What Can I Use an Electric Roaster Oven For?

What can I use an electric roaster oven for you may be asking yourself?  The first reason to own a roaster oven is to cook a large turkey or ham at the holidays.  But did you know that you can cook so much more in a roaster oven?  You can cook casseroles, soups, lasagnas and even bake cakes or pies!
I work at an active adult community that uses several electric roasters at a time for large food events during the year.  They are a perfect addition to the two convection ovens we have where we can cook a large amount of food at the same time.  Just watching the electrical circuits and outlets is the biggest worry we have!

An example of items they cook in the roaster ovens includes pork roasts for pulled pork sandwiches, chili for our Best Chili Contest, cooking brats, sauerkraut and potatoes for Oktoberfest and egg casserole for pancake breakfast events.  This is just a few food ideas; they have many more!

The best thing I like about using an electric roaster oven is that they are safe and easy to use.  They do not take up as much space as a full range oven which is important too.  We use the 18 quart size ovens which are plenty large enough for a variety of cooking needs.

If you attempt to bake a cake or pie in an electric oven, please remember to prepare your baked good as recommended on the package or recipe.  Place your baking pan on a rack inside the roaster oven to avoid burning or sticking on the bottom.  Watch your baking time and test your cake before removing.  Baking in an electric roaster oven is possible but not as popular as roasting meats.

How to Cook a Ham in an Electric Oven

The holidays are just around the corner and now you are planning your holiday dinner menu.  I will share with you how to cook a ham in a portable electric roaster oven the easy way!  There are several types of hams to choose from: spiral cut, classic or butt roast and even a canned ham.  Whichever ham you choose, it will cook perfectly in an electric roaster oven.

The one thing I like about my electric oven is that it keeps the moisture in due to the design of the appliance and its domed cover.  This keeps all the moisture circulating around the meat or roast instead of evaporating in the large conventional oven.  I have not had a dry ham yet using my roaster oven.

Here are ten tips for making a perfect ham in a portable oven:

1. Prepare the ham with adding cloves or other favorite seasonings on the outside of the ham.
2. Sometimes I add melted butter and brown sugar for a sweeter version of ham.
3. I use a chicken or vegetable broth on the bottom of the liner pan for added flavor to the juices.
4. Put ham on liner rack in oven so moisture can circulate completely around meat.
5. Turn on the oven to a lower 325 temperature to cook the ham thoroughly without drying out.
6. Baste your ham several times during cooking to keep the flavors marinating the meat.
7. Cook the ham according to manufacturer's directions; usually 15-20 minutes per pound.
8. Do not let the roaster pan dry out; add liquid or broth if necessary during cooking time.
9. Test the ham with a meat thermometer towards end of cooking time to ensure inside is hot.
10. When done, remove ham, let sit a few minutes, carve and enjoy!

Nesco Roaster Oven

How to Cook a Large Turkey in a Roaster Oven

If you have a large family or plan a holiday party, you may be wondering how you will bake everything in one conventional oven.  I recommend investing in an electric roaster oven.  New on the market is the 24 pound Oster Roaster Oven that comes with a dome lid.  A 22-24 pound turkey will fit nicely in this portable electric oven leaving room for side dishes and pies in your conventional oven.  I own a portable roaster oven and use it several times per year to cook my turkey, large chickens, ham or roast when having family dinners.

How to cook a large turkey in a roaster oven is fairly easy!  Prepare the turkey according to directions on the wrapping, of course making sure it is thawed out ahead of time.  I also recommend preparing the stuffing separately to shorten the baking time.  I do slip inside the turkey cavity large pieces of onion, celery, apples and orange to assist in the seasoning from inside out.  I then rub a mix of olive oil and melted butter on the outer skin, then sprinkle poultry seasoning all over the whole turkey.

Place the turkey in the electric roaster adding at least a can or two of chicken broth.  The turkey will also make juice inside the roaster that I use to periodically baste the baking turkey with.  Turn on the roaster to 350 degrees and place the lid on the roaster.  Follow the baking time recommended on your brand of turkey, but usually this is approximately 20 minutes per pound.  Baste with the juices every hour or so.  If you like a crispier skin on your turkey, place the turkey in a pan and put in your conventional oven for the last half hour of baking.  Let your turkey rest a bit then carve and serve.

You will be amazed at how juicy and tender your large turkey will be when baking it in one of these portable electric roaster ovens.  This cooking method does not let your meat dry out.  Happy Holidays!

24 Pound Oster Roaster Oven

What is the Best Selling Electric Roaster?

