5 Things That Belong In Your Oven Storage Drawer - Tasting Table

"Many ovens have an extra drawer at the very bottom, directly under the oven itself. They're a perfect storage solution, especially in kitchens with limited cabinet space. But there are certain things to keep in mind when deciding what, exactly, to store in there."

"First, though, you'll want to make sure your storage drawer is actually a storage drawer and not a warmer drawer or broiler. Luckily, there is an easy way to tell if your oven's bottom drawer is for storage or heating food. The best way to check is to consult your oven's manual. However, if you have no idea where it is, which we wouldn't blame you for at all, you may be able to find it online."

"If, and only if your bottom oven drawer is not for heating food, you can proceed with storing some of your more unwieldy kitchen supplies in there. But it's right below your oven, so it'll get toasty in there. There are definitely things you should never keep in your oven's bottom drawer. Anything you put in there must be non-flammable, oven safe, and non-perishable, meaning no kitchen towels, plastic or wooden utensils, or ingredients like flour or spices."

"Your oven drawer is actually the perfect spot for your baking sheets, roasting pans, muffin tins, and other large, sort of flat cookware. It can be super difficult to find a spot in your cabinets for this stuff, which tends to be too big to be stored either horizontally or vertically, unless you have oversized cabinets. And once you throw in irregular-shaped bakeware like muffin tins, bundt pans, and loaf pans, forget it."

Many ovens include a bottom drawer under the oven cavity that can be used for storage, especially when cabinet space is limited. Confirm the drawer is a storage drawer rather than a warmer drawer or broiler by checking the oven manual or inspecting the oven for temperature controls or heating elements. If the drawer does not heat food, store items that can tolerate warmth and are safe for oven use. Keep the drawer free of flammable materials and anything that can melt or burn, including kitchen towels, plastic or wooden utensils, and ingredients such as flour or spices. Use the space for large, flat, metal bakeware like baking sheets, muffin tins, roasting pans, and loaf pans that are difficult to fit in cabinets.

Read at Tasting Table