What Is a Warming Drawer and What Is It Used For?

A warming drawer is a kitchen appliance designed to keep food at the optimal temperature until it is ready to be served. Unlike traditional wall ovens, which can sometimes overcook or dry out certain dishes, a warming drawer can maintain a steady, gentle heat, ensuring your food stays warms and appetizing without continuing to cook.

Using a warming drawer is particularly useful when coordinating the time of multiple dishes, allowing you to prepare food in advance and keep it at the perfect serving temperature.

A warming drawer is primarily used for keeping cooked food warm until it is ready to be served. It maintains a low and steady temperature, typically ranging from around 80°F to 200°F (27°C to 93°C), which is good for holding food without drying it out or overcooking it. Here are the most common warming drawer uses:

• Keeping food warm. Once they are finished cooking, you can place dishes like casseroles, roasted meats or sides in the warming drawer to maintain their temperature until serving time.
• Proofing dough. Most warming drawers can also be used as proofing drawers because the controlled low heat provides an ideal environment for yeast doughs to rise properly before baking.
• Slow cooking. Having settings that allow for slow cooking of certain foods, some warming drawer ovens act as small slow cookers, allowing flavors to develop and ingredients to tenderize.
• Warming plates and utensils. You can keep plates, bowls and serving utensils in a heating drawer, ensuring that food stays warmer longer when it is served.

Using a warming drawer is a straightforward process that can refine how you prep and serve a meal. Here’s how to effectively use a kitchen warming drawer:

• Preheat if necessary. Some food warming drawers might require preheating, especially if you’re using it as a bread proofing drawer or for warming plates.
• Place food inside. Once preheated or if preheating isn’t necessary, place your cooked dishes or plates inside the warming drawer and arrange them in a way that allows for even heating.
• Adjust temperature. Set the temperature of the warming drawer to the appropriate level for the type of food you're keeping warm. Refer to your specific model’s manual for exact settings.
• Use moisture control. If available, control the humidity in your heating drawer, which can be useful for keeping certain foods from drying out.

When it’s time to serve your food, carefully remove the dishes or plates from the warming drawer and transfer them directly to the dining table. Just don’t forget about essential upkeep for your appliances, like regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of food particles and grease.

If you are still curious about what a food warming drawer can and cannot do, here are some common questions regarding warming drawers:

Is a warming drawer worth it?

If you spend a lot of time entertaining guests or preparing multiple dishes, a warming drawer will most likely be worth it. And, if you are a baking enthusiast, a proofing drawer provides the perfect environment for dough to evenly rise.

How long can you leave food in a warming drawer?

Depending on the dish you are preparing and the specific temperature settings of your particular model, you can usually keep your food warm in a warming drawer for up to two hours. This helps ensure that your dishes remain at a safe and appetizing temperature, ready to be served without compromising quality or safety.

Where is the best place to put a warming drawer?

If you don’t already have a built-in warming drawer connected to your oven or range, you will have a lot more freedom in choosing where to put it. However, the best place for a warming drawer will still typically be nearby your cooking station. Just be sure to place it away from your sink and any other potential hazards.

If you’re researching how to design an outdoor kitchen and want to include a warming drawer in your setup, some models can also be used outside. An outdoor warming drawer can keep freshly grilled meats and veggies at an ideal serving temperature, and, it is a great way to keep flies and other pests away.

Do warming drawers use a lot of electricity?

Warming drawers do not use a lot of electricity compared to many other kitchen appliances. Their energy consumption is relatively minimal because they maintain a low, steady temperature rather than generating high heat.

Can you put a pizza box in a warming drawer?

It is generally not recommended to put a pizza box directly into a warming drawer. Warming drawers are designed to provide a controlled temperature and humidity level for food items, but they are not ventilated like ovens or designed to accommodate items like cardboard pizza boxes.