Tips to Reduce Condensation in Your Kitchen

Cooking and washing can release large amounts of steam into the air in your kitchen, and this can easily escape and spread into other parts of your home where it will form condensation. If not dealt with, condensation can lead to major problems with damp and lead to mould growth. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do that will reduce the amount of condensation that can form in and around your kitchen.

Our tips to reduce condensation in your kitchen will help to protect your home and your health.

Use lids on pots and pans while cooking

When cooking on the stove, large amounts of steam can be released from the pan. Always using a pan lid keeps the steam in the pan and reduces the amount of water vapour that could cause condensation. Not only that, but it also helps food to cook more efficiently which saves you money on your energy bills.

Use your hob extractor when cooking

Most hobs have an extractor fan installed above them to help keep cooking smells and steam from escaping from the kitchen. Ensuring that these are used every time you cook will help to reduce the amount of water vapour that could cause condensation.

Keep the kitchen door closed when cooking

If you leave the kitchen door open when cooking, steam can easily escape and spread into nearby rooms. Closing the door keeps any steam contained in the kitchen and reduces the smell of food cooking from spreading around your home.

Avoid opening the dishwasher before it cools

If you open your dishwasher before it has a chance to cool down fully, it will release a large amount of steam into the kitchen which could overwhelm your extractor fan and quickly cause condensation to form. Wait for half an hour for the dishwasher to fully cool so the leftover water has plenty of time to drain.

Wipe down surfaces regularly

Regularly wipe down kitchen surfaces, including countertops and windows, to remove excess moisture. This not only helps to reduce the overall humidity in the room and helps to stop mould, but also ensures that your kitchen remains clean and hygienic.

Leave your windows open

If possible, it is a good idea to leave your kitchen windows open when cooking. This helps to keep the air moving and reduces the amount of condensation that can form nearby. If you do have the windows open, it is more important to keep the kitchen door closed to prevent the steam from being blown elsewhere in your home.

Drain the sink after washing dishes

Drain your sink as soon as you have finished washing the dishes. Standing hot water in the sink will evaporate and contribute to the humidity levels in your kitchen and lead to more condensation. Empty the sink quickly after using it. Pouring hot water into the drain also helps to dislodge any residue in the pipes which keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.

Use an extractor fan

As a major source of water vapour in the home, kitchens should have an extractor fan fitted. Modern extractor fans such as the EnviroVent Cyclone 8 feature a humidity sensor that detects the amount of water vapour in the air, and then automatically adjust their power levels to reduce that humidity as quickly as possible. This helps to stop condensation in your kitchen and surrounding rooms.

A dedicated kitchen extractor fan works in conjunction with the hood above your stove and improves air flow while also creating a slight negative air pressure in the kitchen that stops water vapour from escaping into surrounding rooms where it could collect and cause damp patches and mould to form.

Find out more

If you are struggling with condensation in your kitchen and nearby rooms, and are worried about future problems with mould, we can help. EnviroVent has local ventilation specialists around the UK who can visit your home to identify the causes of condensation and advise you about the right solution for your needs. Enter your postcode below to find an expert in your area.