The kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where we cook meals, share stories, and gather as a family. Unfortunately, it can become a hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable place during summer. If you're looking for ways to cool down your kitchen, you've come to the right place. We have ten simple ideas to keep your kitchen cool and comfortable all summer.
First, let's see why your kitchen can get too hot.
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Causes of High Temperature In The Kitchen
There are many reasons why the kitchen can be hot in the summer. One reason is that the kitchen is an enclosed space. This means that the heat from the oven, stovetop, and other appliances can build up and make the room feel hot. The summer sun can also make the kitchen very hot, as can humidity levels. And finally, if the kitchen has poor ventilation, heat from appliances and the summer sun can get trapped, making the space feel even hotter.
All these factors can make the kitchen the least favorite place in the summer. It can be hard to cook or eat when you’re sweating bullets. And if you have small children or pets, it can even be dangerous for them to be in a hot kitchen.
According to Energy Star, kitchens are one of the largest sources of heat gain in a home, with cooking appliances accounting for up to 40% of heat generated indoors during summer months.
That’s why it’s essential to take steps to cool down your kitchen in the summer. Below are ten simple ideas that will help you do just that.
1. Use a portable air cooler
An evaporative air cooler like Evapolar is a great way to keep you cool at the counter or stove. Evapolar devices are designed for personal zone cooling within a 3-4 foot radius — perfect for directing airflow directly at you while you cook, clean, or prep meals. They don't cool the entire kitchen, but they keep you comfortable in your immediate workspace.
Evapolar models for 2026:
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evaCHILL ($99): Compact, lightweight, ideal for countertop use
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evaLIGHTplus ($149): LED backlight, larger water tank
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evaSMART ($229): App and voice control, up to 4 m² coverage
Evaporative air coolers are the ideal solution to create a chill bubble in your personal space when you are in the kitchen.
2. Install a window air conditioner
If you have a window in your kitchen, you can cool the space by installing a window air conditioner. It is not an ideal option if you are renting or limited in terms of space and budget.
3. Use fans to circulate the air
Fans are a great and affordable way to cool down your kitchen in the summer. You can use floor fans, table fans, or ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are the most efficient because they circulate the air throughout the room.
However, if your kitchen gets very hot, fans will only circulate the hot air without actually lowering the temperature. For extreme heat, consider combining fans with an evaporative cooler or AC.
Good to know:
The ceiling fan should spin counter-clockwise during summer and clockwise during winter. No magic, just laws of physics: depending on the blades’ direction, they can create a breeze or force the warm air down.
Warm air is much lighter than cold air, so it comes down to density. This is why warm air "floats up", and cold air, on the contrary, "sinks down".
However, if your kitchen gets very hot, the fans will only move the hot air around.
GOOD TO KNOW:
The ceiling fan should spin counter-clockwise during summer and clockwise during winter. No magic, just laws of physics: depending on the blades’ direction, they can create a breeze or force the warm air down.
Warm air is much lighter than cold air, so it comes down to density. This is why warm air "floats up", and cold air, on the contrary, "sinks down".
4. Invest in high-quality kitchen appliances
Kitchen appliances like microwaves and refrigerators come in different sizes and styles. If your appliances are old and not energy-efficient, they may generate more heat and consume more electricity. Upgrading to Energy Star-certified models can reduce heat output and lower energy bills. If you are looking for ways to cool your kitchen this summer, investing in some good quality kitchen appliances may be a good idea – especially if your old ones are not energy-efficient.
Also, most devices tend to generate a little bit of heat when plugged in. It won't make a massive difference in the scorching heat, but overall it is a good life hack — also because it helps save on energy.
For a better understanding of how appliances heat the air in the room and what appliances which emit the most energy, you can check out this detailed article.
5. Close the curtains and shades during the day.
If you have windows in your kitchen, you can reduce temperatures in the kitchen by closing the curtains and shades during the day. This will keep out the sun’s heat and will help keep the kitchen cool. If your window catches a lot of direct sunlight, give your preference to dark or blackout curtains. For even better results, consider applying reflective window film — it can block up to 70% of solar heat without blocking the view.
6. Don't leave the oven door open after cooking
It might be tempting to leave the oven door open after you’ve finished cooking to cool it down but this will actually make your kitchen hotter. The heat from the oven will escape and make the room feel even warmer.
7. Use the stovetop as little as possible
If possible, avoid using the stovetop to cook during the summer. It will only add more heat to an already warm kitchen. Instead, opt for recipes that can be made in the oven, microwave, or slow cooker to keep the kitchen cool while cooking.
💡 Consider induction cooking
If you're renovating your kitchen or replacing your cooktop, consider induction. Induction cooktops are up to 86% energy-efficient compared to gas (31%). This means less wasted heat in your kitchen and faster cooking times.
