Our eControl x2 User Guide

This guide is intended for our own customers who have had our eControl Series x2 System installed.


Welcome to life with an ‘eControl Converted’ Aga Cooker!


Your engineer would have talked through the system before they left site, but sometimes it’s handy to have things written down to reference them, so we’ve put this guide together. If you still have any questions after reading through all the information, just get in touch - we're happy to help!


The 'Burn Off' Period


For the initial burn off, we recommend the below settings. Control panel diagram and instructions on how to set the temperature are inside the manufacturer’s user guide.


Top RH oven set to 220/240c.

Bottom RH oven set to 180/200c.

If you have a 3 oven model, your bottom left oven set to 120c.

If you have a 4 oven model, turn your whole hotcupboard on.


Hotplates on full for half an hour to an hour with the lids open (to burn off the oil).

After the oil has burnt off, turn them to ECO and close the lids.


Leave the Aga Cooker at these temps for at least 4-8 hrs (preferably overnight). This will allow any sealants used and coatings to burn off. You might notice some smells, smoke and slight sizzling/clanking sounds - this is normal, as the insulation 'sweats' during it's first exposure to heat and the elements heat up. Once smells and any smoke dissipates, you can start using your cooker.


Jump To:

Quick Start Points The Control Panel The Hotplates The Ovens Cleaning Manufacturer User Guide Download

Quick Start Points

  • Wipe up any condensation as soon as possible. During the burn off period, you might see some condensation drip from the front return edge of the top plate, down the enamel front plate. This should be wiped away asap. If left, those drips could stain your enamel permanently. It's only a concern during the initial heat up period.

  • Your solid hotplates will turn a brown colour when the oil is burning off. After about an hour, the oil should be burnt off, so you can reduce the temperature and close the lid to leave the cooker to complete the rest of the burn-off.

  • The hotplates are designed to sit slightly higher than the enamel surface. This is to mimic the newer Aga cooker models and prevent any scratching to the enamel surfaces around the hotplate.

  • There may be some sealants used during the installation, which will need time to cure. It's best to avoid cleaning or fiddling with the Aga cooker for the first few hours at least, to let things set and cure.


The Control Panel

Once you've used the control panel for a few weeks, it'll become second nature.


The screen can seem intimidating but it's easy when you know how!


The Main Controls:

  • The two selector dials on the left hand side. One for your hotplates, One for the ovens.
  • The two temperature dials at the top right are your two hotplates.
  • The other temperature dials are for the respective ovens.
  • The screens display the current temperature in the ovens. When adjusted, they display the target temperature, then return to display the current.
  • The temperatures may fluctuate until the cast iron is fully saturated with heat, but use them as 'guides' rather than exact temperatures (which aren't possible in an AGA due to the way it cooks!)
  • The hotplate circular indicator lights will illuminate when they're heating up, and turn off when they reach the set temperature.


For 4 Oven Models, the hotcupboard (left hand side of the Aga), is controlled via the push button. The ovens will reach pre-set temperatures of simmering and a warming oven below.


When the grill button is pressed, it will automatically turn on the top oven element, turning the roof of the oven into a 'grill'.


If you have an external fan configuration, you should limit the fan for times when you're cooking moisture-rich food, or need to crisp up dishes. You should always turn the fan off after use, as the external motors can easily burn out.

Hotplates

  • Each hotplate can be controlled independently from the respective dials on the control panel. Hotplate usage won’t affect oven temperatures, and they are both capable of reaching 370c which is hotter temperatures than traditional models. There are no temperature markings, but half way would give you rough simmering temperatures, and full whack will give you a fierce 370c!

  • The induction hob will “blink” when receiving power, so a constant flashing of the power button is normal. When it’s turned on, you might hear a fan, which is normal. If you see an E0 error, check that your pan is compatible with induction, or the majority of the pan is on the induction zone.

  • We recommend limiting your hotplate temperature to ECO (or OFF) when the lids are closed. This helps to keep a safe temperature for preventing scorching but also reduces your energy consumption. If your hotplates are left at boiling temperature continuously, your hotplate might​ get hotter than normal.

