Warming Drawers

A warming drawer is a built-in kitchen appliance that keeps cooked food at a serving-ready temperature without continuing to cook it. At Bing Lee we stock warming drawers from leading brands to suit a range of kitchen styles and cabinet configurations. Our FAQs below explain how they work and who benefits most from having one.

FAQs

1. What is a warming drawer and how does it work?

A warming drawer is a low-temperature heated drawer that sits below your oven or in a separate cabinet. It uses gentle heat - typically between 30 and 80 degrees Celsius - to keep food warm without overcooking or drying it out. It is also useful for warming plates, proving bread dough, gently defrosting foods, and keeping baked goods fresh before serving. Unlike an oven, it operates at much lower temperatures and is designed specifically for holding and warming rather than cooking.

2. What benefits does a warming drawer provide?

A warming drawer is most useful for households that cook multi-course meals or entertain regularly. When cooking a meal with multiple components that finish at different times, a warming drawer lets you hold the first dishes at the perfect serving temperature while finishing the rest. It is also a great help at Christmas and during large gatherings, where multiple courses and dishes need to be ready at the same time. Anyone who finds themselves often asking guests to wait while a dish is "just keeping warm in the oven" will appreciate having a dedicated drawer for this purpose.

3. How do I choose the best warming drawer for my kitchen?

Check that the width of the warming drawer matches the cabinetry you are fitting it into - most residential warming drawers are 60cm wide to match standard kitchen joinery. Consider the temperature range, as more versatile models offer a wider range that lets you use the drawer for plate warming, food holding, proving bread dough and gentle defrosting. Some models also have moisture control settings that allow you to adjust whether the environment inside the drawer is dry or slightly humid, which is useful for keeping different food types at their best.

4. Can a warming drawer be used as a proving drawer?

Yes. Many warming drawers include a dough proving function that holds the drawer at the ideal low temperature with a slightly moist environment. This is the perfect condition for bread and pizza dough to rise. Without a dedicated drawer, home bakers often have to improvise with their oven on its lowest setting, which is not always low enough and can be wasteful of energy. A warming drawer with a proving function makes this process much more consistent.

5. Where is a warming drawer installed in a kitchen?

Warming drawers are typically installed below a wall oven in the same column of cabinetry, using the space in the cabinet below the oven cavity. They can also be installed independently in a base cabinet at bench height, separate from the oven column, which is useful if you want a warming drawer accessible from the kitchen prep area. Always check the required installation dimensions and ventilation requirements for the specific model before your kitchen is built.