owdman wrote:
Rayburns and Agas are actually not very good for cooking

Erm, they're very good (when they've been fired and
adjusted properly for cooking, and at least two planets
are in conjunction).

or central heating

Same as above (the moon needs to be in the right phase
as well).


- with solid fuel you would need to stoke continuously in a
cold spell!

Three times a day is OK.


You could employ a stoker I suppose.

Probably not needed if you're AB., although a cleaner would
be worthwhile.


I'd advise your friend
to buy a proper cooker and a proper central heating system - much
cheaper to buy and run and much better at both functions.

Certainly cheaper to run, & far more conveniently controllable.

However, I like my Rayburn, although it's a PITA, isn't really
up to the job, and ash gets all over the place.