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If you’re like me, you probably love fun little facts – that’s why we’re all here, after all! As a matter of fact, I love sharing them with others almost as much as I love learning them myself.
I’ve always assumed the drawer under my oven was there for pots and pans, maybe lids, possibly cookie sheets, but not much else. After all, that’s what my mother used hers for, and she’s almost never wrong.
Photo Credit: Whirlpool
In this case, though, she sort of was (but don’t tell her). Only sort of, though, because what that drawer under your oven was originally intended for isn’t much used for that purpose any longer.
The drawer isn’t storage – its meant to be used as a space to keep your already-baked foods warm while you finish making the rest of your dinner.
It works similarly to the heated lights that restaurants use in their kitchens, which are supposed to keep food’s core temperature consistent without cooking it further.
Image Credit: iStock
Not all ovens these days come with these options, however, so you’ll want to check the manual (or ask if you’re buying a new one) before you find another home for your pots and pans.
Snopes confirms this is what those drawers were built for, but then says that out of over 100 models of oven stocked at Home Depot, only 19 actually came with that feature ready to roll.
If you’re one of the lucky ones, clean the drawer out and then read up on how to use yours, then prepare to make all of your dinner party guests jealous.
If your oven didn’t come with a working warming drawer but you have some extra cash lying around, you can have them installed aftermarket – and in that case, it doesn’t have to go directly under your oven at all.
Image Credit: iStock
People who entertain regularly probably need this in their lives – and those of us struggling to put hot meals on the table for our kids who are never on time might, too.
Either way, at least now you know what you’re missing, and that’s the first step to making a change!
