The Warm Drawer: Keeping Warm, Preheating & Low-Temperature Cooking!
What is a warm drawer and what is it used for? Discover all the information about its function, price, models, and more here in the Mykitchens Magazine.
Lesedauer: ca. 2 Minuten
The warming drawer is a perfect complement to the oven, steam cooker, or fully automatic coffee machine. This small kitchen drawer serves primarily one purpose: keeping things warm (as the name already suggests). But warming drawers can do more than just keep dishes warm. They can simplify various processes in the kitchen. Thus, it is a practical gadget, a "nice-to-have" kitchen appliance that may not be essential for kitchen equipment but is useful when available. Why exactly? We reveal this here in the Mykitchens magazine!
The Drawer Under the Oven: Warming Drawer or Vacuum Drawer?
The Warming Drawer
As the name suggests, the warming drawer (here the multi-drawer from BORA) is primarily used for keeping dishes and food warm. However, at temperatures between 30 and 80 degrees Celsius, it also offers additional functions such as defrosting, low-temperature cooking, or proofing.
The Vacuum Drawer
When you open the vacuum drawer under the oven, the difference from the warming drawer is immediately noticeable. Vacuum drawers (like this one from Bosch) have a lid and an underlying compartment where food can be vacuum-sealed. This is particularly useful for sous-vide cooking but also for preserving sauces, spices, fruits, and vegetables.
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The Accessory Drawer
Visually very similar to the warming drawer is the accessory drawer under the oven. However, this kitchen drawer is not electric but a simple drawer, as commonly found in kitchens. It provides additional storage space and serves as a place for cookware, plates, and cups. When placed under a built-in fully automatic coffee machine, accessory drawers also provide an excellent nearby storage solution for espresso and coffee cups, as seen here in an example from Neff.
Buying Criteria for the Warming Drawer
Once you have decided on a warming drawer, it is important to consider some features and characteristics before purchasing. Four factors are particularly important for a precise purchase: dimensions & volume, color, energy consumption, and price/lifespan.
Installation Tips: How to Install a Warming Drawer
The entire time, we've been talking about a drawer under the oven. Why exactly? It's clear: the space under the oven is simply ideal for installation. In many cases, the warming drawer serves as a filler. When two built-in appliances, such as an oven and a steam cooker, are installed side by side with different heights (e.g., 60 cm and 45 cm), the small drawer with its 15 cm height is the perfect complement. Besides the design aspect, the close installation also serves another purpose: warming drawers are most commonly used with these appliances. Therefore, it is advisable to install the drawer with appliances like the oven, steam cooker, built-in microwave, and/or fully automatic coffee machine.
Visually, the warming drawer looks like a classic drawer under the oven. Often, it can be opened with a simple touch or push-to-open mechanism. If you choose the drawer from the same manufacturer as your other built-in appliances, it creates a harmonious transition and a cohesive overall look. An important consideration for installing the warming drawer is having an electrical outlet nearby the appliance.
Uses & Functions: What You Can Do with a Warming Drawer
But how does a warming drawer actually work, and what can you do with it? The simple and straightforward answer: Warming drawers work like other electrical kitchen appliances. They require power to heat the interior to a preset temperature. Depending on the model and manufacturer, the warming drawers heat the temperature inside from 30° to a maximum of 80° Celsius. This opens up a variety of possibilities for kitchen use.
Preheating
Warming drawers can heat dishes like plates and cups, keeping food and hot beverages warm for longer.
Keeping Warm
Food is kept at temperature, which is especially useful when preparing multiple courses.
Defrosting
As the best alternative to the microwave, food and frozen items can be defrosted faster and more gently.
Low-Temperature Cooking
With this cooking method, meat is first seared and then cooked at very low temperatures for several hours in the warming drawer, making it very juicy and tender. The so-called slow food method helps retain flavor and nutrients to a great extent.
Proofing and Melting
Temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees allow yeast dough to rise lightly and airy. Butter and chocolate can also be quickly and easily melted in the warming drawer. The melting temperature can be set more precisely than in a water bath with a pot.
Drying
As a practical alternative to drying fruits and herbs in the oven, dried fruits and herbs can be made in the warming drawer at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Warming Drawer Accessories
As with any other kitchen appliance, various manufacturers offer optional accessories for warming drawers. Here are three examples.
Rack for the Warming Drawer
A practical storage rack to expand the loading area. A rack creates even more space in the warming drawer, as seen in the BORA Multi Drawer in 29 cm.
Non-Slip Mat for the Warming Drawer
Ensures a secure stand and prevents dishes from sliding in the warming drawer. A non-slip mat is often included as an accessory, as seen in this Miele warming drawer.
Bestsellers: The Best Warming Drawers in Our Shop
Now all that's left is the perfect appliance! Miele, Siemens, Bosch, Neff, SMEG, and Gaggenau – all these brands and more offer warming drawers in their product range. Typically, these drawers match the design of their ovens and compact appliances with a 45 cm height. Some models have already been introduced and teased above. Now, let's take a look at the most popular warming drawers from our online shop.
Siemens Warming Drawer
One of our favorites is the iQ700 warming drawer from the premium series Siemens studioLine.
- Height: 14 cm
- Opening: Push-Pull
- Color: Black
- Extras: Home Connect
Miele Warming Drawer
A top seller is also the silver Miele gourmet warming drawer ESW 7120 from the Contour Line design series, in 29 x 60 cm.
- Height: 29 cm
- Volume: Menu dishes for 12 people
- Opening: Push2open (handleless)
- Operation: Sensor Touch
- Temperature: 40 - 85 degrees
- Color: Stainless Steel/Clean Steel
- Features: Smart Home, Timer, ...
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