I've seen so many people post about using these on FB forums and they rant and rave about them to no end. I've seen plenty over the years but never gave them a second look. What gives?
1950's Westinghouse roasters
- Thread starter robbinsandmyers
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Do a search in this forum and read all about them.
There is an episode of Cavalcade of Food about roasters.
If one isn't bothered by their energy use, vintage roasters especially Westinghouse are right up one's street.
A number of family members -including me - have one. Only time they get used are for large parties. As a group we can empty out one filled with cheesy potatoes pretty quickly, or one filled with golumpki. I know folks use the large units and cook several items in them at the same time, but I think an oven works better for that.
Reply #3
Do they draw a lot of power like 1800 or better watts?
Do they draw a lot of power like 1800 or better watts?
I have a ~1946 GE roaster that I've used for three things: Corned beef & cabbage for a crowd (the main reason I bought it for $10 at a thrift store) where it functions as a giant crock pot, baking pies and banana bread on summer days when it was too hot to bake indoors, and once for a Thanksgiving turkey so the main oven would be freed up for sides.
I was impressed with how well it baked an apple pie, although it took a little longer than in the regular oven (it took longer for the banana bread too), and I was even more impressed with how the turkey turned out. I was concerned that due to the moist heat, the skin wouldn't brown or crisp up, but that wasn't an issue and the meat was super moist. Really delicious. I'd do that again for sure.
I think it draws 1300 watts, but don't quote me on that, and of course it cycles on and off to maintain the set temperature so that draw isn't constant. Well worth it for certain uses but be sure the circuitry can support it.
[this post was last edited: 1/22/2021-01:29]
I was impressed with how well it baked an apple pie, although it took a little longer than in the regular oven (it took longer for the banana bread too), and I was even more impressed with how the turkey turned out. I was concerned that due to the moist heat, the skin wouldn't brown or crisp up, but that wasn't an issue and the meat was super moist. Really delicious. I'd do that again for sure.
I think it draws 1300 watts, but don't quote me on that, and of course it cycles on and off to maintain the set temperature so that draw isn't constant. Well worth it for certain uses but be sure the circuitry can support it.
[this post was last edited: 1/22/2021-01:29]
@R5
IIRC Westinghouse roaster pulled around 1320 watts, and none of other offerings by other manufacturers went over 1400 watts.
IIRC Westinghouse roaster pulled around 1320 watts, and none of other offerings by other manufacturers went over 1400 watts.
Roaster Ovens
Use a lot less energy than a regular electric [ or gas ] oven costing less than a nickel and hour to operate.
John L.
Use a lot less energy than a regular electric [ or gas ] oven costing less than a nickel and hour to operate.
John L.
Hmmmmm
So I'm going to have to look into one of these I guess. After watching that video I had no idea Westinghouse had so many variations and made them so long. Power wise their consumption is very do-able. I wont say how many I saw at the curb over the years for bulk trash. Like they say about hindsight......
So I'm going to have to look into one of these I guess. After watching that video I had no idea Westinghouse had so many variations and made them so long. Power wise their consumption is very do-able. I wont say how many I saw at the curb over the years for bulk trash. Like they say about hindsight......
I like the styling and relative rarity of my GE roaster, but the Westinghouse design with window in the lid decreases or in some cases may even eliminate the need to open the lid and allow heat to escape. This would be particularly advantageous when baking as opposed to roasting.
As to their energy consumption, the ability to move one of them outside to a porch in hot weather takes the heat out of the kitchen and saves on air conditioning.
Ralph - I love your GE roaster and it looks to be in beautiful condition! I have the same model as yours, but it was liberally used over the years and isn't nearly as pretty, but it still works flawlessly.
The Westinghouse roasters, the large Nesco's and other brands of that size, do a pretty decent job of baking. I've made many cakes in a Westinghouse roaster (Bundt, 9x13), as well as pies, breads, brownies and cobblers. Perfect for when you don't want to turn the oven on and heat up the kitchen. In the summer, I'll take mine out on the back porch and use it there. When feeding 50+ people, I've used it for making chili, sloppy joes, baked beans, sauerkraut & kielbasa, and lots of other stuff. If you cook and bake regularly and have the room to store it, then it's a good appliance to have on hand.
