Kitchens up and down the country will be put to work this week as we tackle our Christmas dinners and festive feasts. Many households will be filling their ovens and stove tops with turkey, potatoes, vegetables and countless trimmings.
However, our kitchens can suffer as a result of all the hard work going in to preparing the perfect dinner. Damp and mould is common in homes due to trapped moisture, especially at this time of year. Cooking can only heighten the amount of damp in the air, so it is recommended you make two simple changes to ensure this doesn’t become a problem.
Condensation forms when warm air from the inside of homes hits a cold surface like windows. This creates water droplets and damp, which left untreated can turn into mould.
Kitchens are especially warm rooms in homes due to the many cooking appliances. “Every day activities like cooking and drying clothes can lead to a lot of moisture in the air,” explained Which?’s Senior Editor Alison Potter.
She highlighted three very easy changes to make when cooking to help cut down moisture, which will stop damp and mould. Alison said: To get rid of that build up, open a window.
“Put some lids on your pans and use an extractor fan. That’ll help reduce the moisture.”
Simply placing the lids on your pans will cut down the amount of moisture that’s released into your kitchen. The lids physically trap the steam, preventing it from escaping into the cooler air of your kitchen.
The less airborne moisture will mean the less water vapour in the air that can turn into condensation on cold surfaces. And, its not just windows that can attract condensation.
Walls and kitchen units are common spots. Another advantage in keeping lids on pans is that it will even help save energy. Covering pans will cook food faster, which in turn means less energy used.
Extractor fans can help control moisture that has already escaped the pan. It is recommended you have the extractor fan on when cooking, and for at least 10 to 15 minutes afterwards.
The same effect can be created by opening a window to allow air circulation. Keep the door to the kitchen shut to contain moisture into just the one room. This will stop it from spreading to cold spots in your home.
