12 Everyday Objects You’re Using Wrong (and How to Use Them Right) (5 of 7)

8. Your Oven Drawer Is Not for Junk (Usually)

On many ranges, the drawer below the oven is a warming drawer that’s meant to keep sides cozy while the main dish finishes. On others, it’s a broiler. Check your manual before stashing cookie sheets or, worse, melting a plastic container into modern art. If it’s a warmer, use its heat to hold finished dishes without drying them out.

9. Ceiling Fans Have Seasons

Summer = counterclockwise to push air down and create a breeze. Winter = clockwise on low to pull cool air up, gently pushing warm air along the ceiling, down the walls, and back into the room. There’s a tiny switch on the housing. Flip it when you change your clocks, and thank the Internet when the utility bill comes in.