I Never Cook Without an Air Purifier-and You Shouldn't Either

"Every time you fire up your cooktop, you're releasing pollutants like oil mist and smoke into the air. Without proper ventilation, those particles can drift deep into your lungs, where they can cause irritation ( or worse). Since becoming privy to this information, I've been vigilant about ventilation (and real fun at dinner parties). Unfortunately, the only exhaust in my otherwise lovely apartment is the seemingly-useless fan built into my over-the-range microwave-though,"

"Still, no matter what or how I'm cooking, the responsive air purifier that lives semi-permanently in my kitchen goes to work the moment things heat up. A dedicated kitchen air purifier is important because it will collect far more oil residue, food particles, and airborne debris than one in any other room of the house. For that reason, they'll also require more frequent maintenance and filter changes (this, says French, is precisely why most brands advise keeping their purifiers away from your stove)."

Cooking emits chemicals, oil mist, smoke, and other pollutants that can drift deep into the lungs and cause irritation or worse without proper ventilation. Typical over-the-range microwave fans often fail to exhaust all cooking emissions, and even restaurant-grade systems cannot capture every particle. Practical ventilation strategies include opening windows, using reverse fans, and performing high-heat or deep-frying tasks outdoors. A dedicated kitchen air purifier captures more grease, smoke, and food particles than general-room units but requires more frequent maintenance and filter changes. Placing a purifier close to the stove improves capture before particles settle or are inhaled.

Read at Bon Appetit