Radiator type for small space

yz613

Hi, first time poster, thrilled to have discovered this resource.
I have single pipe steam, gas powered, in a house that's around 100 years old. There is no radiator in the kitchen, but there is a steam pipe with a cap sticking out about 3 inches from the floor. The cap looks pretty new. I would like to put a radiator in there, since the kitchen is pretty cold, but it's right by the eating area, and there isn't so much space. So my idea is to put in a short radiator and build a bench over it with an open grill front to provide heat.
So here are my questions:
1. What type of radiator is best for this situation - cast iron baseboard, or can I do a convector?
2. What type of enclosure is optimal for this type of setting? Obviously I'll be losing some heat, but how can I optimize it?
3. Is this the kind of job I can do myself? I'm pretty handy, but have never installed a radiator before.
Thanks!

Steamhead

Take a picture of the space and post it here- let's have a look at it.

Fred

There are many types of cast iron radiators that are even call window bench radiators that you can build a bench over, as you describe. What type of rads do you have in the rest of the house? If they are cast Iron, I would stick with cast iron. If you intend to build a bench over it, I would stick with the typical window height cast iron radiator, anywhere from 14" to 20" high. Is the old rad, taken out gone? Not stored in the basement somewhere? You can find used rads all over the place (at least where I am) Check the "Buy, Sell, Barter" tab on the right of this page. You may find something near you. The only difficult part of this project will be getting the old spud out of a used radiator. Since the valve and spud are a matched set, when you put a valve on that pipe, you will need to put the spud that comes with it on the rad. Not that hard but takes a little determination. Maybe, if you find a used one you can talk the seller into either selling you the valve that was on the rad or taking the spud out for you.

yz613

Thanks for answering so quickly.
All of my current units are cast iron. Why does that make a difference in what I choose though?
I attached 2 pics of the spot:


Thanks again!

Fred

Mixing cast iron rads with other types sometimes can be a problem. Cast iron retains and emits a lot of heat for a good amount of time, after the boiler shuts down, other types, not so much. It can be done and has been done. Not sure it's the best choice if you can keep it cast iron.

Steamhead

Try to find a cast-iron radiator that's 20-inches high or so. This will leave enough height above the radiator that the heated air can escape from the bench.

Or, try to find a very skinny cast-iron radiator that can hug the wall, and you won't need a bench.

Where are you located?

ChrisJ

The way the flooring is cut around the pipe may cause lot of noise. Make sure you cut that bigger before you install the radiator.

Give it some wiggle room.

t hardy

is that galvanized coming out of the floor - if so probably not too good

kcopp

Wall hung CI radiator?

yz613

It's actually a cast iron pipe - someone painted all the pipes silver at some point.
I ended up going with a steel fin convector, it was the most economical and sensible choice, and the balance issue hasn't been a problem so far.
Thanks again to everyone for their help!

newagedawn

thanks for telling us your solution !!!