If you share your house, doing things quietly matters. And cooking counts – especially if you are preparing your food at odd times.

This article won’t just advise you how to cook quietly. We’ll also cover the most silent appliances; because these are often the worst kitchen noise offenders.

And if you want to take the noise levels down further, refer to our final section on how to soundproof a kitchen.

Skip to:

• How to cook quietly
• Most silent appliances
• How to soundproof a kitchen (10 step guide)

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How to cook quietly

Before we look at quiet appliances and soundproofing kitchens, here are some general tips for reducing noise in the kitchen:

Prep ingredients in advance

Chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, and organizing your ingredients dishes ahead of time can reduce noise during the actual cooking process. You’ll cut down on clatter and spend less time looking for what you need.

Doing food prep during less noise-sensitive times also leaves you free to focus on the cooking process. Think of those cooking shows on TV when all the ingredients are neatly available in little bowls. It uncomplicates things – especially when trying new recipes. 

Use wooden utensils

It’s simple really – metal utensils can create a lot of noise when they come into contact with pots and pans.  Use wooden alternatives to minimize clanging and scraping sounds that can irritate your co-inhabitants.

Another advantage of wooden utensils is that they don’t conduct heat. You can leave them in a pan without worrying about scorching your hand. 

Line your workspace

Put a silicone mat or thick towel on your countertop. This will have the effect of dampening sounds when setting down pots, pans, or other kitchen tools.

Aside from there being less noise when putting down objects, you can also protect the countertop itself. 

Silicone or rubber cutting boards

These materials absorb shock better than wood or plastic, resulting in quieter chopping and slicing. It’s the softer surface that dampens the impact of knives, giving you quieter cutting.

Embrace oven cooking

Ovens are probably the quietest cooking appliances. One thing’s for sure – they are certainly quieter than stovetop cooking – especially when you consider the loud extractor fans that many range hoods have.

So when possible, choose baked or roasted dishes over fried or sautéed ones – another benefit is that baking and roasting are generally healthier than fried food.

Master the art of gentle sautéing

If you are using the stove to cook, consider sauteing. This dry heat method is an alternative to drying. It needs only a small amount of fat in a pan, before ingredients can be stirred or tossed.

Sautéing is good for reducing noise because it uses lower heat settings and avoids vigorous stirring or tossing.

Soften the sound of running water

You might be surprised at just how far the sound of running water travels in a typical house or apartment. 

When washing dishes or filling pots, let the water hit a sponge or the side of the sink to reduce splashing noise.

Use lidded pots and pans

Covering your cookware not only helps retain heat but also muffles the sounds of bubbling and simmering.

When removing lids, do so slowly and tilt them slightly away from you to direct any escaping steam safely and quietly. Remember to use oven mitts or silicone handle covers when handling hot lids to prevent accidental drops.`

Invest in a kitchen timer with visual alerts

How about getting a timer with a vibration or light feature instead of a loud alarm? This is especially useful for late-night cooking.

With some of the latest smart timers, you can link them to your phone app, allowing you to get a vibration alert on your handset.

Practice mindful movements

Be conscious of your actions in the kitchen. Open and close cabinets and drawers gently, and avoid dropping utensils or slamming doors.

Objects made of glass, ceramic or metal all have the potential to cause a racket if not handles with care. 

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Most silent appliances

It’s often appliances that let the side down; being responsible for the loudest noises that emanate form the kitchen when we are cooking.

So now, let’s explore some of the quietest appliances on the market, focusing on their noise reduction features:

#1 – Blenders

The Vitamix Quiet One lives up to its name. With a magnetically secured sound enclosure, vibration dampening technology, it can achieve a noise level as low as 64 decibels (dB). If you are a smoothie or soup enthusiast who is sick of waking up the entire house when preparing your favorite concoctions, consider a quiet blender such as the Vitamix Quiet One.

Key Features

• Lowest noise level of any blender or smoothie maker
• 93 variable speeds but user friendly
• Comes with attachable container

Read our round-up of the quietest blenders available to buy on Amazon

#2 – Food processors

Another repeat offender – the horrendous noise of a food processor in full flow. Then the Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef Food Processor came along with its induction motor and silicon seal on processing bowls. With these tools up its sleeve, it manages to take the noise level down to 68dB.

Key Features

• Very low noise for food processor
• 5 multifunction discs
• LCD display

#3 – Coffee grinder

Users back up the fact that the Baratza Virtuoso+ is much quieter than its predecessor; the Oxo. Satisfied coffee drinkers report that instead of a horrible high pitched wine, there is a more consistent sound. Let’s be real – a coffee grinder isn’t going to be completely quiet. But with its DC motor with thermal cutoff and burr grinder design, the Baratza Virtuoso+ manages to achieve a noise level of approximately 72dB.

Key Features

• More manageable noise
• High quality grind
• Digital timer and 40 settings

#4 – Kettles

We challenge you to find a quieter kettle than this 1.7L COOKTRON Quiet Electric Kettle. The 30dB is rock bottom on the scale of kettles available on Amazon. Users have called it “noiseless”, and with 1500W of power you can also rest assured you’ll have a speedy hot drink. 

Key Features

• 30dB noise level
• 1500W power
• Double wall structure for safety

We wrote an article which looked for the quietest kettle available on Amazon

#5 – Dishwashers

The Unique Appliances UGP-24CR is a retro dishwasher with a 45dB noise level that makes it one of the quietest out there. You might find marginally quieter, but we also liked the design, user-friendliness and broad range of settings. Consider this dishwasher for its 1950s charm, modern functionality and inoffensive noise.

Key Features

• 45dB noise level
• Charming retro design
• Range of 14 place settings

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How to soundproof a kitchen (10 step guide)

Even with quiet appliances and careful cooking techniques, some noise is inevitable in a kitchen. Here are 10 steps to further soundproof your cooking space:

1. Install sound-absorbing materials:
   • Add acoustic panels to walls and ceilings
   • Hang heavy curtains or drapes
   • Place area rugs or anti-fatigue mats on the floor

2. Seal gaps and cracks:
   • Use weatherstripping around doors and windows
   • Apply acoustic caulk to seal any gaps in walls or around fixtures

3. Upgrade your cabinets:
   • Install soft-close hinges and drawer slides
   • Add rubber bumpers to cabinet doors and drawers

4. Insulate walls and ceilings:
   • If renovating, add extra insulation within walls and ceilings
   • Consider double-drywall installation for enhanced sound blocking

5. Address ventilation noise:
   • Invest in a quieter range hood or exhaust fan
   • Install a sound baffle in ventilation ducts

6. Use anti-vibration pads:
   • Place anti-vibration pads under appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers
   • Use rubber grommets when mounting fixtures to reduce vibration transfer

7. Optimize your layout:
   • Position noisy appliances away from shared walls
   • Create a separate area for loud activities like blending or food processing

8. Consider window treatments:
   • Install double-pane windows for better sound insulation
   • Use cellular shades or heavy curtains to absorb sound

9. Add a sound-absorbing backsplash:
   • Choose materials like cork or fabric-covered panels for your backsplash

10. Create a sound barrier:
    • If possible, install a sliding door or folding partition to separate the kitchen from living areas

Remember, soundproofing doesn’t have to mean completely eliminating all noise. The goal is to reduce sound transmission and create a more peaceful cooking environment.