Avoid Smelling Like Your Cooking with These Tips

Cooking is usually associated with the pleasant aromas of the food being prepared. Think of the mouth-watering smell of seared steak, the scent of rosemary and lemon from a roasting chicken, or  even the sour punch of tamarind from the pot of sinigang. These different flavors and smells are often enough to lure your housemates to the kitchen in anticipation of the meal ahead, but as delicious as they seem, the odors can become unpleasant over time.

The smell of your cooking will linger on long after you’ve finished your meal, sticking to the walls, tables, and even the surfaces of your kitchen appliances. Layered over each other and mixed with grease, the odors that once used to entice the appetite can begin to smell rancid and off-putting. They can mix with the air and travel throughout your home, causing discomfort and potentially triggering respiratory problems like asthma. They can also cling to your clothes, so the odor comes with you wherever you go. Fortunately, you can avoid smelling like your cooking with the help of these tips.

Switch to an Induction Cooker

Upgrading to an induction cooker can reduce the odors that linger after cooking. Since this appliance doesn’t use gas or an open flame to heat your cookware, it doesn’t give off any fumes. Induction stoves are also easier to clean than a conventional stovetop. As a result, you can quickly get rid of stains and spills before their stale odors can contaminate the air.

Invest in a Range Hood

Installing a range hood above your stove will help remove cooking odors from the kitchen. Range hoods are designed to draw in moisture, smoke, grease, and other air contaminants. Depending on the type, the appliance either expels these outside or filters the air before releasing it back into the room. Using a range hood whenever you cook can help maintain and improve the air quality in your home, and you can find a guide on range hood height help to ensure you are getting optimal use out of the hood depending on correct installation.

There are two kinds of range hoods you can choose from. Ducted range hoods connect to your home’s air duct system, so they can get rid of contaminated air by pulling it outside your home. Since they need to be connected to the air duct system, however, there are limitations as to where ducted range hoods can be installed.

Ductless range hoods, on the other hand, use a filter to remove pollutants from the air. After drawing in air, the filtration system gets rid of the odor particles and introduces the clean air back into your home. Since they don’t need to be connected to an air duct, ductless range hoods can be installed anywhere. However, their filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly for them to work efficiently.

Use a Splatter Guard

Frying is one of the easiest and fastest cooking techniques, and the results are usually quite tasty as well. Unfortunately, frying can also result in oil splatters that stick to your stove and its surrounding areas. Splattered oil that is allowed to dry and remain on these surfaces can be difficult to remove later, and the grease becomes rancid and creates bad odors in the kitchen. 

To prevent oil splashes from happening, it’s a good idea to use a splatter guard when frying. This tool acts as a barrier between you and the food you’re frying, making it easier to keep oil from splattering out of the pan. Splatter guards come in different types of material, including stainless steel and silicone. If you want to get rid of odors more effectively, use a splatter guard that comes with a charcoal filter screen so that it has the added ability to neutralize bad smells.

Wear an Apron and Tie Your Hair

Aside from getting appliances and kitchen products that can eliminate cooking odors, you should also prepare yourself and put on the right gear before cooking. Wearing an apron, for example, can prevent oils, sauces, and other cooking liquids from staining your clothes. This way, you can minimize the odors that cling to your garments. It’s also a good idea to tie your hair back or to put it up in a neat, tight bun to keep splattered oil from getting to your hair. For extra hair care measures, you can also wear a cap or a chef’s head wrap to cover your hair and reduce its exposure to the smells from your cooking.

Use Odor Eliminating Techniques

If you’re dealing with potent and persistent kitchen odors, there are homemade solutions that you can use to eliminate odors permanently. One example is to simmer half a cup of vinegar with a half cup of water in a saucepan while cooking. This mixture will produce steam that can absorb odors in the air while you cook. You can also leave a bowl of baking soda in the kitchen to absorb unpleasant smells produced by acidic foods, fish, and vegetables. Additionally, you can sprinkle some baking soda in your trash can to stop the garbage from stinking up the kitchen.

Cooking produces the food that nourishes your family and brings them together at the dining table. However, it can also result in unpleasant odors that can ruin people’s appetites if left unchecked. Ensure your home remains pleasant and enjoyable for everyone by taking steps to eliminate these foul kitchen odors by investing in the right tools and practicing good kitchen habits.