How to Get Rid of Cooking Smell in the Kitchen
You made fish curry on Sunday, but two or three hours later the smell is still hanging around in the living room. This is common because cooking smell is not just a scent: it is made of tiny particles and gases in the air.
Why Cooking Smell Stays in the Kitchen
When oil and spices get hot, they release PM2.5 particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Frying generally produces much higher levels than boiling, which is why fried food smells stronger and lingers longer.
Why the Smell Spreads to Other Rooms
In open kitchens, normal airflow from fans, doors, and AC systems carries odour into living spaces. Particles also stick to curtains, sofas, carpets, and other soft surfaces, then slowly return to the air for hours.
Why Exhaust Fans Are Not Enough
An exhaust fan helps remove smoke while it is running, but it cannot capture everything that has already spread or become trapped in fabrics. This is why the smell can return after the fan is switched off.
Simple Home Tricks to Remove Cooking Smell
- Boil two spoons of vinegar in one cup of water for about 10 minutes.
- Boil lemon peel in water for about 10 minutes.
- Leave a small open bowl of baking soda in the kitchen overnight.
- Place dry coffee powder near the stove to temporarily cover lingering odour.
- Put salt on a cut potato and place it near a smelly box or chopping board.
Why These Tricks Don't Work Every Day
If you cook several times a day, old odours may still be present when the next meal begins. Home tricks can help after one meal, but they cannot work continuously or remove VOC gases throughout the day.
The Best Way to Remove Cooking Smell for Good
A HEPA filter captures airborne oil and dust particles, while activated carbon traps odour-causing gases. A purifier combining both technologies can remove particles and gases instead of simply masking the smell. For best results, use it consistently and choose a model sized for the room.
How EnviroTech Can Help
- Olivia 300: suited to smaller kitchens and rooms up to 300 sq. ft.
- Olivia 700: suited to an open kitchen and living area up to 700 sq. ft.
- Aeroroz: attaches to a split AC to add filtration to the AC's airflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get rid of cooking smell?
Use kitchen ventilation while cooking and a purifier with both HEPA and activated-carbon filtration. HEPA captures particles; carbon absorbs the gases that create odour.
Why do I still smell food many hours later?
Cooking particles and gases settle into curtains, sofas, and carpets and slowly return to the room. Fans move air but do not necessarily remove what is trapped in fabrics.
Is a bigger purifier always better?
No. The correct size depends on the room. A unit that is too small cannot keep up, while an oversized one may cost more than necessary. Match coverage and CADR to the actual space.
Conclusion
Cooking odour returns because particles and gases remain in your air and furniture. Home remedies help temporarily, but regular ventilation and correctly sized HEPA-plus-carbon filtration provide a more lasting solution.