Asbestos substitute?

[Poignard]

My Plastimo Neptune Cooker [hob & grill] was bolted directly on to a Formica covered galley worktop. The lower panel of the cooker gets hot when the grill is in use and has caused the Formica to bubble up under the cooker.

A sheet of asbestos under the cooker would solve the problem but this is no longer acceptable for health and safety reasons. Is there some substitute for asbestos sheet available nowadays? It needs to be something that doesn't conduct heat and won't be damaged by it, also it should be non-absorbent so it won't soak up gravy, soup etc., and it shouldn't crumble like asbestos used to do.

Any ideas please?

 

[Csail]

There is a product called asbestolux (spelling??) can be bought from builders merchant.

 

[fluffc]

To satisfy all those requirements, you'll need to use something like copper to dissipate the heat. Old boilers are a normal source for sheets of the stuff.

My Neptune (Hob & Grill) is mounted on a painted wooden shelf, and hasn't suffered from heat damage. It is a piece of plywood, painted with International enamel paints.

Might there be something wrong with your cooker?

 

[StugeronSteve]

You should be able to get a piece of "Masterboard" or similar from a builders merchant. It will be very much like the old asbestos board in appearance and will need facing. I would suggest getting it covered witha sheet of stainless steel, whick will reflect the heat and give an hygienic surface.

If this is ok and you can't source it locally send me a pm and I with the dimensions and I will get a cost for you.

 

[StugeronSteve]

I think it is now known as Supalux or Masterboard, according to the manufacturer.

 

[Aja]

Why mount it directly to a flat surface?

Can you not raise it on four small blocks at each corner to dissipate heat and allow cleaning underneath?

Donald

 

[VicS]

Yes there are substitutes as others have mentioned but Asbestolux was one of many names for asbestos cement board.

Unfortunately I think you will find many will tend to crumble even worse than the asbestos ones although you may find some "high density" version, but they will all be absorbent I think you will find.

I would definitely consider a facing with stainless steel or even aluminium. Remeber than a small air gap is a pretty good insulator if you can leave one in the sandwich somehow.

Maybe an st. st or Al sheet with rock wool or fibre glass beneath it will be the answer.

Mine is just spaced off the GRP galley surface by a teak frame. That seems satisfactory.

 

[Boathook]

What ever you do leave a large as possible air gap. I have seen heat go through "fireboard" and badly char the ply underneath.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Vic, Sorry to be pedantic, but "Asbestolux", although containing asbestos and some cement, is not an asbestos cement board.

Asbestolux is much softer than asbestos cement, has a much higher asbestos content (up to 40% against 12%) and is predominantly Amosite (Brown Asbestos) as opposed to Chrysotile (White) asbestos. Asbestolux type materials, which are now known as AIBs present significantly greater health risks when handled and are treated differently in law. Any board considered to be asbestos cement should have a density >1000kg/m3.

Steve.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Vic, Sorry to be pedantic

[/ QUOTE ] sorry it was a hastilly worded reply. the point I was making was that it was an asbestos based board not a substitute. I am surprised that it is still available.

Part of one of my old jobs was identifying asbestos containing materials and especially those containing crocidolite. We also did asbestos in air monitoring around (de)lagging work.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Vic,

I dont think "Asbestolux" AIB has been available since the late 80s and, unless I'm wrong, the asbestos cement has also finished now. None of the new stuff is as good, but hopefully it aint as bad!

Cheers, Steve

 

[Strathglass]

Vic,

From my previous posting on considering using asbestolux.

I decided not to use it and have now fitted stainless steel tiles which have done the job well and the cost was minimal. (£3 per sample tile delivered)

I will now dispose of the asbestolux unless any formite wants it (foc + carrage)

Iain.

 

[2Tizwoz]

'Glass fibre reinforced gypsum GRG Board
High modulus GRG is a revolutionary product that is opening up many new three dimensional possibilities for designers, architects and specifiers, where incombustibility is of interest. Now a great variety of finished items, formerly made from other materials, can be duplicated at less cost.

Gypsum is a mineral and is fire resistant. It will not burn. Laboratory fire tests show no appreciable fuel contribution and zero flame spread. The temperature of glass reinforced gypsum will not exceed 100 degrees Celsius until all chemically combined water is removed.

GRG is a cost-effective solution to those building problems for which it is suited. It is lightweight but strong. Glass reinforced gypsum panels 4mm thick weigh only 4.5Kg per sq.m. Glass reinforced gypsum has a surface that can easily be decorated with all alkyd or acrylic paints, stains, lacquers and varnishes, allowing a variety of colour finishes.'

Any builders merchant or ceiling tile suppliers etc. If further protection from vigorous cleaning is required face it with stainless. This type of board has become the material of choice for fire protection developed many years ago and widely used in response to concerns surrounding asbestos.

 

[tritonofnor]

For heat protection under canvas (festival catering) we use this ... durable and not particularly expensive, but as others have said, for easy cleaning face it with stainless sheet..

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the helpful advice.