In this article the effect of a non-adsorbable gas (air) on kinetics of water adsorption on loose grains was studied for three adsorbents promising for adsorption chilling: SWS-1L (silica KSK modified by calcium chloride), silica Fuji type RD, and FAM-Z02. The experimental conditions were fixed similar to real operating conditions during an isobaric adsorption stage of the basic cycle of an adsorption chiller (AC). Reduction of the adsorption rate was revealed even at a partial pressure of residual air as low as 0.06 mbar. Dependence of the characteristic adsorption time on air partial pressure was found to be linear for partial pressures greater than 0.4 mbar, with the slope depending on the adsorbent nature. Desorption stage was less affected by the residual air. Specific power released in an AC evaporator during the adsorption process was estimated as a function of the partial pressure of residual air, and recommendations how to improve cooling performance are made.