New Kitchen Advice

[Aztecs27]

Brickies worked yesterday to bring external wall to first lift. Internals will be done tomorrow and scaffolding going up thurs to get it built to wall plate height.

So far so good.

 

[Aztecs27]

Haven't taken any photos for a few days (mostly because the scaffolding is in the way of me accessing the back garden easily!), but the door and window lintels are in and they're knocking down the sticky-out old bit of "extension" (flat roofed bit to the left in the photo) today so they can prep for the roof going on later in the week/early next week.

It did mean that we had to move our massive fridge from there into the dining room, which was quite the task last night - but we managed it, just. Full knock through for utility (which will essentially mean our current kitchen is no more) is scheduled for week commencing 14th April, when I take the kids to the in-laws for 2 weeks over easter (whilst the wife stays at home living on a building site)....but will be great to have the old extension bit down to see the true size of the extension.

 

[rudebhoy]

We are about to order our new kitchen from Wren in the next day or two.

The missus is now concerned how long she will be without cooking facilities. The builders have quoted 3 weeks for them to do their stuff. Wren have actually advised us to source the quartz worktop elsewhere as it will be a good bit cheaper - I'm going to do that, but am not sure if the worktop suppliers have to measure up the final kitchen before they can produce the worktop, or whether they can work off Wren's plan to minimise time?

 

[BrianM]

We are about to order our new kitchen from Wren in the next day or two.

The missus is now concerned how long she will be without cooking facilities. The builders have quoted 3 weeks for them to do their stuff. Wren have actually advised us to source the quartz worktop elsewhere as it will be a good bit cheaper - I'm going to do that, but am not sure if the worktop suppliers have to measure up the final kitchen before they can produce the worktop, or whether they can work off Wren's plan to minimise time?

You will need to have the kitchen fitted then they can template the worktop

 

[Aztecs27]

You will need to have the kitchen fitted then they can template the worktop

But they should be able to give you a quote based on the cabinet layout/sizing and space where the worktop is.

Wren designer (who is really good in our case), also told us to not bother with their worktops and luckily a friend's sister happens to run a company that provides worktops so we got a pretty good price.

 

[Aztecs27]

I'm sure there's absolutely no one who cares, but I'll share anyway

This is about the 5th or 6th iteration of kitchen design we've done. As we've gone between range/integrated and trying to figure out where my precious Sage coffee machine will fit in

Although the size of the extension is pretty big, the short wall where the fridge is (and the fact we have an American FF) makes getting the config we want and enough worktop space really tricky. We're really keen on a pantry for storing pretty much all our dry goods in one place, but the trade off for this is that we do end up with less worktop space on the back wall. Also trying to fit the integrated ovens in a tower config is impossible without losing out on too much worktop space too - hence opting for a range with plenty of cooking options (my only request when it came to ovens - it won't be the one pictured). For those concerned about where my coffee machine will go - the cabinet on the left will be a dedicated coffee/other stuff (possibly microwave) station.

Still unsure whether an island for additional worktop space would be useful or just get in the way.

EDIT: Oh and here's what it would look like with a peninsula. I couldn't be bothered to try and draw an island

 

[Fade and Die]

I'm sure there's absolutely no one who cares, but I'll share anyway

This is about the 5th or 6th iteration of kitchen design we've done. As we've gone between range/integrated and trying to figure out where my precious Sage coffee machine will fit in

Although the size of the extension is pretty big, the short wall where the fridge is (and the fact we have an American FF) makes getting the config we want and enough worktop space really tricky. We're really keen on a pantry for storing pretty much all our dry goods in one place, but the trade off for this is that we do end up with less worktop space on the back wall. Also trying to fit the integrated ovens in a tower config is impossible without losing out on too much worktop space too - hence opting for a range with plenty of cooking options (my only request when it came to ovens - it won't be the one pictured). For those concerned about where my coffee machine will go - the cabinet on the left will be a dedicated coffee/other stuff (possibly microwave) station.

Still unsure whether an island for additional worktop space would be useful or just get in the way.

EDIT: Oh and here's what it would look like with a peninsula. I couldn't be bothered to try and draw an island

Peninsular all the way. We did and its a great space, evens doubles up as a bit of a breakfast bar. Have a couple of nice pendants hanging down over it.

 

[Yorkhacker]

Peninsular all the way. We did and its a great space, evens doubles up as a bit of a breakfast bar. Have a couple of nice pendants hanging down over it.

Snap.

 

[Bratty]

I'm sure there's absolutely no one who cares, but I'll share anyway

This is about the 5th or 6th iteration of kitchen design we've done. As we've gone between range/integrated and trying to figure out where my precious Sage coffee machine will fit in

Although the size of the extension is pretty big, the short wall where the fridge is (and the fact we have an American FF) makes getting the config we want and enough worktop space really tricky. We're really keen on a pantry for storing pretty much all our dry goods in one place, but the trade off for this is that we do end up with less worktop space on the back wall. Also trying to fit the integrated ovens in a tower config is impossible without losing out on too much worktop space too - hence opting for a range with plenty of cooking options (my only request when it came to ovens - it won't be the one pictured). For those concerned about where my coffee machine will go - the cabinet on the left will be a dedicated coffee/other stuff (possibly microwave) station.

Still unsure whether an island for additional worktop space would be useful or just get in the way.

