For a century AGA has been bringing life to the kitchen. We have deep roots in Shropshire – the birthplace of industry – and it is where AGA cookers are still made today.
AGA has been at the heart of homes for over 100 years. But our story began with a need, and a spark of innovation.
In 1922, Swedish Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. Gustaf Dalén invented the first AGA cooker. Dalén, blinded in a terrible accident, was convalescing at home when he realised his wife was using a range that was dangerous, dirty and exceptionally time consuming.
He wanted to create a cooker that was instead clean, economical to run, easy to use and which produced great food with the minimum fuss. In doing so, he invented a cooker that changed the lives of cooks the world over.
That spirit of thoughtful design and enduring quality continues to define AGA to this day.
The AGA was an immediate success and came to Britain in 1929. It has been at home ever since.
It was during the 1930s that Britain’s love affair with the AGA really took hold. A key player in this success was David Ogilvy, who went on to found the leading advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather. While at AGA he wrote The Theory and Practice of Selling an AGA Cooker, which has been described by Fortune magazine as ‘the finest instruction manual ever written’.
During the war years the AGA played its part. The British government placed orders for AGA cookers for munitions works, communal feeding centres and hospitals. Demand rose steeply from families too and the waiting period for a new cooker was more than six months.
In 1947 the company began manufacturing its cookers in Shropshire, where they are still made today.
For 34 years, the AGA had been available only in cream, but in 1956 all that changed. The introduction of the new AGA models in pale blue, pale green, grey and white proved hugely popular with AGA lovers. It was around the same time that the famous AGA chrome-plated lid domes were introduced.
The 1960s saw the first iconic black AGA lozenge logo, which is still used today. But the changes introduced during this time weren’t just cosmetic – solid fuel was falling out of fashion as people wanted cleaner, more convenient energy sources. This led to the launch of oil and gas-fired AGA cookers. The 1970s saw the launch of further new colours, including black, which still proves hugely popular today.
Publication of The AGA Book established Mary Berry as the definitive AGA writer, with the Mail on Sunday describing her as being “to AGA what Pavarotti is to opera”. It was also during this decade that the term ‘AGA saga’ was coined by novelist Terence Blacker to describe a genre of literature dealing with British country life.
In 1985, AGA launched a landmark model – the 2-oven EC2, marking its debut as the first electric AGA range cooker. This innovation was followed by the 4-oven EC4 in 1987. Both models retained the cherished traditional features of AGA cookers but required no flue, offering greater flexibility in placement and installation.
During the early 1980s, AGA celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its status as a British institution was highlighted in 1981 when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the AGA factory. She was shown a brand new AGA in blue. “It’s a lovely colour,” she said, a smile hinting that she thought the choice of shade hinted at a political allegiance. “It was red yesterday!” countered the company chairman to much laughter.
In 2003, the launch of the 3-oven AGA cooker marked an engineering breakthrough, maintaining the same footprint as the 2-oven model that had been the standard for 80 years. This advancement introduced a baking oven, significantly enhancing cooking capacity and versatility.
The introduction of the 13-amp electric model in 2004, equipped with a standard household plug, revolutionised the AGA range. This model required no flue, allowing it to be installed almost anywhere in the kitchen, greatly expanding its accessibility.
Since 2010, the AGA cooker has continued to evolve with the launch of numerous new models. Notably, the AGA Total Control was introduced, offering independently controlled features for the first time. This period also saw the debut of the AGA Dual Control, the compact AGA 60, and the expansive 5-oven AGA, catering to a wide range of culinary needs and kitchen spaces.
While steeped in history, AGA is always looking ahead.
In 2018 the AGA eR3 Series collection was launched. This range features state-of-the-art induction hobs and numerous innovative features, including a 90-litre fan oven. The cookers are available in sizes ranging from 60cm to 170cm.
In 2019, the introduction of the electric AGA 7 Series models marked another milestone. The AGA eR7 offers additional flexibility as individual heat storage ovens are more controllable and hotplates can be left on while others may be switched off to save energy.
And in 2023 we launched ERA by AGA, , a fusion of technology and design where heritage meets modernity. This range utilises glass extensively for the first time, creating a striking, unified aesthetic.
Today, we’re investing in cutting-edge research and product development, exploring energy-efficient heating, smart controls, and sustainable materials. Our aim: to honour our heritage while designing for the modern kitchen, and for a more environmentally conscious future.
AGA cookers have always been built to last. But they’ve also evolved with the times. From colour choice and control systems to fuel flexibility and smart tech, we continue to lead with design that’s both timeless and forward-thinking.
