What are the Metal Drawers for in a Hoosier Cabinet

A Hoosier cabinet, also known as a Hoosier cupboard, is an iconic piece of American furniture with a rich history. These versatile cabinets were fixtures in kitchens across America in the early 20th century.

One of the most recognizable features of a Hoosier cabinet is its metal drawers. These durable, smooth-sliding drawers were designed for organization and accessibility. But what were these metal drawers specifically used for in a Hoosier cabinet?

An Overview of Hoosier Cabinets

First, let’s provide some background on Hoosier cabinets.

Hoosier cabinets were invented in Indiana, hence the name “Hoosier.” The first Hoosier cabinet was designed and sold by the Hoosier Manufacturing Company in 1899. Over the next few decades, dozens of companies began producing Hoosier cabinets and selling them across the country.

By 1925, it’s estimated over 2 million Hoosier cabinets had been sold. The cabinets remained popular into the 1930s before being gradually phased out. Antique versions are highly sought-after by collectors today.

Hoosier cabinets were an early version of a built-in kitchen. The large wooden cabinet held everything a cook needed, with shelves, drawers, working space, and storage.

Common features found in a Hoosier cabinet include:

• Multiple drawers and cabinets for organization
• A slide-out shelf for extra work space
• Small shelves or “spice racks” for jars of ingredients
• A flour sifter built into the cabinet
• A porcelain work surface for rolling dough
• Metal treadle mechanisms for can openers, coffee grinders, and more
• Metal or glass doors to protect contents

The variety of features and storage options made these cabinets a functional addition to any early 20th century kitchen.

The Useful Metal Drawers

Now that we understand the general design and purpose of a Hoosier cabinet, let’s focus on those distinctive metal drawers.

Hoosier cabinets contain multiple metal drawers of varying sizes. These durable drawers slid in and out smoothly on metal tracks. The drawers provided easy accessibility and organization for kitchen essentials.

Here are some of the most common uses for the handy metal drawers:

Cutlery and Silverware

Many Hoosier cabinets featured flatware dividers built right into one or more drawers. Deep cutlery drawers stored knives, forks, and spoons neatly organized for quick access during meal prep.

Such cutlery drawers may also have contained serving utensils like large spoons and forks. Specialized flatware inserts let cooks separate and organize different silverware in a single drawer.

Spices and Seasonings

Small tins and glass jars of spices and herbs were handy to keep in a metal drawer. The dark drawers helped preserve light-sensitive seasonings like cinnamon and paprika. Built-in compartments kept different seasoning containers separated.

Some cooks used wire frame inserts to vertically store tall, narrow spice tins in a drawer. This minimized space while keeping spices visible at a glance.

Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

Metal drawers provided excellent storage for small hand tools and kitchen gadgets. Common items kept in a Hoosier’s drawers might include:

• Vegetable peelers
• Egg beaters
• Kitchen shears
• Measuring spoons
• Rolling pins
• Graters
• Bottle openers
• Cheese planes

Keeping these utensils in a drawer kept them accessible while cooking but out of sight when not in use.

Tea Towels, Pot Holders, and Aprons

The roomy drawers could neatly store linens like tea towels, pot holders, dish cloths, and aprons. Folded aprons stayed crisp and wrinkle-free when slid into a drawer. Linens were conveniently stored but also allowed to breathe rather than being enclosed in a cabinet.

Table Linens and Napkins

Some homes stored tablecloths, placemats, and dinner napkins inside Hoosier drawers as well. The linens stayed clean and dust-free when tucked away in a drawer. Stacked neatly, a surprising amount of linens could fit.

Baked Goods and Leftovers

The dark, enclosed space of a Hoosier drawer was ideal for keeping baked goods fresh. Cookies, biscuits, rolls, and bread loaves lasted longer when stored in a drawer, away from light and air.

Leftover meals stored in tins or ceramic crocks also fit nicely inside a drawer, keeping food protected. A few Hoosier drawers contained vent holes along the sides or back to allow airflow and prevent mold growth.

Kitchen Trivets, Hot Pads, and Coasters

Fabric trivets, handmade hot pads, and decorative coasters were common items stored in Hoosier drawers. When not in use, such heat protectors could be neatly stashed away to clear workspace.

cookbooks and Cards

Some homeowners used drawer space for storing small kitchen books, cooking pamphlets, and even handwritten or printed recipe cards. These references could be tucked away yet made easily accessible when needed during meal prep.

As you can see, the versatile metal drawers built into Hoosier cabinets served a wide range of purposes. From cutlery to aprons to leftovers, almost every kitchen necessity had a handy home within a Hoosier drawer.

Drawer Variations and Specialized Features

While Hoosier cabinet drawers shared some standard features, there were also many variations:

• Number of drawers – Some Hoosiers had as few as two large drawers, while others boasted up to six smaller stacked drawers. More drawers allowed for increased organization.
• Depth – Drawers ranged from just a few inches deep to over a foot deep. Deeper drawers fit bulkier items. Shallow drawers were great for small tools.
• Dividers – Some drawers came equipped with built-in dividers to separate contents. Others contained removable cutlery or utensil inserts.
• Ventilation – As mentioned earlier, certain drawers had vents cut into the wood. This feature was ideal for storing perishable baked goods or produce.
• Bread boxes – Many Hoosiers had a dedicated drawer just for storing bread, equipped with ventilation slats down the back. This created the effect of a built-in bread box.
• Spice storage – Specialized shallow drawers with tiny divides held spice bottles neatly in place.
• Tableware inserts – Silverware drawers customized with molded inserts or trays kept flatware organized.
• Labels – Handwritten, printed, or engraved labels on the drawers indicated contents at a glance.

