Are you a new owner of a yurt? Congratulations! These shelters have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reasons. They allow you to become closer to nature, downsize, and live a simpler life.

Living in a yurt brings changes. For one, they’re smaller. Cooking inside a yurt is different too. To help you learn how to do it correctly, these are the dos and don’ts of cooking inside your yurt.

Do Manage Humidity From Cooking

Cooking indoors releases vapors into the air like in a traditional home. The humidity can begin to rise if your yurt doesn’t have a vent. This excess humidity will lead to condensation and moisture problems. Keeping humidity levels down in a yurt is important, especially since wooden yurts contain a lot of wood.

Like traditional houses, yurts are susceptible to mold and mildew. Sufficient ventilation will effectively manage humidity. It works by pulling the humid air out of the yurt and drawing in fresh air.

Do Open Your Windows While Cooking

Opening the windows while you cook will allow you to manage humidity levels effectively and let in the natural air. Opening two windows will create efficient airflow to push humidity out of the house. Ensure you’re using a fan if there isn’t a breeze outside.

Don’t Invest in Traditional-Sized Appliances

Your yurt is not the size of a standard home, so why should the appliances be large? You don’t want to take up precious space. Small and efficient kitchen appliances are now available in many styles for yurt owners. You can thank the tiny home trend for these. You’ll discover amazing small refrigerators and electric or gas ranges. Many companies continue to innovate and make these smaller appliances more and more efficient.

Don’t Leave Your Kitchen Without an Extractor Fan

Traditional houses have extractor fans above the ranges. A kitchen extractor fan will help remove the excess steam, grease, and odor when you’re cooking. This tip is especially important if you plan to use your yurt as a permanent living space. Extractor fans aren’t incredibly expensive and will help keep your kitchen less humid.

Do Open the Skylight or Top Dome

Everyone should know by now that heat rises. Opening up the top dome and skylights will allow that hot, humid air to escape as it rises to the top.

Follow these dos and don’ts for a successful cooking experience inside your yurt. You can always create an outdoor kitchen during the summer to avoid building a humid yurt.