The holidays are quickly approaching again and maybe you are in the market to purchase an electric roaster oven for your holiday cooking.  When purchasing a large appliance of any kind you want to be sure you are getting the best or most for your money.  I like to read the reviews on several of the top selling brands prior to making my decision.  I read past the top several reviews to get a good feel for the overall recommendations from buyers such as yourself.  I feel then I can add this to the product description to help me in my choice.

One of the current number one best sellers in electric roasters is the Oster 22 Quart Roaster Oven.  It has hundreds of reviews by very satisfied purchasers and users of this large roaster.  This happens to be my favorite roaster as well.  It may cost a little bit more than a few of the other brands but this appliance is worth the extra money.  For starters, this roaster oven is very large and will hold up to a 25 pound turkey with ease.

One of the really nice features besides the extra oven space at the holidays is that is has a self-basting lid.  This means that the lid is designed to keep the moisture from evaporating and therefore it bastes the turkey for you!  I like this so much because when getting ready for the family dinner on Thanksgiving for example, I have plenty of other things to do besides running to baste the turkey in a hot oven every 20 minutes.  This electric roaster keeps the moisture circulating and the turkey is so juicy as a result.

The Oster Roaster Oven has a nice stainless steel finish with a black trim and lid that is just so attractive if you want to take a dish in it to a family get together or neighborhood potluck.  The inner liner is designed to bake evenly and with the enamel on steel finish, clean up is easy.  It just practically wipes clean without any scrubbing or scraping.  That is my favorite part; I hate the clean up after a big dinner party!

As highly recommended this roaster is, there are a few things to consider as well.  The outside does get hot when cooking but this appliance is not a crock pot.  I have used other brands at work and they all get hot on the outside since they are portable ovens.  If you know this about the electric roaster ovens then you can be careful.  The other thing is that the inner pan is large and does not fit completely in the kitchen sink to clean.  I have rinsed mine out in the laundry room tub which is deeper.  Plus some might have storage issues when not using their portable oven. I keep mine covered on a shelf in our garage!

How to Smoke Meat in an Electric Roaster

Smoking meat in an electric roaster is now easy with the Oster 16 Quart Smoker Roaster Oven. It is designed with removable wood chip pockets to use when smoking meat outdoors.  It is not recommended to smoke indoors but can be used as a regular roaster oven to bake all types of meats and meals as well.  The best thing with this roaster is having that added feature of smoking a brisket or turkey.

I picked up this electric roaster to use at tail gate parties and camping trips.  It is definitely portable, travels well and the enamel coated liner pan is easy to clean.  The red and black colors of the roaster sold me as well!  The only thing I am not happy with is the short electrical cord it comes with.  I would have preferred a longer cord to reach further when camping and cooking on the outdoor table.  With an extension cord, however, it is an easy fix.

It is easy on how to smoke meat in a electric roaster oven such as this one.  This one only takes 1 1/2 cups of mesquite wood chips compared to the larger smokers that need much more wood chips and charcoal briquets.  Rub your brisket meat with your favorite spices and add  1 cup of water in roaster pan liner.  Set oven temperature on 250 degrees and cook slowly for up to 6 hours or an inner meat temperature of 195 degrees.  To tenderize the meat even more, turn the roaster off, wrap it in foil and let it simmer in the roaster pan with juices for another 2 hours.  This is the most tender smoked meat you will have ever tasted.

Why Do You Need to Cure a Nesco Roaster?

If you are considering buying a Nesco electric roaster, you may be wondering why you need to cure or "burn off" the roaster before use.  It is due to its unique design and materials.  Nesco is one of the oldest companies that have been producing electric roaster ovens since the 1930's.  Most of the Nesco roaster ovens are made of porcelain and have a unique cooking method design.

But first before cooking anything in this electric roaster oven by Nesco, you must "burn off" or "cure" the heatwell which can be a "stinky" process.  It is recommended to have a large open area to conduct this procedure.  If you can do this on a patio or open air area without bothering the neighbors, that is the best scenerio for conducting this "curing" of your new Nesco roaster oven.

When buying a Nesco Roaster, factor in this procedure into your holiday season.  I would encourage you to buy this roaster in advance of needing it for cooking your holiday turkey or ham. It takes about 60 minutes or longer to "cure" or "burn off" the heatwell of the Nesco appliance.  While you are doing this, take the cook pan liner and lid to the sink and wash.  Set aside to dry.  Once the roaster stops putting off wisps of smoke, then it is done and ready to use.

Make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions on "curing" your new Nesco electric oven; it will be worth every bit of effort.  This Nesco electric roaster has been around for a long, long time and you will be passing it down to your children and then to their children for generations to come!

