Bosch warming drawers fit under a built-in oven and take on jobs the oven isn't suited to: warming plates and cups, keeping food at serving temperature and gentle tasks such as defrosting. Models come from the Series 6 and Series 8 ranges. All open with a handleless push-pull action and come in black or stainless steel and black, so they match well with Bosch built-in ovens.

Height is the first thing to decide. The 14 cm drawers are the usual partner for a compact oven and hold 12 to 14 plates or 64 espresso cups. The 29 cm Series 8 drawer holds 54 litres, which is enough for up to 40 plates or 192 espresso cups. That suits households that often cook for a crowd. It also has an easy-clean toughened glass heating plate and connects to the Home Connect app.

The series affects how you use the drawer. Series 6 models have a rotary dial with touch controls and 23 litres of space. Their four functions cover keeping food and drinks warm, pre-warming tableware, thawing delicate foods and proving yeast dough. Series 8 models use touch controls and carry up to 25 kg. They add low-temperature cooking, which lets you cook meat slowly and gently or rest it while the rest of the meal comes together.

To narrow it down, start with the height of the space in your oven housing. Then decide whether you mainly need warm plates and proved dough (Series 6) or low-temperature cooking as well (Series 8). Browse Bosch single ovens or Bosch steam ovens to plan the rest of the column.