With scorching heat across the US this summer, there's no end in sight, but you still need to make dinner. If you don't want to empty your bank account by ordering takeout all the time, or you're not a fan of cold meals, here's how to cook dinner on the stove or in the oven without it melting.
read more: The best foods to stay hydrated during the heatwaves
During the summer, oven usage is the biggest culprit behind a hot home. Don't worry, these expert cooking tips will help you keep your home cool and save money while enjoying hot meals. There are also other cooking appliances that don't necessarily increase the temperature in your kitchen, much less your home.
Read on for the best ways to keep your kitchen cool during the scorching summer heat.
1. Prepare meals instead of cooking
Ceviche requires no cooking and may just be the perfect summer food.
Don't want to heat up your kitchen? Don't cook, but that doesn't mean you can't eat! Look to fresh foods that require no cooking, like summer salads, ceviche, smoothies, and cold noodles. Even just slicing up fresh fruits and vegetables like cucumbers and melons is a refreshing and healthy summer treat. No-cook foods help you beat the heat in two ways: by not heating up your kitchen or your body when you eat them.
When cooking, it's good to have convenient meal kits (these are Best Meal Kits of 2023Although you still have to cook the food, it's a lot less prep work and less time spent in a stuffy kitchen, which is definitely a good thing. Most services also offer no-cook snacks in the summer.
An essential tool for food preparation
2. Use an exhaust fan
An exhaust fan above the stove is most useful on hot summer days.
If you use your oven, make sure you run your exhaust fan on full blast. Many people think that exhaust systems will keep smoke in, but the fan on top of the oven also sucks up a lot of heat.
3. Cook outdoors on a grill or pizza oven
Home pizza ovens are becoming increasingly popular and offer a great alternative to high-temperature cooking indoors.
This summer, take the heat out of your kitchen by cooking outside. Barbecue grilled chicken and steaks are classic grilling foods, but don't forget you can also cook summer favorites like corn on the cob and watermelon on the grill. Heating food outdoors on a grill or smoker may make it hot, but it will keep your kitchen cool.
We've tested and reviewed all the essential gear for grilling and outdoor cooking.
4. Use an Air Fryer or Instant Pot
A slow cooker gives off much less heat than an oven.
Minimizing the use of your oven and stove can help keep your kitchen from heating up. Smaller appliances can cook the same amount of food using less heat than larger appliances. Air Fryer Instead of a wall oven or instead of a panini press StoveYou'll be amazed at how versatile small appliances can be. Instant Pot It's not just for winter soups and stews: Think summer recipes you can make on your countertop, like Instant Pot Pork Carnitas, and don't skimp on the microwave, which can cook rice, quinoa, veggies, and more with barely any heat.
Kitchen appliances that don't interfere with wall-mounted ovens
5. Meal prep is important in the summer.
Some Instant Pots also function as air fryers.
If you're going to heat up your kitchen, make sure you take full advantage of it. If you have to use the oven or stove, make more than you normally would. That way, you can use pre-cooked leftovers and have meals ready to eat without having to heat up your kitchen again.
But with the right kitchen appliances, you can cook in bulk. and Don't use the oven — for example, I make a lot of pulled chicken in my Instant Pot (which doesn't produce much heat) — and you can use the leftovers to make tacos, chicken salad nachos, or any other dish you can make without an oven.
The best gear for large batch cooking
6. Cook during the cooler hours
If you do cook, do it when it's cool.
Cooking in the kitchen when it's already hot outside (and probably when your house is already hot too) will only make it hotter. Plan ahead and strategize when to cook when it's not so hot. The best times to cook to avoid the heat are in the morning or late in the evening. It may seem easier said than done, but you can also bake bread in the morning or cook a protein or pasta dish while you make breakfast or an early lunch so it's ready to eat for dinner.
cool kitchen tips
7. Add fans
We all love good air circulation during the summer.
Air flow helps keep your kitchen cool. If you're using your stove, turn on your range hood vents. They're there to remove grease, smoke, and odors, as well as smoke, heat, and steam that can get trapped during cooking and make your kitchen hot. Additionally, you can also run a fan in your kitchen to circulate the air and cool it down. You can also adjust the position of your fan to push hot air out or bring in cool air with a cold wet towel.
We are fans of this
8. Limit lighting
May there be (less) light.
Sunlight and even artificial indoor lighting produce heat. In the hot summer months, every degree of warmth matters. Dim the lights, close the curtains, close the blinds, and limit the number of lights you have on. You don't have to work in the dark, but be careful about having lots of overhead lights on.
Smart lighting to brighten your kitchen
9. Stay hydrated
Water, water everywhere.
This strategy won't lower the actual temperature in your kitchen, but it can make the heat much more tolerable. Staying hydrated is the first rule of any summer activity, and cooking outdoors or in a warm kitchen is no exception. Drink lots of water. It's recommended to drink 11 to 15 glasses a day. When the temperatures are rising, drink more than you think you should.
Want a little more flavor? Steep it in water for extra flavor and a refreshing feeling. Want to work up a sweat? Add sea salt and lemon for extra electrolytes and flavor.
