Best Thai Kitchen design?

**Buckaroo Banzai** · 24-06-2012, 09:03 PM

Why people come to Thailand and desperately try to recreate faranglan, is beyond me.
I am not saying it is wrong, just because I don't understand it, it does not make it wrong. But I don't get it.
I find it more desirable to maintain my relationships , than to maintain a shiny granite counter top. love my Thai family and friends, have a lot of fun hanging out with them, usually near the kitchen , always with a lot of Delicious food, and cold beer
I would never take a clean kitchen over them.
But I respect the right of other to think otherwise.

**Mojo** · 24-06-2012, 10:59 PM

Most condo's and moobaans require to use western toilet and kitchen. Cooking in the hallway/soi and squatting in the lift/neighbors yard is banned. Thai rules, not mine. Honestly.

It could also be that some of us married city girls who demand the same level of comfort they are used to meaning western kitchen and sit down toilet with hot shower. Some of them are know to keep them clean as well without regular beating from their husbands part.

I have both and then some more. Western kitchen inside where wifey does all that needs oven etc so mainly for baking and farang food. Outside at the back is the Thai "wet" kitchen where all the dirty works are done with sink and big gas burners. Outside at the front is my "kitchen" meaning gas barbecue next to outdoor sitting area. Works well and has nothing to do on trying to change your "Thailand".

**juehoe** · 25-06-2012, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by OhOh

Both of you have put ventilation as a high priority. Are your Thai kitchens under the main house or are they separate.

I would have though a separate situation would ensure better ventilation but maybe convenience is lost.

You mention a dishwasher, do you also have a sink in the Thai kitchen.

I am presuming that the Thai kitchen is open to the surrounding areas, do you have any security worries?

We own a one-storey bungalow. The Thai kitchen is part of one of our terraces.

We added the dishwasher later. It is in the Thai kitchen because there was no space left in the Western kitchen and the dining zone is also near the Thai kitchen.

We have no security worries because our house is located in a protected area. In rural Thailand, a separate room or some kind of lockable "cabinet" for the expensive appliance could be suitable.

**WhiteLotusLane** · 02-07-2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mojo

It could also be that some of us married city girls who demand the same level of comfort they are used to meaning western kitchen and sit down toilet with hot shower.

Yes. Mine even wanted a (damned near) American sized fridge. We basically have two Western kitchens, just one that's a bit bigger, which is the one we always use. The smaller (but with higher standard cabinets) gets used just for breakfast, making toast, heating stuff up in the microwave, etc. It's kind of over-kill.

In a new build I would converge the best of the Thai and Western kitchen's features.

It wouldn't be completely outside but there would be plenty ventilation, and there would be a proper door to the house that can be closed. Western style open kitchens that face the dining room or other living space look very nice, but aren't the most practical.

Instead of an inside Western kitchen I'd have the dining area, which would however include some cabinets for plates and glasses, a couple drawers and so on, a small fridge for chilled drinks, and maybe a counter top.. Or not have a dining table and have a central big counter top that doubles as a dining table with some storage underneath. So the Western kitchen would not have a sink or any cooking facilities, and no appliances beyond a toaster and a microwave.

Keeps the dining area tidy with plates and things within easy reach, and keeps the actual cooking and associated mess and fumes out of the way. AND it keeps the house a bit cooler, because an oven or a fridge generates heat, which I don't want inside the home area but in a well ventilated spot 'outside'. (It wouldn't be actually outside in the sense of a typical Thai kitchen 'after-thought' with a crappy tin roof and so on; it'd be a proper space, but with windows and doors on at least three sides. The actual kitchen outside would also be very much part of the 'maid area' that has a separate entrance and would also include a laundry and storage area somewhere.

Best of both worlds.

Other potential issues with 'Western facilties' that can be solved:

* Built-in gas or electric stoves look nice, but the burner units are often too close together to have big pans on at the same time, especially if one of them is regular sized a wok. Perhaps multiple smaller units that can be spaced out a little more is the way to go; those may even be the cheapo asian version, the aluminium counter-top jobbies. It may even be possible to have those things semi-built in.. Needs research.