Tips on Roasting a Delicious Turkey in a Roaster Oven

There are several tips I would like to share with you regarding roasting a delicious turkey in a roaster oven.  First, let me say that roasting a turkey in an electric oven is easy and foolproof.  You will be surprised on how juicy your turkey, no matter the size, will be when served.  The first tip I can recommend is finding the right size roaster oven that is best for you.  If you regularly have a large gathering at the holidays, than I would purchase the largest size 22 qt roaster oven.  It will hold up to a 25 pound turkey easily.

The second tip I will share is to roast your turkey without stuffing.  There are several reasons I prefer to roast my turkey without stuffing such as a quicker cooking time, less opportunities for possible food borne illnesses from raw drippings and I like a baked stuffing casserole the best!  I do "stuff" my bird with large pieces of onion, celery, apple and oranges.  This does flavor the turkey from "inside-out".  I also rub the outside skin of the turkey with light olive oil, a blend of poultry seasonings and pepper.


Another tip is to follow the manufacturer's directions on roasting temperatures and cooking time for a large turkey.  Keep the roaster covered and with the domed lid this is the secret to cooking a juicy turkey.  The lid is designed to keep the moisture inside the roaster oven and circulate around the bird.  I do baste my turkey every hour for the first couple of hours of cooking time, then every half hour thereafter. 

The last and most important tip I can recommend to you to produce a delicious turkey for your guest is to bake it in the conventional oven for the last half hour to crisp the turkey's skin.  That is the one thing that an electric roaster oven is lacking in which is producing the dark crispy skin of an oven baked bird.  Baking the skin in a hot oven for a short time will not dry out the bird which is the ultimate goal of a delicious turkey. 

I hope my tips help you bake a delicious turkey this holiday season.

How I Cook Our Holiday Turkey in an Electric Roaster Oven

How I cook our holiday turkey in my electric roaster oven is so easy that everyone can do it.  In fact, an electric roaster oven makes cooking a turkey less work since it holds the moisture within the roaster oven and I don't have to baste it as often.  That gives me time to work on and cook the side dishes and desserts. 



Hamilton Beach

I own a 22-Quart electric roaster 0ven and if you can afford the largest size, I recommend buying that size because you can do everything in it which includes roasting up to a 25 pound turkey.  With the domed lid, the fat turkey fits snuggly in the roaster oven without any trouble.  The domed lid also keeps the moisture in the roaster and circulating around the turkey during the cooking time.  It comes out so moist and juicy.  Not at all dry like when cooked in a conventional oven.

It just takes me minutes to prepare a large turkey for roasting in this portable electric oven.  I take the turkey and place it on the stainless steel oven rack that comes with your electric roaster, breast side up.  Don't forget to remove the giblets and gravy packages that are placed in the turkey cavities.  Season your turkey skin with your favorite poultry seasonings.  I add just a little chicken broth in the bottom of my roaster pan for added moisture. 

Turn the electric roaster oven on to the proper cooking temperature for your size of turkey.  I cook mine at 325 degrees for more of a slow-roast where the meat just falls off the bone when done.  I also do not need to baste the turkey as often as in an conventional oven.  Due to the circular cooking method of this domed electric roaster oven, I don't have to cook my turkey as long before it is done.  I would say I save about 1/2 hour off my cooking time.

For some people the turkey skin is not as brown and crisp as they would like, so put your turkey on an oven roaster pan and place it in your conventional oven on 400 degrees for about 1/2 hour to brown the skin before slicing and serving.  Really, cooking your holiday turkey is just this easy with an electric roaster oven.

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How Does the Rival Electric Roaster Compare to Other Brands?

Rival 22 Quart Roaster Oven

How does the Rival Electric Roaster Oven compare to other brands such as the Oster or Hamilton Beach roaster ovens?  The Rival Electric Roaster is one of the best selling roaster ovens on the market today.  In comparing the Rival roaster to other roaster oven brands, there are many similiarities and a few differences.  Some of them are:

• The Rival brand name is well-known and trust-worthy, and a company that makes many great appliances.

• The 22 quart size of the Rival roaster oven comes in a versitale black color that matches all kitchen decors.  I prefer black appliances in my kitchen.

• The liner pan of this roaster is a high-quality enamel on stainless steel that cooks meats and poultry without sticking and is easy to clean.

• It comes with a lid holder and best of all, the only electric roaster with a clear opening in the lid so you can see the food cooking without having to take off the lid.  Removing the lid lets all the moisture escape.

This Rival Electric Roaster Oven also is similar to other roaster ovens in that it has a temperature range of 150 to 450 degrees.  It comes with a stainless steel oven rack to keep cooking meats and poultry off the bottom of the roaster.  It doubles as a second oven which is the best feature when cooking a large holiday meal.  I love my electric roaster oven and recommend one for every household.



