Counter top roaster vs. oven - pros, cons, benefits, etc?

[whirlykenmore78]

I have a post-war Westinghouse myself.

NOTHING save for a smoker cooks a better turkey. Mine also has the template with the 3 aluminum pans for use as a steamtable. Clean-up is a snap as well just pre scrub the cooking vessel with some hot water and Dawn, rinse it and send it through the dishmachine. I have cleaned dozens this way at church.
WK78

 

[polkanut]

Malcolm,

I couldn't find any other online reference to our Aroma 20qt roaster other than the instruction manual PDF.  We have all of the extras to use it as a steam table as well.  We bought it about 10 years ago from QVC of all places.  Only thing I've ever bought from a TV shopping channel. lol

http://www.aroma-housewares.com/manuals/ART-620TB_InstructionManual.pdf

 

[tomturbomatic]

Nice Roaster Ralph!

 

The main thing you want to do is keep the bottom edges of the pan from touching the bottom of the pan through the gaps in the rack while keeping the Bundt pan low enough in the oven for best baking and browning. The second rack in the position shown would probably elevate the pan more than is best for optimum baking.  That is why I suggested an old pressure or dutch oven trivet. A cooling rack would probably work also. These ovens are pretty amazing. The cookbook even has a recipe for baking an Angel Food Cake, but of course those pans have flat bottoms so they can sit on the load and lift rack.

 

OT, but I am curious to know if anyone has attempted to use the Guardian Service kettle oven to bake a cake. The whole operation seems fraught with opportunities for disaster.

 

[kletmar]

I Just Bought One of These!

About a month ago I saw one exactly like this at our local Hospice thrift shop for $9. I went home and thought about it for days and days, and then this past Wednesday went back to see if it was still there. It was. It was also 20% off day so I picked up this little gem for $7.20. It needs some cleaning and brightening up, and a new cord, but I'm off to the races! Can't wait to use it. You can cook anything in it; my Grandmother used hers for everything. Meat loaf, cakes, pies, roasts, turkeys! A keeper!

http://https//hepcatrestorations.com/2011/07/20/1950s-westinghouse-roaster/

 

[rp2813]

New Cord

I'm pretty sure I saw the big roaster oven replacement cords at ACE Hardware recently.

 

For cleaning the exterior, I got excellent results from a bottle of brush-on white appliance touch-up (apply very sparingly with nearly-dry brush) and liquid car cleaner/wax to polish.

 

This is the same GE roaster pictured above in as-found condition:

 

 

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations!

I hope that you have lots of fun cooking in it.

 

[frigilux]

There's a user manual/recipe book for a Westinghouse roaster in Ephemera. Forgot I'd purchased it! I was going through my Ephemera collection on the iPad and there it was, LOL. Quite a few recipes in it.

Everyone's endorsement of using an electric roaster to cook a turkey prompted me to put turkey on the shopping list. A few days thawing in the fridge and then a nice turkey dinner on Sunday and I'd use a new cooking method.  Fun!

 

Didn't realize our little grocery store doesn't stock turkeys in the middle of the summer.  How did I not realize that before?  I have two of those whole, frozen turkey breasts, but I'm making cheesy hot turkey sandwiches with those.  Besides, it just wouldn't be the same as cooking a nice, big turkey.  Will have to wait, I guess. Or go hunting, LOL. 🍽

 

[lordkenmore]

Or go hunting, LOL.

Lord Kenmore sits, staring at his monitor, his body shaking in fear... "I hope...I hope...I'll be safe," he says. "Surely, even though I'm a turkey, I'd be too big to fit inside of one those electric roasters..."

 

[polkanut]

Eugene,

Check a larger store like Hy-Vee or Coborn's.  I would think they should have a few in stock.

 

[frigilux]

Fear not, Lord Kenmore!  I have already abandoned the notion of hunting, primarily because I just can't find the right hat.

 

[polkanut]

I know this should be in "Shoppers Square", but I thought it was appropriate for this thread.

 

For sale is a nice old Nesco roaster w/ stand.

http://wausau.craigslist.org/atq/5741133653.html

 

[xraytech]

Yesterday I made cabbage rolls, only made about a dozen large ones, but I use my Westinghouse roaster because it's easier than layering them in a big pot. I also use the roaster liners for a no fuss clean up

 

[polkanut]

Sam,

Where did you find the liners?  Thinking about using them next June when my parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  I'm thinking about making cheesy hash browns in our 20 quart electric roaster.

 

[xraytech]

There are a few small mom and pop bulk good stores here that sell them. They come 2 in a box.
If you'd like I can mail you a box

 

[tomturbomatic]

If you have a dishwasher, at least a KitchenAid, the inset pan fits in the bottom rack and washes clean as a whistle.

 

[3lephant]

Such ovens are specially made for turkey, I think.

https://bakingreview.com/oster-91116-02-telford-covered-dutch-oven-6-quart-red/

 

[sarahperdue]

Roasting on the porch

Yup, here in Alabama, we still use ours on the porch

I have a Westinghouse like Xraytech's and a Nesco with a window and vent in the lid. I have the original enamel pans for the Nesco and the glass pans for the Westy. I think the Westy glass loaf pans with lids are the easiest to find.

The three dish sets were intended for cooking a full meal in the roaster. I've done it before, and it works well.

I've done a nice Turkey in the Nesco and opened the vent towards the end.

I've never done a cake, but will have to try one now.

Sarah