Tired of Dropping Crumbs Between the Stove and Counter? Do This
Keeping your kitchen clean is a regular chore, and there's one spot that always seems to collect grime no matter how careful you are. That narrow gap between your stove and counter is basically a magnet for crumbs, grease splatter and everything else you don't want piling up. And since it's tough to reach without pulling out the stove, most people just leave it, which means that mess keeps building up.
It might not seem like a big deal, but letting food debris sit in that hidden space can attract bugs or even rodents. Luckily, there's a simple hack that'll keep that gap clean without making you drag the stove away from the wall. It only takes a minute and makes a huge difference in keeping your kitchen fresh, especially during the warmer months when pests are more active.
The good news? We did the digging for you. Here's how to figure out exactly what your oven drawer is actually meant to do and how to make the most of it.
Read more: Clever Cleaning Hacks for the Hardest-to-Reach Crevices in Your Kitchen
How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar
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How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar
3 functions of your oven's bottom drawer
Warming drawer
A warming drawer is easy to identify. Take a look at the buttons on your oven. If one of them is labeled "Warming Drawer" then that's exactly what you have. Anytime you need to warm a pie or a loaf of bread -- or you just want to keep dishes warm while the rest of the meal finishes cooking -- pop it into the warming drawer and push the warming button.
Broiler
Broiler drawers are typically found on gas ovens and are very narrow.
Chris Monroe/CNET
If you have an oven heated with natural gas, the drawer is typically a broiler. To be sure, pull open the door. If it looks more like a retractable pan than a drawer, then it's a broiler.
Think of the broiler as an extra cooking area. It's best for toasting or browning foods like casseroles or breads. Any item placed in the broiler will burn quickly, though, so check on it every couple of minutes.
Storage drawer
A storage drawer is usually much deeper than a warming drawer or broiler.
Chris Monroe/CNET
If there isn't a warming button and the area looks like a deep, empty drawer, then you probably have a storage drawer. As per a recent Reddit discussion, many people are unsure about what to keep in this space. This is a good place to store cast iron pots and pans, because the warmth from your oven will help keep them rust free. Just be sure not to store plastic items in this drawer, because they may become warped due to residual heat.
Likewise, some older ovens have little insulation and may heat your metal cookware when the oven is on. As a precaution, always use oven mitts to remove cookware during or after your oven has been in use.
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