Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Smoke alarm near kitchen

My family just moved into a 10-year-old home north of Atlanta. There are hard-wired smoke detectors on the first and second floors, with the first floor unit between the kitchen and garage. On Sunday night we turned on the oven to cook dinner, and within minutes, the smoke alarm near the kitchen was sounding. We were able to turn it off by waving a towel under it, but it would continue within a minute of stopping that activity. Needless to say, we're concerned that we'll be tripping that alarm every time we cook (especially with the holidays looming). :wall:
First, I'm questioning the logic of placing a smoke detector so close to the kitchen. Second, what should we do? :confused: The things that come to my mind are:
1) Disconnect the detector. I don't think this is the safest thing for my family, though.
2) Is there a way to reduce a smoke detector's senstivity?
3) Should I replace it with a different kind of alarm (maybe one that detects heat instead)? Where can I buy something like that?
Thanks...
-Jack

Usually when a single station smoke does that, it's because it's old enough, and contaminated with enough dust, paint overspray, etc. that it's become stuck on the alarm threshold. 10 years is about the max age one of these things is good for.

The location isn't the best of choices, but your best bet is to replace it with a Photo sensing smoke instead of an Ionization unit. It will cost a bit more, but is far less prone to false trips.