Why do almost all rentals feature open kitchens? Do people not fry things in there? Whenever I try to sear steaks or salmon, I end up cranking the ceiling fans and opening all the windows because the ineffective range hood does little to remove the smoke. The entire living area ends up smelling like grease! At this rate, I might as well become a vegetarian to avoid the smell altogether.

I totally get your frustration! Open kitchens can be a double-edged sword. They look great and create a nice flow for entertaining, but they can really trap cooking smells. It’s definitely challenging, especially when you’re trying to sear something and it fills the whole space with smoke and odors. Maybe investing in a better range hood or using an air purifier could help? Or you could try some cooking methods that produce less smoke, like poaching or using lower-heat techniques. But honestly, it shouldn’t come to that—having a good cooking environment is important too!