Kitchens – Why are the smoke detectors going off when I cook

kitchensovensmoke-detectors

Seems like every time we cook anything in the oven the fire alarms (in-home system, all connected) go berzerk. is there any way to make them "less sensitive"? We do blow/vaccuum them out gently here and there but it doesn't seem to help.

Best Answer

The obvious (but ultimately unhelpful) answer is that the heat/smoke from your cooking is setting off the alarm. So what you have to do is reduce the heat/smoke getting to the alarm.

There are a number of things you can do:

  • If you don't have a smoke alarm in the kitchen close the door while cooking. This will stop the fumes reaching the detector.
  • Use the cooker hood's extractor fan to help divert the fumes. If it doesn't have one, consider fitting one.
  • If you have a smoke alarm in the kitchen make sure it's of a suitable type. The standard ones are (quite rightly) designed to be sensitive to any smoke/heat. A kitchen one will be less sensitive to heat (for example).
  • Clean your cooker. This might reduce the particles being emitted. You might not be able to see them, but they are there.
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