Kitchen - deep narrow drawer purpose?

moneysaver1978

Apparently the kitchen was fitted by Wren but the two bottom drawers next to the oven do not seem to work well for us (see photo!).

Inside measurements are 20cm wide, 20cm high (realistically only 8cm of it is useable), 42cm length.

We haven't been able to find a storage box or dividers to better organise this.

If you have a drawer similar to this, what do you use it for? I thought jars of some sort but the edges of the bottom of the drawers are a bit curved (so they slide around) and in any case there's a narrow pull-out larder on the other side perfect for jars and spices.

Brie

Don't know why but I can't open the picture. 

But I can imagine your frustration - I don't know why manufacturers/shops sell units that are obviously meant to store things but don't provide/sell inserts that will fit them.  We've had this problem with both dining room units with cutlery drawers that are too small in width/length to use any type of cutlery holders.  And a kitchen installed by one of Wickes competitors with nothing available to make some of the drawers more usable.  

My solution in both was to go to the range and get boxes of various types and see what would fit where.  It sounds like something like on this link might work for your drawers.  Where I have something similar in my kitchen I've used it for packets of sauce, cous cous, etc in the linked box and then packets of rice, beans, lentils along side.

Studio Storage Basket

moneysaver1978

Brie said:

Don't know why but I can't open the picture. 

But I can imagine your frustration - I don't know why manufacturers/shops sell units that are obviously meant to store things but don't provide/sell inserts that will fit them.  We've had this problem with both dining room units with cutlery drawers that are too small in width/length to use any type of cutlery holders.  And a kitchen installed by one of Wickes competitors with nothing available to make some of the drawers more usable.  

My solution in both was to go to the range and get boxes of various types and see what would fit where.  It sounds like something like on this link might work for your drawers.  Where I have something similar in my kitchen I've used it for packets of sauce, cous cous, etc in the linked box and then packets of rice, beans, lentils along side.

Studio Storage Basket

100% agree! Seems the upload failed, so I have edited and re-uploaded the photo - hope it is showing up now for you.

Funnily enough, we were in The Range at the weekend! Sadly the boxes are no good there either.

The only solution I could think of is DIY job and make something up but it wouldn't be tidy.

Brie

Wow - now that I see the drawer I understand much better what the problem is!!!  That is odd!!!!  Have you asked Wickes about a different type of drawer??  That almost looks like it should have hanging files in it!!!

Brie

Idea - start with a wine box and cut that down to size with the various partitions?

Auti

I have similar but it is next to the cooker and in the lower part (as in picture) I keep my oils for cooking and above I have 2 rails for tea towels - dont know if you have rails above. I have put an absorbent liner on lower part so that any drips from oil bottles dont mark (it is a cut budget puppy trainer pad so not expensive and easily changed) 

Auti

Just a thought what about packets of spaghetti or pasta standing up

moneysaver1978

Brie said:

Wow - now that I see the drawer I understand much better what the problem is!!!  That is odd!!!!  Have you asked Wickes about a different type of drawer??  That almost looks like it should have hanging files in it!!!

As I am not a customer (the kitchen was already here when we purchased the house), Wren wasn't helpful and the customer support wanted me to create an account first.

Auti said:

I have similar but it is next to the cooker and in the lower part (as in picture) I keep my oils for cooking and above I have 2 rails for tea towels - dont know if you have rails above. I have put an absorbent liner on lower part so that any drips from oil bottles dont mark (it is a cut budget puppy trainer pad so not expensive and easily changed) 

Not tall enough for oils and we do already have these on the other side of the oven inside a pull out larder drawer.

Auti said:

Just a thought what about packets of spaghetti or pasta standing up

Unfortunately not tall enough but also there are curved edges inside the drawer so these things would wobble around.

Weird thing is what's the purpose of space between the rails and the bottom of the drawers? I did find these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156132264728?var=456933302356 but at £20 each, not very MSE!

Auti

Wine bottles laid on their sides - might explain the curves

moneysaver1978

Auti said:

Wine bottles laid on their sides - might explain the curves

haha good shout! Might just fit 2 bottles though!

I found this on Wren's own website:


But that doesn't explain the gap between the "ledge" and the rail, what's the purpose? Is it to save on cost of material in building proper sides?

Auti

My pan drawers are like that - I thought it might be to reduce weight and make it easier to get the pans out and the drawers to open - it is amazing how much you can get in lol