Why can't you smell how good the food is when cooking, yet outside you can smell everything?

I think that is because you are used to the smell. Take a less pleasant example like body odour in your bedroom. You are used to it so don't notice, but people walking in will.

by Bryony Harrison

Interesting. Never thought of that.

Interesting. Never thought of that.

Once those aroma's hit the fresh air they become more intense, say if you open a window.

by jonaja

Smells are generally the result of chemicals called esters. I would guess that it takes a while for the cooking chemicals to react in the air to form these chemicals and it isn't until they have mixed with the air outside that you can actually smell the aromas.

by Jane

I'm with Bryony on this one.

by Vee

I guess you are used to the smell when you are actually cooking and if you go outside it is concentrated through one window usually?

by Finy