turns out i wasn't just misremembering, the porridge drawer is a real thing! predominantly in scotland, kitchen dressers would have a metal-lined drawer into which fresh porridge was poured so it could cool down, and when you wanted some you'd take a slice out. i couldn't make this up, but here's a source if you need it:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7665854.stm