Once you start cooking at home, you’ll notice that you gain more confidence to explore new recipes and experiment with ingredients. The pros of home-cooked meals are many, from better nutrition to cost savings. However, if you’re noticing lingering odors after cooking, you’re not alone.
Many homeowners struggle to maintain a fresh-smelling kitchen after cooking. Luckily, there are some simple ways to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a clean, odor-free kitchen. Read on to learn how to remove cooking smells from your kitchen.
1. Prioritize Ventilation
First things first, ventilation. All of the odors and fumes created during the cooking process have to go somewhere, right? If you’re relying on opening doors and windows after cooking, you’ll find that it’s not enough to fully extract fumes and odors. Plus, it lets in bugs!
This is where your range hood comes in. Range hoods don’t just push smoke and fumes around. They extract all of the air created during cooking and push it to the exterior of the home. These appliances are designed to suck air away from the kitchen and provide filtration. Ducted range hoods move air to the exterior of the house through a duct. This option is the most efficient and effective at providing ventilation and removing cooking smells from your kitchen. To learn more about selecting a range hood for your kitchen, visit our buyer’s guide.
If you don’t have ductwork, don’t worry. You can use a ductless range hood. These models clean and recirculate air through charcoal filters. These appliances are the best way to quickly remove smoke, steam, odors, and chemicals from your kitchen. And it only takes a push of a button!
For best results, make sure to prioritize maintenance, so your range hood stays operational and at peak performance for the long haul.
2. Control Grease and Debris
If your kitchen still smells a bit stale days after your meal, leftover crumbs, grease, and debris may be to blame. Grease, in particular, is quick to build up on cabinets, counters, walls, and floors. You may not even notice how much grease splatters while cooking. Range hoods with baffle filters can snag the grease before it even has a chance to drip down onto your stovetop or counter.
You can also use a splatter screen with a carbon lining to prevent grease from flying up from your pan. The carbon lining will absorb any odors. Most grease splatter screens are dishwasher-safe to make for easy cleanup.
3. Check Your Fridge
When was the last time you gave your fridge a thorough clean-out? Take time to throw away any expired, molding, or rotten items. Use a disinfectant to clean the surface of your fridge. You can also use soap and hot water to wash down trays, compartments, and shelves.
Next, check your fridge’s temperature. Ideally, you’ll keep it set at 40℉ or below. Any higher than that, and you’ll notice your groceries go bad much quicker. You can place an open box of baking soda in your freezer and fridge to absorb odors. Make sure to replace it every 3 months. You can even sprinkle a bit in your trash can to soak up any smells.
At Range Craft, we’re all about making your kitchen the must-be place in your home. Stay tuned to our blog for more tips and tricks on achieving a brand new cooking experience.