Most people use the drawer under the stove as a storage space for pans, baking sheets or casserole dishes. However, in many electric and gas stoves, its original and technical purpose is completely different: it is a warming drawer.

Main functions:

Keeping food warm: In older or classic stoves, the residual heat from the oven is transferred to the drawer below it. It serves to keep already cooked food warm while other dishes are being prepared in the oven or on the hob.
Preheating plates and dishes: In restaurants, as well as at home, food stays warm for longer when it is served on preheated plates. The drawer optimally uses the residual heat to gently warm the food.
Proving yeast and bread dough: The gentle, even heat in the drawer provides the ideal temperature for proving yeast dough, protected from drafts.

Why do we mostly use them for storage these days?

In modern built-in ovens, the drawer under the oven is often just a simple kitchen element designed by the manufacturer and is no longer directly connected to the electronics or heating elements of the oven. In addition, modern ovens are so well insulated that almost no heat is lost downwards.

A note on using it for storage: If your oven is older or gets noticeably hot underneath, you should not store items made of plastic, baking paper or easily flammable materials in it. In this case, metal baking trays, cast iron pans or frying pans are the safest choice.