If you're like us, you probably use that big drawer underneath your stove to hoard cookie sheets, muffin tins, and bulky skillets.

But regardless of what you put in it, we bet you aren't using that space for its intended purpose: a warming drawer.

Yep, that's right. It sounds crazy that appliance manufacturers expect us to let such a large potential storage space sit empty, but on some oven models, it's designed to be a spot to keep your food warm.

If you're skeptical, just dig up your oven's owner's manual. You may find a description like this: "The warming drawer is designed to keep hot foods at serving temperature. Always start with hot food. Cold or room-temperature foods cannot be heated, warmed, or cooked in the warming drawer."

This news may or may not come as a surprise to you, but if you think you'd miss the extra storage space, we have a solution. Continue storing your extra pots and pans in the drawer—and then just empty it to keep dinner warm when your guests are running late. Win-win!

(h/t Travel + Leisure)

Kelly O'Sullivan Content Strategy Editor Kelly O’Sullivan is the content strategy editor for The Pioneer Woman and manages the website’s social channels, in addition to covering entertainment and lifestyle news.

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