simmering Oven Suits Everyday Life
One of the nicest things about the simmering oven is that it suits real life. It works well when you are busy, when you want low effort meals, or when you simply do not fancy standing over the hob all evening.
It is one of those parts of an AGA that can make cooking feel calmer and easier.
Helpful for Regular AGA Use
If you use your AGA most days, it also helps to keep the lids protected from drips, splashes and kitchen chaos. That is why many people like to use Chef’s Pads while cooking.
You can browse my collection of Chef’s Pads for AGA-style cookers here.
Final Thoughts
The simmering oven is far more versatile than many people realise. From casseroles and soups to puddings and porridge, it is brilliant for gentle cooking and everyday convenience.
Once you start using it properly, it quickly earns its keep.
