This sounds like the perfect opening for a viral social media hit! If even your mother-in-law is amazed, it must be a truly ingenious trick.
Behind such headlines is usually one of three hidden features that almost every modern oven has, but hardly anyone uses:
- The Secret of the Drawer (The Warming Drawer)
Many people think the drawer at the very bottom of the oven is only for baking trays and empty containers.
Its true function: In many models, it’s a warming drawer. When the oven is running, it directs the residual heat downwards. Perfect for preheating plates, keeping food warm for latecomers, or letting yeast dough rise undisturbed.
- The “Hydro-Clean” / “EasyClean” Function (Steam Cleaning)
Nobody likes cleaning the oven, and chemical pyrolysis (which heats the oven to extreme temperatures) consumes a lot of electricity.
The hidden feature: Many ovens have a built-in steam cleaning program. Simply pour some water with a drop of dish soap directly onto the oven floor or into a baking pan and start the program. The steam softens the burnt-on dirt, making it easy to wipe away afterward.
- The invisible key lock (child lock)
Sometimes you’re cleaning the display and suddenly the oven beeps and nothing works anymore—or the kids are playing with the buttons.
The hidden feature: Almost every digital oven has a key lock. Usually, you simply press and hold the key symbol or the clock button for about 3 to 5 seconds. The control panel is then locked (or unlocked).
Extra cleaning tip: The click-in hinges
While this isn’t an oven feature, it’s sure to impress any mother-in-law: On almost all modern ovens, the glass door can be completely removed in just two steps. Small levers on the hinges on the left and right can be flipped. Then the entire door can be pulled upwards – finally allowing you to reach every corner perfectly for cleaning!
Which of these features would have impressed your mother-in-law the most?