That drawer under your oven probably seems like the perfect spot to stash baking sheets or pans. There’s so much extra space there, why wouldn’t you put all the pots and pans you don’t have room for in your cabinets there? Here’s the thing: That drawer may not actually be for storage after all.
You may be surprised to hear that, in some oven models, it’s actually meant to keep food warm before serving. Others use it as a secondary broiler. And yes, some really are just for holding your cookware. You’d need to consult your manual to be sure, and you should go ahead and admit that you haven’t. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be reading this right now.
Don’t worry, though. We aren’t about to give you a reading assignment because we’re breaking it all down in easy to understand terms right now. Here’s how to find out what your bottom oven drawer is actually for, and how to use it the right way.
Read more: Clever Cleaning Hacks for the Hardest-to-Reach Crevices in Your Kitchen
3 functions of your oven’s bottom drawer
Warming drawer
A warming drawer is easy to identify. Take a look at the buttons on your oven. If one of them is labeled “Warming Drawer” then that’s exactly what you have. Anytime you need to warm a pie or a loaf of bread — or you just want to keep dishes warm while the rest of the meal finishes cooking — pop it into the warming drawer and push the warming button.
Broiler
Broiler drawers are typically found on gas ovens and are very narrow.
If you have an oven heated with natural gas, the drawer is typically a broiler. To be sure, pull open the door. If it looks more like a retractable pan than a drawer, then it’s a broiler.
Think of the broiler as an extra cooking area. It’s best for toasting or browning foods like casseroles or breads. Any item placed in the broiler will burn quickly, though, so check on it every couple of minutes.
Storage drawer
A storage drawer is usually much deeper than a warming drawer or broiler.
If there isn’t a warming button and the area looks like a deep, empty drawer, then you probably have a storage drawer. As per a recent Reddit discussion, many people are unsure about what to keep in this space. This is a good place to store cast iron pots and pans, because the warmth from your oven will help keep them rust free. Just be sure not to store plastic items in this drawer, because they may become warped due to residual heat.
Likewise, some older ovens have little insulation and may heat your metal cookware when the oven is on. As a precaution, always use oven mitts to remove cookware during or after your oven has been in use.
