Is Your Kitchen Always Hot? 10 Easy Fixes That Work, HVAC Pros Say

Your kitchen is full of appliances like the stove, oven, and dishwasher, which produce both heat and steam, increasing the temperature and humidity in the kitchen.

Even when these appliances are not actively being used, the kitchen may lack proper ventilation, causing it to feel hot and clammy. We consulted HVAC experts to find out how to handle a kitchen that is always hot and they provided these 10 easy fixes that any homeowner or DIYer can use to ventilate, cool down, and make your kitchen less hot.

Use the Range Hood or Exhaust Fan

The exhaust fan or range hood above your stove is essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your kitchen while you cook, as long as the filters are regularly replaced and the range hood is frequently wiped down to prevent grease buildup.

With a properly installed exhaust fan, it will extract steam, smoke, and hot air, venting it to the outside.

“The most effective fix is a strong range hood that vents outside, but if yours just recirculates, you’re basically blowing warm air back into the room,” says Danny Pen, HVAC Pro and President of New Era Plumbing & HVAC.

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Open Windows and Doors

Removing hot air and excess humidity is the easiest way to keep the kitchen cool.

“Get the hot, moist air out as fast as you make it,” Pen says. “If you don’t have a range hood venting outside or exhaust fan, open a nearby window.”

You can also open a door or a second window to create cross-ventilation, increasing the cooling effect within the kitchen by allowing hot air to escape and cooler air to enter.

Set Up a Portable Air Conditioner

If you are having trouble properly ventilation the space or you need immediate relief from the heat, consider using a portable air conditioner or an evaporative cooler.

“Installing a window AC unit is simple enough for many people and quite effective,” says TJ Laury, HVAC Pro and President of Ben’s ProServ.

You can even set up a fan and place bags of ice or similarly cool objects in front of the fan to create a make-shift evaporative cooler for the kitchen.

Install a Window Fan

Having a window fan will allow you to pull heat and humidity out of the kitchen and vent it to the outside.

“If you can’t upgrade the range hood, add a simple window exhaust fan near your stove, and you’ll feel the difference right away,” Pen says.

If you install a ceiling fan, you can either direct airflow down into the kitchen to provide direct relief, or you can reverse the direction of the fan to pull heat up toward the ceiling, reducing the ambient closer to the floor.

Reposition Poorly Placed Appliances

In some cases, heat problems in a kitchen are created by poor organization. Once you recognize this issue, you can quickly solve the problem.

“If your refrigerator and oven are right next to each other, try to reposition them so they are apart,” Laury says. “It will force both appliances to work harder, therefore contributing to the heat in the kitchen.”

Reduce Oven and Stove Use

The oven and stove produce the most heat of any appliance in the kitchen, so by limiting the use of these appliances you can reduce the amount of heat produced, making it easier to keep the kitchen cool.

“If you use small appliances like an air fryer or toaster oven instead of bigger ones like the main oven or stovetop cooking, you reduce heat output at the source,” Pen says.

You can also try to make a habit of having no-cook meals once or twice a week.

Block Direct Sunlight

Any heat accumulation in the kitchen will increase the overall temperatures, so preventing direct sunlight from entering the kitchen will help to fix a kitchen that seems to always be too hot.

“You might be surprised how much heat comes in through glass windows,” Laury says. “If you have a window in or near the kitchen that gets direct sunlight, blackout curtains or reflective window film (or even foil!) will help block out the heat significantly.”

If you don’t want to block out the sun completely, consider getting light-colored window coverings that will allow light to shine through, but will reflect direct heat from the sun.

Cook Outdoors When Possible

If the kitchen is just too hot when you use your oven or stove, then step outside for a night or two each week and use your grill or smoker to prepare meals.

Many modern grills have side burners that can be used for pots and pans, while you can also find cooking accessories that can be used directly on the grill so you aren’t limited in what meals you can prepare. This will keep the kitchen cool and give you the opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors.

Use a Portable Dehumidifier

Steam is produced regularly by boiling pots, simmering food, kettles, coffee makers, and the dishwasher, so the amount of humidity within the kitchen can build up quickly, making the room feel warmer than it actually is.

“A small portable dehumidifier in the kitchen while cooking can make the air feel several degrees cooler without touching the thermostat,” Pen says.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Making the switch to energy-efficient appliances that consume less energy and produce less heat is an effective way to cool down the kitchen if you are already looking to replace the existing appliances.

If you switch to an induction cooktop, rather than a traditional stovetop, you can generate less ambient heat, reducing heat production to help keep the kitchen cool.