. So I got the stovetop exhaust fan filter that I wanted to use to see if I can lower the somewhat elevated VOC readings on the new air quality monitor I bought.
The results were disappointing, but I can't figure out of it's because I have what's probably a low quality exhaust fan or if the AQ monitor needs recalibrating, which I won't do til spring since I was reading that exposing it to very cold air could damage it. What's more, the exhaust fan now makes a louder sound when running with the filter than it did without, and I think it's having to work harder to blow air around. I don't know if I run the risk of damaging the motor or not.
But basically, according to the monitor, VOCs could be as low as 38 (barely elevated) or so when I first come downstairs in the morning but when I was cooking something on the stovetop it was as high as 161 (slightly elevated). Running the fan had no effect on the VOC readings, or should I say, after 15 minutes of cooking with the fan on, VOCs rose to a high of 168. In fact, standing to the side of the stove as something was simmering, I could see the steam rise straight up toward the fan but the fan, instead of sucking it in and then out as I'd imagined, seemed to actually blow it all around! I could see some of the steam being pushed out from under the fan and into the room.
So I'm feeling a little stymied about the whole thing. There's nothing else in the house that I'm aware of that could be outgassing anything. I have a few area rugs but they are decades old and most of the furniture is old as well. The last time walls downstairs were painted was a few years ago and I'm fairly sure that was a low-VOC paint. I rarely use cleaning products. So I really feel it's cooking that causes it to rise.
I have been considering buying a small love seat as I've been couch-less for more than a few years now but wanted something small since I have a small home. The company I'll probably end up buying from certifies through Okeo that the furniture is free of 10,000 harmful chemicals and VOCs.
Today I received my Anyday all-glass food cooking and storage containers and wanted to use them to steam frozen cauliflower and broccoli tonight in the microwave. I must be doing something wrong because they said that a 700 watt microwave should cook it in 2 minutes, but I had to cook for a total of 6 minutes and it wasn't wholly cooked!
They say to "lift the knob" to cook or reheat and press down to store it, but the knob seems to be up no matter what. And it clearly wasn't cooking even after trying 2 2-minute rounds in the microwave. The lid is also very hard to remove once you have it on the container. I mean, like, very hard. You have to run it in the microwave for about 10 seconds to make the silicone pliable to open it.
February 20th, 2026 at 03:18 am 1771557486
As for the Anyday, I myself have noticed that I've usually had to cook it longer, typically adding at least 2 minutes and more. I believe it's because of the thermal mass of the cookware, and that most directions are not written such a thing in mind.
February 20th, 2026 at 05:52 pm 1771609978
I hear what you're saying about the VOCs and cooking activity, but that's sort of what I did. (Not the part about using the stove with an empty pot, tho, as that could damage your pot.) I'll try again with this as well, taking readings first thing in am, then during cooking and after cooking. But I don't expect the results to differ from what I got.
February 21st, 2026 at 02:20 am 1771640426
The knobs should move up and down and the lids shouldn't be that difficult to take off. Maybe it will come with time. I know I have no problem but my cookware is now more than two years old.
As you use it you will find that sometimes the water pressure in the Anyday will push the lid up a little bit. That often happens when I am cooking oatmeal. After you've used it and created that extra pressure in there a few times, I expect the lid will become easier to remove. I think both the lids and the knobs will become easier to move over time.