A warming drawer is the definition of a dinner ready when you are ready.
The fact that provides a large capacity means there is enough space for more standard-sized dinner plates for your family and your guests.
It is a certitude that you will never have to worry about having a cold meal again once you invest in a warming drawer for your outdoor kitchen.
There is not a surprise anymore that manufacturers are now building a huge range of components for outdoor kitchens just like they build parts for indoor kitchens.
Definitely, such an appliance makes a valuable addition to your grill island. You have to just simply slide buns and pieces of bread inside to enjoy the warmth and full flavor at mealtime and the warming drawer is also great for keeping side dishes warm as you grill.
These warming drawers can be set to maintain a wide range of temperatures, depending on the model.
Some models include a control for humidity management for crispy or moist foods. Certainly, a warming drawer brings efficiency and function to your outdoor kitchen while offering maximum protection from the outdoors because it is fully enclosed and sealed.
If you plan to buy a warming drawer or simply, want to know the benefits of such a product for your outdoor kitchen, let’s consider some different models of warming drawers and draw a comparison between them.
1. RCS R
1. RCS R-Series RWD1 36-Inch Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer
Keeping food warm and ready to serve without over-cooking is so easy with RCS R-Series RWD1 36-Inch Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer.
This warming drawer has a 304-grade stainless steel construction for lasting durability, but also adjustable moisture vents for drawer humidity control.
With a flush panel face design, this unit guarantees you precise temperature control that can be set from 50 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, it is the right moment to learn how you can hold meals at just the right temperature with this fully enclosed electric warming drawer.
Having two adjustable moisture vents, it allows for humidity control, letting you keep foods dry and crispy or moist and tender. The flush panel face is perfect for seamless integration in your outdoor BBQ kitchen island.
In order to install this drawer in your kitchen or cooking space, make sure that you are going to provide a 10 1/8″ H x 34 1/2″ W x 21″ D cutout to the front of the island. The temperature control is located on the right-hand side of the control panel, while the heat-on light is above the temperature control knob.
The red light turns on when the control knob is set and cycles “on” and “off” with the heating element as the temperature is maintained.
As you already know, the main function of the warming drawer is to hold hot cooked foods at serving temperature.
It should only be opened when adding or removing food as the continuous opening of the drawer allows warm air to escape and make the food colder. This drawer provides dry heat, moist heat, but also guarantees proofing yeast dough.
The moisture vent control is also very important and this drawer has such a control located at the top inside of the warming drawer that can be adjusted in any position between “open’ and “close” to maintain the desired degree of moisture.
If you want crispy food, you have to slide the moisture vent control inward to open the vents and allow the moisture to escape and for moist food, just side the moisture vent control outward to close the vents to seal the moisture inside the drawer.
2. Bull
2.1. Bull 85747 Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer
Also, consider Bull 85747 Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer, perfect for keeping bread and side dishes warm while grilling.
Made of a 304 stainless steel for more durability, the drawer provides variable temperature control for precise temperature adjustment being rated for outdoor use. Now, having moist or crisp food is possible using the moisture vent control of this drawer.
Think about installing a warming drawer on your Bull outdoor BBQ island. The fact that such a warming drawer serves to keep your freshly prepared meals heated and ready for eating at any time represents big advantages. And the temperature settings range from 60 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
The overall dimensions of the product are height 11 5/8 inches, width 30 inches, and depth 20 7/8 Inches.
The electrical requirements of this drawer are 120 Volt, 60 Hz, AC only 15 or 20 Amp. With a power supply plug with a 3-prong ground plug, this unit should be grounded and to avoid any risk of fire or injury, make sure that you follow the instructions for a proper installation available in the user manual that is provided with the warming drawer.
For operating the drawer, you have a temperature control dial located on the right-hand side of the control panel, having settings from 1 to 10.
The levels of temperature range from 60 degrees F (setting 1 with the lowest temperature) to 220 degrees F (setting 10 with the highest temperature). Take into consideration the fact that the majority of foods are held in temperature settings of 5-6.
Located above the temperature control knob, the red heat on light turns on when the control knob is set and is maintained during the cycles on and off of the heating element.
There is also a moisture vent control at the top inside of the warming drawer; for maintaining the desired degree of moisture, this control can be adjusted in open or closed position.
3. Lion
3.1 Lion WD256103 Outdoor Kitchen Stainless Steel Warming Drawer
Take your time to meet all the facilities guaranteed by Lion WD256103 Outdoor Kitchen Stainless Steel Warming Drawer with a 16-gauge 304 stainless steel construction for lasting durability and CSA certificate for outdoor kitchen use.
It ensures precisely manage storage conditions with the variable temperature control knob and adjustable moisture vents, but also 5 removable stainless steel buffet pans and lids to keep a variety of foods warm.
For keeping foods warm and ready to serve without overcooking dishes, such a product is definitely perfect.
Designed with a control panel, this drawing warmer features a variable temperature control knob, a power switch, and two indicator lights for power and warming status.
There are also two vents that allow for adjustments to internal humidity, so you can keep foods crispy or seal in moisture.
Versatility is the word that characterized better this drawer: this 120-volt unit includes four 1.7 liter buffet pans with lids and one larger 3.9-liter buffet pan with lid.
Lion Premium Grills warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the original date of purchase.
