Proven Kitchen Cooling Tips For Summer: Stay Comfortable and Save Energy

How To Keep Your Kitchen Cool in Summer Season

Moreover, there are many other sources of heat in the kitchen. It includes:

• Sun exposure – The kitchen always gets the sun rays as it is in the east direction. So, sun exposure makes the kitchen hot.
• Lack of ventilation: If there is improper ventilation then the kitchen quickly becomes hot while cooking.
• Appliances: Appliances when overused release a lot of heat making the kitchen hot.
• Excessive lighting: Too many lights in the kitchen also make the temperature hot.
• Lack of proper insulation: Improper insulation in the kitchen also makes it hot.

Impact Of Heat On Comfort And Food Safety

Kitchens usually heat up on continuous cooking making it difficult for the people to stand and cook food. Moreover, employees or cooks working continuously in heated kitchens face serious heat-related problems and stress. They usually are at risk of heat rashes, heat exhaustion, and also heat stroke.

Thus, the kitchen when exposed to heat causes serious issues for employees leading to less work performance and reduced food productivity. In addition, there is a huge impact of heat on food safety. The heated kitchen has a temperature that creates an environment free of pathogens and inactivates the enzymes changing the chemical activity of food. Thus, it lowers the food quality and spoils the food in less time.

Why Keep Your Kitchen Cool ?

Keeping the kitchen cool makes the person cooking very comfortable while cooking food or working in the kitchen. Moreover, there are many benefits of keeping the kitchen cool. It includes:-

• Comfort- A hot kitchen usually causes sweat, itching, and many other issues. However, a cool kitchen offers comfort in the kitchen enhancing the cooking experience.
• Safe health: Cool kitchen ensures there are no heat-related health issues such as heat strokes, rashes, and others. It keeps the chef and other workers healthy.
• Efficiency – A cool kitchen makes the chef comfortable enhancing the productivity of food and its quality.

Moreover, a cool kitchen does not require a heavy cooling system that saves energy consumption and reduces costs.

Effective Ventilation Strategies

The kitchen is an important part of the house where all the action occurs. Cooking emits smoke, greasy air, odours, and many more which need to be removed from the kitchen for comfortable cooking. Thus, ventilation becomes an important aspect of your kitchen ensuring ventilators allow good airflow in the kitchen. Moreover, there are various effective ventilation strategies important to keep your kitchen cool:-

• Install range hoods and exhaust fans: Installing range hoods is the best way to ventilate your kitchen and keep it cool. The range hoods and exhaust fans help to remove smoke, and dirty and contaminated air from your kitchen. Moreover, the different types of range hoods and exhaust fans that you can choose as per your kitchen requirements.
• Cross ventilation techniques: cross ventilation is a technique that helps to improve the airflow in the kitchen. Moreover, it helps to keep your kitchen cool and remove dirty pollutants such as smoke, fumes, and others. There are a few cross-ventilation techniques for your kitchen.
• Ceiling fans- Use your ceiling fan in reverse mode to improve the cross ventilation. In the summer season, use your ceiling fan in a counterclockwise direction for cooling. Whereas in winter, turn the ceiling fan in a clockwise direction for warm air.
• Air circulators- Air circulators function as the best ventilation method as they keep the air in the kitchen in motion and make the kitchen a comfortable space to cook food. Moreover, it is better than a ceiling fan as it doesn’t focus only on cooking effects.
• Open windows – To ensure proper cross ventilation, you can open the kitchen windows.
• Exhaust fan– Use an exhaust fan to ensure proper airflow during the cooking process.
• Trickle vents- Trickle vents in the kitchen window improve cross ventilation of air.

Cooling Tips For The Kitchen

The kitchen is a place that heats up quickly, making uncomfortable space for cooking and spending time with close ones. Thus, keeping the kitchen cool becomes very important. However, a few cooling tips for the kitchen help to maintain coolness in your kitchen.

Optimize Ventilation

A well-ventilated kitchen is always more comfortable than a non-ventilated one. Moreover, ventilation ensures maximum airflow in your kitchen to maintain a refreshing atmosphere inside the kitchen. There are a few ways to optimize ventilation in your kitchen.

• Range hoods and exhaust fans – These help to expel hot air, smoke, fumes, and odours from the kitchen making the space free from pollutants and fresh. Moreover, exhaust fans circulate air creating cooling effects in the kitchen.
• Ceiling fans or tabletop fans- Placing the fan in the kitchen at the right place circulates the air properly and reduces the temperature Indoors.
• Windows – Open windows to have proper airflow in the kitchen.

