Best uses for warming drawer
ssdarb
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
anoriginal
10 years ago
mitchdesj
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Best warming drawer for the money?
Comments (14)The thing about warming drawers is that they're not so useful in the positions that most people place them. The best locations are just under the counter, either under or next to the cooktop, or in the vicinity of the dining area, or on the path between. Wall ovens, which don't need tending, are usually out of the way of the flow of food, and placing heavy pots and platters in a bottom drawer is a pain, plus stacking waffles or serving up dinner out of a bottom drawer isn't really practical, so people who are used to them only being in that awful position don't know how useful they can be and don't think they need them. I have ovens that can do warming just fine, but they're not convenient for that, and often I want to warm things when the ovens are cooking! You don't need electronics to make a warming drawer useful to you, and the least expensive one is probably just as good as any other. If you want precise temperatures, you can figure them out with a $10 oven thermometer, and a lo/med/hi dial. Here I'm quoting myself from 2010 (link below). The principles haven't changed and it's too late at night for me to write this over again: There are several features to warming drawers that might make the difference to you between one and the next. 1. Temperature range. I wanted plate warming, so a low temperature below 100 degrees. This is also appropriate for rising bread dough, but not for holding perishable food. At the top end, some only go just above 200 degrees, others go to about 240. Higher temperatures are needed to safely hold larger pots of dense food, but you probably don't need more than 210 or so for that. The higher temperatures are for things like crisping, I think, though I don't remember that as well. 2. Humidity. As I said above, moisture control is just a lever that opens or closes the steam vents. That can make a big difference, especially if you're holding made up plates of dinner. For a covered pot of stew it doesn't matter much. 3. Size. Do you need it to hold a large pizza box? Several? Do you want the bins Antss mentioned? (Mine came with them but I haven't found a use yet and it's a pain to store the bars they hang from.) Is it deep enough for your pots? 4. Sides. Miele and Gaggenau have open sides, making it easier to get things in and out when your warming drawer is in a difficult position. They're also expensive. Mine (Monogram) has sides, and I haven't had an issue. I've touched the sides accidentally and they're hot enough to make one draw back, but I haven't been burned. I think it would take more than a brief touch, and I rarely have mine on high. 5. Computer features. Mine is a simple machine. An on off switch and a dial for temperature. Some warming drawers have computerized controls that might make them more accurate, and give you features as well. Like a 4 hour shut off for if you forget what you have in the warming drawer. Which feature usually implies that there will be a Sabbath Mode, which overrides the 4-hour shut off. I, frankly, prefer the simple one. It has a red light to show it's on. That's a good feature. Many don't have that. 6. Appearance. Some warming drawers can be panelled to match or integrate with your cabinetry. The Monogram panel ready came with the stainless front, which one just removes to mount the panel (what they waste on the extra front they save on making a different unit). There's a little plastic lens to put on the hole in the panel over where the light is. Gaggenau's warming drawer has the glass over metal that the ovens do, so matches them. Similarly, manufacturers have different handles and details to match their ovens, though the warming drawers are mostly plain stainless and therefore easy enough to mix and match with other brands. Most warming drawers nowadays have the controls behind the door, though I think there are still a few that have the controls exposed. Manufacturers think people don't want to see controls. Also, if the controls are inside, you'll be reminded to remove that last bit of food when you turn off the switch, so it doesn't just rot in there for a week. These are all considerations I researched. My priorities, in the end, were size (deep enough for my favorite pots with the lids on), temperature range, price, integrated panel (appearance), humidity control, open sides....See MoreDo you use your warming drawer?
