Written by: Emily Joswiak • April 4, 2025• Kitchen

A Guide to Controlling Moisture in Your Kitchen

Cooking releases a lot of humidity into the air, potentially compromising your kitchen’s comfort, sanitation, and beauty. Here’s how to control this moisture.

A young smiling woman in an apron stands in her kitchen and opens the lid to a pot on the stove, releasing a cloud of steam.

You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so you want the space to be as clean, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Unfortunately, the moisture you release into the air when you cook can compromise these qualities. When humidity rises, mold is more likely to grow, the air becomes stuffier, and kitchen materials can peel, crack, and rust. This guide will help you control moisture in your kitchen and enjoy an improved space.

Use the Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans pull steam and grease-laden air out of your kitchen, preventing moisture from settling on walls and cabinets. It’s always a good idea to turn these fans on, but if you dislike their loud sound, at least use them when boiling water or frying food. The extra few minutes it takes to leave the fan running afterward ensures excess humidity and odors are properly vented outside.

Lid Your Pots and Pans

Always cover your pots and pans while cooking. This practical tip traps steam inside, reducing the amount of vapor released into your kitchen. It also helps your food preserve more of its nutrients by not exposing it to so much air and cooking it for less time. Moreover, lids prevent a lot of splatters from happening, making cleanup easy for you. Unless a recipe specifically calls for open-lid preparation, cover that cookware!

Ventilate the Space

You want to keep fresh air circulating within your space. If weather permits, open a window or two while cooking. This lets humid air escape and allows drier air to flow in. If the weather isn’t so nice, run a ceiling fan or portable fan to keep the air moving. Proper ventilation not only controls moisture but also makes your space more comfortable.

Run a Dehumidifier

Nothing controls moisture in your kitchen like a dehumidifier. All you need is a small, portable unit to efficiently pull excess moisture from the air. These devices are particularly wonderful if you live in a humid climate.

Upgrade to Moisture-Resistant Materials

If you’re remodeling or upgrading, consider materials that resist humidity so that nothing in your kitchen harbors excess moisture or shows its unsightly effects. For instance, to protect your kitchen cabinets from water damage, you can laminate them. Likewise, you can use tiles for the space’s floors and backsplashes. Moreover, stainless steel is a good choice for most appliances, from your stove to your water kettle. These materials resist moisture, look great over time, and are super easy to maintain—a win-win-win!

If you struggle with excess humidity in your kitchen, you don’t have to any longer. Use these tips to create a more comfortable, moisture-free space!

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