Reduce Heat From Appliances

Appliances used in the kitchen such as the oven, refrigerator, and others generate heat that contributes to making the kitchen hot. Try to use these appliances less frequently so that less heat is generated. Moreover, avoid using heat-generating appliances at the hottest time of the day, instead use them in the morning when the air is cooler. Use energy-efficient appliances that generate less heat and consume less energy to make your kitchen cool and cost-effective.

Effective Cooking Practices

If you have a routine of cooking meals three times a day, then you can change the cooking hours. It’s better to cook in the morning and leave the kitchen before it gets hot. Moreover, there are a few more cooking practices you may follow to keep your kitchen cool.

• Choose to cook dishes that involve minimum cooking and less smoke. The heat of flames becomes unbearable in the kitchen, so choose to cook food that requires minimum cooking.
• Choose the cooking without fire option more frequently. Try making salads, fresh fruit juice, or others. These are healthy and keep the kitchen cool.
• Use slow cooker cooking methods as it is an effective way to keep your kitchen cool.
• Use fixed cooking hours and do not cook when the sun gets on the top.
• Opt for solar cooking as it generates less or no heat in the kitchen.
• Turn off the appliances when not in use to keep the kitchen cool.

Windows And Lighting Solutions

The kitchen has windows and doors for keeping regular airflow in the kitchen. However, these windows may allow heat waves during summer days or allow entry of direct sunlight making the kitchen hot. Moreover, there are many window solutions to keep your kitchen cool. It includes

• Shade kitchen windows: Keeping your kitchen cool includes stopping heat from entering your kitchen. So, shading your kitchen windows is the best way to keep scorching sunlight away and let a soft breeze inside your kitchen. Moreover, shade your kitchen windows using large plants, trees outside the house, awnings, and others.
• Seal the window gaps: Seal the gaps in windows and doors to make sure the cool air remains inside the kitchen and doesn’t escape changing the temperature.
• Insulated curtains: Invest in insulated curtains that will not allow the heat and hot air to enter inside the kitchen and keep your kitchen cool.
• Tint your kitchen windows: Tinting your kitchen windows blocks the heat entering the kitchen.
• Use blinds: Install blinds on your curtain to block the heat from outside the kitchen.

In addition, lightning may also cause disturbance in keeping your kitchen cool as some lights emit heat. Using halogen and incandescent bulbs emits large amounts of heat in the kitchen, so it should be avoided. Instead, use LED lights that keep your kitchen cool and save a lot of energy.

Natural Cooling Methods

There are many natural methods to keep your kitchen cool and comfortable for cooking and spending time. It includes

• Incorporate cool colours in your kitchen – Kitchen wall colour plays a great role in keeping the kitchen cool. So, colour your kitchen wall with light-coloured paints or cool colours such as aqua, pastel pink, and others. In addition, many smart paint colours are engineered to keep the walls of kitchens and houses cool by reflecting heat.
• Shades- Shades are an effective way to block the direct heat from the sun and make the walls of the kitchen less exposed. Thus, create shades around the kitchen wall or plant trees that would shadow your kitchen and keep it cool.
• Indoor plants – Plants help to keep your kitchen cool as they release water during the transpiration process purifying the air. So, it’s effective to put small indoor plants on the kitchen Windows and countertops to keep the kitchen cool.
• Cool flooring – There are cool flooring materials to keep your kitchen floor cool. Use polished concrete floors or timber floors to keep the Kitchen cool and help in heat reduction in kitchens.
• Use light-coloured material – Light-coloured material or fabric absorbs less heat and maintains coolness. So, it’s very effective to have light-coloured curtains, or tablecloths in the kitchen helping heat reduction in kitchens.

Cooling Appliances And Fixtures

With advancements in technology, many cooling appliances are energy efficient and help to make your kitchen cool. Moreover, choosing energy-saving cooling appliances and fixtures is an effective way to keep your kitchen cool and save money. It includes

• Portable air cooler: An Air cooler which is portable is the best way to keep you and your kitchen cool during cooking. Moreover, you can place the air cooler anywhere you are working in the kitchen whether cooking, cleaning, or food preparation.
• Whole house fan: These are effective ways to keep your kitchen cool along with the other parts of your house. It is installed in the attic and helps to pull cool air through the window along with expelling hot air from the house.
• Countertop fans: The fan helps to circulate the air in the kitchen. It is the best way you can keep the fan and gas flame running at the same time without any disturbance.
• Smart cooking appliances- Various smart cooking appliances consume less energy and cook food without heating your kitchen.
• Ceiling fan – These are the cheapest way to keep your kitchen cool.

