Small kitchen in garage

[john80]

Can I set up a kitchen in my insulated integrated garage without adding new walls or making permanent changes? I plan to install a gas cooker, sink, hood, and electric heater while keeping the roller garage door and placing a curtain in front of it inside. If all gas, plumbing, and electrical work is done by qualified professionals, is this allowed?

IDK,

But things to think about. It may be considered a change of use and require planning permission.

Insurance tends to be a bit funny around kitchens too. They are high risk areas. A lot of fires and water leaks start in kitchens. So houses with 2 kitchens are often more expensive to insure.

Finally council tax can be a bit funny about kitchens too. Because 2 kitchens can be a characteristic of two separate dwellings and therefore 2 council tax charges.

IDK whether any or all of the above will apply to you.

Thanks @GasPanic - Great points! I wasn’t aware this could increase the risks or tax band. I’ll look into it as well.

Is this to replace the kitchen in the main house or be in addition to it- for cooking stinky food for example? If it is to be used year round with just a roller door and a heater- it will still be freezing in winter? I assume you still want to use it as a garage, or at least keep a roller door for some reason? I'd be looking at see if there are any options to insulate the roller door or at least have better seals to prevent wind and excess heat loss.

We've just renovated a derelict property and had to re-do all wiring, pipework, ground work, gas flue etc. I'm far from a expert, but some things to consider.

Do you already have a water supply in there? If not, you'll need to factor in the cost of a water pipe to the sink, plus getting the waste water out via the drains.
Same with the gas pipes- are they already in there? Also factor in the cost of a flue. I recall there being very specific rules regarding how far the flue could be from a window, other building etc. If the garage is under the house, it 'might' mean you need a flue that extends the height of both stories and comes above the ridge line of the roof. We had to do similar. Our flue goes through the house and out the roof. 3yrs ago it was £2,000, we are SE.
Are there electrics in there already?

As said, I'm not an expert at all, just trying to recall some of the issues we needed to overcome. Do you have any trusted trades to ask whether its possible? Have you started getting quotes?

Thanks @Darkclothes

This is a spare kitchen for occasional use when I want to cook with gas, as my main kitchen is electric. It’s also for cooking strong-smelling foods.

I want to make the minimum legally required changes to the garage. I’m not removing the roller door yet, as I may occasionally use the space for some car stuff.

The integrated garage already has electrical connections and is next to our primary kitchen, so access to gas, water, and drainage should be straightforward. Thanks for the info about the flue - I’ll check the requirements.

I would personally spend the money swapping to a gas hob in your main kitchen instead. And install some industrial level ventilation to deal with the smells.

If you don't want to do that, is a portable gas hob in the garage and option? You get some pretty meaty ones. I'd build a large counter with a sink (a garagey utility type sink so the council/insurance definitely can't call it a kitchen sink) ostensibly for washing mucky boots etc. Put an extractor in 'for the damp' and then have a large portable gas hob that is technically for camping but once or twice you have been known to use it in the garage. Avoids all the insurance/building standards issues, and much cheaper than putting in a fixed gas supply.

The thing that would worry me about using a gas cooker in a garage is the lack of ventilation leading to a build up of fumes.

I think I’d be inclined to make an ‘outside kitchen’ area / terrace with proper bbq and gas hob behind the garage, if the garden layout allowed it. Then you can use it more often, and not worry about ventilation at all!

In theory yes.

It costs a lot to convert a garage to a 'habitable' room but kitchens and bathrooms are technically not classified as habitable rooms so should have less strict regulations.

You can have gas BBQ (and other stuff pizza ovens etc...) in your garden with no legal issues and freestanding in an outdoor space they don't even require gas certification.

(Obvious warning: do not use BBQ indoor - its used simply as a demonstration that there is often lesser rules applied on cooking areas).

You shouldn’t use a gas barbecue or gas camping stove inside a building because of the exhaust fumes. I use ours outside all year round. If I could be bothered I’d get one of those roof on legs things to protect against rain. In fact your post has got me thinking about doing something about that.

This is true re the camping gas stove. OP would having to ventilate really well whilst using it, but I assumed that would be the case since she is using this area for stinky foods anyway.

any open flame requires adequate ventilation.

Thanks so much for all your input, really appreciate it - it was super helpful!

You would need to check the original PP for the garage/house.

It is quite common for conditions to be imposed on planning permissions preventing the conversion of integral garages without PP.

I want to make the minimum legally required changes to the garage. I’m not removing the roller door yet, as I may occasionally use the space for some car stuff.

sounds like a brilliant idea. Gas + sparks + all manner of explosives in a contained space. 🫣