How to keep a pantry cool year round

The temperature of your kitchen pantry can make or break your food storage. When it’s too warm, perishables can spoil quickly, dried goods lose their flavour, and unpleasant odours can start to take hold. Thankfully, a few simple adjustments can keep your ingredients fresher for longer and ensure your pantry keeps working hard for your home.

If your pantry is running warm, there are likely a few common culprits. Does it receive too much sunlight? Are nearby appliances radiating heat? Simple updates, like improving airflow, rethinking shelf placement, or adding insulation, can work wonders in managing the temperature of these spaces and keeping them cool and dry all four seasons of the year.

“A pantry is such an important part of overall kitchen planning and design whether this is incorporated within the run of kitchen cabinets of a separate room which needs to be designed in fitted out accordingly for food storage,” explains Jayne Everett, creative director of Naked Kitchens. But the practicalities of these units are just as important as the aesthetics. A pantry that hasn’t been designed to stay cool and dry won’t perform its essential function: keeping food fresh and organised.

Jayne Everett

In 2000, following a successful career in finance, Jayne and her husband left London and settled in Norfolk to raise their young family. In 2005, her passion for design led to the couple founding Naked Kitchens. As creative director, Jayne now oversees the design of new showrooms and kitchen styles.

According to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), non-perishable pantry staples should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, while perishable foods requiring refrigeration should be kept at or below 8°C. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) supports this guidance, emphasising that pantries should remain cool and dry, and cautioning that “some types of food might also need to be kept in the fridge once you’ve opened them.”

It’s too close to heat sources: Pantries located next to ovens, dishwashers, or radiators may absorb the excess heat generated by these appliances. Even a fridge can radiate a surprising amount of warmth if there isn’t sufficient ventilation around it.

It gets too much direct sunlight: Kitchens with skylights or large windows that let in strong sunlight can quickly increase the temperature inside your pantry. This is especially problematic for walk-in pantries with glass-fronted doors or large windows.

You have poor ventilation: Poor airflow and kitchen ventilation can leave your pantry feeling stuffy and damp, creating the perfect storm of heat and humidity that’s far from ideal for storing food.

There is insufficient insulation: Thin walls or doors can allow external heat to seep into your pantry, making it difficult to maintain a consistent, cool temperature inside.

You keep overcrowding your shelves: Cramming items into every available inch of storage space or tightly stacking containers can reduce airflow in your pantry and prevent excess heat from dissipating.

Al Bruce

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Founder of Olive & Barr

Al Bruce is an experienced professional in the handmade kitchen industry, with a career spanning 25 years. In 2018, he established his own Shaker kitchen company, combining his technical skills and business acumen to deliver high-quality, bespoke kitchen designs

“If you are putting a pantry next to windows or appliances, they will receive more heat, so avoid placing them in that area,” cautions Jared Robinson, owner of custom cabinet makers Robinson Trim. The same applies when selecting a spot for walk-in pantries. Avoid placing them near windows or external walls that might warm up in summer – unless they are properly insulated, as this is asking for trouble.

Olney Kitchen Larder Unit

This spacious freestanding unit includes door shelves, wine racks, and drawers for easy organisation. With pre-fitted runners, it’s also simple to assemble.

Walcote Pantry Natural Wood

This stunning unit is made from Buyur wood and it opens up to reveal four generous internal shelves that give you lots of room for storing essentials.

Chester Forest Green Narrow Larder

This narrow, single pantry cupboard includes three adjustable shelves and two oak crates. The unit is delivered fully assembled.

“It’s always important to think through what is being stored within a larder so that the shelf space is carefully planned to allow everything to be neatly stored,” explains Jayne Everett. Place heat-sensitive items like oils or chocolate on lower shelves, where temperatures are naturally cooler, and incorporate pull-out drawers or shallow shelves into your kitchen storage to ensure air can circulate freely, keeping heat and humidity to a minimum.

Treefloor Natural Self-Adhesive Cork Tiles

This pack of nine cork tiles is ideal for insulating a pantry or larder. They’re natural insulators, lightweight, and easy to install.

This roll of cork insulation is ideal for use on walls. It’s long-lasting and high puncture resistant.

This little brass grille allows air to flow through your pantry doors or backboards, keeping food and dry goods fresh and cool.

Thermopro Tp49 Small Digital Hygrometer & Indoor Thermometer

This well-reviewed digital thermometer refreshes every 10 seconds to keep you up to date with the latest changes in temperature and humidity readings.