Everything You Need to Know About Warming Drawers

source: Meile

source: Meile

Warming drawers are a great addition to any kitchen. They are typically used to keep food warm before it’s served which is a great convenience when you are whipping up a multi course meal – taking the pressure off timing all the food to be done at the same time.

Warming drawers can also be used to warm plates, enable dough rising, crisp stale crackers, and even warm towels. When not in use, you can use the warming drawer for extra storage too.

Most warming drawers have a hidden electronic control panel located in the top interior edge of the drawer, which allows you to apply a custom panel matching your cabinets making this appliance virtually disappear.

Usually warming drawers are installed in the cooking zone of the kitchen - below wall ovens or below a cooktop. This enables quick transfer of freshly cooked foods to the warming drawer, reducing the chance of spills.

Warming drawers come in three sizes – 24”, 27” and 30” wide and usually have heat levels ranging from 80 degrees to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Capacities can range from 1 cubic foot up to 2.9 cubic feet. When considering what size you need think about how many plates you want to accommodate or if you have big serving platters you need to fit.

Some of the features you will see on warming drawers include pre-set temperatures and variable temperature controls, as well as automatic shut-off and Sabbath modes. Humidity control is an important feature that helps insure moist foods stay moist and crispy foods stay crisp.

Look for heavy duty full extension glides allowing easy access to the interior and smooth opening and closing even when fully loaded. Some luxury models offer optional accessories such as racks that allow you to stack more dishes as well as multi piece container sets that fit perfectly into the drawer offering efficient use of space while heating multiple dishes.

Warming drawer prices general range from $700 to $1800 and up.