Click Here to Get FREE Shipping on this Rival RO230-B 22-Quart Roaster Oven from Amazon.com.

5 Reasons to Own an Electric Roaster Oven

I love my electric roaster oven.  I can give you 5 reasons that you should own an electric roaster oven too. 

1. An electric roaster oven doubles as a second oven during large holiday or party cooking.  With large families this is a great reason to own the largest size electric roaster oven that you can afford.  I recommend cooking the turkey, ham or roast beef in the electric roaster while you bake pies or side dishes in your conventional oven.

2. An electric roaster oven roasts meats and poultry evenly while keeping all the moisture in the roaster.  This results in a juicy turkey, moist ham or tender roast beef.  The domed lid keeps the heat circulating around the meat instead of evaporating in the hot air of the oven.

3. An electric roaster oven comes with a temperature control ranging from 150 to 450 degrees just like a conventional oven.  This puts the roaster above your basic crock pot which only has low, high and warm.  Having such a temperature range allows you to cook other items besides meats in your electric roaster.

4. An electric roaster oven is portable.  This allows you to move it to the patio, deck or even tailgate party to cook in.  If you don't have room in your kitchen for it to sit on the counter, you can even place it in the laundry room to bake your turkey.  There is no mess or drips with this portable oven.  You can also use it for potluck parties to carry your casserole in and then keep it warm when you get there.

5. An electric roaster oven is easy to use and clean.  The inner liner pan is usually a good quality enamel, but some are stainless steel or porcelain.  They all come with a stainless steel baking rack for your poultry or meats.  All you have to do is place your item on the baking rack, season it, add a little bit of liquid in the pan, put on the lid and turn it on to the correct cooking temperature for your food item.  Cleaning is a breeze.  It cleans up in a large sink or tub with not trouble at all.  No sticking and scrubbing.

My favorite electric roaster oven is the Oster 22-quart:

 

Electric Roaster Ovens Make Holiday Cooking Easy

Electric roaster ovens help make holiday cooking easy, especially for large get-togethers.  For those with large families like mine, you need as much cooking space as you can get.  An electric roaster will double as an extra oven so you don't have to worry about how to fit everything in you one conventional oven.

I love my Oster Roaster Oven at all the large holidays.  It is a 22 quart size which will fit a turkey up to 25 pounds.  The domed lid really does help cook the juiciest turkey, ham or roast beef that you have ever tasted.  These electric roasters are designed to keep the moisture in the roaster so your food does not dry out like in the regular oven.

Since the electric roaster is portable it can be used on the patio, enclosed porch or even laundry room if your kitchen is limited on space.  Just plug it in, set the adjustable temperature to the proper cooking temp for your meat and let it do its job.  I come back every half hour or so when I am cooking poultry to baste it so the seasoning flavors mingle into the skin and meat.

Now your kitchen and conventional oven is free for the other holiday dishes such as yams, vegetable dishes or pies for dessert.  I have the largest electric roaster they make, but they do have an 18 quart size which will allow you to bake a turkey up to 20 pounds.  Whatever roaster you choose, they are wonderful and easy to use. 

Get ready for the holidays and find electric roaster ovens with Free Shipping on Amazon.com.

Cooking in an Electric Roaster is Easy

I found cooking in an electric roaster oven is easy to do.  I have had my Hamilton Beach electric roaster for over two years now and absolutely love it.  I knew of electric roasters but did not know how much I would love owning one.  They are not just for cooking turkeys at Thanksgiving.  I often will buy two large chickens and roast them together on a Sunday.  I then have roasted chicken for the work week. 

There is nothing to cooking in a roaster oven.  I have a large 22 quart size, but they come in sizes all the way down to a 5 quart or the size of a crock pot.  Electric roaster ovens are better than crock pots because they have an adjustable temperature gauge just like your conventional oven.  It fits right on my kitchen counter, but since they are portable, you can cook on your patio, in your laundry room or where ever you have the extra space and power.

I just put my chickens on the baking rack, add a small amount of water on the bottom and season the chickens how you like it.  I always use a variety of herbs, garlic and olive oil on the skin.  A little secret I can tell you is that if you want a crispy skin, you will need to put the chickens in the regular oven on 400 degrees for the last half hour of cooking.  This is an optional extra step though and not necessary if you don't eat the skin.

Hamilton Beach 22 Quart

Baking time is just about the same as a conventional oven, but with the design of the electric roaster and its lid, the chicken or other meats come out so moist.  The domed lid keeps the moisture in and circulating around and through the chicken.  Regular ovens tend to dry out the meat.  I hope you will consider trying an electric roaster oven.  I think you will like it.