The drawer under the oven can serve different purposes depending on the oven model. There are two types of drawers beneath an oven: a warming drawer and a storage drawer. Here are the differences between the two:

• Warming Drawer: A warming drawer is a drawer that keeps food warm. It is easy to identify because it has a button labeled "Warming Drawer" on the oven control panel. The temperature of the warming drawer is limited, so it should only be used to keep foods heated, not as an additional cooking source. The warming drawer is perfect for keeping a dish hot while you finish cooking the rest of the meal, and it can also be used to proof bread dough.

• Storage Drawer: A storage drawer is a deep, empty drawer that is perfect for keeping kitchenware like baking sheets, muffin tins, or even pots and pans. It is a good place to store cast iron pots and pans because the drawer is not heated.

If there are no temperature controls, then the drawer is a storage drawer. If the oven is heated with natural gas, the drawer is typically a broiler. A broiler provides high, concentrated, direct heat and is best for toasting or browning foods like casseroles or breads. Any item placed in the broiler will burn quickly, so it should be checked on every couple of minutes.

In summary, the drawer under the oven can be used as a warming drawer, storage drawer, or broiler depending on the oven model.