How to Reduce Condensation in Your Kitchen

How to Reduce Condensation in Your Kitchen

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

Our kitchens are one of the main sources of water vapour in the air of our homes. When humidity levels get too high, condensation will form on cold surfaces such as windows and exterior walls. If condensation is not dealt with quickly, it can create damp patches where mould will grow. Mould growth in your kitchen can be a major health hazard. The spores that moulds use to spread can get into food or be inhaled and cause health problems for people with allergies or weaker immune systems.

Reducing the humidity in your kitchen can help to stop condensation and its associated problems. In this blog post we provide some easy tips that you can use to reduce the amount of condensation that can form and prevent mould growth.

1. Use pan lids when cooking

When boiling water on the stove, large amounts of steam can escape into the air. The simplest way to reduce this happening is to put a lid over the pan when cooking. Not only does this help to cut the amount of water vapour produced, but it also lowers cooking times which will save you money on your energy bills.

2. Avoid opening the oven frequently

Resist the temptation to peek into the oven too often while cooking. Each time you open the oven door, warm moist air escapes, and cold air rushes in. This temperature fluctuation can lead to condensation. Instead, use the oven light and window to check on your dishes without opening the door unnecessarily. As with using pan lids, this will help to reduce the amount of energy you use and contribute to lower bills.

3. Let the dishwasher cool down before emptying

After using your dishwasher, give it time to cool down before opening the door. Opening a hot dishwasher releases a large amount of steam into the air which will contribute to condensation. Patience pays off—wait a bit, and then unload your clean dishes.

4. Don’t dry clothes indoors

Many people have a washing machine in their kitchen and then dry clothes indoors after use. While this can be more convenient, it also releases a large amount of moisture into the air – particularly if you dry clothes over the radiator. Drying clothes outdoors helps keep them smelling fresh and helps to reduce the risk of condensation.

5. Use your extractor fans when cooking

Extractor fans are your allies in combating kitchen condensation. Use them while cooking, especially when boiling water or frying. These fans help remove excess moisture from the air, preventing it from settling on surfaces. Some modern extractor fans feature a humidity sensor which detects the amount of moisture in the air and adjusts the power levels automatically. This helps to reduce the amount of water vapour more quickly and makes the fans more efficient in use.

6. Keep the kitchen door closed when cooking

Large amounts of water vapour and the smells from cooking and cleaning in your kitchen can escape into the rest of your home, so it’s a good idea to keep the kitchen door closed when you’re using it. This will help to stop condensation from forming elsewhere in your home where it might create the conditions for mould to grow.

Find out more

The more you can do to reduce humidity levels, the less condensation will form. Good ventilation in your kitchen is the most effective way to deal with condensation problems for good. If you have found condensation or mould growing in your kitchen it is important to deal with it before the problem gets worse. Book a free home survey from an EnviroVent ventilation specialist. They will visit your home to identify the causes of condensation and provide you with advice about the best way to deal with them. Enter your postcode below to find an expert near you.