10 Editor-Approved Picks to Keep Your Kitchen Cool All Summer

The Dutch oven is an absolutely essential kitchen tool, and even more so when you’re trying to avoid creating too much heat. This 6-quart enameled piece from Lodge is durable, and distributes and retains heat super evenly, meaning you’ll be able to keep that burner low so as not to create too much ambient warmth. People always think of stews and soups in the cooler months, but one of my favorite things to do when it’s warm out is to make a huge batch of gumbo, tortilla soup, or Bolognese, so I can eat for days without having to cook anything at all.

Staub Cast Iron 12-Inch Square Grill Pan

If you want to capture the vibe of summer without blasting your oven or having to fire up a scorching grill, just cook up some hot dogs, burgers, or veggies indoors on this beautiful Staub cast iron grill. In my home, hot dog night is a frequent occurrence during the warmer months – and if you make a cool potato or pasta salad to go with it, you’ll definitely keep things chill by avoiding doing too much.

Le Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve

This wine cooler sleeve is a great friend of mine. Fitted with two gel packs inside, it’s surprisingly light, keeping the pét-nats cool on the table even when I’ve got a full house. Plus, there’s just no better way to chill out than by enjoying a crisp, sparkling wine.

Honeywell Quiet Set Tower Fan

A few summers ago, my electricity went out on the hottest weekend of the summer, exactly when my fiancée and I were about to start getting ready to go to a wedding. The apartment was almost immediately a furnace, so I bought this fan, thinking I’d use it for a few hours and then return it. But I still pull this bad boy out when the kitchen gets too hot in the summer – it’s got five settings, ranging from “sleep” to “power cool,” and it oscillates, so you can get the cold air flowing around the room. I really love this fan, and its price is wildly reasonable considering how much of a temperature game-changer it is.

Anyday Large Shallow Microwave Dish

Remember when I said that I love cooking large batches of food in advance when it’s hot out? Well, eventually you are going to want to heat that food up, and the Anyday microwaveable bowls are really phenomenal when you want to reheat (or cook, because they can do that, too) something in the microwave. This glass and silicone bowl has a tight-fitting lid with a vented knob, so you can let the right amount of heat out – into the microwave, don’t worry – but also contain it if you’re waiting for other things to be ready. It’s an awesome alternative to throwing something in a pot to reheat it.

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Lowball Mug

This Yeti mug is one of the unsung heroes of my kitchen (and entire life). It’s got double-walled insulation and vacuum seals when you fit the top on, retaining temperatures for hours; furthermore, the lid is magnetic, so it’s very easy to open and close without spilling. Naturally, this is great for coffee, but it’s equally impressive when used for iced coffee, cocktails, soda, or any other cool beverage that you might be sipping on to keep the body temp down when the kitchen’s steaming.

Breville Smart Oven Pro

I’m not kidding when I say that the Breville Smart Oven Pro is by far the most utilized tool in my kitchen. I use it for roasting, baking, broiling, toasting, warming, and air frying, and it gives off shockingly little heat. Obviously you’re not going to cook a turkey in here, but if you’re looking for an alternative to using your oven and stove, this is a great and arrestingly versatile way to go.

Bose SoundLink Flex

One of the kitchens I used to work in was so unbelievably hot that there was actually nothing we could do to cool down but take turns going to stand in the walk-in freezer. (It didn’t help that I primarily worked the grill, and the kitchen didn’t have functional air conditioning.) In those times, you simply have to accept the heat and try to distract yourself however possible – in our case, by cranking some good music. To this day, blasting tunes is a necessary part of cooking for me. Sure, you might be sweating, but it won’t hit quite as hard if you’re belting your favorite tracks by Bruce Springsteen or The Smiths.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

Thinking about making some nice apple pies, brownies, and cookies this summer? Not if you want to stay cool, friend! If I’m having people for dinner when it’s in the 90s and want to serve dessert, there’s a high chance that I’ll be making some pistachio gelato in this 2-quart ice cream maker, which does everything from sorbet and ice cream to sherbet. And since you’re keeping the bowl in the freezer, this machine can usually put out a delicious frozen treat in under half an hour… which is a real win when it’s oppressively humid.

Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven

If you’re thinking to yourself, How the heck is a pizza oven going to cool down my kitchen?, I don’t blame you. But this electric beast can be used both inside and outside, so whether you’re looking to sling some pies or just roast some veggies, firing up this oven on the porch or in the backyard can make all the difference. Or, honestly, I don’t find it to put out that much heat when I use it inside, so it’s definitely a better option than your regular oven when you’re in pizzaiolo mode while the temperature is in triple digits.