8. Install a range hood
A range hood is one of the most effective ways to remove heat, steam, and odors from your kitchen. It pulls hot air directly from the cooking surface and exhausts it outside (ducted) or filters and recirculates it (ductless).
How to choose the right CFM:
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Small cooktops (up to 30 inches): 300-600 CFM
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Medium to large cooktops (36+ inches): 600-1,200 CFM
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Gas ranges: require higher CFM than electric due to combustion byproducts
Ducted vs. Ductless:
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Ducted: Vents hot air outside — most effective for heat removal
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Ductless (recirculating): Filters air and returns it to the room — better for rentals but less effective at removing heat
9. Paint your kitchen walls white
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cool down your kitchen, painting the walls white will help reflect the sun’s heat. Darker colors will absorb the heat, which will make the room hotter.
10. Get a whole-house fan
A whole-house fan is a great way to cool down your entire house, including the kitchen. These fans are installed in the attic. They pull cool air in through the windows and push the hot air out of the house.
11. Freeze water bottles or ice packs and use them as coolers
Another easy way to cool down your kitchen is to freeze water bottles and use them as coolers. You can place them in a shallow dish or bowl to catch condensation, then position them in front of a fan for a DIY cooling effect.
If you don’t have any frozen water bottles or whole-house fans, you can use ice packs to cool down your kitchen. Just place them in the fridge or freezer and then put them in your kitchen when needed.
Is It OK to Put an AC In The Kitchen?
If you want to cool down your kitchen with an air conditioner, place it in a spot with good air circulation, away from direct heat sources like the stove and oven. Avoid placing it directly above or next to the stove, heat and grease from cooking can damage the unit and reduce its efficiency. For window units, position them on a wall opposite the cooking area if possible.
You should also remember that an AC unit in the kitchen will use more energy than in another room, so it is vital to ensure it is energy-efficient. Look for the Energy Star label — Energy Star-certified ACs use up to 15% less energy than standard models . If you don’t know whether your AC unit is energy-efficient, you can ask for help from a professional. Or you can check this article about how to choose the most energy-efficient air conditioner.
Evapolar Is The Perfect Device to Keep You Cool in Your Kitchen
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Evapolar devices are designed for personal zone cooling (3-4 foot radius), perfect for directing airflow directly at you while you cook, clean, or prep meals. They don't cool the entire kitchen, but they keep you comfortable in your immediate workspace.
Evapolar models for 2026:
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evaCHILL ($99): Compact, lightweight, ideal for countertop use
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evaLIGHTplus ($149): LED backlight, larger water tank
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evaSMART ($229): App and voice control, up to 4 m² coverage
Key benefits:
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Best price/value ratio: Evapolar is much more efficient for personal cooling than a fan of the same size.
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Patented evaBREEZE® material: Filters resist mold and bacteria growth, even with prolonged water contact.
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Energy-efficient: Uses only 7.5-12.5W — up to 100 times less than a portable AC.
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People also ask (FAQ):
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Does cooking make the house hot?
Yes, cooking can make the house hot. When you're cooking, the stove and oven generate a lot of heat. Try to cool the kitchen down before cooking by opening the windows or using fans and air conditioners. You can also cook on the grill or outdoors to keep the kitchen cooler.
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How do I control the temperature of my kitchen?
There are many different ways to cool down a hot kitchen. You can install a window air conditioner, use a portable air conditioner, or buy a whole-house fan. You can also use fans, ice packs, and frozen water bottles. According to Energy Star, using energy-efficient appliances and proper ventilation can significantly reduce kitchen heat.
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Where should a kitchen fan be placed?
The best place for a kitchen fan depends on your goal. For general air circulation, place a fan in a corner or on the counter, directing airflow toward you rather than directly at the stove (which can blow out gas flames). If you have cabinets above the stove, a floor fan is a safer and more practical choice.
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Which is the best evaporative cooler for the kitchen?
Evapolar is the best personal evaporative cooler for the kitchen. It is easy to use, provides cool air quickly, and is ultra-portable. Here are the current models for 2026:
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evaCHILL ($99): Compact, lightweight, ideal for countertop use
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evaLIGHTplus ($149): LED backlight, larger water tank
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evaSMART ($229): App and voice control, up to 4 m² coverage
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How can I keep my kitchen cool while cooking?
To keep your kitchen cool while cooking:
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Use a range hood to exhaust hot air and steam outside
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Cook in the morning or evening when it's cooler
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Use induction cooktops, they produce less heat than gas or electric radiant
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Use a slow cooker, microwave, or air fryer instead of the oven
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Place a personal evaporative cooler (like Evapolar) on the counter and direct airflow at you.