Open plan kitchen - downside.

no1catman

Often on property programmes the call is 'I want a kitchen/diner'. That is where the kitchen is open to another room.

I've just had the misfortune to suffer the downside of this, some comments about options would be welcome.

A couple of instances encouraged me to have the two gas-fires serviced, one in the front room (Lancashire Fire), and the rear room that has an open entranceway to the kitchen (Wickes).
No problem, there I thought - don't use the front one, the rear one sometimes when it's particularly cold in the winter - maybe ten days a year.


So, it get serviced (not the front - no trace of Lancashire Fire to get a manual), but it failed its 'MOT'.

Why, because the extractor hood - that vents outside - needs to be on full to test. Unfortunately - the flames and fumes were sucked in by the fan. Result - no warning of don't have it on full with the fire on, no - fire turned off so unable to use it!!

Which seems a bit draconian considering how often the fan is likely to be on, let alone both together.

But, we are where we are. What are my options?

If I block off the outside vent - will that be enough - the air would mere recirculate, rather expelled.

Though the other one may be to do away with the hood, and just vent out the window! But we like the hood, too much to remedy what's left behind.

Any other ideas, suggestions.

troffasky

Can you clarify - does your gas fire(s) have an extractor hood over, or have I completely misunderstood your problem?

getmore4less

I read the extractor is a kitchen one.

It is sucking the fire into the room

missile

Why do you need a manual to have the gas fire serviced?

You have been warned of the issue, don't use fire and extractor at same time.

Hopefully a gas safe engineer?
Did he condemn the fire?

SG27

getmore4less wrote: »

I read the extractor is a kitchen one.

It is sucking the fire into the room

Yes this can be a problem with open fires and stoves. The gases should be drawn up the chimney, if an extractor is runnimg in the same room it disruptes the draw and can be an issue.

SG27

I personally hate open plan kitchen/diner/ living rooms. I would much rather a separate space. I looke at a 3 bed semi on rightmove recently that had the entire ground floor open plan. It was one giant room with a kitchen area in one corner, a dinning table in another and a living room area in another. Very odd.

Davesnave

no1catman wrote: »

Any other ideas, suggestions.

Depends on the property but the answer, if siting is possible, is to go for a through the wall gas fire that's room sealed.



My in-laws have one, about a metre from the extractor fan and no problems.

Owain_Moneysaver

Combustion air intake vents near the gas fires ducted underfloor to the outside.

no1catman

missile wrote: »

Why do you need a manual to have the gas fire serviced?
You have been warned of the issue, don't use fire and extractor at same time.
Hopefully a gas safe engineer?
Did he condemn the fire?

I don't, but the gas engineer does - so that the coals can be re-laid in the correct position.

Don't have the option to use the fire - engineer turned it off.

Fire's ok, serviced know, BUT because the extractor fan in the kitchen - when on full - 'draws' the fire into the room it's not safe to use.

no1catman

Davesnave wrote: »

Depends on the property but the answer, if siting is possible, is to go for a through the wall gas fire that's room sealed.

My in-laws have one, about a metre from the extractor fan and no problems.

Interesting, can you tell me more about this please.

Mojisola

SG27 wrote: »

I personally hate open plan kitchen/diner/ living rooms. I would much rather a separate space. I looke at a 3 bed semi on rightmove recently that had the entire ground floor open plan. It was one giant room with a kitchen area in one corner, a dinning table in another and a living room area in another. Very odd.

I watched one of those property programmes last week - the presenter was admiring the complete open plan downstairs as you describe and then went on the praise how the owners had divided up the space up into separate 'rooms' with the furniture - why not just have separate rooms in the first place?

The idea of someone listening to radio while they cook in the kitchen area, someone at the dining room table trying to do homework and someone else watching the television in the lounge area is a nightmare!