How to keep a kitchen cool – without a fan or AC

This summer’s heat has pushed us into uncharted territory, which means the struggle to keep our homes cool is harder than ever before. If you haven’t been lucky enough to snap up one of the best fan or the best portable AC’s while they were briefly in stock, then like me, you’ll be on the hunt for the best ways to keep a kitchen cool without them.

While our homes in the UK aren’t built for the heat, there are tips and tricks that you can use to keep them as cool as possible. A kitchen is often one of the hottest rooms in the home due to the heat from appliances and cooking, so this advice will focus on minimising this as much as possible.

Once you’re armed with a few clever tricks on how to push warm air out and bring cool air in, your kitchen will feel like a much more bearable place to spend time in.

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1. Focus on window treatments

If this heatwave has taught us anything, it’s that windows are best left closed during the day when the sun is at its strongest. The same is true for our kitchens – preserving a cooler inside temperature is made easier when you block the light and heat at the window.

Make sure your kitchen window treatment ideas are effective for keeping the heat out – blackout blinds are the ideal solution as they are neat, fuss-free and will keep the heat out in the middle of the day.

If upgrading your window treatment ideas isn’t within budget or you need a quick fix, opting for reflective window films is a quick and affordable update for when the next heatwave strikes. This reflective window film is under £10 from Amazon and easily sticks onto a window pane.

2. Ditch the oven

Ovens emit far too much heat to be used in a heatwave. I always try to stick to minimal-cook dinners during the summer, but sometimes there’s no avoiding needing to cook something. When you do need an oven, switch to the best air fryers instead to prevent too much heat from escaping into the room.

Air fryers emit less ambient heat than ovens because they direct heat onto the food rather than the empty cavity. The heat that radiates from an oven feels sweltering on an already warm day, whereas you won’t feel it at all from an air fryer. Plus, it cooks far quicker.

‘Cooking earlier in the morning or later in the evening can make a surprising difference. Avoiding the hottest part of the day reduces heat build-up and makes the space much more comfortable,’ recommends Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen brand.

3. Consider airflow

Summers in the UK aren’t going to get any cooler. In fact, the Met Office predicts that by 2030, summers will be 1°C to 6°C warmer overall, alongside a higher likelihood of extreme heatwaves that were previously considered impossible.

So it’s important that we start adapting our house designs to align with this change in climate.

‘Good kitchen design starts with airflow. If you’re renovating, think about how windows, doors, and extractor placement work together to encourage natural ventilation. Even opening windows on opposite sides of the home for a short period can create a cross-breeze that helps clear warm air,’ Tom Howley adds.

Opting for an effective extractor fan will also help to minimise hot air from cooking sticking around.

4. Switch off standby appliances

Electronics emit heat even on standby, so make it a habit to turn appliances off at the switch during the summer months.

Small appliances that sit on your worktop all emit heat, whether you notice it or not, so keeping these unplugged or tucked away in a cupboard if not in use will help to keep a kitchen cool.

It’s a win-win, too. ‘Keeping worktops clutter-free isn’t just about aesthetics. A tidy kitchen allows air to circulate more freely and psychologically creates a calmer, cooler-feeling environment, even when temperatures rise,’ Tom also advises.

5. Opt for LED lights

Alongside standby appliances, lights can be another source of heat that is best to avoid during the summer months.

Older, incandescent bulbs waste about 95% of their power generating heat and this radiates into the room. LED lightbulbs are significantly more efficient, so not only will it keep a room cooler but it’s also kinder on your electricity bill.

If your kitchen is hot then the likelihood is that the rest of your home is too – these tips on how to keep a living room cool will allow you to relax inside on a warm summer’s day.