October 2015 - Please note that we now have a new website here:- www.tradcookers.com
Currently I am taking a break from re-conditioning Agas myself as I am busy marketing our new Snugburner to fit Agas and Rayburn OF7 and OF22's .If you want a reconditioned Aga I can put you in touch with a supplier .We have a few Agas left in stock for DIY reconditioning if you want a BARGAIN for around £1000 stripped and checked We do however have many trade friends who will supply the cooker and we can come and fit the burner. Tell me WHAT YOU WANT and where you live and I will source you a cooker!
Coming in soon. Sky Blue model OC. basket case for you to collect and rebuild £1200. Snugburner to suit only £1220. bargain cooker!
examples of cooker previously done , fitted Jan 2004. Original front, newly enamelled tops, domes and chrome bits £5000
example . 1950's deluxe , re-enamelled dark blue , October 2003, with Bianca proud owner!
If you fancy it as it is, fine - I prefer you to visit my store and see it, but will take close up photos of any chips on the enamel and send them to you by post or e mail - the last thing I want is to deliver a cooker and you reject it! My store is in North Wales about 6 miles SE of Wrexham Full directions supplied but most find it from LL13 0LQ
(a) Choosing your model
Despite Aga themselves telling you that the ONLY good Aga is a new one from the factory at £5500 upwards there is healthy market both in the UK and abroad for properly reconditioned cookers.
Let`s face facts , The Aga is made of of cast iron, like claw leg baths, and designed to last a life time .In the early years they came with a 10 year guarantee! Like a car ,most bits can be renewed - but unlike a car its DIFFICULT to wear out the body!
The commonest version for reconditioning is the SOLID FUEL model, designated the Model C or CB ( cooker or cooker with boiler). They normally had cream cast iron LIDS but I can do both! Originally only the 4 oven versions had CHROME DOMES. This in 1941 became the STANDARD model ( manufacture was standardised across the foundries)
Distinguished by small rectangular ash pit door & grill underneath, both oven are the same size. Made 1941-1972 in UK.Only made to burn SMOKELESS FUEL, coke , - never wood!
In 1956 they introduced the Deluxe Solid Fuel. Note "step" behind domes. Air inlet thermostat on left , dial for air intake , hobs have plugs in the centre for fuelling / soot cleaning .It was super-ceded in 1974 so we know this model as the PRE 74 DELUXE. It's my favourite - the model I have had in my last 2 homes.
There were 4 oven versions made of both models. These DIDN'T heat water
This is a PRE 74 - note the wise "shelf" behind the domes , ideal for salt , pots etc
This is POST 74 top - no room for anything!
You can only keep your salt on the shelf of a PRE 74 model!
New conversions are available for fitting to Agas of any age - yes , even going back to the 30`s - so if you are offered an old one that you think would suit - don't let it's AGE put you off. But ring me before you buy it & I will advise on what to check!
There are 2 different sorts of conversion available
The conversion fitted IN THE KITCHEN is obvious as the Aga front plate will have new pipes running along it and into the ash pit area. These can be oil or gas supply pipes and can be run lots of different ways but all LOOK UGLY! Their advantage was a much cheaper job to fit than the second choice but the disadvantage is that the bottom oven doesn't usually get as hot as before.- it looses 100oF on an oil conversion.
The conversion involving a full strip and rebuild should give you similar performance to a factory supplied model for that fuel. However you must be careful as it depends on a lot of factors, not all due to the supplier of the cooker. Some things that can result in a badly performing Aga are
Flue - Lack of ventilation- Badly commissioned burner,-contaminated fuel - oil tank not high enough - gas line too small - dirt in the gas pipe - the list goes on and on!
I would be very careful if the supplier of your cooker won't build it or commission it . That's a bit like buying a car without an MOT .
So MOST IMPORTANT RULE IS BUY FROM SOMEONE WHO OFFERS A BUILT COOKER ,commissioned and up and running.