Thanksgiving Cooking | Air Quality in the Kitchen

This weekend, many Canadian families will be busy in the kitchen preparing their Thanksgiving feast. The stovetop will be bubbling with gravy, mashed potatoes and family favourites. People will be peaking in the oven door as the turkey starts to glisten. Counters will be filled with dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and large families will bring additional small appliances into the kitchen to make sure every dish is ready on time.

With all the Thanksgiving bustle, you might not have time to think about your kitchen ventilation. But the kitchen can be a source of indoor air pollution.

When all your favourite people are in one place, you'll want them to breathe in only the best air quality in the kitchen, and in the rest of your home.

A new study looked at kitchen exhaust and household air quality. Based on its findings, the recommendations are:

• Install a range hood fan that exhausts to the exterior.
• Avoid gas; use induction cooktops.
• Put ranges against a wall, not over an island.
• Duct runs should be short and straight.
• Enclosed kitchens can help contain VOCs from spreading into the rest of your home.

Read more.

For information on how you can improve the air quality in your kitchen, learn more about the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 Standard HEPA Air Purifier.