The Aga works by releasing controlled amounts of stored heat from its heavy castings, for cooking operations.

This ensures that the different cooking areas of the Aga are always at their correct temperatures and ready to go.

When heat is removed from the ‘store’ the Aga thermostat automatically reacts and causes the burner or fire to increase, and so replenish the store.

The thermostat should not be confused with the Heat Indicator (Thermometer). The latter indicates the amount of heat stored in the castings, not the actual oven temperatures. If cooking is carried out, then the ‘store’ is robbed and the indicator will drop, taking several hours possibly to stabilise back to the centre line position.

Adjustments to the thermostat position should only be made in small stages. 24 hours should be allowed for the effects to take place. Observe the indicator first thing in the morning, before any cooking is carried out, to judge if the correct thermostat setting has been found. Don’t keep changing the setting, let it do it’s job automatically. If you are going to carry out a heavy amount of cooking, the thermostat may be turned up temporarily, to increase the amount of stored heat.

Don’t worry if the correct thermostat setting appears to be nearer the top or bottom of its range, as each cooker will vary.