John-

I had the idea of a small hood that would attach to the raised sink/stove
cover, and would propel the steam/oils out the side sliding window. I never
got past the "envision" stage, which I will share as much detail as I can
here, with thoughts about it in no particular order.

1.      The hood would need to be durable, easy to clean spotless (it could
attract bugs from the food splatters), but easy to make. Probably copper as
it is easy to clean, trim and bend, and is fairly cheap.
2.      The hood would block the light. Would want to mitigate this as much as
possible by making the hood as small as possible.
3.      The hood would need to be two pieces, the "exhaust portion" which would
consist of the fan, motor, and ducting, and the "hood portion", which would
be the sheet copper.
4.      The "sides" of the hood would be hinged, and would swing out like the
sides of a portable Coleman camping stove. This way, when the hood isn't in
use, it could lay flat between the mattresses upstairs. I haven't a clue
where the exhaust portion would live...since it couldn't be easily cleaned,
it *could* attract bugs, so it might live outside on the roof well.
5.      It would be designed to operate with the window open only about 2", with
the screen in place to keep bugs out.
6.      The exhaust fan would fit the small space behind the lid If necessary,
the blower/fan could sit next to the drivers seat/door, at the bottom of a
"U" from the hood to the window.
7.      The capacity of the fan should be enough to create  STRONG suction, not
just air movement, (like a muffin fan) as even the faintest sauteed garlic
and onion can linger in the van for weeks.

Best of luck,

Btw why are you spending three months in your van?

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

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