Recycling waste from an aga conversion

Here is a picture of some of the components removed from a 2 oven aga during a conversion as they are no longer needed.

So what happens to them all when they are removed from site?

Only a very small proportion of everything removed from the aga goes to landfill, and this is because it cannot be reused, repurposed or recycled.

All the metal components are either passed on to other aga owners or servicing companies for reuse, or are repurposed into something completely different from which they were designed for. This has included boot scrapers, letter boxes, plant pots, barbeques and patio heaters, shelf brackets, garden steps, paving slabs, shed supports, table centrepieces, and ‘steampunk’ lamps – the list is growing! Anything left over is recycled at a local scrapyard.

What is not shown in the picture are the typically five bin bags of vermiculite insulation we remove from an aga, and replace with a much more efficient thermal blanket. As long as the vermiculite is not contaminated with oil or small amounts of asbestos (which it can be in older agas), it is sold to local gardening club members for soil enrichment, and proceeds go towards supporting the Hamble Life Boat Fund. It can also be used to fill the cavities in a chimney when a flue liner has been inserted, as it is completely fireproof.

Oil and gas burners, and oil control valves are reconditioned and sold as spares, or scrapped if no longer viable.

If any panels are removed for re-enamelling, the originals are returned to the enamelling company, to provide newly enamelled panels for the next customer.

Currently, the only waste product from a conversion going to landfill is the layer of woolly fibreglass insulation found under the top plate of an aga, or inside the lids. This is unrecyclable and currently cannot be reused.

Converting your aga generates very little waste. The conversion kit components are designed to have a long life, and your aga then should provide good service for many more years to come, without costing the earth.

Latest Rayburn conversion to electric

Just converted this beautiful dark blue Rayburn 212 SFW to electric power. It now has a far more controllable main oven and hob., and much easier and cleaner to use than coal. An electric timer is fitted to the power supply, sothe oven can come on automatically in the morning to provide room warmth at breakfast time, and be switched off overnight when not being used.

Conversions continue...!

With the slight easing of lockdown measures, we are able to carry out Aga and Rayburn conversions again. There may be a slight delay in being able to get hold of kits from the manufacturers, but that is improving all the time. We have a full set of safe practices to maintain social distancing and anti coronavirus measures.

Here is the most recent one - an 18 year old Rayburn 480 AG, with a newly configured control panel. This conversion was carried out just over a week ago.

Coronavirus update

Well, the virus has pretty much stopped the carrying out Aga and Rayburn conversions in their tracks.

Government guidance on staying at home and reducing travel to mitigate the risk of passing on or receiving an infection means I think it unwise to carry out conversions at the moment. Other people potentially involved in the process, such as the suppliers of the conversion kits, electricians, plumbers and gas fitters will be similarly affected, and will be making their own judgements on whether they are still able to work.

So although I cannot actually carry out conversions currently, I am still very willing and able to discuss any potential conversion enquiries, or answer any questions you may have, so that we are ready to act when the future allows.

In the meantime, it is not all doom and gloom. In a moment of idleness, I rediscovered an enjoyment of baking bread - something I have not done for many years. Here is a picture of some I cooked recently in my electrickit converted aga to feast your eyes on.

They were delicious…!