AGA gone out? What to check first

Most cookers that go cold have a problem with the fuel supply, a thermostat or a safety cut-out. You can safely check the fuel and the power yourself. Anything to do with the burner is a job for an engineer registered for your fuel.

If you can smell gas or oil

For a smell of gas, don't use the cooker or any switches near it, open the windows, turn off the gas at the meter if you can reach it safely, and ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

For a strong smell of oil that doesn't clear, turn off the oil supply if it's safe to, and ring Ian on 07931 920662. A faint smell when an oil cooker first lights, or after it has been cleaned, is common.

Oil AGAs and Rayburns

• Check the gauge on the oil tank. If the tank has run dry, the burner usually needs an engineer to bleed the supply and relight it, even after the tank has been refilled.
• Check whether the power to the cooker is on. Many oil cookers have an electric pump or controls, and a tripped switch at the fuse box can stop them.

Gas and LPG AGAs and Rayburns

• For LPG, check the bottles or tank still have gas in them.
• For mains gas, check whether your other gas appliances are working. If none are, the problem may be with the supply to the house.
• Check the power to the cooker if it has electric controls.

Electric and converted AGAs

• Check the fuse box for a tripped switch. If it trips again when you reset it, leave it off and call an engineer.
• On a converted AGA with app control, check the cooker hasn't been switched off or set to a timer in the app.

When to call Ian

Call if the checks above don't bring it back, if it keeps going out, if it won't hold its temperature, or if anything smells wrong. Ian works on gas, LPG, oil and electric AGAs and Rayburns, seven days a week. He is Gas Safe registered (6061489) and OFTEC registered (11834).

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