These specialized drawer options maximized the convenience and functionality of the Hoosier’s storage. The right configuration delivered made-to-order organization for each household.

Advantages of the Metal Drawers

Hoosier cabinet manufacturers chose metal as the preferred material for the ubiquitous drawers. Metal had numerous advantages over wood for drawer construction:

Durability – Metal was exceptionally sturdy and durable under daily use, even when loaded with heavier items like table linens or stoneware. Metal drawers withstood friction and wear far better than wood.

Stability – The weight of metal enabled very stable, study drawers that did not shift, lean, or get stuck like some wood drawers. Contents stayed neatly in place when stored.

Sliding Mechanism – Metal allowed for a superior sliding mechanism. High-quality metal tracks enabled smooth motion. Drawers could be fully extended or closed with ease.

Gap-free – Unlike some wood drawers, quality metal drawers maintained tight gaps. This prevented small items like spices or silverware from disappearing down gaps.

Cleaning – Metal surfaces were easy to wipe clean when the interior cabinets needed cleaning. Metal contained no cracks or wood grain to trap debris.

Moisture-resistant – The non-porous metal construction of the drawers prevented absorption of liquids or condensation. This was a plus in the damp kitchen environment.

Rodent-proof – Unlike wood, metal did not provide an appetizing food source or habitat for mice, ants, roaches, or other kitchen pests.

Fire-resistant – Metal was more resistant to catching fire, an important feature when the cabinets stood next to ovens and stoves.

With all these advantages, it’s easy to understand why metal was the clear choice for constructing Hoosier drawer boxes. The durable metal provided flawless performance.

Evolution of Kitchen Cabinetry

Hoosier cabinets and their quintessential metal drawers ultimately fell out of fashion by the 1930s. But they left behind an influential legacy.

The Hoosier cabinet’s efficient storage design and functional work space helped pave the way for the built-in kitchens that became popular by the 1940s.

Manufacturers continued to utilize durable metal drawers in the cabinetry of modern kitchens. While cabinet styles evolved, quality metal drawers remained standard in kitchen design for their usefulness.

Later cabinets grew larger, with lower counters and more work space. Storage increased and became more customizable. New technologies were integrated, like kitchen islands and sinks, appliances, lighting, and industrial hardware.

But at the heart of every kitchen remained the same necessity for organized storage that Hoosier cabinets had perfected. Dedicated cutlery drawers, seasoning organizers, and easy-glide metal drawers for utensils continue to furnish kitchens today.

The Hoosier cabinet, with its distinctive metal drawers, remains an icon of efficient, accessible kitchen storage – an ingenuity that still endures over a century later.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hoosier Cabinet Drawers

There are a few common questions people have about the metal drawers found in original Hoosier cabinets:

What were Hoosier cabinet drawers typically made of?

The standard material for Hoosier drawers was sheet metal, usually sheet steel. Early versions sometimes had cast iron fronts. The bodies were formed from a single sheet for durability. healthier Hoosiers featured full steel bodies.

How were the metal drawers constructed?

The drawer “box” or body was stamped from a single sheet of metal. The drawer front was attached to the box using metal tabs. The bottoms were often wooden and nailed into place through the metallic sides.

How many drawers were usually included?

This varied by model, but the average Hoosier cabinet contained two to four drawers. More luxurious models had up to six stacked drawers. The number and size could be customized when ordering.

Did every Hoosier drawer have dividers?

Not necessarily. Some featured built-in compartments, but removable slotted dividers were also common. Glassware inserts were available too. Homeowners could customize drawers with inserts as needed.

Were Hoosier drawers interchangeable between cabinets?

Generally no, since each manufacturer made proprietary drawer sizes. But replacement drawers could be ordered from the original company. Some retrofitting was possible.

How heavy were loaded Hoosier drawers?

An average utensil-filled drawer may have weighed 10-20 lb. Larger drawers filled with heavy items like cast iron pans or glassware could weigh up to 50 lb or more when fully loaded.

Did Hoosier cabinets ever have wooden drawers?

Rarely. Some very early prototypes featured wood or wood fronts. But metal was adopted early on as the most functional material for Hoosier drawers.

Conclusion

With their charming, familiar silhouette, Hoosier cabinets remain a beloved piece of Americana. The practical metal drawers built into these iconic cabinets had a place for every essential, from silverware to spices to linens.

The smooth-sliding metal drawers made storage and organization a breeze. Cooks could swiftly access any item needed to make a meal masterpiece.

Part old-fashioned kitchen, part precursor to modern cabinetry, the ingenious Hoosier cabinet served homes faithfully for decades. Though kitchen styles have changed, the legacy of durable, well-designed drawers lives on in homes across America.