Heat reflective alluminium/steel

[alan]

I am looking to buy some alluminium or steel to put around strategic points near my gas hob. I have seen this on some "expensive" boats such as Hallberg Rassy and not only does it protect the wood from being 'burnt' , it also looks OK. What I have seen appears to be alluminium 2/3mm thick and impressed with a pattern; I have seen some at Ikea for use as a worktop "splash-back", but I was told that it is not suitable for heat protection.

Anybody any ideas and suggestions where one might find some?? Thanks in advance for any help.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.


<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[Talbot]

I traced a pattern in cardboard, and had my local metal man make me a piece of stainless that sits away from the bukhead from that pattern - a relatively easy fit, and now the grease splashes are easy to wipe up (love my bacon and egg)

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[timevans2000]

I,believe you have been given a bum steer.

I have the stippled aluminium you refered to between my drip feed diesel heater and the wooden bulkhead behind. When I fitted the heater without the heat reflector, the wood got very hot. Now with the ali reflector fitted, the ali doesnt get hot at all. I also have a plain s/s reflector behind the cooker. This also stays very cool.



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[richardandtracy]

Unless the Ikea stuff is really thin, I think they're just protecting themselves against litigation.

About 0.5mm thick upwards aluminium should be OK to conduct the heat away and not cause problems. If you can arrange a small air gap behind, then so much the better. However, you must make sure it's not plastic coated, otherwise there may be problems.

Finally, if the wood is more than 6" from the edge of the biggest pan, it should be OK without protection anyway - otherwise a pan handle would be too hot to touch! I have fabric 8" from the edge of the pan in my camper, and never have problems - I regularly touch it just to be certain though.

Regards

Richard.

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[MainlySteam]

Just carrying on from Richard's comment about distance from fabric etc from the widest pan. The distance from the edge of the widest pan to the wooden fiddles on the adjacent bench cannot be more than around 75 mm on our boat (just from memory, but it is not a big distance). It is so close that I just about mentioned it to the boat builder when he was doing it but didn't, mainly because he had a good reputation and got things right.

After 7 years, during which time we lived aboard for 9 months and for the rest of the time have been away for at least 4 weeks a year, plus in every week when not away at least two full meals get cooked and many kettle boils on board, there is no sign whatsoever of heat affecting the varnish on the wooden fiddles.

When there is a pan on the gas hob, I find I can actually get may hand very close to the edge of the pan before feeling any significant heat - the pan seems to be an effective heat sink for the flame.

So perhaps the heat thing is overstated, but obviously metal has a cleaning convenience.

John

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