Radiator in kitchen - is there any point?

Enigma80

Hi all,

We have a radiator in the kitchen which takes up most of one wall, which could ideally be used for cabinets. We have it turned off at the thermostat control on the radiator itself since we moved in.

I have no need for it, but wondered whether to keep it on or take it off? We cook nearly every day in the kitchen, and that is essentially all it's used for (not a dining area).

Not quite sure whether to remove the plumbing for it or simply remove the rad and store it in the loft or something for future buyers.

Basically we're thinking about getting the kitchen done and are currently looking around for ideas and quotes. It's previously been done for one person so there's no where near enough space for a family who love to cook. It's a poorly designed kitchen with a double patio door and two internal doors.

We've looked at Ikea for space storage ideas, but it's being a pain trying to decide what to fit.

drummer_666

if you're re doing the kitchen, why not add a kick heater instead, you can get ones that are connected to the central heating. they're more expensive to buy than electric ones but much more cost effective to run. they take up no usable space

ariba10

We have a Kick-board Heater in our kitchen. (Fits into the board under the units)

Best heater in the house. Come in on a cold day and everyone gathers around it.

Quickest unit to produce heat.

Enigma80

:oYes, I've seen those, but I do wonder whether there's some significant reason behind having rads in kitchens besides people feeling cold?

We've got a condenser dryer in the utility room and usually have kitchen door open when it's on, we have boiler, fridge freezer, and the hob/oven is used every day. We have an extractor hood above the hob to reduce condensation etc.

Ideally I'd remove the rad, but am unsure as to whether there's reason behind it, i.e. stop the taps from freezing during extreme arctic conditions here in the midlands...

Enigma80

We've seen that we can get plinth draws from certain kitchen places, including Ikea, so this is a space that we could use very well for storage of baking trays, cake tins etc.

Like I said, we do a lot of cooking, which includes baking and it's not unusual for us to have all four hobs going and the oven too at the same time.

drummer_666

well you don't need to have a radiator. but seems a bit silly not too.

one plinth heater won't take up much room. should still be plenty of room for other plinth drawers

depends, if you never have the rad on and you're not planning on selling in the near future then I'd say don't have a radiator in the kitchen.

another option, leave the pipes so you can install a plinth heater at a later date, before sell etc etc

phill99

If your kitchen is well fitted and modern, 99% of viewers wont notice you don't have a radiator in there. Get rid and take the pipework out too.

cajef

phill99 wrote: »

If your kitchen is well fitted and modern. Get rid and take the pipework out too.

Which is exactly what we did when we fitted a new kitchen and have not missed it in the three years since, the kitchen is never that cold, we didn't have the radiator on when it was there as it was partly behind a fridge/freezer.

laurel7172

My kitchen doesn't have a radiator.

It's absolutely freezing in there right now. So cold it makes me reluctant to go in there during the winter and Something Will Have To Be Done (I haven't decided whether to have a plinth heater or underfloor heating) when the kitchen is sorted out.

Before you do anything drastic, switch the radiator off during this cold snap and see whether you miss it...

nearlyrich

We have a plinth heater in our kitchen we only use it when it's really cold, ususally a few mins of the hob or oven on warms the place up a treat....except today it was freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing in there..

Alan2020

I don't feel cold as I have little fat and mostly muscle, hmmm, maybe I should sell my central heating system Use a bit of common sense and put in a plinth heater. If you want to sell the house people won't like it, if you choose to live till you die, you will need heating when you are old.