WORDS Héloise Buckley PHOTO Heywood & Robinson Interiors
There are stoves, and then there’s the Rayburn Cooker by AGA.
Right now, in South Africa, not only is the Rayburn a sound investment that includes moving your home’s energy needs off the grid – it also offers cast-iron cooking, domestic hot water and central heating all wrapped in one sleek, stylish cooker, elevating your culinary status with succulent food, in the heart of your exclusive home.
The Rayburn Cooker has been an industry leader in central heating for over 75 years – the 400 series is fired by illuminating paraffin; the 200 and 300 series by solid fuel (wood and/or coal). These classically designed cookers efficiently deliver the energy your home needs, and by being controllable and flexible ensures lower fuel bills and “off grid” capability.
The Rayburn 499K delivers 32,5 kW per hour – 29.5 kW to the internal boiler and 3kW to the cooker. Typically, 80% of the energy required during winter is for cooking, hot water supply and heating the home. The Rayburn delivers this energy at a fraction of the capital cost of a solar powered backup system with a running cost per kWh of approximately 40% less than the cost of Eskom-sourced power. Combining the Rayburn with a more efficient room heating method such as radiators (rather than under floor heating) delivers further savings to help reduce your monthly heating bill by up to 75%.
The 400 series is also easy to use – this oil-fired Rayburn uses two modern paraffin burners, one for the boiler, the other for the cooker. The burners work independently of each other to enable all- year-round operation. The flue removes cooking and burner odours from your kitchen and the fuel is delivered directly to your home and stored in a tank.
The 400 series cooker heats up quickly from cold – within 5 to 7 minutes it’s possible to boil water on the boiling plate. Within approximately 7 to 8 minutes the main oven will be at simmering temperature and 20 minutes from cold the main oven will be at baking temperature. The cooker can be used continuously at a predetermined level, or it can be programmed to switch on / off to suit your lifestyle; it can also be used all year round.
The 400 series boiler is controlled by the room temperature you set on the thermostat and cycles on and off as required automatically to maintain a comfortable level of warmth in your home and to ensure that you have domestic hot water available. Like the cooker, the boiler can be programmed to come on and off at different times to suit your required level of comfort and lifestyle.
Similarly, Rayburn SFW (solid fuel) cookers have remarkable performance. From cold, the boiler will reach optimal temperature in around 30 minutes and the cooker reaches simmering temperature within about 45 minutes. The solid fuel cookers are designed for continuous running and can burn wood and/or coal. The cooker is easy to use. Heat can be diverted from the cooker to the boiler or vice versa as required for heating or cooking.
Available in various sizes, 17 colour ways and different fuel types, with the trademark vitreous enamel finish, the Rayburn’s multi-faceted functionality should be on the checklist of architects and interior designers, and all those committed to offering South African homeowners a head-start in off-grid, affordable, stylish living.
For more information, visit agarayburn.co.za or contact [email protected].