* Those extractor fan hood things are fairly spendy and aren't always powerful enough. I would entertain the thought of either fitting a huge fan similar to those often used by road-side Thai restaurants with a big ass fan and metal 'chimney'. Or, perhaps have a fan in the wall that pulls a draft through the entire kitchen.. Would be nice to have a cooling breeze while cooking, and will also get rid of the fumes. (Though shouldn't of course blow at the burners too much). Also needs research.

**OhOh** · 02-07-2012, 10:34 PM

^Some good ideas thanks

**Wizard of Oz** · 03-07-2012, 07:34 AM

Built in gas stove doesn't have to be too small for woks and the likes, just get a 5 burner and it will allow you to use big pots and pans. People might think a 5 burner is too much because you never use 5 burners at the same time, but it allows you to put on the bigger stuff.

For the kitchen extractors I used a professional one in Holland, you were able to hook up several extraction points to the one unit. I could deep fry and burn things in the open kitchen and never had a smell in the house. A good extraction system will keep your house and kitchen smell and smoke free. Other thing you need to take into account is airflows in the room itself. Air conditioners, windows, electric fans all influence the working of an extractor fan.

I personally don't like the flat extractors. Look nice in kitchens but useless. There is no room to collect the smoke and smell so when this airflow overflows the extractor you will get smells and smoke in the kitchen. I've always made or bought a chimney like hood where smoke and smell rise into and then get extracted. Works much, much better. Try it in your home, take a big pot of water and bring it to the boil with a lid on. Remove the lid and you will see most of the damp escaping with a flat extractor.

Also look at the ease of cleaning the thing, removable filters that can be put in a dishwasher are the best, easy to clean. Most people forget to clean their extractor and filters, if you have a big flame (or even a pan on fire) accumulated fat in and around your extractor will light up the place in no time, many kitchen fires start like that.

A fire extinguisher and fire blanket are a MUST in every kitchen, especially if you live in a (Thai) wood house. All fires start small and most fires in kitchens involve fat or oil that you cannot put out with water.

**Wizard of Oz** · 03-07-2012, 07:46 AM

For a nice outside kitchen I will buy this at BBQ Galore. Got everything you need for outside cooking without the need to waste 30 minutes trying to start a charcoal fire. Anyone has had dealings with this company in Thailand? I know them from back in Oz and over there they are pretty good, here they seem a bit more expensive but the stuff probably gets imported and not made in Thailand.

Finally worked out to post pictures, will start posting a few of the build I'm doing at the moment. Sorry it took so long to figure out how to do it, but finally, thanks to some help of TD members.

**Mojo** · 07-07-2012, 10:28 PM

Now that drink fridge looks nice.

Been looking one for years without any luck. Anyone know where i could buy nice beer fridge in Bangkok ?

**nigelandjan** · 08-07-2012, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mojo

Now that drink fridge looks nice.

yes I concur ,, and I would imagine being built outside would also look very nice to passing monkeys

**Wizard of Oz** · 08-07-2012, 03:28 AM

I've been looking for a beer fridge too, no luck and that's why I will get that BBQ set up. Emporium do sell wine fridges with glass doors, but no drink fridges with glass doors.

The BBQ will sit at the back of the house on a walled and gated property with 2 dogs and a 9mm, good luck on anyone trying to get a free beer without permission.

**Mojo** · 08-07-2012, 11:48 AM

My fridge will be indoors and in bangkok. So far best i've seen is those minibar ones but they are ugly with the white plastic looks and doors.

I think this kit comes as complete and the fridge is not sold separate?

So anyone, where's the place to buy proper one in Thailand?

**nigelandjan** · 08-07-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Wizard of Oz

with 2 dogs and a 9mm, good luck on anyone trying to get a free beer without permission.

Bloody hell mate ! ok I'll make sure I ask first 555

**t.s** · 26-07-2012, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

This thread would work better with pictures.

Homepro:

Homepro (development test)[0]=13&Itemid=63&lang=en

A Thai kitchen, for a country house anyways, needs to be kinda inside and kinda outside with cover. The tricky part is how to seamlessly link the two areas.

it has almost no prep area. alot of wasted space in my opinion.

**OhOh** · 28-07-2012, 04:07 AM

^Is this enough "prep area"?

And take your eyes of Ms Deneuve.

**Safe n Sure** · 06-08-2012, 10:58 AM

Hi

Good to hear the IKEA kitchens are Ok, as I am just about complete with the new build, doors and windows next and then a kitchen (western style (ish)), but will still have some cooking acilities when madam decides to cook something stinky!

