Brilliant ways to stay cool in the kitchen this summer
Summertime can warm up your kitchen; here's how to stay cool with summer dishes and sensible cooking methods when it's just too scorching. Although a warm and welcoming kitchen is appealing in the winter, it can be oppressive in the summer. When you use large appliances like your oven or stove, your kitchen can become too hot to handle. The heat may even travel to other parts of your house, forcing your air conditioner to work extra hard. This summer, however, you do not have to pick between cooking and being cool. Use these tips to stay nourished without withering.
Outdoor Cooking
This summer, cook outside to escape the heat of the kitchen. Grilled chicken and steaks are masterpieces for the grill, but don't forget about summer favourites like corn on the cob and watermelon. While using a grill or smoker to cook food may be hot outside, your kitchen can remain cool. Summer is prime grilling season, and rightfully so. In the summer, dining outdoors is more fun and cooking outside literally draws the heat out of the kitchen. You can grill, sear, roast, and bake until satisfied.
Make use of small kitchen appliances
You may minimise overheating your kitchen by using the oven and stove as little as possible. Small appliances can cook your meals just as well as huge appliances while producing less heat. Rather than using your wall oven, try using a toaster oven or a panini press on the cooktop. Small appliances are surprising in their versatility. You can use your electric pressure cooker for more than just soups and stews in the winter. Consider summer meals like Instant Pot dishes that you can make on your counter. Also, don't dismiss your microwave, which can zap rice, quinoa, veggies, and more while producing little heat.
Increase your water consumption
Drinking water helps control internal temperatures in addition to keeping your body hydrated. Maintain your hydration levels throughout the day and evening to ensure that your most potent weapon can successfully handle the heat. According to the American Heart Association, you should drink water in proportion to how many ounces of sweat you're sweating.
Like any other summer activity, cooking requires plenty of hydration, even if you're inside. If you're in the kitchen, keep a glass of iced water on hand to drink from as you work. Do you want to give it a little more flair? For added taste and refreshment, try water infusions. Do you intend to work up a sweat? To increase electrolytes and flavour, add a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon.
Batch-cook
You're adding to the heat when you cook in your kitchen when it's hot outdoors (and possibly sweltering inside). Prepare in advance time you’re cooking for when the weather isn't as hot. Cooking in the morning or later in the evening is the most excellent way to prevent the heat. That may sound tricky, but you may bake bread in the morning or prepare meats or pasta for the night. Make your kitchen worth it if you're going to heat it. Make greater quantities than usual when using your oven or cooktop.
Throw some veggies on the grill with the chops so you can use them in a salad. Prepare two roast chickens at once to ensure you have enough leftovers for another excellent meal.
Even if you're cooking indoors, double the quantity so you can store it in the fridge or freezer and reheat it in the microwave when you don't feel like cooking — you'll have hot meals for many days while only heating the home once.
Confine your lighting
Sunlight and artificial interior lighting can generate heat, and every degree adds up when it's hot outside. Dim the lights, close any curtains, close your blinds, and limit the number of lights you use. You don't have to work in the dark but be cautious about turning on many overhead lights.
Use Window films with ultraviolet protection
A west-facing property may be ideal in the winter, but it might be not easy to cool in the summer. Get some reusable UV window film to keep the sun's rays out and the cool air in - it will also keep your home warm in the winter. Tinfoil and space blankets are also helpful at keeping heat out of windows and can save you money.
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