The Electrickit Advanced vs The Electric Classic: What's the Difference?
The Electrickit Classic/The Electrickit Advanced
Your guidebook for choosing the right model for you
At Rural Ranges, we find that one of our most popular requests is concerning converting an Aga to Electrickit. This is a controllable Aga system that offers greater flexibility and lower energy bills, allowing you to work your Aga around busy modern lifestyles. We offer two types of Electrickit conversion: the Classic and the Advanced. Here, we take you through the key differences so you can decide what's right for you. For more information, visit our Electric conversions page, and our pages on the Advanced and the Classic Electrickit.
As a most basic snapshot, the Electrickit Classic is preferable to customers who prefer simpler technology and manual controls, while the Advanced offers more cutting edge technology, resulting in more flexibility, greater control and more ambient heat:
The Controls
Classic Electrickit Controls
A Classic Electrickit is controlled via physical control knobs inside the burner door and a digital temperature display for the top oven. This allows you to adjust the ovens and hob independently. The bottom oven automatically runs at 65% of the top oven's temperature when it's switched on, but can be boosted by using the additional oven control knob. This means that although the ovens aren't completely independent of each other, you have the capability to increase warm up times and temperature when needed. The dials will look slightly different depending on the size of your oven. On the left we have shown a picture of a 2 oven Electrickit Classic's controls, and on the right is a 3 oven. The three oven has four physical dials but no digital display.
Electrickit Advanced Controls
The Advanced is controlled via a touch screen. This comes in one of three forms: hardwired into your Aga, displayed on a stand on your worktop, or mounted on your wall, saving you from bending down. The Advanced can also be controlled via an app on your phone, meaning that you can turn your oven on or adjust the temperatures when you are out and about and it will be ready for you when you're home. This helps make the Advanced the most controllable and flexible Aga on the market. You have full temperature control of each individual oven and hob, and a versatile timer system that can be programmed in advance to not only turn your ovens on, but adjust the temperatures at certain times. You can programme the Aga for different schedules throughout the week, working your Aga around your activities.
The Ovens
Classic Electrickit Ovens
The right side of an Electrickit Aga has three elements; above, between and below the ovens. This means you can independently control the temperature and roast, simmer or bake independently. Ovens reach temperature in 48 minutes.
Advanced Electrickit Ovens
While the top oven and the layout of elements on the 2 and 4 oven Advanced is identical to the Classic, there are key added benefits. The top element is an improvement on the Classic, browning dishes more effectively. 3 and 5 ovens have an additional 700kw above and below the bottom left oven, greatly increasing cooking capabilities and precision control. Bottom ovens can now reach full roasting temperatures when needed. Another key improvement is the option of a high temperature hot cupboard for purpose-built post 1974 4 oven Agas. This is a full temperature oven that reaches temperature in 25 minutes and produces more ambient heat. For the technical lovers amongst you, the Classic uses mostly thermostats to control the temperature, while the Advanced uses thermocouples. Thermocouples read current temperatures precisely and have a better temperature tolerance than thermostats, increasingly the capacity for higher temperatures.
The Hobs
Classic Electrickit Hobs
Classic Electrickits have fully controllable cast iron hotplates. These have 8 temperature settings and are independent of each other, so you can cook multiple dishes at once over different heats. 4 oven Agas also have a warming plate which works the same way as traditional Agas, heated by the warming oven below and perfect for keeping dishes and kettles warm when the oven below is hot. Finally, there is the possibility of an induction hob upgrade for those who want even greater flexibility in their hobs.
Advanced Electrickit Hobs
The Electrickit Advanced hob has some brilliant improvements. The cast iron hotplates come with a choice of 1.4kw or 2.2kw power and saves between 19% and 21% energy compared to the Classic. It also removes the expansion ring of the Classic, creating greater space for your pans. The optional induction hobs heat up instantly, and for those with a high temperature hot cupboard, the warming plates are now powered, meaning you can use them without turning on your warming oven. The Advanced also has an added option of two different types of radiant hob, with either two separate zones or an inner and outer ring. This a ceramic hob with an impressive 24 temperature settings.
The Technical Details...