The Westinghouse roasters, the large Nesco's and other brands of that size, do a pretty decent job of baking. I've made many cakes in a Westinghouse roaster (Bundt, 9x13), as well as pies, breads, brownies and cobblers. Perfect for when you don't want to turn the oven on and heat up the kitchen. In the summer, I'll take mine out on the back porch and use it there. When feeding 50+ people, I've used it for making chili, sloppy joes, baked beans, sauerkraut & kielbasa, and lots of other stuff. If you cook and bake regularly and have the room to store it, then it's a good appliance to have on hand.
Thanks Kevin,
My roaster was in sketchy cosmetic shape when I got it, but I felt I could make it presentable with a two-pronged attack using brush-on white appliance touch-up and my go-to bottle of Meguiar's Car Cleaner/Wax.
It also had an issue with a break in the nichrome heating element that had to be repaired. I've linked to the thread where the repair is discussed and also includes pictures of how I did it. There's a lot to scroll through before the repair process begins, but it's good info for any appliance that uses a nichrome wire heating element.
I really like the design of the cupped side handles on this roaster. I've attached the only picture I have that shows one of them, taken on Thanksgiving Day 2016. The dark spots on the side near the handle are splatters and not permanent. Also, the fluorescent lighting above the stove is responsible for the unappetizing shade of the turkey.
www.automaticwasher.org
My roaster was in sketchy cosmetic shape when I got it, but I felt I could make it presentable with a two-pronged attack using brush-on white appliance touch-up and my go-to bottle of Meguiar's Car Cleaner/Wax.
It also had an issue with a break in the nichrome heating element that had to be repaired. I've linked to the thread where the repair is discussed and also includes pictures of how I did it. There's a lot to scroll through before the repair process begins, but it's good info for any appliance that uses a nichrome wire heating element.
I really like the design of the cupped side handles on this roaster. I've attached the only picture I have that shows one of them, taken on Thanksgiving Day 2016. The dark spots on the side near the handle are splatters and not permanent. Also, the fluorescent lighting above the stove is responsible for the unappetizing shade of the turkey.
1945 GE Roaster Oven
I picked this up for $10 today. I've never seen a GE roaster before and liked the art deco look of the heat control trim panel. Pictures show as-found condition. I think there was originally white paint behind the GE logo and perhaps on the grooved areas of the ribbing. It will take...
www.automaticwasher.org
The church kitchen has three of these - two are Westinghouse from the mid 50's, and the other a Hamilton Beach from the 70's. Pans and lids are interchangeable.
They are used for chilli, barbecue, chicken & noodles, etc. They've also been used at times to roast turkeys, chickens and hams. I've never seen them used to bake cakes or pies, but might have been when I wasn't there.
They are used for chilli, barbecue, chicken & noodles, etc. They've also been used at times to roast turkeys, chickens and hams. I've never seen them used to bake cakes or pies, but might have been when I wasn't there.
I used to have a big Nesco. I baked cheesecakes, pound cakes, roasts, it was at the time my 2nd oven.
I have three Westinghouse roasters in the ”designer” colors in my test kitchen 
Nice roasters
in Lemon Yellow, Mint Aqua, and Frosting Pink. The two Westinghouse in the church kitchen are like these, except both are white. One has a gray insert pan, and the other black. I think both have black handles.
in Lemon Yellow, Mint Aqua, and Frosting Pink. The two Westinghouse in the church kitchen are like these, except both are white. One has a gray insert pan, and the other black. I think both have black handles.
I can still see it now, many years later. My grandmother always had hers in her kitchen on a stand. It was pristine like everything she had. She used it often tough, she would prepare the food early in the day and put it in there to stay warm so her my grandfather had a hot meal upon returning home. She used hers for 40 years until her passing. I wish I could have had, I loved it.
