In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is the Drawer under the Oven For?Warming DrawerStorage Drawer
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is the Drawer under the Oven For?
Warming Drawer
Storage Drawer
In many kitchens, the stovetop and oven can be found together in one crucial appliance. And while the functions of the stovetop and oven are pretty self-explanatory, there may be one part of the appliance that has you scratching your head: the drawer under the oven. Read on to learn about this bonus space—plus, how best to use it.
Before you can answer this question, you first need to figure out what kind of drawer you have. There are two types of drawers beneath an oven:a warming draweranda storage drawer. Read on to learn about the differences between the two and how to determine which one your oven has.
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A warming drawer is exactly like it sounds, a drawer that keeps food warm. Depending on the oven model, there are two different ways to check your drawer’s capability. First, locate your oven’s control panel. Oftentimes, there will be a separate section of buttons within the panel where you can control the temperature in the oven drawer. Or there may also be a knob which controls the temperature.
If you don’t see any controls there, the next place to check is the drawer itself. Some warming drawers have temperature controls within the drawer, which are only visible when the drawer is open. If you have either of these options, then your oven has a warming drawer!
What Can You Use the Warming Drawer For?
If your oven has a warming drawer, there are a variety of uses for it. However, you shouldn’t think of it as an additional cooking source. Instead, warming drawers should only be used to keep foods heated. That’s because the temperature of the warming drawer is limited, so cooking foods to reach their necessary internal temperature is tricky (and you don’t want to risk getting sick).
Low140℉ to 170℉Medium170℉ to 210℉High215℉ to 250℉Some warming drawers may also have the ability to broil foods, especially if it’s a gas stove. We recommend not using the broiler to cook foods from start to finish because of temperature concerns, but you could use it to finish a dish, like if you wanted to get a cheesy crust onbaked mac and cheese.5 Things You Should Never Put Under the BroilerThe warming drawer is perfect for keeping a dish hot while you finish cooking the rest of the meal (ideal for busy cooking days like Thanksgiving!). It can also be used to proof bread dough, the stage where dough rises until doubled. However you use the warming drawer, it’s a handy space in any kitchen.Storage DrawerIf there are no temperature controls, then your oven has a storage drawer! This storage drawer is the perfect place for keeping kitchenware like baking sheets, muffin tins or even pots and pans. Whatever you choose to store in the drawer, just be sure it’s oven-safe. While no direct heat will be funneled into the area, it is still located beneath your oven, so some residual heat is bound to carry over. Avoid storing flammable items, cleaning supplies, anything that’s oven-safe as well as plastic wrap, food storage containers—any item that could warp over time due to heat.11 Mistakes You’re Making That Could Destroy Your OvenWas this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Low140℉ to 170℉Medium170℉ to 210℉High215℉ to 250℉Some warming drawers may also have the ability to broil foods, especially if it’s a gas stove. We recommend not using the broiler to cook foods from start to finish because of temperature concerns, but you could use it to finish a dish, like if you wanted to get a cheesy crust onbaked mac and cheese.5 Things You Should Never Put Under the BroilerThe warming drawer is perfect for keeping a dish hot while you finish cooking the rest of the meal (ideal for busy cooking days like Thanksgiving!). It can also be used to proof bread dough, the stage where dough rises until doubled. However you use the warming drawer, it’s a handy space in any kitchen.Storage DrawerIf there are no temperature controls, then your oven has a storage drawer! This storage drawer is the perfect place for keeping kitchenware like baking sheets, muffin tins or even pots and pans. Whatever you choose to store in the drawer, just be sure it’s oven-safe. While no direct heat will be funneled into the area, it is still located beneath your oven, so some residual heat is bound to carry over. Avoid storing flammable items, cleaning supplies, anything that’s oven-safe as well as plastic wrap, food storage containers—any item that could warp over time due to heat.11 Mistakes You’re Making That Could Destroy Your Oven
Some warming drawers may also have the ability to broil foods, especially if it’s a gas stove. We recommend not using the broiler to cook foods from start to finish because of temperature concerns, but you could use it to finish a dish, like if you wanted to get a cheesy crust onbaked mac and cheese.
5 Things You Should Never Put Under the Broiler
The warming drawer is perfect for keeping a dish hot while you finish cooking the rest of the meal (ideal for busy cooking days like Thanksgiving!). It can also be used to proof bread dough, the stage where dough rises until doubled. However you use the warming drawer, it’s a handy space in any kitchen.
If there are no temperature controls, then your oven has a storage drawer! This storage drawer is the perfect place for keeping kitchenware like baking sheets, muffin tins or even pots and pans. Whatever you choose to store in the drawer, just be sure it’s oven-safe. While no direct heat will be funneled into the area, it is still located beneath your oven, so some residual heat is bound to carry over. Avoid storing flammable items, cleaning supplies, anything that’s oven-safe as well as plastic wrap, food storage containers—any item that could warp over time due to heat.
11 Mistakes You’re Making That Could Destroy Your Oven
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
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How to Store Lettuce So It Stays Crisp and FreshHow to Store OkraHow to Store ApplesHow to Store CheeseHow to Store Celery to Keep It Fresher for LongerHow to Store Corn on the Cob So It Stays FreshHow to Store Lemons So They Stay FreshHow to Store Kale
How to Store Lettuce So It Stays Crisp and Fresh
How to Store Okra
How to Store Apples
How to Store Cheese
How to Store Celery to Keep It Fresher for Longer
How to Store Corn on the Cob So It Stays Fresh
How to Store Lemons So They Stay Fresh
How to Store Kale
How to Tell If Broccoli Has Gone BadHow to Make a Latte Without an Espresso MachineHow to Store EggplantDoes Honey Go Bad?Can You Freeze Potatoes?5 Foods You Should Never Store in the Refrigerator DoorThis Is the #1 Mistake to Avoid When Using an Air Fryer, According to TikTokHow to Store Butternut Squash
How to Tell If Broccoli Has Gone Bad
How to Make a Latte Without an Espresso Machine
How to Store Eggplant
Does Honey Go Bad?
Can You Freeze Potatoes?
5 Foods You Should Never Store in the Refrigerator Door
This Is the #1 Mistake to Avoid When Using an Air Fryer, According to TikTok
How to Store Butternut Squash
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