How to Protect Cabinets from the Steam of a Coffee Maker

Placing a coffee maker on the kitchen counter is a no-brainer, especially if you brew yourself a cup daily. But if you have the machine positioned too near your kitchen cabinets, you might unintentionally cause damage to your shelving. 

Steam from a coffee maker can cause kitchen cabinets to discolor, warp or even melt. But you can prevent this by knowing how to arrange appliances on a kitchen counter properly, and by not keeping your coffee maker under cabinets. It also helps if your kitchen is well-ventilated and if you waterproof or laminate your shelves.

How Does the Steam of a Coffee Maker Damage Kitchen Cabinets?

Wooden cabinets don’t like heat or moisture—and steam produces both. When exposed to heat, cabinets can burn, warp or melt; when exposed to moisture, they can discolor or weaken.

Coffee makers are often positioned on countertops, near or under cabinets. And since they emit steam, they can silently cause a lot of damage to kitchen shelving.

How Can I Protect My Kitchen Cabinets From The Steam Of A Coffee Maker?

Protecting your kitchen cabinets from steam emitted by a coffee maker boils down to proper care, the right placement and ample ventilation. Steam-proofing your shelving with lamination or the use of waterproof materials also gives you extra protection.

Here are our tips to prevent the steam of a coffee maker from damaging your cabinets.

Move Your Coffee Maker

If possible, don’t place your coffee maker near your cabinets. This may be trickier to do in small kitchens with little counter space.

In this case, just try to make sure it’s not directly under a shelf. If your outlets are right by the cabinets, use an extension cord or install other outlets away from your shelves near the new position of your coffee maker.

Make It A Habit To Wipe And Dry

If you see that your coffee maker’s steam causes droplets to form on the surface of nearby cabinets, wipe and dry them immediately. Leaving the moisture there speeds up the decay of the material.

Ensure Kitchen Ventilation

Proper ventilation will ensure that heat and moisture escape from your kitchen rather than linger on your cabinets and damage them.

Design your kitchen to be open with lots of windows and natural light, and maybe add another vent, a fan or air conditioning to boost air circulation.

Waterproof Your Cabinets

Use waterproof materials (e.g. marine plywood or plywood that has been coated to make it waterproof) for your kitchen cabinets. This will reduce the chances of water or steam from damaging the cabinets.

If you already have your shelves installed, laminating them will give you the same results.

Install Heat Shields

Heat shields are thermal barriers designed to protect objects from heat. You can install them in your kitchen to redirect the steam from your coffee maker away from your cabinets.

Conclusion

Coffee makers emit steam, and the heat and moisture produced from them can cause kitchen cabinets to burn, discolor or warp—especially if you use the machine regularly.

You can protect your cabinets from the steam of a coffee maker by placing your appliance away from your shelves, making sure your kitchen has proper ventilation, using waterproof cabinetry and installing heat shields.

This lets you enjoy your daily coffee without having to worry about ruining your shelves.