Well, at long last the extractor fan has been installed - it has literally taken years
We had initially purchased a Grampian Qasair extractor fan - but unfortunately found that it didn't fit, couldn't be manoeurved into the space as there was an unexpected arch behind the hearth
Another solution was provided by the builder - but I wasn't really happy with it - ie a masonite board with a small plastic fan in the middle and a couple of downlights. I tested it with a pot full of water, and the steam just circulated above the pot - it was not extracted
So it was disassembled
Therefore we had no fan, and just had a sheet of plywood covering the chimney cavity - which was only ever an interim step...
We had thought that our clever nephew Curtis who trained as a boilermaker might be able to make us a box to fit - but we didn't really progress with this
I also spoke with a number of other manufacturers/retailers - but no good either
So, back to Qasair, who came out a number of times to try and come up with a solution
And, yes they did - and here we are - after a multitude of other trades had to be involved - ie first had a hole cut in the back wall, and a lintel installed (also repointed the bricks on that side), then had to move the powerpoint (electrician), and the hot water service & gas bottles (plumber) - so a lot of preliminary work
I came up on the night before (after the Port Phillip CWA AGM)
Both Qasair and the electricians got here around 9.30 or so
I prepared for them by putting that big quilt on top of the aga for further protection
However they swapped it over for their one
And so it began - the electricians had been previoulsy - setting up for a control switch on the left hand side
The boxes of bespoke goodies
Daylight and a wire through the hole
Electricians feeding through the wire
Unpacking
The filter box - which was custom made for the space
I was also in the garden and planting some plants that I'd bought from friends of Burnley Gardens. And I brought some passionfruit plants from home to replace the dead ones at the garage - hopefully they'll survive - they look a bit wilty in the below photo
Was also thrilled to see that the medlar had produced some buds
And the chives were about to flower
Planted the "new" passionfruits
And the grass looked amazing - really knitting together - and a gorgeous green
Putting in the filter box
The filter box from the outside
Further protection for the aga
Tidying up the mess of wires
Waiting to attach the fan and engine - these are on the outside - which is great - because if anything goes wrong - it is easily accessible
All in place from the inside - however because there is the induction cooktop on the right, the fan has to be a certain height above it - which means that there is approx 10cm of bare brick - which should really be covered up for hygienic reasons. You can only really see it if looking at the aga - you would need to look in and up.
Jason - the Qasair guy measured up to give me a quote for stainless steel. to tuck in behind the unit and the cast iron. He had thought that Justin was going to organise this ie get masonite and tile it or something - but no, we'll go with the stainless steel - let's hope its not too expensive..
Finishing touches outside
The electric switch on the side of the hearth - separate for light and fan - with high and low
The unit with the filters attached - the pieces can just be pulled out and put in the dishwasher if they get too greasy
Finished up outside
And that was it - all done - until we get the stainless steel surrounds. Jason and Maria were going on holiday - so it may be more than a month
I did a bit of weeding out the front - as it was scrappy - filled the bin
Before
After
Before
After
Obviously filled up the bin
