Wondering how to keep dinner warm when everyone in the family keeps a different schedule?

 

A warming drawer might be the answer. Just turn on the temperature, roll out the drawer and place your main dish, appetizer, or plates inside.

 

Warming drawers are rectangular drawers that recess into cabinetry or a wall. They often are designed to blend in with the cabinetry or compliment the design of a wall oven.

 

Although these drawers were once the sign of affluence, they have filtered down to become a little more mainstream. They are available for anyone who can afford $700 to $1,000 to help keep their meals from getting cold.

 

Why Add One?

In a word -- convenience. They make life a little easier, particularly for the dual income couples or the "empty nesters" who entertain frequently.

 

Before Buying One

Think about how you use the kitchen.

 

·         What type of meals do you prepare?

·         Do you eat in the dining room or around the kitchen table or at the island?

 

In general, a warming drawer should be installed close to where the food will be served.

 

Consider adding one:

·         Under a wall oven

·         In an island -- on the outer side for everyone to use or the inside for your party preparation needs

·         In a butler's pantry, along a wall of cabinetry

 

"Most of them are installed underneath a wall oven or above it," said Sue Carlson, director of marketing for Dacor, based in Pasadena, Ca. "We have a popular configuration that has a microwave on top, a wall oven and a warming drawer underneath."

 

In that scenario, the microwave oven would be placed at eye level, with the oven at chest height.

 

Meal Preparation

Cooks often complain about not having enough oven space when preparing several courses. A warming drawer can help alleviate some of those concerns.

 

"The island use is becoming very popular because people will put a cooktop in the island and the warming drawer underneath," Carlson said.

 

Some home owners even add two warming drawers, either near each other or in different areas of the kitchen. "We have a lot of people who put in two warming drawers and stack them on top of each other," Carlson said.

 

The drawers are designed to be integrated into the cabinetry or installed as a separate feature. The integrated drawers are installed with a front panel that is made to match the cabinetry.

 

The Cost

Warming drawers typically cost between $500 and $1,000. Dacor, for example, sells integrated warming drawers for $550 to $600 for a 24-inch model and $600 to $650 for a 27-inch model. That price does not include the customized front panel, which typically is made by the cabinet manufacturer. The cost for a stainless steel warming drawer by Dacor ranges from $750 to $800 for the 24-inch to $875 to $950 for a 30-inch.

 

The Cons

The main disadvantages are:

·         The cost

·         The loss of cabinet space