The bottom drawer of an oven, sometimes called a warming drawer or a cook and hold drawer, is a convenient feature found in many modern ovens. But what is this extra drawer actually for and how do you make the most of it? Keep reading as we dig into the details.
As oven experts with years of hands-on experience, we’ve seen the bottom drawer used in all sorts of clever ways. We’ll walk through its main functions and benefits as well as tips from the pros on how to get the most out of this built-in oven accessory.
The Primary Uses of the Oven Drawer
While the name “warming drawer” implies this space is purely for keeping cooked foods hot, there are actually several handy uses for the bottom drawer:
Keeping Food Warm
This is perhaps the most popular use – keeping freshly cooked food warm and ready to eat. The low, consistent heat is perfect for holding a dish at the ideal serving temperature.
It’s especially handy when you have components of a meal that finish cooking at different times. You can keep early finishers warm while other items complete cooking.
Slow Cooking
The even, gentle heat makes the warming drawer a suitable place for unattended, low and slow cooking. Stews, braised meats, dried beans and more can be simmered to tender perfection.
It offers similar results as a slow cooker or crockpot but conveniently uses your existing oven.
Proofing Dough
The humidity and stable heat allow dough to rise beautifully in the warming drawer. Bread dough, pizza dough, and pastries will proof perfectly every time.
Professional bakers often rely on low temperature proofing drawers to control the proofing environment.
Defrosting Food
Slowly thawing foods in the warming drawer prevents moisture loss and damage that can occur from thawing at room temp or in the microwave. Meats, casseroles, breads all thaw evenly with no cold spots.
Keeping Plates and Serving Dishes Warm
Preheating your dinner plates and dishes ensures food stays hot and delicious once served. No more lukewarm first bites!
Dehydrating Food
Herbs, fruit leathers, jerky – the low, steady heat can dehydrate foods safely at consistent temperatures.
Raising Cultured Dough
The yogurt and Tangzhong used to make super soft homemade bread needs time to ferment and culture. The warming drawer is the perfect spot for this long first rise.
As you can see, that mysterious bottom drawer has many talents beyond just keeping food warm! Let’s look closer at how to unlock its potential.
How to Use the Oven Drawer for Cooking
While oven drawers aren’t meant for direct high heat cooking, they can absolutely be used as a cooking appliance for the right dishes. Here are some tips:
- Low heat – Most ovens tops out at around 200-220F for the warming drawer. This makes it suitable for long, low cooking but it can’t properly bake or broil.
- Use oven-safe cookware – Be sure to use only pans and dishes rated for oven use, even at low temperatures. The drawer should be empty other than your food dishes.
- Preheat first – Give the drawer 10-15 minutes to fully preheat before adding your food. This ensures it starts cooking immediately at the proper temperature.
- Check food safety – Follow standard food safety guidelines. Use a probe thermometer for meats and ensure ingredients are held at safe temps of 140F or above.
- Add moisture if needed – Using a lid or covering dishes helps lock in moisture. Or place a small ramekin of water in the drawer for extra humidity when proofing bread dough.
- Utilize air flow – Avoid blocking the vents so air can circulate properly around the dishes.
With some trial and error, you’ll get the hang of how to adjust the temperature and times for slow cooking, proofing, dehydrating, and more. The oven drawer offers consistency and precision unattainable from a cool oven or countertop.
Tips for Keeping Food Warm in the Drawer
While keeping dishes piping hot for serving is the most popular use of the warming drawer, it does take some technique:
- Only use heat-safe servingware so dishes can withstand prolonged low heat.
- Preheat the drawer first before adding hot food. This gets the environment up to temp.
- Don’t overfill – Crowded dishes cause uneven heating and cooling. Leave space for air flow.
- Use fitted lids to lock in steam and condensation. Aluminum foil can also seal in heat.
- Open drawer as little as possible – Each opening drops the temp. Plan dishes that can hold.
- Add hot dishes immediately after cooking so they start warm, not cold.
- Heat plates and serving pieces for 10 minutes before use to combat cooling.
- Keep foods with different cook times separate or use heat-resistant dividers.
With some trial runs, you’ll get a feel for how your drawer holds various foods at optimum serving temperature. The humidity and enveloping low heat are perfect for keeping dishes ready to serve.
Choosing Cookware for Oven Drawer Use
To unlock the full potential of your oven’s bottom drawer, having the right cookware is key. Here are the ideal pans and dishes to use:
- Oven-safe stoneware – Slow cooker inserts, tagines, ceramic casserole dishes are all great options. Ensure any ceramic is oven rated.
- Stainless steel pots and pans – Durable stainless steel will heat evenly and stand up well to prolonged heat.
- Glass or metal baking dishes – Sturdy glass or metal pans are perfect for holding sides and mains. Avoid plastic storage tubs.
- Wire cooling racks – Great for dehydrating or proofing when you need air flow around the food.
- Aluminum roasting pans – Lightweight yet heat conductive aluminum pans work well and are inexpensive. Disposable if needed.
- Cast iron dutch ovens – Cast iron maintains heat beautifully. The enameled finish makes it easy to clean.
- Heat lamp domes – These are designed to keep food hot and are made to withstand warming drawer heat.
Choose cookware with snug fitting lids to lock in heat and moisture circulation. Always ensure any dish you use is oven safe and can withstand the prolonged 200F+ heat. With the right pans and dishes, you’ll be able to cook, hold, and warm food in your drawer easily.
Handy Accessories For Using the Oven Drawer
Beyond just having the right pans and dishes, small accessories can further enhance your experience using the oven drawer:
- Timer – A kitchen timer ensures you don’t forget dishes warming or cooking in the drawer. Some models have built in timers.
