Open plan kitchen - downside.

Fire_Fox

katejo wrote: »

I am happy to have a large kitchen/diner provided that I have a separate living room. i would never have all 3 in one. While I am relaxing on the sofa, I don't want to view the dirty dishes by the sink or have cooking smells. I can't comment on the gas fire aspect of this question.

Funny how differently we all live!

I have had an open plan kitchen-living area for well over a decade (fairly standard in modern apartments). Huge sliding doors to a dining area so it can all be open, and will be again this summer. Shut in winter to reduce heating, might change that next year.

Cooking smells should be addressed with a cooker hood but I loathe the noise so will be installing a 'silent' kitchen fan this summer.

Mostly have one pot meals, and throw everything in the sink as I go: loathe washing up dried on food!

no1catman

Just an update. Have had the gas fire survey. Explained to me that yes could have a closed gas fire fitted, but couldn't guarantee fumes wouldn't be drawn back into the room when it was checked with the extractor fan on max.
Indeed, said that they would need a exterior wall vent - for replacement air to come in, whether for the current fire or any new gas fire.
This still seems bonkers to me - go to the trouble of renewing double-glazing to reduce any draughts, and they want a draughty hole in the wall!

However, rereading the warning form that was left, seems there's a 'B' option where I could have refused to have it turned off and just be left with a warning triangle attached to the fire!

Otherwise, either blank off the extractor fan to the outside, or maybe disable the max speed switches on the fan.
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