Stove Utility Drawer Problems

Stuck Items

• Stuck items might stop the drawer from opening and closing properly. There should be a track on either edge, into which the drawer's sides fit. As you open and close the drawer, it slides along the track. Any type of item lodged in the track stops the drawer from working properly. Try shaking the handle and front of the drawer slightly and increasing the strength of your shaking. This should dislodge any items blocking the track.

Bent Drawer or Track

• If the drawer only comes out with some pressure, you might have a problem with dents or bent metal. Grab the front of the drawer and pull it out as far as you can. Tilt the drawer up and lift it off the track. Examine all sides of the drawer for any signs of bending. Even a minor dent affects the way the drawer slides by making it hit against the track. Turn the drawer onto one side and lightly tap the metal with the flat side of a hammer, until you knock the drawer back into its original shape.

Lubricating the Track

• Lubricating the drawer track helps keep the utility drawer from sticking in the future. If the drawer is still stuck, add a small amount of spray lubricant on the inside of the drawer, where the metal meets the track. As you pull the drawer in and out, it spreads the lubricant along the track, which keeps the drawer from sticking. If you can remove the drawer, lightly rub the lubricant along the track and slide the drawer back in place. Paraffin or another type of thin wax is a suitable alternative to spray lubricant.

Replacement Drawers

• Depending on the severity of your problem, the oven might require a replacement drawer. If you cannot bend the drawer into the proper shape or if the drawer continues sticking, opt for a replacement. The manufacturer of your stove should offer replacement parts. You simply remove the original drawer and slide the new one along the tracks.