Cast-iron ovens are so much more than just a means of cooking, they can be a statement piece that brings comfort to the home.
It might not surprise you to learn that a number of professional chefs are huge fans of range cookers, with both Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood having one of the cast-iron ovens in their homes.
“Once you’ve had a range cooker, there’s no going back,” says Kathryn Lowe, Head of Marketing at AGA. “They off er everything a cook could need – with more ovens and a large hob space than a built-in cooker, you get everything wrapped up in a gorgeous package.” AGA has been producing its instantly recognisable cookers since 1922: they were actually invented by Nobel Prize-winning Swedish physicist Gustaf Dalén. “Things just taste better when cooked in an AGA, and the ovens provide such cosy, useful warmth in the kitchen,” continues Lowe.
“The warmth that an AGA cooker adds to a kitchen goes beyond the physical. It becomes a gathering point. It’s a commitment to a lifestyle that values quality, tradition and the simple joy of sharing good food with loved ones,” says Matthew Bates, founder of Blake & Bull, which specialises in remanufacturing AGA range cookers and can also convert carbonemitting oil and gas run cookers to electric.
People invest in a range cooker for a number of reasons. Style plays a part – what country kitchen is complete without one? – but a range cooker and oven’s functionality is the ultimate draw. Most made today are all-electric and programmable with heat-storage ovens that can be controlled independently. They also have hotplates with speedy heat up times.
Today’s ovens come in all shapes and sizes – Everhot has 12 different options in seven different sizes, all handcrafted using traditional methods in Gloucestershire and runs regular demonstrations at its Coaley Mill HQ to showcase the wonders of its ovens. The Everhot Cookbook (given free when you buy an oven) showcases 97 recipes for sweet and savoury dishes, breads and preserves. The company also regularly posts recipes on its website.
Benefits of cast-iron
Freestanding range cookers are bigger and much more versatile than regular ovens. As the heat is released steadily, whether you are baking, grilling or roasting, it ensures a gentler cooking process. This locks in moisture, flavour and texture, meaning food just tastes better.
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