Using your Warming Drawer on Shabbos

Hi,

Some background: We have been using the Shabbos Mode on our oven during Shabbat and opening and closing the oven door on Shabbat. We know that’s a no-no.

Solution: I bought a Plata. A 30 x 18-inch Plata. The idea: Shabbos lunch, if we want to have something warm – We Plata it. ( as long as it’s not liquid and already cooked ).

So 2 questions:

1) What are you Plata best practices ? How do you ensure it safe – that is does burn the counter, and the kids don’t burn themselves.

2) Does anyone ever use the warming drawer to warm food on Shabbos? How effective is it ?