As the main function of the warming drawer is to hold hot cooked foods at serving temperature, make sure you operate properly this appliance.
So, the first tip: it is recommended to not use aluminum foil to line the drawer as it is an excellent heat insulator and will trap heat beneath it. And this may affect the performance of the warming drawer and the interior finish.
The drawer is very easy to use: you have to switch the knob by clockwise and for example, at 9 o’clock direction is heating slowly, while at 12 o’clock direction is 150℉, and at 3 o’clock direction the temperature can reach to 250℉.
For the first use, turn on the switch to “I”, and the “Power” lights up and the knob is pointed to “OFF “at 6 o’clock direction. At the end, switch the knob to “OFF” after using, then turn off the switch to “O”.
4. Fire Magic
4.1 Fire Magic 33830-SW Stainless Steel Warming Drawer
With Fire Magic 33830-SW Stainless Steel Warming Drawer, you are able to set the temperature up to 230 degrees to keep food ready to serve. ( There is also the 53830-SW model and for more details about it you can check at Amazon.)
The Fire Magic 33830-SW has sealed enclosure that keeps insects and pests out, but also moisture cup and humidity control knob that helps to control how moist your food is. And do not forget the fact that it is designed to complement Fire Magic Legacy & Choice components.
Now, you have the opportunity to complete your Fire Magic outdoor kitchen with their complete line of stainless doors and drawers.
Isn’t great? It is a fully sealed product, has a temperature control knob to keep your foods warm and a stainless steel frame and face for years of outdoor use and dependability.
This unit is designed to match perfectly with other Choice and Legacy series products and requires an 110V connection.
In case you wonder about the warranty, you should know that Fire Magic outdoor components are warranted against defects for three years and Fire Magic ignition systems (excluding batteries), electrical components (including lights and thermometer) for one year.
Regarding the temperature control, this unit can be set to a maximum of 230 degrees F and so, you can accommodate any and all of your warming needs.
The low settings are perfect for plate and bread warming, while high settings are useful in keeping soups and sauces piping hot. On the other hand, there is also a sliding humidity control knob for regulating the humidity inside the drawer.
So, let adjust the moisture without opening the drawer and this is amazing as you are not going to affect the interior temperature or humidity.
Keep in mind that you have to open the vents to keep foods crisp and to close them to keep your dishes moist (also, it is recommended to add water to the moisture cup to increase the interior humidity).
5. DCS
5.1 DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer
With a generous 1.6 cubic foot capacity holds up to 6 standard dinner plates, DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer ensures you that your food will be safely warm until you are ready to eat. (Other option would be DCS WD-27-SSOD 27-Inch which you can find at Amazon )
For more safety, this outdoor warming drawer is UL approved for outdoor use and is thermostatically controlled.
Forget about sacrificing the style and convenience of the indoors while cooking in your outdoor kitchen: you must meet this DCS outdoor warming drawer that is designed to keep cooked food at a safe, warm temperature, for an extended period of time, until you and your guests are ready to eat.
The fact that it stores up to 6 standard-size dinner plates in this 1.6 cubic foot capacity warming drawer represents a big plus.
Concerning the temperature control, you should know that the warming drawer has a temperature range of 170-230 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, the cleaning is super easy as the stainless steel shelf and tray is removable. Further, DCS outdoor warming drawers have a two year limited warranty covering parts and labor for the entire product, and a five year comprehensive warranty covering the stainless steel assemblies.
The installation instructions refer to the fact that the warming drawer should be installed into a base cabinet with minimum outside dimensions of 18 1/2” high by 31” wide by 24 3/16” deep.
The details about the power supply required are 120 VAC, 15 amp GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) circuit. And to use the appliance, all you have to do is to turn the thermostat dial to a temperature setting (low, medium, and high).
For having the best results with this drawer, make sure you consider some recommendation as follows; to keep several different foods hot together, set the temperature to the food needing the highest setting. Also, place items needing highest setting on the bottom of the drawer and food needing less heat on the tray.
6. Comparison
Once you have read an overview of all these warming drawers, you should know that there are some particularities that differentiate the units.
If we refer to the price, you should know that the cheapest appliance is RCS R-Series RWD1 36-Inch Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer, while the most expensive DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer.
All units are designed with a temperature control knob and a vent control. For more control when warming foods, you should consider Fire Magic 33830-SW Stainless Steel Warming Drawer that also incorporates a humidity control.
Another important aspect refers to the levels of temperature: with RCS R-Series RWD1 36-Inch Outdoor Kitchen Warming Drawer, you can set the temperature level from 50 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit, while with DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer, from 170-230 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, depending on your needs, Lion Outdoor Kitchen Stainless Steel Warming Drawer comes with 5 removable stainless steel buffet pans and lids to keep a variety of foods warm (it includes four 1.7 liter buffet pans with lids and one larger 3.9 liter buffet pan with lid); and DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer stores up to 6 standard-size dinner plates in its 1.6 cubic foot capacity.
And if you think of warranty, Fire Magic 33830-SW Stainless Steel Warming Drawer is warranted against defects for three years and DCS WD130-SSOD 30-Inch Kitchen Outdoor Warming Drawer for two years. For the rest of drawers, you will receive 1-year warranty from the original date of purchase.