Almost no one in the Czech Republic knows the true purpose of the drawer under the oven. People usually use it completely wrong

Ovens are an essential part of modern kitchens, but few people know the real purpose of the drawer under the oven. This drawer is often used as a place to store lids, pans or other kitchen tools. In reality, however, it may have a completely different purpose.

Warming drawer by the oven

Some ovens, especially electric models, have a drawer designed as a warming area. During baking, the oven produces a considerable amount of heat, which can be used to maintain the temperature of already prepared dishes. This function is especially useful when preparing multi-course meals, where some dishes need to be kept warm while others are still being prepared. Ovens with this function usually have a special button on the control panel for setting the temperature in the warming drawer.​​​​

Drawer as storage space

If there is no button for the warming drawer on the stove, the space under the oven is probably intended only for storing kitchen utensils. This is common with older tube models where information about the heating function was not commonly included in the manuals. Although these drawers are not primarily intended for heating, they can heat up slightly due to the residual heat from the oven, which can be used to keep food warm​​.

How to effectively use a warming drawer

If you have an oven with a warming drawer at home, it is important to learn how to use it properly. This drawer does not have enough power for cooking, but it is ideal for keeping already heated food warm. It can be useful if you need to use the oven for other purposes, such as baking pastries, while the main course remains warm. The drawer can also be used for rising dough​​.

Efficient use of energy and time saving

The drawer under the oven not only brings convenience and flexibility when preparing food, but also represents an efficient use of energy. By using the residual heat of the oven to maintain the temperature of food or preheat dishes, we can reduce the need for an additional heat source and thus save energy. This is especially beneficial in times of rising energy prices.

Photo: Shutterstock, sources: Wikihow, Which