Richard Greenwood, entrepreneurial businessman and owner of the entire West Yorkshire operation of oven valeting business, Ovenu, talks about the importance of maintaining ovens, focusing on making the most out of the versatile Aga cooker.
There is no doubting the fact that the ever-versatile Aga is back in fashion as the booming property market sends demand for the famous cast-iron cookers to the highest levels since before the recession hit. Orders of the near £10,000-a-time cookers were running 15 per cent higher than last year as more people move home, and spend that bit extra on doing up the kitchen. The resurgence of the Aga and range cookers can in part be put down to their lower running costs with the introduction of the electric Aga. The electric version can be run for £5 a week, compared with £25 for older oil-based ovens. It is still largely seen as an aspirational brand but it is slowly and surely also attracting a younger, more cosmopolitan customer.
My own oven valeting business has serviced increasing numbers of jobs involving Agas and range cookers, and business has increased in this area by 15% compared to last year.
But what is it that makes the Aga so desirable?
As well as being large in appearance with multiple means of cooking, the Aga can absorb heat from a low intensity, allowing for maximum performance, as well as making homes more energy efficient. Unlike a traditional oven, which simply heats food with direct heat, the radiant heat from an Aga's cast iron gently cooks food that locks in its flavour. Its design alone was voted as one of the top three design icons in the 20th Century, and is available in a range of colours, allowing the Aga to blend into multiple kitchen settings.
One of my customers, Sue Alderson, who is a director at Azure Consulting, a Wakefield-based coaching and leadership specialist, shares the view that the Aga is the premier kitchen appliance.
"The versatility of the Aga is what sets it ahead of the rest," she explains. "It is fantastic for slow cooking, and its multiple ovens allow for even more multi-tasking in the kitchen. They may cost more to run, as my husband keeps telling me, but its performance and satisfaction that it brings cannot be underestimated. They're also marvellous for baking meringues!
Sue added: "Finding the time to clean the oven can be difficult, and when you do decide to confront the challenge head on, sometimes you cannot get into all of the areas, so it is important to see the job all the way through because the oven is such an important appliance in the home."
Oven cleaning remains one of the most hated chores, according to many surveys, and this is why it is rarely tackled. However, this can leave a build-up of fatty deposits, which poses a serious health hazard, so, the importance of a fully functional and clean oven cannot be under-estimated. Many Aga loyalists report that owning an Aga can put the joy back into cleaning and that they are also more likely to maintain it to keep it looking pristine.
A clean and operational oven has many benefits, one of which is the ability to leave your food tasting better than ever as it will distribute its heat far more efficiently than a dirty oven. Also, a cleaner oven takes less energy to get to the desired temperature and will also retain its heat far better than a dirty oven.
It can also prove to be a cheaper option than having to spend money on a new appliance, saving homeowners a lot of hassle.
"It puts your mind at ease that a professional is tending to something that you rely upon on a daily basis," Sue explained. "I am always extremely satisfied with the professionalism of the job, which transforms my Aga to near new condition, and one thing less to worry about."
There's no denying that the Aga is becoming one of the most sought after kitchen appliances, for many reasons. With the economy improving and homeowners becoming more comfortable in spending money on ways to improve their homes, the Aga is becoming something of a mini boom industry.
For more information about and contact details for Ovenu West Yorkshire, please visit: http://www.ovenuleedsnorthwest.net/