- Probe thermometer – Monitor the internal temp of meat, casseroles, and more for food safety.
- Cooling racks – Let’s you lift dishes off direct contact with the drawer pan for improved airflow.
- Dividers – Heatproof silicone or metal dividers organize dishes and prevent transfer of flavors.
- Aluminum foil – Use foil to create sealed packets for vegetables, seal plates, or line pans for easy cleaning.
- Parchment paper – Non-stick parchment is excellent for dehydrating foods or baking delicate doughs in the drawer.
- Mini silicone mitts – Small mitts protect hands when retrieving hot dishes from the drawer.
Don’t forget heatproof mats, knives, and utensils you may need when prepping ingredients for the warming drawer. With the right tools on hand, this built in oven drawer truly does double-duty expanding your overall oven’s capabilities.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting Oven Drawers
As with any appliance, you may occasionally run into issues with your oven’s bottom drawer. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Drawer won’t heat up – Check that the oven itself is working. Ensure the drawer is set to on and preheated. Test the temperature with an oven thermometer.
Food dries out – Use fitted lids, wrap dishes well in foil, and avoid opening the drawer frequently. Add a small ramekin of water for humidity.
Food doesn’t stay warm – Allow drawer to fully preheat before adding food. Use dishes designed to retain heat. Flip/stir foods occasionally to prevent cooling spots.
Burned or overcooked food – As a low-heat environment, food can overcook if left for extremely long periods. Follow recommended times and monitor doneness with a thermometer.
Condensation build up – Some moisture is normal but excessive condensation can mean too much humidity inside the drawer. Crack open the drawer briefly to allow some steam release.
Strong food odors – Certain foods can leave lingering odors behind like fish or heavily spiced dishes. Be sure to clean the drawer fully after use.
Minor troubleshooting and maintenance can help prevent many common issues. Overall though, when used properly, the oven drawer should provide a reliable evenly heated environment for all kinds of uses.
Maintaining Your Oven Drawer
Like any oven compartment, some periodic cleaning and care will keep your warming drawer working at its best:
- Wipe spills promptly – Don’t allow food spills or grease to bake on. Hot soapy water usually tackles fresh spills nicely.
- Check gaskets – Ensure the door seal is flexible and intact or air will leak out causing temperature fluctuations.
- Remove racks and wash regularly – Over time, food debris falls through wire racks. Pull them out and wash in hot soapy water monthly.
- Clean with baking soda – For stubborn odors or stains, scrub with baking soda and rinse well. The drawer pan should completely detach for cleaning.
- Check periodically for heat issues – If the drawer seems to run excessively hot or cold, test with an oven thermometer and contact a technician as needed.
- Avoid harsh cleaners – Warming drawers have special low-heat finishes that can degrade if cleaned with corrosive products. Mild dish soap and water is best.
- Check fan and vent – Ensure no debris is blocking the circulating fan or vent holes causing airflow restriction and uneven heating.
With light regular care, your warming drawer should provide years of trouble-free performance and added convenience!
Getting the Most Out of Your Oven Drawer
Hopefully we’ve convinced you that the baking drawer is far more than just a warming chamber! Here are our top tips for utilizing this built-in oven feature to the fullest:
- Experiment with dishes – Try everything from proofing homemade pizza dough to crisping crackers to drying fruit. Get creative!
- Read your manual – Understand the precise temperature ranges and preheat times recommended for optimal performance.
- Monitor dishes – Use a probe thermometer and timer for dishes that need precise control like meats.
- Adjust your technique – It may take some trial and error to master this unique, low-and-slow environment.
- Use moisture – Water pans, steam holes punched in foil, and tight lids all help keep food tender in the dry heat.
- Rotate dishes – Occasionally shuffle and flip items for even heating on all sides.
- Limit openings – Only open when essential to maintain the interior temperature and humidity levels.
- Clean regularly – Don’t allow grease or food debris to accumulate or performance will suffer.
We hope seeing the versatility of your oven’s bottom drawer will inspire you to make the most of this built-in extra space! From endlessly useful holding to gentle cooking, this underutilized appliance is ready to simplify meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oven Drawers
Here are answers to some common questions about this handy built-in oven feature:
What temperature should I set the oven drawer to?
Most experts recommend 150-200F for holding, warming, and proofing. Slow cooking and dehydrating may use settings up to 250F max. Always follow your oven’s manual.
How long will food stay warm in the drawer?
Properly preheated with heat-retaining cookware, food can hold 1-3 hours. Check periodically and re-heat as needed for longer periods.
Can it replace a food dehydrator?
For occasional use, yes, but performance may be inconsistent. Serious dehydrating is better left to an appliance designed specifically for controlled low temperature dehydration.
Is the drawer vented?
Most ovens have venting in the rear or roof of the drawer. This allows for air circulation which is essential for even heating and humidity control.
Can the drawer be used while the main oven is on?
Some models allow simultaneous use, while others recommend against it due to possible oil transfer or electronics overheating from the oven’s fan motor. Check your manufacturer’s guidance.
Is foil or parchment paper safe to use?
Yes, both are fine provided they do not interfere with the drawer vents or fan. Avoid excessive layers as it can inhibit heat transfer. Always use oven-safe products.
Final Thoughts
We hope this comprehensive guide has enlightened you to the diverse capabilities of your oven’s bottom drawer. From keeping casseroles piping hot to turning out perfect bread, this built in chamber puts gentle, enveloping heat right at your fingertips.
With some simple tools, heat-safe cookware, and trial and error, you’ll learn how to master low temperature cooking, warming, and proofing all from your unused oven drawer!
Next time you’re cooking up a storm, remember to make use of that bottom space for preheating plates, proofing pizza dough, or keeping early sides ready until the main dish finishes up. You’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it!