Like most good Southerners (or really, anyone with taste buds), we love fried chicken.
Something we don’t love: the lingering smell of frying oil in our kitchens. If you’ve ever made your own fried chicken—or any other fried food for that matter—you’re probably familiar with the unfortunate scent we’re talking about. It can get pretty nauseating when almost 24 hours later, your kitchen (and living room, and bedroom, and clothes) still smells like the inside of a deep fryer.
Since giving up fried food clearly isn’t an option, here are a few tips to help you combat the offensive odor.
- Ventilate before you get started. Open all the windows and direct fans to blow air outdoors. If that’s not an option, crank up the A/C and make sure your stovetop fan is on.
- Isolate the area where you’re cooking. Close the doors to nearby rooms so the smell doesn’t seep into other parts of the house.
- Place butter, cinnamon, and sugar on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees for one hour. It will make your whole kitchen smell like delicious baked goods.
- Boil vinegar and water. Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Let it simmer. You can also boil citrus peels or cinnamon sticks for a sweeter natural smell.
- Leave bowls of baking soda or coffee grounds on your counter overnight to absorb any extra odors.
- Light a scented candle (or several). Quick and easy!
