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The Top Plate
The top plate is the enamelled surface surrounding the
hotplates. It will become warm when the AGA Dual
Control hotplates are in use. Although it is not a cooking
surface you can use the warmth for a number of useful
activities, which more often than not save time and
washing-up! These include warming honey or syrup in
the jar, or melting butter or chocolate in a basin - so
saving on melting over a saucepan - but do please put
the basin on a cork mat or folded piece of kitchen towel
to avoid scratching the enamel. Although it is durable
and hard-wearing surface vitreous enamel is glass and
will show scratch marks!
The top plate when warm can also be used to rest a cup
of coffee or tea or dry off awkwardly shaped tins, peelers
or food mixer and processor parts.
The Hotplates
The hotplates are operated manually.
The boiling plate is on the left hand side and the
simmering plate is on the right hand side of the AGA
Dual Control. The boiling plate is the hottest with the
simmering plate being the cooler of the two. They both
have electric elements embedded into the cast iron
which heat up in approximately 11 and 8 minutes
respectively. The hotplates can be used completely
independently from the ovens.
This means the AGA Dual Control differs from the
traditional AGA heat storage range in that they can be
used for the entire cooking time of appropriate dishes
because the design keeps the hotplates at a constant
heat, whereas the traditional AGA range continues to
cook on a falling heat so for these we recommend
starting on the hotplates then transferring to the ovens,
this can be done with the AGA Dual Control but is not
necessary. For instance, if making a pasta dish with
sauce on the AGA Dual Control, it can all be done on the
hotplates.
The whole hotplate area can be used for cooking and
several pans can be accomodated on a single plate at
any one time. The hotplates are set very slightly above
the top plate to avoid accidental scratching if the pans
are pulled to one side. Do not drag the utensils from one
plate to another as the enamel will suffer!
The stainless steel insulated covers are brought down
over the hotplates when they are not in use. When the
hotplates are ‘on’ the insulated covers will be warm. We
strongly advise
not to put anything such as kettles,
saucepans or baking pans directly onto the insulated
covers because they will show any scratches - invest in
a pair of chef’s pads to protect the surface if the covers
are to be used as resting places!
Keep the hotplates clear of any burnt on food or crumbs
by brushing with the wire brush, supplied with your AGA.
Cleaning details can be found on Page 23.
Hotplate Control
To operate the boiling plate turn the control knob to the
position and similarly to the for the simmering
plate.
To turn both plates on turn knob to position.
The Boiling Plate
The hottest hotplate, the boiling plate is used for boiling,
griddling, stir-frying, making toast - indeed anything that
requires a high heat. Green vegetables keep their colour
when boiled quickly here, or use a steamer over the
saucepan to cook more than one vegetable at once.
When stir-frying or cooking anything that is inclined to
splash we would recommend using an AGA Splash
Shield which will protect the insulated cover from
splatter, making cleaning a doddle! Just wash the Splash
Shield in hot soapy water or place in a dishwasher
between two dinner plates.
Please be advised the boiling plate is too hot to cook
food on directly.
The Simmering Plate
The simmering plate is the cooler of the two hotplates
and so is used for recipes that require a lower heat such
as making sauces, scrambling eggs, heating milk, slow
frying, simmering soups and root vegetables. In addition,
it can be used to cook on directly as a form of griddle -
invaluable for toasted sandwiches, quesadillas, soups,
drop scones, searing scallops and even a non-fat fried
egg! Slow cooked toast can be made on the simmering
plate, no need here to use the AGA toaster.
The same size as the boiling plate, the simmering plate
is also machined flat to give the best all-over contact
with the AGA saucepans, grill pan, frying pan and kettle.
Cleaning details can be found on Page 23.
17
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