Why You Should Never Use Your Oven Drawer For Storage (And What It's Really Meant For)

Lack of storage is a common issue in kitchens. As such, you'll want to find ways to maximize the space you do have so that cookware and other items don't take up counterspace. This could include exploring numerous hacks to secretly add more storage to your kitchen. If you're like most people, you've likely used your oven drawer to store away extra pans and other kitchen items. It only seems logical that such a drawer ought to be used for oven accessories. However, it turns out that not every oven drawer should be used for storage at all, unless you have a specific type of oven designated for such purposes.

Oven drawers in freestanding ovens can have multiple uses. Some models are equipped with drawers for storing your extra pans and accessories, but this isn't universal to all types of ovens. In fact, some oven drawers can be used for keeping food warm if you're cooking a variety of different dishes. Others may be actual broilers! It's important to figure this out so you don't erroneously use a food warming or cooking space for storage, and vice-versa.

Unless you have a built-in oven, many ovens are equipped with extra drawers for the purpose of cooking food, or keeping it warm. Such is the case with a broiler drawer. While some ovens have the option of broiling food in the main unit, others might have separate drawers designated for this type of cooking. This is especially common with gas-powered ovens that have bottom heating units, as well as those that are attached to gas stovetops. You can explore such features in the top gas ranges and stoves for your kitchen upgrade. Experts recommend using a broiler drawer at the end of your cooking time, including if you want to brown the tops of casserole dishes.

Alternatively, the drawer underneath your oven could be designed for keeping food warm while you're cooking other items. If the drawer is indeed a warming unit, your oven is likely to have a special button labeled as such. Some models may instead have a temperature control button directly inside the drawer, which is another clue that your old oven storage area could actually be a warming unit. A warming drawer can admittedly come in handy when you're trying to cook multiple dishes that require different temperatures, or if it's your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. Warming drawers are also most common in electric ovens. Just keep in mind that a warming drawer is not suitable for heating up cold food, and it should never be used in this way.

When in doubt, it's best to consult your owner's manual. If you're purchasing a new oven, you can also ask a sales representative to help you determine whether the drawer ought to be used for storage. While you're at it, you may want to know some of the common mistakes everyone makes when buying an oven, so you can make the right decision. But if your oven is not brand new and your owner's manual went MIA a long time ago, you can call the company or contact them online to help you get to the bottom of this mystery.

You should only use the drawer underneath your oven for storage if you are 100% sure it is not intended for warming or cooking food. This is especially important for items that can get too hot and melt, which could damage the drawer. So, be sure to never store potentially flammable materials in this drawer, even if it's a designated storage drawer, as it can still get quite hot, being directly under your oven. You'll also want to take care with storing any sharp cooking utensils in any type of drawer, or else these might scratch and damage the unit.