Old and new tech – Aga demo thoughts
My trusty computer died yesterday, plunging me abruptly into a world of tiny screens and access to few of the applications I use every day. Luckily I was able to take a break from technological purgatory – I attended an Aga demonstration by Aga Marvel‘s chief chef and demonstrator, and prizewinning cookbook author, James McIntosh, cooking up a storm at the awesome Sierra Select showroom in San Francisco.
Due to my technological difficulties, I have no pictures to share yet, here’s one from James’ own blog – I have to tell you Sierra Select’s Aga setup is a lot prettier than this one, but you’ll get the idea:
- James McIntosh dropping drop scones
It was all great fun, and there were tons of delicious food – and I mean tons, we had eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages, pancakes, pizza, quiche, roast lamb, beef wellington, fillet steak, potatoes, rice, carrots, broccoli, gravy, salmon, cake, bread … (I’m sure I’ve forgotten some!) all in the space of 90 minutes. For me, it was so great to eat Aga toast and butter again – I usually only do that on visits home, definitely a Proustian “Madeleines” moment for me. I’ll reserve sharing some of James’ tricks and techniques for future posts. It was the contrast between computer technology, designed to fail or become obsolete in just a few years, and Aga cooker technology, designed and built to last for decades, that struck me yesterday. Sierra Select’s Aga cooker is a relative youngster, at a mere 16 years old, and still looking brand new despite working so hard for a living. My Mum’s is well over 30 years old and still going strong and looking great (see it here). Is there any other kitchen appliance investment you can make that gives that kind of longevity and reliability? Seriously, if you know of anything, please let me know, because it’s going on the list for my dream home right away.
The Aga cooker was invented by a Nobel prize winner, if you know of any other kitchen appliance that can make that claim, I’d like to hear about that, too. Its selling points really haven’t changed all that much since the beginning. Click here for a fascinating and lengthy excerpt from the Aga sales training manual – it dates from 1935, but apart from the overt sexism and references to housemaids, cooks, and coke as fuel (no, not for the housewife, for the cooker), most of it could have been written yesterday.
I don’t know if anyone won a Nobel prize for the invention of the computer; mine that just died was actually quite venerable and reliable in computer terms, about 8 years old and giving me no trouble. And that is actually part of the problem – I’ve been something of a luddite, sticking with old versions of software and operating systems, so despite my non-luddite dh having scrupulously backed up all my data, I’m floundering around trying to replace my old stuff and figure out how all the most up-to-date gizmos work. I hope you’ll bear with my erratic posting schedule as I make the transition – in the meantime, here’s a shot of the winner from The Daily Telegraph’s “Britain’s Oldest Aga” hunt:
Installed in 1932 and still battling on
Nearly 80 years old, a bit battered, but still doing the job it was designed for. Will we ever have computers capable of that?
Thanks Joseph – so I’ll be able to open cans, mix up the contents, and cook them in my Aga … and don’t worry, I’m sure avocado is trendy again, or at least it’ll soon be old enough to be considered classic
Thanks for the link Kate!
Well, it’s certainly not in the same category as an AGA, but we got an electric can opener as a wedding gift (34 years in August), and that avocado wonder is still running strong. I frankly wish the damned thing would die so we could replace it. We’ve been through several toasters and half a dozen or more coffee makers. But that good ol’ avocado-colored monstrosity is still running strong, the design faux pas that cannot be killed. But it always reminds me of what happens with “hot” colors and “hot” kitchen trends. They always cool.
For those curious about the inner workings of an AGA, here’s a set of photos showing the rebuilding of a 1940s model. http://tinyurl.com/AGA1940s
I’d vote for the Kenwood Chef mixer. The UK version of the KitchenAid mixer, dating from the 1950s onwards
Yes, no doubt the accent. Or the excessive use of the letter “U” in various words.
The old KA mixers are great. My Grandmother’s will soon be passed on to the 4th generation. Maybe the new ones aren’t made as well?
Hi Kate – funny thing, the only piece of equipment giving James any trouble was the KitchenAid mixer – although it obeyed the showroom people willingly enough. Must have disliked his accent, I guess!
Hi Marie – you are right there. Only days ago I was commenting about how amazing it is that my old laptop was still working, and I still manage to be surprised when it stops abruptly. Can you say denial???
Great post.
Not the same level of investment as an AGA, but the old KitchenAid stand mixers last forever.
I think the frightening thing is how much of our lives we willingly commit to our computers even though we know that they’re not reliable. And how many of us have had a Carrie moment when our pcs have died and we’ve not backed up??
So I’m waiting on the moment that they invent and sell computers that work like Agas, with an “on/off” button and very little else to go wrong. Soimehow I don’t imagine that the inventors of the Agas get paid as much as Bill Gates!