Comments (24)Andybp, most ovens won't go down in temperature as low as a warming drawer, though some warming drawers don't go low enough either. It depends on what you're using it for. For safety, food should be held at 140F at the very least. Ovens with a keep warm function will sometimes go that low. That's awfully hot for plate warming, however, especially if you have metallic decor on your plates. It's too much for rising dough as well. Some, including the Monogram, also have steam vents so you can adjust how much moisture you retain in the warming drawer, depending on what you have in it. Other functions for a warming drawer include recrisping cereal and crackers, and the one I just learned from Bluesbarby, storing bread! (I was trying to figure out where to put a bread drawer, and this is kind of perfect! Makes sense it would work, because it's sealed.) Another question is what's the ambient temperature of your kitchen? For each degree lower on your thermostat there's a corresponding increase in the speed at which your food cools. If sliced meat gets cold on the platter before the boys reach for seconds, you might be really happy to have and use a warming drawer regularly, even under the ovens. If your kitchen is toasty warm it's less of a must have....See MoreWarming Drawer OdorWarming Drawer Odor
Comments (9)No burning issues...just metallic smell. WeedMeister, I'm going to check the rollers...thanks! It probably wouldn't be a big deal except I use it a lot (yes, I'm one of those who actually use their WD!)...See MoreCan GE Advantium be used as a microwave and warming drawer?
Comments (8)There are several models of Advantium, and I can speak only about the older model 240. However, I doubt any of the models would make a satisfactory warming drawer. I use my warming drawer to warm plates as well as keeping prepared food at serving temperature, sometimes for a couple of hours. I think there's an Advantium model that's also a convection oven, and maybe you could use that to keep one item warm, but I'm not sure; perhaps someone more familiar with the latest models will chime in on this. As far as I know, all the Advatiums can function as a regular microwave. ---Margaret...See Moremustangs81
10 years ago90% of the time my WD is used for bread and chip storage. I took the interior measurements to the dollar store and found a bin that would fit inside the WD (minus the lid) and acts as a liner. When I need to use the WD for entertain, I take out the bin/liner with it's contents and store it in the laundry room.
I went to the restaurant supply store, again with the WD measurements, and found 4 serving pans that fit the WD perfectly for parties especially brunch (scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, biscuits, baked apples-for example).
Here is my concern-my warming drawer is in the middle position of my triple oven. That places it at counter height and perfect of a continuation of the buffet line that I set up on the counter.
Newer models place the WD at ankle height so to use it as a buffet line one would have to bend over to serve your plate. I was alerted to this issue when I had to have my triple oven repaired this year and was exploring new combos because of the cost of the repair. I contacted Thermador and asked what the rational was for placing the WD at the bottom of the combination ovens near the floor. "That's just the way it is" was the response.D@#$, I love my configuration the way it is!
ssdarb
10 years agojustsaying
10 years agossdarb
10 years agomustangs81
10 years agogwlolo
10 years agoliz_h
10 years agoliz_h
10 years agomustangs81
10 years agotriciae
10 years ago
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
10 years agocompumom
10 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNEmbrace a Hot Trend With a Kitchen Warming Drawer
Serve food at just the right temperature with this increasingly popular appliance, coordinated to match your kitchen's style
Full Story
LIFEYou Said It: “Call It the ‘Really Useful Stuff’ Drawer” and More
Houzz design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESSweater Chic Warms Up Fall Interiors
Knits have escaped the drawer and are making themselves comfy all around the home, on pillows, throws, poufs and more
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESConfident Color: When to Use Cool and Warm Hues
Change the Mood of a Room With Colors that Advance or Recede
Full Story
MORE ROOMSUse Draperies to Warm Up Your Rooms for Winter
Window coverings in rich colors and textures turn your space into a cozy retreat for fall and winter
Full Story
BRICKUse the Ruggedness of Brick to Warm Up Your Bath
Check out these stylish ways to add a bit of earthy character to the bathroom
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNWhat to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen
One-of-a-kind lumber warms a room and adds age and interest
Full Story
MOST POPULARMust-Try Color Combo: White With Warm Off-White
Avoid going too traditional and too clean by introducing an off-white palette that brings a touch of warmth and elegance
Full Story
HOME OFFICESWarm Up the Home Office With a Fine Wooden Desk
Let corporate settings keep their steely formality. These wooden desks for a home office celebrate natural beauty in all its glory
Full Story
Guest Picks: Warm Up With Red Accessories
Heat things up visually during the cold months with home decor sporting shades of crimson
Full StorySponsored
Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m