Just Venting

I thought I needed a venting system for the stove, but it turns out not to be a requirement. Some pet peeves about kitchen vent fans:

• Noisy
• Obtrusive
• Noisy

This one is custom made. The grill is from Detroit or someplace, and the frame by my local stainless shop. The fan is a Panasonic 350 CFM. The thing is slim, elegant, and quiet as a snoring mouse, but under some or all conditions it will reverse the stove venting and suck smoke into the house. Oops. I think it will be fine in the summer, when I need it to remove the heat and the doors are open. Even in the winter, as long as there is a good fire going it works well.

Frame held in place while I figure out how to drill through stainless steel. Cobalt.

Like all Panasonic fans, smooth and whisper quiet. Shown on temporary risers that
will be replaced by 2010.

My first duct work.

Finished product.

Danger!

There is a lot of required signage for a solar system. This isn't some of it. I just had
fun putting these up. My neighbors think these will make good targets during hunting
season. A bullseye on the danger sign will likely take out the inverter.

Chill Out

I'll admit I may be taking this part too far. I specifically designed the kitchen to have several features:

• The stove would be in the middle of the house for even heat distribution.
• The sink would share a wall with the bathroom plumbing (an old-fashioned idea).
• And the fridge would be in its own box on the north wall, and coupled to the outside.
  

Mini-room for the fridge makes use of space below.

Thus this separately insulated box in the kitchen. I am awaiting two adjustable passive air vents that will form the bug-proof holes to the outside. One bottom as an inlet and up top to vent the hot air from the fridge. Refrigeration is a big energy user. I can run the fridge and the water purifier off of solar and batteries for 36 to 48 hours in the winter. I hope to reduce usage and extend emergency time with this system. However, it is possible that there could be many unanticipated consequences too humorous to mention here.

Waiting for parts. Once the two vents are in, then the fridge just slides right in.