A joy to see another 2-oven, Standard (1941-1972) happily withstand the second conversion of its lifetime. Repaired, restored and renewed with a fresh coat of Pillar Box Red vitreous enamel, and rejuvenated with an efficient Electrikitsystem.
This is not a pretty scene, kieselguhr insulation. Disguised here by a thin layer of vermiculite and exhausted rockwool...
It can get everywhere! But a mask, some goggles and a BIG BRUTE! ...
And it is sucked away! Even the most compacted parts are no match for our handy huge hoover!
NOW is the season for updating your insulation, if you have this job pencilled in it is worth knowing that kieselguhr was used up until the late 60's, we have come across some early 70's models too.
If you have kieselguhr, it is a dense powder, but can still drop. Meaning that the rock wool drops, causing air gaps through which your heat will disappear. Without a BIG BRUTE, there is no way to remove it without dismantling the range and making an almighty mess!
Do not despair, you can still update your insulation. The kieselguhr can be topped up with vermiculite, making sure that it is settled and there are no air gaps, then 'dressed' with a compact modern insulation.
< This blog covers it in a little more detail
This is 'Big Brute', a member of Philip's re-enamelling arsenal! We use him to suck all the old insulation out of the range cookers that we look after.
Cats, small dogs and pets must be removed from its vicinity before use (seriously; it is in the instructions) in case they are sucked in by his charms!
With 20 metres of trunk he can sit outside your home, and create almost no dust in your kitchen. It's another way we 'work clean'.
There is something about this red that fits the standard models so well. I think that it is the traditional and iconic detailing that harks back to old phone boxes, buses & post boxes. In the days when they were shiny, well kept and a focal point in cities, towns and villages across the UK. After all the design of the route master and the original Standard are connected by the same designer!
Locally we have a beautifully yarn bombed phone box, and a few library phone boxes, progress has treated them well. We have one working one in my small town, and the look on my kid's faces was a picture when I rang it with my mobile, after duping them into posing in it! They did not know what to do with it!
I digress! Sorry,
If you would like to know more about the Electrikit system and how it can save you money, I have answered some of my FAQ's in a blog when we transformed a Pre '74 Deluxe to bright yellow!
Or, pick up the phone and have a chat! Katy x