The table below gives you a snapshot as to the power capabilities of Classic and Advanced Agas and the time you can expect each oven and hotplate to reach temperature. Don't forget, you can preprogramme your Electrickit Advanced so that it is ready at temperature when you want it.
| Classic | Advanced | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotplates | Power (KW) | 1.4 | 1.4 or 2.2 |
| Full Temperature (minutes) | 23 | 23 or 15 | |
| Boiling Temperature (minutes) | 19 | 19 or 13 | |
| Simmer Temperature (minutes) | 13 | 13 or 10 | |
| Ovens RH (2 and 4 oven Agas) | Power (KW) Top/Middle/Bottom | 0.7/ 1.8/ 0.5 | 0.7/ 1.8/ 0.5 |
| Top Oven 180 (minutes) | 48 | 48 | |
| Top Oven 220 (minutes) | 61 | 61 | |
| Ovens LH (3 oven Agas | Power (KW) | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Top Oven 180 (minutes) | 70 | 70 | |
| Top Oven 220 (minutes) | 90 | 90 | |
| Warming Ovens (4 Oven Agas) | Power (KW) | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| High Temperature Hot Cupboard Upgrade | 100 (minutes) | NA | 27 |
Take a look at this table for a snapshot of the features of Electrickit Agas.
| Electrickit Features | Classic | Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Models Available | 2, 3 and 4 ovens | 2, 3, 4 and 5 ovens |
| Control Panels | Physical dials | Touchscreen |
| Wifi Controls | No- optional extra | Yes- recommended |
| Remote Control Via App | No- optional on/off | Yes- recommended |
| Remotely Adjust Temperatures | No | Yes |
| External Screen Upgrade | No | Yes- wall mounted or worktop stand |
| Automatic Hob Temperature Reduction | No | Yes- drops from setting 8 to 6 after 2 hours with the lid closed |
| Induction Hotplate Available | Yes | Yes |
| Radiant (Ceramic) Hotplate Available | No | Yes |
| 2 Ring Ceramic Hob Upgrade Available | Yes | Yes |
| High Temperature Hotplate Available | No | Yes |
| High Temperature Hotcupboard Available | No | Yes |
Power sources needed for an Electrickit Aga depend on the type of upgrades you choose. As there are more variations of the Advanced Aga, the power supply has more differation than the Classic, as seen below. The Advanced chart shows the power supplies for each of the potential hob configurations:
Electrickit Advanced Power Supply
| Hob Type | 2 Oven | 4 Oven | 4 Oven + High Temperature Hotcupboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left: 2.2 solid. Right: 1.4 solid | 32 amp | 32 amp | 40 amp |
| Left: 1.6 induction. Right: 1.4 solid | 32 amp | 32 amp | 40 amp* |
| Left: 1.6 induction. Right: 2.2 solid | 32 amp | 32 amp | 40 amp* |
| Left: 3.0 induction. Right: 1.4 solid | 32 amp | 40 amp* | 40 amp* |
| Left: 3.0 induction. Right: 2.2 solid | 40 amp* | 40 amp* | 45 amp* |
| Left: radiant. Right: 1.4 solid | 32 amp | 32 amp | 40 amp* |
| Left: radiant. Right: 2.2 solid | 40 amp* | 40 amp* | 45 amp* |
| Left: radiant. Right: radiant | 40 amp* | 40 amp* | 45 amp** |
| Left: 1.6 induction. Right: radiant | 32 amp | 40 amp* | 40 amp |
| Left: 3.0 induction. Right: radiant | 40 amp* | 40 amp* | 45 amp* |
| *cooker can be supplied with 32 amp if left hob is powered with 13amp dedicated switch fuse | **cooker can be supplied with 32 amp if left hob is powered with 13amp dedicated switch fuse | Twin radiant hob above warming oven must be pwered with 13amp dedicated switch fuse |
Electrickit Classic
| Oven Type | Power Supply |
|---|---|
| 2 oven | 1 x 32 amp |
| 3 oven | 1 x 40 amp |
| 4 oven | 1 x 32 amp |
To find out more about what the Electrickit has to offer, visit our pages on Electrickit Classic Agas and Electrickit Advanced Agas or look through our information linked to our Electric Conversions page. As always, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