**Safe n Sure** · 06-08-2012, 10:59 AM

Sorry " cooking facilities" - knackered keyboard! (user)

**PassiveCooling** · 29-04-2016, 02:31 AM

I thought I would resurrect this thread.

Why don't we see more open kitchen design in Thailand?

I am talking about open space outward into the yard or expansive window.

I like the idea of windows that slides to the side (like the attached picture) so that they don't get dirty with grease or whatnot.

Anyone know if we can source these windows or something similar?

pinterest. com /pin/84583299223847127/

**OhOh** · 29-04-2016, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by PassiveCooling

so that they don't get dirty with grease or whatnot.

They will, runner channels fill with shit, the hinges seize up and when they are opened they will stick in the runners. But with a little bit of brute force they will be pushed off, land in the garden and be left there to be covered with weeds.

Have fun.

**pominasia** · 29-04-2016, 10:42 AM

Here's our Thai Kitchen. It is at the back of the house, is open on two sides with mosquito netting and wire mesh (to deter casual visitors). Since the picture some of the work space has been filled with utensil storage and a ceiling fan added. There is a solid wooden door between the kitchen and dining table. It is also now used to store bikes, boxes and stuff.

It works well in keeping smells from entering the house. One recent problem was some floor flooding during a severe rain storm

**OhOh** · 29-04-2016, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by pominasia

It is also now used to store bikes, boxes and stuff.

An updated picture would tell a thousand words.

I note your lower worktop section where the cooker is. I missed that and hence the worktop height + cooker + wok makes cooking for my chef difficult.

How are you coping with the smoke and fats from the cooking. Did you consider a hood+fan+external vent?

Originally Posted by pominasia

Here's our Thai Kitchen

Do you have a western kitchen as well?

**Humbert** · 29-04-2016, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by OhOh

I note your lower worktop section where the cooker is. I missed that and hence the worktop height + cooker + wok makes cooking for my chef difficult.

I found that by lowering the cooking area that the space for the gas bottle is compromised and you must use a smaller bottle. Of course I did not use a cooker that sits on top like in the picture but one built in to the counter top so it took up 10 cm of space below the counter.

**VocalNeal** · 29-04-2016, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

keeping cabinet and counter space to Thai height, and easy to clean.

I would need western height for me. Anyone else can use duck boards and I'll take them/it out when I use the kitchen. Or have two sinks and two prep surfaces. Or have an island with duck boards one side none the other.

I'll have to go to daily moan and post about Thai kitchen surface height.

Here a simple one from Simon43

**JohnG** · 29-04-2016, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Humbert

Originally Posted by OhOh

I note your lower worktop section where the cooker is. I missed that and hence the worktop height + cooker + wok makes cooking for my chef difficult.

I found that by lowering the cooking area that the space for the gas bottle is compromised and you must use a smaller bottle. Of course I did not use a cooker that sits on top like in the picture but one built in to the counter top so it took up 10 cm of space below the counter.

Safety -wise, not a good idea to have the gas bottle under the cooker.

**pominasia** · 30-04-2016, 10:18 AM

OhOh

We are going up to house this weekend, so I'll take pictures of the current set-up.

No hood or vent. The aluminum sheets on the mosquito screen keeps it from getting too dirty from fats, and the fumes are handled by overhead fan and the through ventilation.

Yeah, our western kitchen consists of a micro-wave, electric grill, toaster, hot water, blender, etc. So, for example, if you want to fry an egg, you go "outside".

It works for us.

**PassiveCooling** · 01-05-2016, 01:41 AM

I like this design very much...I might just borrow it when I build my house.

I wish we can get away from having the wire mesh or steel grill....but this being Thailand.

I like these windows that can slide completely open....but I doubt that I can source these in Thailand:

Originally Posted by pominasia

Here's our Thai Kitchen. It is at the back of the house, is open on two sides with mosquito netting and wire mesh (to deter casual visitors). Since the picture some of the work space has been filled with utensil storage and a ceiling fan added. There is a solid wooden door between the kitchen and dining table. It is also now used to store bikes, boxes and stuff.

It works well in keeping smells from entering the house. One recent problem was some floor flooding during a severe rain storm

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