  • If your solid hotplates are left above boiling temperatures for 3hrs, they will automatically turn down to ECO.

  • If you have two solid hotplates, your left hand hotplate has a slightly more powerful element inside, so you’ll find it may heat up quicker. Your right hand hotplate will have some heat in it if the ovens are on (due to the hot air rising up from the ovens).

  • If you want to cook directly on the solid hotplate, we recommend using Bake-O-Glide to prevent any sticking and mess. Keep the temperature at a simmering setting – boiling temp is too hot for the Bake-O-Glide.

The Ovens

  • Your oven elements are staggered. Two for the top oven (one element above the oven, one element below the top oven), and one for the bottom oven (below the bottom oven). 4 Oven models have another element controlling the whole left-hand section of the cooker.


  • Your top oven needs to be at 200c or more for the grill button to work. This turns off the lower top oven element and turns on the element above the top oven - essentially turning the roof of the oven into a grill. It has a maximum duration of 15 minutes, and will revert to previous settings after it times out.


  • The solid cast iron ovens work well when they’re saturated with heat, so you can utilise your ‘rest’ settings to lower the cooker into a lower slumber temperature (eg, 100c), when not in use - so there’s always some heat in the ovens). It’ll reduce heat up times and give you better temperature regulation in the oven, but you can always turn it off and on from cold if preferred.


  • The floor of the top oven will be hotter than you might be used to. This is due to the big oven elements underneath. It’s perfect for chucking bread on the oven floor to make quick toast, but if you’re cooking quiches or following traditional recipes that use the floor of the oven, be aware that it can burn quickly. You can use your grill shelf to raise trays off the floor of the oven if needed.


  • If you have an independent warming plate, it doesn't have the same temperature regulation as your hotplates or ovens. Press the hotcupboard button once, and it will turn green - this means your warming plate is heating. You should only leave it on for a couple of minutes to heat through, then turn it off. This stops the plate from heating up and becoming scorching hot. If you press your hotcupboard button again, the plate will turn off and the whole hotcupboard will heat. Your warming plate will receive passive heat from the ovens below.


  • The temperatures may be +/-10c. Aga Cookers use radiant heat to cook, so accurate temperatures are unheard of! Think of them as a guide - it's likely the main reason why brand new AGA Cookers don't have temperature displays; they only have pre-set numbered settings. Heat can be conducted through the cooker when parts are on, so some ovens/hotplates may feel warm, even if they're off.



Cleaning Your Aga Cooker:

Cleaning the Hotplates:


Any burnt-on crumbs on your solid cast hotplates can be cleaned with some fine steel to ensure good pan-to-hotplate contact. You want your pans to have a thick solid base and not 'rock' on the hotplate, if they're warped. If you're finding slow heat up times or "low temperatures", check your pan bases are level and machined flat.


The hotplates have a thick metal plate which may get slightly scratched/stained over time. Induction/ceramic hobs can be wiped down with a warm damp cloth after use, and toughened dirt can be cleaned using glass cleaners. Some people prefer to use a silicone mat on the induction hob to prevent any scratches from pans.


Cleaning the Ovens:


The ovens are original cast iron, so you can use fine steel wool to clean any surface rust and hoover it out when cool. Most spills/food will carbonise when left in the oven for long periods, then you can sweep it out.


Cleaning your Enamel:


The vitreous enamel surfaces should be wiped down with a warm damp cloth after each use. Officially, you should only use approved enamel cleaners (preferably bought direct from AGA Rangemaster), but personally, we use diluted fairy liquid in a spray bottle on our own aga at home. We've found that most 'enamel cleaners' leave streaks and require 'buffing' after cleaning - life's too short for that!!


For tougher grease build up over time, you might need a 'glass scraper' (widely available online). Wet the surface then hold the scraper at a 45 degree angle and scrape the grease off without lifting the scraper. Make sure you change the blade regularly to prevent any scratching.