Insulation And Window Treatments

There are a variety of window treatments which when installed in the kitchen help to keep the Kitchen cool and effectively help in heat reduction in kitchens. These different window treatments provide insulation which is energy efficient and blocks the heat. It includes

• Shutters – Shutters are the best way to regulate airflow and sunlight. In addition, it provides insulation in both weather conditions whether hot or cold.
• Solar shades- Solar shades are the energy-efficient and most effective way to insulate the kitchen allowing the natural light to enter.
• Cellular shades- These are honeycomb-shaped shades that trap the air inside the kitchen and insulate your kitchen completely.
• Blinds- The blind traps on the kitchen windows help to insulate your kitchen keeping it cool.
• Thermal curtains – These are the blackout curtains that block light and reduce heat transfer.

Moreover, many insulation methods create a barrier to heat flow in the walls and ceilings of the kitchen. There are various insulation materials for the kitchen walls and ceilings. It includes

• Double glazing is also an effective insulating layer helping in heat reduction in kitchens by retaining hot air outside.
• Foam board helps to prevent the heat from passing through the kitchen walls and ceilings.
• Glass wool is the thermal insulation material that creates a barrier for heat escape.
• Use spray foams to insulate walls and ceilings keeping the kitchen cool.

Kitchen Cooling Tips And Tricks

Apart from the above-mentioned ways to keep your kitchen cool, there are many additional things you must consider to maintain the kitchen temperature. Moreover, there should be kitchen maintenance for every season.

Seasonal Adjustments For Different Climates

There are three major seasons in India which are summer, rainy, and winter. Moreover, every season has its climatic conditions. Whatever the season is, the kitchen should always be the ideal place to spend quality family time. Thus, it’s important to keep your kitchen maintained according to every season.

Summer Season:

• Use smart cooking appliances, kitchen range hoods, exhaust fans, ceiling fans, and others.
• Use shades, window shutters, and blinds to reduce heat entry.
• Use light-coloured paints and fabrics
• Use indoor plants in the kitchen

Rainy Season :

• Keep proper ventilation in the kitchen. It helps to remove extra water and moisture from the kitchen.
• There may be moulds and mildew as the rainy season is the perfect time for the growth. Thus, regularly clean the kitchen area.

Winter Season:

• Use rich tones and warm colour palettes to make the kitchen warm during winter. Thus, you can choose colours like navy blue, islands, earthy green, and others.
• Use bright and direct lighting creating a warm atmosphere. Moreover, use candles for the home atmosphere.
• Use a smart ventilation system that helps to escape the warm air and doesn’t allow chilled air to enter.
• Use stovetops to cook that will warm your kitchen.
• Use warm winter aromas for your kitchen.

Maintenance Tips For Cooling Equipment

Equipment plays an essential role in keeping your kitchen cool. However, it’s very important to maintain the equipment and appliances, furniture better functioning and saving energy. Here are a few maintenance tips for cooling equipment. It includes

• Regular checking of refrigerant level: There is a regular need to check for the optimum refrigerant level as low levels may create compressor pressure and thus, make it less efficient. Moreover, it’s important to check any leaks to maintain the refrigerant level.
• Regular inspection of ventilation system: Proper ventilation system in the kitchen regulates proper air flow making the equipment function effectively. Thus, regular inspection and cleaning of the ventilation system becomes important.
• Clean and maintain coils: The most effective way to prevent equipment damage is to clean the equipment coils. Moreover, dirty coils may reduce the equipment efficiency by approximately 5%.
• Air filter cleaning: The air filter traps dust and dirt. Thus, clean the air filter regularly to remove the dust and dirt accumulation as dirt build-ups may cause the appliances to heat.
• Regular cleaning: It’s important to clean the equipment regularly as the food debris, or grims may block the equipment and cause equipment failure.

Conclusion

Cooking in the kitchen emits a lot of heat creating extremely hot temperatures inside the kitchen. Moreover, the various factors involved in making the kitchen hot exert a negative impact on health and food quality.

Thus, it’s important to keep the kitchen cool and favorable to have a quality cooking experience. There are various ways you can keep the kitchen cool, including proper ventilation, using appliances that emit less heat, energy-efficient appliances, exhaust and hoods, effective cooking practices, natural cooling methods, and many others.

In addition, you can also insulate your kitchen walls and ceilings to keep the kitchen cool and maintain a comfortable environment. However, if you want to keep your kitchen and house cool, then the above-mentioned summer kitchen hacks will help you.