EDIT: Oh and here's what it would look like with a peninsula. I couldn't be bothered to try and draw an island

Not the right kitchen for an island. The peninsular will work just fine to give you extra surface.
Or get a large, freestanding unit instead. We got this one from Costwold Co. and it's great. Drawers slide both ways too, which is good. They have other similar ones even wider if you wanted to fill more space. It's great, cos it may feel less enclosed when you're at the sink.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I'm sure there's absolutely no one who cares, but I'll share anyway

This is about the 5th or 6th iteration of kitchen design we've done. As we've gone between range/integrated and trying to figure out where my precious Sage coffee machine will fit in

Although the size of the extension is pretty big, the short wall where the fridge is (and the fact we have an American FF) makes getting the config we want and enough worktop space really tricky. We're really keen on a pantry for storing pretty much all our dry goods in one place, but the trade off for this is that we do end up with less worktop space on the back wall. Also trying to fit the integrated ovens in a tower config is impossible without losing out on too much worktop space too - hence opting for a range with plenty of cooking options (my only request when it came to ovens - it won't be the one pictured). For those concerned about where my coffee machine will go - the cabinet on the left will be a dedicated coffee/other stuff (possibly microwave) station.

Still unsure whether an island for additional worktop space would be useful or just get in the way.

EDIT: Oh and here's what it would look like with a peninsula. I couldn't be bothered to try and draw an island

I do hope your extractor hood is going to be ducted out with the correct diameter ducting. If it isn't it will be a total waste.

 

[Aztecs27]

I do hope your extractor hood is going to be ducted out with the correct diameter ducting. If it isn't it will be a total waste.

Presumably whichever extractor hood we have will come with the correct fittings? But that sounds like sonething I’ll mention to the contractors to be safe

 

[Aztecs27]

Not the right kitchen for an island. The peninsular will work just fine to give you extra surface.
Or get a large, freestanding unit instead. We got this one from Costwold Co. and it's great. Drawers slide both ways too, which is good. They have other similar ones even wider if you wanted to fill more space. It's great, cos it may feel less enclosed when you're at the sink.View attachment 57538

Wife can’t find a free standing unit she likes but I’d be happy with either that or peninsula. Appreciate the input mate

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Presumably whichever extractor hood we have will come with the correct fittings? But that sounds like sonething I’ll mention to the contractors to be safe

They only come with the connector to the hood. The ducting is independant of the hood.
All too often the wrong size is used which results in poor performance and on a hood that big you will need the full diameter ducting.Either out the wall behind it or up through the ceiling to outside.

 

[Aztecs27]

They only come with the connector to the hood. The ducting is independant of the hood.
All too often the wrong size is used which results in poor performance and on a hood that big you will need the full diameter ducting.Either out the wall behind it or up through the ceiling to outside.

Good to know cheers!

 

[Fade and Die]

They only come with the connector to the hood. The ducting is independant of the hood.
All too often the wrong size is used which results in poor performance and on a hood that big you will need the full diameter ducting.Either out the wall behind it or up through the ceiling to outside.

We have had our “new” kitchen a year now and the extractor is the only disappointing element of it. It’s a Siemens integrated type, it sucks ok but the design traps grease in a gutter that runs around it that drips back onto the hob.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

We have had our “new” kitchen a year now and the extractor is the only disappointing element of it. It’s a Siemens integrated type, it sucks ok but the design traps grease in a gutter that runs around it that drips back onto the hob. View attachment 57540

Is it ducted out or not? If not does it have charcoal cartridges in (the genuine ones are stupid money...) Those hoods are quite powerful and I think need more than a 4in duct
Whats in the cupboard above?
It sounds like its not ducted away, and the air isnt being allowed into the room for recirculation. Thats normally the only reason you get grease build up dripping from the hood. The metal mesh filters can be put through the dishwasher BTW.

 

[Fade and Die]

Is it ducted out or not? If not does it have charcoal cartridges in (the genuine ones are stupid money...) Those hoods are quite powerful and I think need more than a 4in duct
Whats in the cupboard above?
It sounds like its not ducted away, and the air isnt being allowed into the room for recirculation. Thats normally the only reason you get grease build up dripping from the hood. The metal mesh filters can be put through the dishwasher BTW.

5” semi rigid aluminium through the wall. As I said it extracts good enough it just gets grease build up on the front flat that drips.i just think it’s a bad design.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

5” semi rigid aluminium through the wall. As I said it extracts good enough it just gets grease build up on the front flat that drips.i just think it’s a bad design.
View attachment 57544View attachment 57545

I would say something is affecting the exhaust out. I see plenty of those hoods in town, and what your experiencing only occurs when the exhaust air flow is restricted or stopped in some way.
That metal mesh filter definately needs a visit to the dishwasher btw

Wron emoji below, sorry and cant delete it

 

[Fade and Die]

I would say something is affecting the exhaust out. I see plenty of those hoods in town, and what your experiencing only occurs when the exhaust air flow is restricted or stopped in some way.
That metal mesh filter definately needs a visit to the dishwasher btw

Wron emoji below, sorry and cant delete it

lol…. It’s in there now!

 

[Aztecs27]

Work progressing nicely - old kitchen ripped out and knocked through to new utility, stud wall frames in and first fix plumbing mostly all done too. Windows and doors should arrive in the next week or so, so we can get plasterboard on.

This is current design, which I think we're mostly settled on now. Gives us worktop space and frames off the kitchen space from the dining area. Ignore the terrible doors they've put in, ours are at least 3 metres wide (we've also got a metre wide coffee cupboard behind this viewpoint, which will have the coffee machine, microwave etc among other things in there). The first pic is taken from in front of the new kitchen window, for perspective - looking back to old kitchen/new hallway, and the utility can (just) be seen through the new stud wall through that opening.

I will say, having to wash up in the bath is already wearing thin - hopefully they can get the utility into a state of usability sooner rather than later (once units arrive in a few weeks!)