02 October 2026
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A practical method to eliminate the smell that fills the house when frying
The Kitchen
By Claire Beaumont, the Technique desk · 36 s ago · Turkey · 3 min ·

A practical method to eliminate the smell that fills the house when frying

While fried foods are delicious, the smell of oil produced during cooking can easily spread outside the kitchen. This odor can linger longer on curtains and fabric surfaces, especially in homes with open doors.

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Utilize Vinegar Vapors During Frying: One practical method to reduce frying odors is to boil some water with vinegar on the stove. You can put a cup of water and a few tablespoons of vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmering the mixture over low heat while frying can help reduce the strong odor. Although the vinegar smell is noticeable at first, it will quickly dissipate when the room is ventilated. Applying this method during frying helps limit the spread of oil odor to the kitchen and other rooms.

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Open the Window and Create Airflow: One of the most effective ways to prevent frying smells from lingering in the house is to ventilate regularly. You can open the kitchen window before you start frying to allow fresh air in. If you have a range hood or extractor fan in your kitchen, running it throughout the frying process will also help remove oil particles from the air. If possible, you can also open a window on the opposite side to create airflow. Continuing ventilation for a while after frying will help any remaining odors dissipate faster.

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Freshen Up the Room with Lemon Water: You can use lemon water to lessen the strong smell left in the kitchen after frying. Simply put water in a pot, add a few slices of lemon, and boil it over low heat. The aroma released from the heated water and lemon can help reduce the smell of frying in the kitchen. If you wish, you can also add a few cinnamon sticks to the lemon for a more pleasant scent. It's important to keep the pot unattended during the process and turn off the heat before all the water has evaporated.

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