Ideas wanted - insulate between stove and fridge

TimJFowler · 05-11-10, 05:23 PM

Hello Eco-DIY'ers,

I'm looking for ideas to address a kitchen appliance layout issue.

The problem is that the stove/range (hot) is next to the refrigerator (cold). The refrigerator is located between the stove and a wall with about 4 inches of total side clearance (stove <-2 inches-> fridge <-2 inches-> wall). Moving either the fridge or stove to another location would be difficult and/or expensive given the room layout (cabinets, windows, doors, etc.).

With those constraints, I think that some sort of insulation / radiant barrier between the fridge and stove would help improve the refrigerator's efficiency.

My question is: what material(s) are thin (max. 1-2 inches), look attractive in a home kitchen, are durable and cleanable, and block some of the heat produced by the stove.

The best idea I've had so far is a sheet of 1" XPS or Polyiso glued to a sheet of stainless steel or copper with the edges bent to hide the foam.

Anyone have another idea?

Thanks,
Tim

Xringer · 05-11-10, 11:03 PM

I would say something IR reflective facing the stove will do the trick.
Putting some insulation air-space or foam inside it would help too.

If you use stainless steel, shinier is better. Mirror like is best.

Ryland · 05-12-10, 08:29 AM

I would do a foil tape on the fridge for sure, if you have space you can then put some reflective bubble wrap in there as well, or take a space blanket and fold it in half and put it around a chunk of cardboard and stuff that in there, card board is a great insulator and anything reflective is going to push the heat back at the stove.

Fred_Fredowski · 05-12-10, 10:02 AM

The polyiso that I have seen at the home center already has a radiant barrier on both sides, so I don't think you need to add another one. Polyiso is also about the best insulator you can get (per unit thickness).

So I would think that you would just need a way to make it look good.
If I was doing it, I would just cover it with a thin (1/4") layer of hardwood plywood, leaving a small air layer between the ply and the insulation You can add a hardwood strip to the edge to match your cabinets.

Daox · 05-12-10, 10:30 AM

I agree with Fred. I was thinking the same thing. Just face some insulation with a thin sheet of wood.

TimJFowler · 05-13-10, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the input. Now for a trip to the hardware store(s) to look at materials brainstorming, price comparison, etc.

AC_Hacker · 05-15-10, 11:59 PM

Infra-red "sees" copper as being more reflective than aluminum. Strange but true.

Also there is some highly effective insulation that has a considerably higher R-value than what is available for homes.

You might find it if you search in yachting and sailboat specialty sites.

It's more expensive than most insulation, but it sounds like you may not need a lot.

Regards,

-AC_Hacker

AC_Hacker · 07-08-10, 12:03 AM

TimJFowler,

When nothing but the best will do...

Well here is the information regarding ultra high R-value insulation.

Vacuum Insulated Panels (AKA: VIP)

Info on Ultra-R (R-50 per inch!!!)

Pricing page here.

Looks like the 30″ x 35″ panel should do you just dandy.

They also make ultra refrigerators out of the stuff.

And a very interesting DC Air Conditioning system.

-AC_Hacker

05-11-10, 05:23 PM	#1
TimJFowler Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 184 Thanks: 9 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Ideas wanted - insulate between stove and fridge Hello Eco-DIY'ers, I'm looking for ideas to address a kitchen appliance layout issue. The problem is that the stove/range (hot) is next to the refrigerator (cold). The refrigerator is located between the stove and a wall with about 4 inches of total side clearance (stove <-2 inches-> fridge <-2 inches-> wall). Moving either the fridge or stove to another location would be difficult and/or expensive given the room layout (cabinets, windows, doors, etc.). With those constraints, I think that some sort of insulation / radiant barrier between the fridge and stove would help improve the refrigerator's efficiency. My question is: what material(s) are thin (max. 1-2 inches), look attractive in a home kitchen, are durable and cleanable, and block some of the heat produced by the stove. The best idea I've had so far is a sheet of 1" XPS or Polyiso glued to a sheet of stainless steel or copper with the edges bent to hide the foam. Anyone have another idea? Thanks, Tim __________________ - DIY Adventures in Applied Sustainability - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-12-10, 10:30 AM	#5
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I agree with Fred. I was thinking the same thing. Just face some insulation with a thin sheet of wood. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-13-10, 05:46 PM	#6
TimJFowler Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 184 Thanks: 9 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Thanks for the input. Now for a trip to the hardware store(s) to look at materials brainstorming, price comparison, etc. __________________ - DIY Adventures in Applied Sustainability - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-15-10, 11:59 PM	#7
AC_Hacker Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 4,004 Thanks: 303 Thanked 723 Times in 534 Posts	Thin insulation Infra-red "sees" copper as being more reflective than aluminum. Strange but true. Also there is some highly effective insulation that has a considerably higher R-value than what is available for homes. You might find it if you search in yachting and sailboat specialty sites. It's more expensive than most insulation, but it sounds like you may not need a lot. Regards, -AC_Hacker

07-08-10, 12:03 AM	#8
AC_Hacker Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 4,004 Thanks: 303 Thanked 723 Times in 534 Posts	Super High R-Value Insulation... TimJFowler, When nothing but the best will do... Well here is the information regarding ultra high R-value insulation. Vacuum Insulated Panels (AKA: VIP) Info on Ultra-R (R-50 per inch!!!) Pricing page here. Looks like the 30″ x 35″ panel should do you just dandy. They also make ultra refrigerators out of the stuff. And a very interesting DC Air Conditioning system. -AC_Hacker Attached Thumbnails Last edited by AC_Hacker; 07-08-10 at 07:54 PM..

05-11-10, 11:03 PM	#2
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I would say something IR reflective facing the stove will do the trick. Putting some insulation air-space or foam inside it would help too. If you use stainless steel, shinier is better. Mirror like is best.

05-12-10, 08:29 AM	#3
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	I would do a foil tape on the fridge for sure, if you have space you can then put some reflective bubble wrap in there as well, or take a space blanket and fold it in half and put it around a chunk of cardboard and stuff that in there, card board is a great insulator and anything reflective is going to push the heat back at the stove.

05-12-10, 10:02 AM	#4
Fred_Fredowski Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The polyiso that I have seen at the home center already has a radiant barrier on both sides, so I don't think you need to add another one. Polyiso is also about the best insulator you can get (per unit thickness). So I would think that you would just need a way to make it look good. If I was doing it, I would just cover it with a thin (1/4") layer of hardwood plywood, leaving a small air layer between the ply and the insulation You can add a hardwood strip to the edge to match your cabinets.

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