Anyone use their oven for something other than cooking?

PaulaWallaDingDong

We use it to store pans, but we don't not use it to cook.

markrgeary1

I remember my mother stored the plastic tub and rack for the sink in there. She only did that once.

MelodyandBarbells

jennybearlv wrote: »

zyxst wrote: »

I've used the oven for cooking and storage (pots and pans only). I also use it to heat up the kitchen sometimes. Took me a few years to understand the drawer underneath wasn't for storing pots and pans, but the broiler.

While touring apartments a leasing agent had several stories of her residents lighting kitchen towels and things on fire in their broiler drawers. I don't think ranges are built that way anymore. I thought the broiler was broken on my range when I moved into my current house. I put some garlic bread in the bottom drawer, set to broil and the bread only got slightly warm. My husband who had only had electric ranges looked at me like a crazy person, moved the bread to the oven, and had toasted garlic bread ten minutes later. He never believed me when I told him gas ranges typically have the broiler under the oven.

I have never heard of storing things in an oven before. That sounds like a terrible idea. I get annoyed enough when I discover I forgot to take out the baking stone last time I used it. I use my oven almost daily. I can't imagine having to clear my pot and pan collection first. Besides, where do you put all that stuff while you are cooking?

Evidently the storage drawer remains in newer designs in order to maintain the same standard / common counter top height. I didn't even think of the storage drawer as part of the oven. Yeah, I store stuff there in my (electric range) all the time.

Lin_marie11

My grandmother used to use it for storage. She had a small kitchen and not enough cabinets. She would use her toaster oven or microwave for cooking.

lorrpb

I used it tonite to make cornbread. Baked a ham at Christmas and a turkey at Thanksgiving. And pizza, of course!

PaulaWallaDingDong

jennybearlv wrote: »

zyxst wrote: »

I've used the oven for cooking and storage (pots and pans only). I also use it to heat up the kitchen sometimes. Took me a few years to understand the drawer underneath wasn't for storing pots and pans, but the broiler.

I have never heard of storing things in an oven before. That sounds like a terrible idea. I get annoyed enough when I discover I forgot to take out the baking stone last time I used it. I use my oven almost daily. I can't imagine having to clear my pot and pan collection first. Besides, where do you put all that stuff while you are cooking?

The trick is to nest everything together well enough that you only have to take out one or two stacks. Just plop them on the counter, table, or the front porch.

CurlyCockney

My ex-MiL used to keep her handbag (purse) in her oven. Her theory was that a burglar wasn't likely to turn up to cook so wouldn't find it.

MelodyandBarbells

CurlyCockney wrote: »

My ex-MiL used to keep her handbag (purse) in her oven. Her theory was that a burglar wasn't likely to turn up to cook so wouldn't find it.

Is that why she's an ex-MiL?

comptonelizabeth

I use the light on it if I come downstairs in the night so I don't wake the dog. I use the alarm and clock for things other than cooking. I use it to store roasting trays. And I've also used it to heat the house!
In the past I've used it to dry underwear.....not recommended

robininfl

I use the drawer underneath for the half sheet pans, things that don't fit anywhere else. Sometimes stash the iron skillets in oven, since it doesn't matter if they accidentally get preheated with the oven. And yes at the old house sometimes turned it on and opened it just to get warm.

But mostly of course for cooking. Bread, lasagna, roasted veg, roasted chicken, finishing chicken and yellow rice, broiling things, making pizza, sometimes cookies or cakes or quiche. Finishing sunny side up eggs under the broiler. Keeping pancakes warm while making a bunch of them, too. Oh and reheating pizza from pizza places. I would have a hard time cooking without an oven.

LiftandSkate

We do cook in it, but I also use it to heat mold my speed skates.

AnnPT77

I used to hide dirty dishes in it in a pinch sometimes (no dishwasher at the time). Other than that, I just bake & roast foods in it.

I do use the cooktop (gas) to anneal small pieces of metal for jewelry-making, though: Quicker than getting out a torch.

__TMac__

The wall oven that was here when we moved in didn't work well, so we installed an additional slide-in model right next to it. I keep our daily-use pots and pans in the wall oven most of the time, but when entertaining, I use it for reheating or keeping things warm.