Hi everybody. I originally posted this message to mudhouse's blog, not knowing how to post it here. But, now I do! So, if anyone gets this message twice, lo siento mucho. Anyway, here it is: I have a question about possible corrosion on my new, unassembled HFGH 10x12. The gravel has arrived, the foundation timbers are in place, and I'm ready to build the greenhouse. But, before I begin, I wonder if someone can enlighten me on potential electrical contact corrosion where (mudhouse's) steel "L" brackets connect the EMT to the frame, where the hold-downs meet the steel base, and where the studs also meet the base. Should I somehow insulate these contact points, perhaps with rubber? Is there actually a problem at these spots? Thanks so much. masscactus - ready to build

Lucille, Before you decide that I need to work on repairing my relationship, can I just tell you of another, similar in some sort of intent, that happened some time ago......... We remodeled our kitchen, including the countertops. I used 6" ceramic tiles on the countertops. They looked great. One of the countertops was between two tall cabinets, and across two base cabinets, in another part of the kitchen. Because the cabinets were a white/glaze (before our time, but we decided to keep them) and the floor was a white ceramic, and we used a lighter tile, then decided to use red on the soft items in the kitchen (towels, curtains, etc.), when it came time to get the new tilework grouted, for this small area I chose the 'cayenne red' grout. What a pop of color this would make, I thought. Well, as I completed my first row of tile (I've done this many times before, incidentally), I decided that it would not do. I work slowly, but the finished product is always perfect. I decided not to go on, that the color was not what I thought I wanted. I was standing, looking critically at it, making a final decision, when DH came into the kitchen. He wanted to know how I was doing, and I said that I was not happy with the way it looked. I was gently picking at the red grout, trying to ascertain how much of a mess it was going to make as I removed it. Well, Lucille, he then proceeded to take the ENTIRE bucket of grout and turn it upside-down onto the counter, grabbed the trowel and roared "Well, here's the way you're supposed to do it" as he began to quickly smear the grout from one side to another. I almost fainted, that he would come in there and as I was beginning to remove what I had already put between the tiles, he piled an entire bucket on to the surface. It took me a couple of hours to repair that damage. I later chose another bucket of the basic, neutral color we used on the other countertops, but not before several hours of cleaning, scraping and wiping up cayenne red grout, incredulous that he could have done this, the entire time. it has taken me more than that to try to repair the thoughtless damage he caused by piling ground-up road, chunks of tar and rocks, dust of unknown composition onto my previously pristine, organic garden. So, before you criticize my relationship, perhaps you should have thought that you did not know all the facts! :)

jennybeth, Easter went great and everyone loved the kitchen (or lied convincingly). My mother, who has seen the kitchen evolve as my father, brother and I did the work, commented on how pleased she was that the layout facilitated several of us cooking at once without bumping in to one another. (That's pretty amazing given that the kitchen also qualifies as "small" on this site: it's only 14'x10'.) On the down side, it seemed like the meal was a bit rushed. I think that having dual-ovens all but eliminiated the usual "digestion" time between the first and second courses. Also, to "keep some veggies warm," my mom put them in an oven that had been turned off 30 minutes prior. She didn't realize how well the Gaggenau ovens hold the heat and didn't warn anyone that the bowls had been "warmed" to 303 degrees. (Hilarity ensued... ;-) For those interested, those courses consist of the following home-made items: First course: meatballs, sweet and hot sausages, and gravy; ravioli and manicotti (of course). (OK, you caught me, the sausage wasn't homemade.) Second course: two turkeys; one ham; white and sweet potatoes, broccoli rabe, and string beans; bread, pineapple, and meat stuffings. Dessert: Italian run cake (store-bought for a cousin's birthday); vanilla, chocolate, and ricotta cannolis (bought from the same store); maple, lemon, and Amaretto pana cotta (I made those); and ricotta and rice pies (from my mom). flyleft, 3Form doesn't seem to like to deal direct. They work with independent firms to represent them in different cities and who handle sales and quotes. I never met my local rep in person, but we spoke several times and exchanged email a lot. I can tell you that the panels that we got (which were the longer 10'x4' size) cost almost $900 a piece plus a few hundred for shipping across the country.

leela I am awaiting a sample to pour oil on & scour with grease cutter. this will help me decide lol. bdrl I will look for your post. I know, but I plan on degreasing to clean daily. At least I hope to.... from what I understand, the oil doesn't get absorbed into the stone and can be degreased. it will patina around the heavy oil areas like the cooktop, but should be able to blend well if I use a degreasing agent. I will test my sample when I get it. I have other soapstone that I used dish soap to clean it, and although not as light as unoiled, the oil spot fades pretty much with dish soap cleaning. mamagoose, love that mock up! thanks! All the way to the ceiling baby! Hood will actually be touching the ceiling, so I have to go all the way.