AGA Recess / Feature Surround
Creating a feature or surround really makes your AGA the focal point in the kitchen.
Often a fireplace is opened up to create a recess for the AGA.
This is usually ideal - the chimney can be used for the AGA's flue (if it's an oil or gas one) and fireplaces usually have a solid floor which can carry the cooker's weight.
You'll probably need a builder to open the recess, fit the non-combustible soffit board to close the chimney off and plaster it out ready for the AGA to be installed. We're happy to advise on what's best to do at the home survey, however there are some guidance notes below.
Dimensions and Clearances
Width
Different models are different sizes - please see the individual pages for the cooker's exact measurements. Generally a clearance to each side of 5-10mm is needed in addition to the width of the cooker to finished surfaces to ensure we can install it (and maintain it in the future).
NOTE: Dual Control gas models need an extra clearance for pipes to be installed and connected.
Height
The minimum you'll need is room for the insulating lid and a small extra clearance for your hand on the handle.
Above that we'd normally recommend some extra height so everything looks 'in proportion' with the room/ceiling and the depth of the recess. Generally aim for 1650mm to 1850mm (5'6" to 6'), a bit more if you have high ceilings, or if the recess is particularly deep (so you can't bump your head on the lintol).
Depth
There's no real 'rule' for this - if you're opening a fireplace then you'll have to work with what you find (normally about 300-450mm (12"-18"), which is fine, but if you're building a purpose-made feature round the AGA we'd recommend about 300mm-400mm; this has the best balance between 'feature' and practicality.
Do bear in mind though that the deeper (front to back) the recess is, the higher the lintol will need to be - so you don't run the risk of bumping your head!
Flues and Chimneys
If you're installing an electric AGA then there's no need to worry about what's above the cooker in an old fireplace; the flue (if there is one) can be put out of use (don't forget it needs a rain-cap at the top and trickle ventilation top and bottom).
If you're fitting a gas or oil AGA and are going to use the chimney for the cooker's flue then there are some very important notes:
The soffit board (the board closing the bottom of the chimney from the room) MUST BE NON-COMBUSTIBLE. You cannot, and must not use wood, plasterboard or anything else that might possibly burn - it's a flue don't forget!!
This also applies to anything above the soffit (in what is technically 'the flue void' - you can't have anything combustible in there at all, and it must not be 'punctured' by anything. This means NO LIGHT FITTINGS AND NO CABLES!
(If you want to have lights above the cooker fit the soffit board 150-200mm above the back of the lintol and use that space to mount the light fittings and run the cables.)
You also MUST NOT use wood battens / framework to fasten the soffit to - wood could burn so it's not a good idea for it to be near your cooker's flue! Use metal bar (or plaster-bead) instead.
We recommend using 'Glasroc Multiboard' (in a 10mm thickness) for the soffit; it's non-combustible but is also relatively easy to trim to fit the aperture, and to cut the hole for the flue pipe.
Flue Regulations
Take care when forming the recess - lights and wires must not be in the flue void.
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Recess - Minimum Recommended Dimensions
If you're at all unsure about which model of AGA you're creating a recess for please contact us before the work is finalised.
These drawings and dimensions must be seen as guidance only; they are not definitive - we can't accept any responsibility for work carried out by others.
Three Oven 'Control Series' Dual and Total Control AGAs, and AGA 7 Series
Three Oven 'Control Series' AGAs (Total Control and all-electric Dual Control) and AGA 7 Series cookers
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Three Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, conventional flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Three Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, powered flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
AGA 3 Series 'Everyday' Cookers
Three Oven eR3 AGA: 100-3/3i and 100-4/4i models
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven 'Control Series' Dual and Total Control AGAs, and AGA 7 Series
(And the AGA 60)
Five Oven 'Control Series' AGAs (Total Control and all-electric Dual Control) and AGA 7 Series cookers
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, conventional flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, powered flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
AGA 60 Heat-Storage Cooker
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Two and Three Oven 'Traditional' Heat-Storage AGAs
Two or Three Oven 13amp Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Two Oven Economy 7 Electric (30amp / Night Storage) Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Two or Three Oven Conventional Flue Gas Fired Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
 CF in recess_800.jpg)
Two or Three Oven Powered Flue Gas Fired Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
 PF in recess_800.jpg)
Four Oven 'Traditional' Heat-Storage AGAs
Four Oven 13amp Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Four Oven Gas Fired Conventional Flue Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Four Oven Gas Fired Powered Flue, or Economy 7 Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
AGAs with Integrated Electric Modules
Points to Note:
Integrated Modules always have electric ovens.
The four-zone hob can be either gas (propane / bottle gas or mains gas) or ceramic electric (not induction).
Integrated Modules always sit to the left of the 'parent' AGA.
Integrated Modules should be ordered with the main / 'parent' AGA. (Otherwise it's much more expensive and a colour match cannot be guaranteed or may not be available.)
See the Integrated Module page for more details.
Three Oven 'Control Series' AGAs and AGA 7 Series cookers with Integrated Module
Three Oven Dual Control (All-electric) or Total Control 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA, or AGA 7 Series with Integrated Electric Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Three Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, conventional flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Three Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, powered flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven 'Control Series' Dual and Total Control AGAs, or AGA 7 Series Cookers with Integrated Module
Five Oven Dual Control (All-electric) or Total Control 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA, or AGA 7 Series with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, conventional flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Five Oven Dual Control (Gas-electric, powered flue) 'Control Series' Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Two and Three Oven 'Traditional' Heat-Storage AGAs with Integrated Module
Two or Three Oven 13amp Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
M in recess_800.jpg)
Two Oven Economy 7 Electric (30amp / Night Storage) Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Two or Three Oven Conventional Flue Gas Fired Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
M CF in recess_800.jpg)
Two or Three Oven Powered Flue Gas Fired Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
M PF in recess_800.jpg)
Four Oven 'Traditional' Heat-Storage AGAs with Integrated Module
Four Oven 13amp Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Four Oven Gas Fired Conventional Flue Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
Four Oven Gas Fired Powered Flue, or Economy 7 Electric Traditional Heat-Storage AGA with Integrated Module
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
