How Do You Use Your Warming Drawer?

Question

Through a stroke of good luck, I managed to buy a used GE Profile Range & Oven in perfect condition for $75. It includes a warming drawer, something I've never had (nor ever really wanted), but now that I do have it, I want to learn how to use it. What kinds of foods work well in the warming drawer? Is there a risk of things drying out? For example, if I make a cornbread, should I undercook it if I'm going to put it in the warming drawer while the rest of dinner finishes? Or do I cook it as usual? Keep in mind that my family is vegetarian (so I'm not cooking roasts or anything). The range on ours is something like 140-250 degrees, so I can't really use it for cooking (meringues maybe). Thanks for your advice!

Answer

We use ours for storage.... :-(

Answer

Congratulations on your bargain! I don't know how large your warming drawer but I hope it's a big as possible. I use mine daily - and I cook for two people. It sounds like you've put a thermometer in your WD to be able to gauge temperatures. I find it most helpful to put hot or warm food into the WD and not try to warm it in there from stone cold.

Right now, I have two pans of rolls and a loaf of bread rising in the WD. Pretty soon our lunch soup will join them. First thing I do when prepping for supper is turn it on and put our dinnerware in. This way, our plates & bowls are warm and it's ready for any unexpected jobs that come along. When using a single oven for a meal requiring two temperatures, I put the lowest temp. food in there to stay hot while the hottest food cooks (EX: mac and cheese stays warm while the rack of lamb roasts. Yes, I read that you're not cooking roasts, but this was my last night example). When I'm baking, I will put some of the bread/rolls/scones/whatever directly in the WD for the next meal.

My WD has a vent so that fried chicken stays crisp but, closed, it will keep cornbread moist, especially if you put a small dish of hot water in there alongside. Vegetable gratins, refried beans and mashed potatoes are some of my favorites in the WD but my husband would vote for warm chocolate chip cookies.

If I had known how much I use this, I would have put one in our bathroom for towels!

Edit: I should have noted that mine is mounted just below counter height. For some unknown reason, some are placed almost at floor level and I cannot fathom using one at that level.

Answer

We have a Bosch dual-fuel range which we love. One terrific feature for us is the warming drawer. We use it primarily to heat up dinner plates, soup or pasta bowls, etc. However, it is also great if your cooking logistics are imperfect, and one course (vegetables, potatoes, etc.) is ready before the rest of the meal. Simply cover it with a piece of foil, and pop it into the WD. One caveat...you want to be really careful putting things like steak, lamb chops, or cooked fish in the WD...they will continue to cook and dry out!

Answer

We have a separate warming draw, which was a last minute addition to our kitchen renovation. We love it, and even though we have a relatively small kitchen (original 1928 footprint), it was well worth while. We use it to warm plates, rest meat, keep leftovers warm for a late dinner, and to proof bread. I find I have to be careful on the proofing. I usually warm the oven up, and then turn it off just before I put the bread dough in to be proofed.

Answer

A warming drawer is a surprisingly versatile thing to have: helps frozen foods thaw more quickly (in particular, if you put your frozen food in a marinade, the liquid will help it thaw amazingly fast); helps keep dinner warm without overcooking it in case your spouse / children don't get home on time (the obvious use); can even be used to slow roast those things like, say, duck confit that you want to cook for an unusually long time. Also, if you like to bake, then check if your warming drawer has a bread proofing setting.

Answer

We use ours (Frigidaire) to keep food warm when you still need burners or the oven for other tasks for large family gatherings 

and

taking the chill off dinner ware!

I just wish it had a light to let one know that it was on.

Answer

Hello I just wanna add a question I just realize that my drawer where I kept fans was a warming drawer also in my Samsung. So may also use this drawer as a proofing drawer thank you

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I proof bread, pizza dough, etc., hold dishes like casseroles and vegetable sides while I cook large meals, my children stick fast food it in (meh, I gotta let them live their lives), melt butter, reheat meals that don't do well in the microwave. Great for a buffet- I can make everything, put it in the drawer, hop in the shower, then set it all out as they arrive. Warm plates. 

Most warming drawers have a humidity setting (mine is a bar) so you can adjust. I'm very happy with mine, almost 10 years later, it enabled us to skip a double oven which I honestly wouldn't use as often as the warming drawer.

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How Do You Use Your Warming Drawer?

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