View of wall oven and warming drawer

WHAT IS A WARMING DRAWER?

A warming drawer, sometimes called a baking drawer, can be used to help bread dough rise, keep dishes warm until serving, and can sometimes be used as a slow cooker. Warming drawers are available as a stand-alone appliance built into kitchen cabinets or as a kitchen range feature.

Warming drawers help the avid baker take breads, rolls, and more to the next level, and enable the ultimate meal presentation by ensuring your dishes stay warm until you’re ready to serve. With a slow cook function available on select KitchenAid® models, you can discover new techniques and multi-task while you test new recipes. Elevate your kitchen, and your cooking, with a KitchenAid® warming drawer.

Food on a rack in the warming drawer Food on a rack in the warming drawer

WHAT IS A PROOFING OR PROVING DRAWER?

A proving drawer is an oven compartment or separate appliance with a limited temperature range that helps dough rise properly. In culinary terms, “proofing” or “proving” refers to the process of letting dough rise before it is baked. Some bakers use their warming drawer’s proofing function for their dough because it provides the gentle heat and draft-free area needed for a good rise. This, in turn, helps breads, rolls and other leavened dough recipes achieve their best taste and texture.

DO YOU NEED A WARMING DRAWER?

If you are someone who frequently cooks multiple dishes or often entertains, a warming drawer can be extremely helpful in keeping food warm until serving. A warming drawer will help maintain a general temperature while you prepare the rest of the meal. Learn more about how to keep food warm in the oven before serving.

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HOW TO USE A WARMING DRAWER

Whether it’s putting together a multi-dish meal or entertaining guests for a gathering, using your warming drawer will add convenience to your process. After fully cooking your meals, here are some quick tips to optimize the use of your warming drawer.

Warming drawer dial settings

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR SETTING

Consult your owner’s manual to determine the general temperature to keep your dishes warm. Generally, dishes containing meats, poultry or seafood should be set at medium or higher and placed on the bottom of the drawer.

 

Turn your warm setting dial or control panel to the best range for your dish from low to high. You can also choose moist or dry in some warming drawers for your preference.

Person placing food in warming drawer

STEP 2: USE OVEN-SAFE COOKWARE OR SERVING DISHES

Cover your foods with oven-safe lids in the warming drawer. Your cooked foods should also be in oven-safe containers and clear of any plastics before warming.

View of kitchen island and stove

STEP 3: ALLOW FOR PREHEATING

The recommended minimum preheating times are 5 minutes for low, 10 minutes for medium and 20 minutes for high.

Person placing dishes in warming drawer

STEP 4: SERVE IMMEDIATELY

Do not keep foods in the warming drawer for longer than an hour, especially smaller quantities or heat-sensitive foods. Certain foods like eggs, should not be in the drawer longer than 30 minutes.

WHAT TEMPERATURE IS A WARMING DRAWER?

Warming drawers will often come with a control panel or dial to maintain temperatures. Temperatures range from 120℉ on low to 200℉ on high to keep heated foods warm or to slow cook certain dishes. Settings range from low to high to keep heated foods warm or to slow cook certain dishes. Consider the dishes you're preparing such as meats that would require higher settings. If you are trying to keep pies or sides warm, a medium setting would suffice.

CAN A WARMING DRAWER BE USED FOR STORAGE?

Most ovens come with some sort of compartment below the main oven. Although not all of them are warming drawers, they are commonly used as additional storage for baking sheets, cast irons or other metal cookware. Never place plastics or paper plates in this area. Before using your warming drawer, remove anything stored inside.

IS A WARMING DRAWER STANDARD FOR MOST OVENS?

Integrated warming drawers are not standard on every oven, but they are an available option on some ranges. These integrated warming drawers are usually located below the main oven compartment to let you continue roasting or baking while keeping completed dishes warm for serving. Select KitchenAid® ranges feature an integrated warming drawer, sometimes called a baking drawer. Some ovens have an oven drawer for storage. Learn how to fix a stuck oven drawer.

CAN I INSTALL A WARMING DRAWER SEPARATELY?

If you don’t have a warming drawer in your oven, you can install a stand-alone warming drawer in your kitchen instead. Warming drawers can come in a number of designs and finishes to match your style, as well as range in size from around 24" to 30". Some may come with additional options like humidity controls or a slow cooking mode to help you create a wide range of entrées, side dishes, baked goods, desserts and more.

EXPLORE KITCHENAID® WARMING DRAWER OPTIONS

Ready to add a warming drawer to your kitchen to help you bake, roast and serve your latest creations? KitchenAid offers a wide range of warming drawers in styles and sizes so you can find your perfect fit. You can also choose from select models of slide-in ranges that feature built-in warming drawers to help you slow cook, roast, bake and more without missing a beat. Here are some options from KitchenAid:

STAINLESS STEEL 24" SLOW COOK WARMING DRAWER:

This space-saving option is great for those who need a warming drawer that fits in a regular cabinet space. The sleek stainless steel exterior complements most kitchens from classic to modern designs. It features options like a slow cook function, sensor temperature control and a bread proofing setting to help you create a range of recipes or multi-task when cooking up a feast.

Need a wider model? Find more stainless steel 30 inch warming drawer or 27 inch warming drawer options to fit your kitchen space.

PANEL READY 30" SLOW COOK WARMING DRAWER:

This 30" warming drawer blends in with kitchen cabinets and offers plenty of space to slow cook meats, proof bread dough or simply keep multiple dishes at serving temperature. Its features include a slow cook function, sensor temperature control, a bread proofing option and custom control technology with specific temperature ranges to help you prove your dinner rolls, keep roasted vegetables warm and cook meats to your preference.

STAINLESS STEEL 30-INCH 5-BURNER DUAL FUEL CONVECTION SLIDE-IN RANGE WITH BAKING DRAWER:

This dual fuel range offers the benefits of a gas cooktop and electric oven in one stylish and versatile appliance. Best of all, it features a baking drawer that offers warming, slow cooking and baking functionality. This sleek slide-in range is perfect for people who want a built-in look. It can also conserve space in your kitchen by combining a cooktop, oven and warming drawer into one appliance.

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Discover kitchenaid® Ranges With baking drawers

Explore more of your culinary creativity with the versatility of warming and baking drawers. Available in various styles and finishes to craft your dream kitchen. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OVENS AND RANGES FROM KITCHENAID BRAND