Why you should rethink the drawer under your oven

For many people, the drawer under the oven is simply another place to store various kitchen accessories such as pans, lids, molds, or baking sheets. However, its true purpose is entirely different and related to food preparation.

Storing equipment in the drawer under the oven is one of our unwritten traditions. It's a common practice in many homes. However, the drawer under the oven was created for a particular purpose. The designers did not intend for it to be an additional storage space.

In this case, necessity was likely the mother of invention. Kitchens in some European apartment buildings—and not only there—were often designed based on the Frankfurt model, which emphasized the maximum use of available space. Because not everyone had many cabinets, things were tucked away anywhere, including the drawer under the oven.

However, according to the designers' intentions, this compartment was meant for a completely different use related to food preparation.

Directly after baking, the food prepared in the oven should be placed in the drawer. This way, the dish retains its juiciness and temperature. The drawer has efficient use, which is invaluable to anyone who has ever had to wait for someone with dinner or prepare part of a meal before the entire meal was ready.

The drawer under the oven can be handy during various home celebrations when we prepare dishes in advance. However, whether we use this space for its intended purpose or storage may depend on answering a simple question: do we more often wait for guests with food, or are we short of kitchen space and need a pan within reach?