Cook Up Better Indoor Air Quality

Whether you’re whipping up a gourmet meal for two or a few dozen cupcakes for the neighborhood bake sale, cooking may not only be one of your favorite pastimes—it may also be one of the more dangerous activities taking place in your home.

Thanks to common kitchen chemicals such as smoke, grease and gas, your indoor air quality could be compromised. Here’s how to reduce pollutants in the kitchen so you can get back to cooking your family’s favorite recipes.

Your range hood (or exhaust hood) improves the air quality in your kitchen by using a fan to extract pollutants such as smoke and grease. If you’re like most people, you turn on the fan only after you smell burning food or see smoke, but in reality, you should be using it every time you cook.

Maybe you have an over-the-range microwave with a vent (in lieu of a hood) or a smaller hood that doesn’t fully extend to cover your entire stove. If that’s the case, prevent pollutants from escaping the fan by cooking on back burners when possible.

Beyond the mechanical ventilation provided by a range hood, natural ventilation—air movement through open windows and doors—is equally important. Next time you’re cooking, crack the kitchen window to release indoor pollutants—and attract passersby with the scents of your delicious food.

The Filtrete™ Odor Reduction Air Filter is specifically designed to remove odors from cooking, while also trapping unwanted air particles. Plan to replace your filter at least every 90 days for the best results.

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention