Oven & Hob in chimney breast

[skip_1]

Looking for a bit of advice to see if this is feasible, we are hoping to maximise space in a kitchen.

We are considering if it is possible to fit an oven and hobs into the chimney breast pictured and some sort of extraction system. The chimney opening would have to be significantly enlarged and a lintel placed. The gas fire pipes should provide gas for the hobs/oven. If the air cannot extract via the chimney then a pipe/duct may be needed to extract out over the conservatory like the boiler?

Currently the oven which can just be seen to the left of the picture extracts out of the side of the house via a pantry, (I think, as there is an air brick there on the side of house).

If none of this is feasible would a small fridge and small freezer next to each other in the chimney look stupid?

[mk1fan]

Is this on the ground floor of the lowest storey of the property?

Assuming there are reasonable foundations to the breast then you should be able to open out the centre of the chimney. I would allow for 240mm (a plastered 1-brick thick wall) wide piers either side to support a steel lintel (89 x 152mm deep PFC should be more than enough).

So measure the width of the chimney. Minus 500mm (2 x 240mm + wiggle space). That is the width you should be able to create.

Cooker hoods can be flued up chimney stacks but you need to get a liner down it and make sure that the extractor is able to blow up the height of the stack. There are some down sides in that if not kept clean you can get oils / water running back down the liner.

[skip_1]

Thanks,I'll need to take some measurements and I guess I can lift some timbers to check the foundation of the chimney. The biggest concern would be the extractor I think, as you have mentioned having to lift 6-8m of air which is why I was wondering about a flue shooting off out by the boiler (and boxed in).

[captainzep]

We've just had this done in our kitchen, although the chimney breast was wide enough for a range cooker. Builder checked it was OK structurally. Put lintel in as suggested above.

Extractor fan just went up the chimney.

The issue is depth though. Our builder had to build out (just studwork and plasterboard/skim) so the cooker fitted flush.

[GreenDog]

captainzep said:

We've just had this done in our kitchen, although the chimney breast was wide enough for a range cooker. Builder checked it was OK structurally. Put lintel in as suggested above.

Extractor fan just went up the chimney.

The issue is depth though. Our builder had to build out (just studwork and plasterboard/skim) so the cooker fitted flush.

Had similar in my last house, a Victorian terrace. A Range cooker in the chimey breast looked reaaly good.

[foz01]

Do you not need a fan at the top of the chiney to truly draw out the air?

[skip_1]

captainzep said:

We've just had this done in our kitchen, although the chimney breast was wide enough for a range cooker. Builder checked it was OK structurally. Put lintel in as suggested above.

Extractor fan just went up the chimney.

The issue is depth though. Our builder had to build out (just studwork and plasterboard/skim) so the cooker fitted flush.

That is the kitchen we are thinking of, even colour and surfaces! They would definitely need to build out from our breast as it is quiet shallow.

May I get a rough indication of cost for the chimney work?

[Fatboy]

You could just have a recirculating filter hood instead of worrying about ducting all the way up the chimney?

[essayer]

I like that, and now I'm thinking of building a fake chimney breast to put a hob in it

[it is a Victorian house, so presumably there would have been a chimney there once!]

[captainzep]

skip_1 said:

That is the kitchen we are thinking of, even colour and surfaces! They would definitely need to build out from our breast as it is quiet shallow.

May I get a rough indication of cost for the chimney work?

Units and tops were Howdens: http://www.howdens.com/product-range/kitchen-colle...

Cost for chimney, not sure, just remember the bottom line...

I'll try to dig out the invoice and see if it was itemised like that...

[V8mate]

captainzep said:

We've just had this done in our kitchen, although the chimney breast was wide enough for a range cooker. Builder checked it was OK structurally. Put lintel in as suggested above.

Extractor fan just went up the chimney.

The issue is depth though. Our builder had to build out (just studwork and plasterboard/skim) so the cooker fitted flush.

Not sure I'd want it flush. Having some 'worktop' either side of the cooker allows pan handles on the rear rings to stick out away from the cooker, rather than having to point inwards.

[RichB]

V8mate said:

...Having some 'worktop' either side of the cooker allows pan handles on the rear rings to stick out away from the cooker, rather than having to point inwards.

Exactly...

[captainzep]

V8mate said:

Not sure I'd want it flush. Having some 'worktop' either side of the cooker allows pan handles on the rear rings to stick out away from the cooker, rather than having to point inwards.

See your point. But the extra work and cost wouldn't have been worth it given that on the right of the 5 burner hob there is a hot plate which doesn't really get used that allows pan handles to turn to the right and the burners are sited inwards enough on the left for 'pan handle placement' not to have been a noticable issue before you mentioned it.

But you have mentioned it now.

I won't be able to think of anything else.

Everything is ruined.

[V8mate]

captainzep said:

See your point...

But you have mentioned it now.

I won't be able to think of anything else.

Everything is ruined.

And all because of those 'value' breakfast cereals!

[captainzep]

V8mate said:

And all because of those 'value' breakfast cereals!

That was then.

Now we have every cereal under the sun.

The kids are obese with appalling dental health but it's worth it.

[skip_1]

Fatboy said:

You could just have a recirculating filter hood instead of worrying about ducting all the way up the chimney?

That may have to be an option. Only problem is windows open into conservatory. Thinking we could put a wall extractor in near boiler to combat any condensation.

[mk1fan]

It'll have to be a big one to provide 60l/s!