I now have two Westinghouse Roasters

[spacepig]

We went to Southern Illinois last weekend to pick up some metal kitchen cabinets I bought a few months ago, and found a Westinghouse Roaster for sale at a local antique mall. We decided to buy it as we've never found one around here. We went to pick up our cabinets afterwards, and lo and behold, they also had a Westinghouse roaster in the storage unit that they wanted to sell. We decided to get that one, too, since it appeared to be in much better shape (at least on the outside). One of them came with the broiler/griddle which seems to be hard to find from what I've been reading. Allegedly they both work, but I've only plugged in one so far. The light at the dial doesn't come on, so I don't know if it's a burnt bulb, or if it doesn't heat--I didn't leave it on long enough to see.

 

[diesirae7]

Very nice!

I got the same white one from my great aunt few years ago, and found the stand by chance buying antique door hardware, saw it near the wall and they wanted $20, I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough.

 

[rp2813]

There isn't a whole lot to go wrong with these roasters.  I had the model in pictures 1 and 2.  It was my mom's and had been well used.  Some years ago, I finally had reason to use it and the bulb in the temperature knob wouldn't light, but the roaster heated up fine.  I took the bulb to my nearby ACE and they were able to test it, and it was good.  I decided at that point that I wasn't going to take the roaster apart just for that. 

 

I let that roaster go, but a few years ago I got a handsome vintage GE roaster that I've used to bake pies and breads, make corned beef and cabbage for a crowd, and to roast last year's Thanksgiving turkey.

 

Unless the cords and/or their plugs or receptacles have issues, you shouldn't worry too much about plugging in the roasters and testing them.  ACE should carry new replacement cords if you feel safer with one.  Remove the insert and feel for warmth immediately after you turn the roaster on (or shoot it with a laser thermometer if you have one).  If the heat is fairly even over the whole surface, it should roast or bake just fine.

 

For the record, I think the roaster in picture 3 has a nicer looking design.  It looks like the broiler can be used with either one.

 

 

 

[vintage1963]

Those are nice finds. I like the fact that they can be used with a stand and don't have to be placed on another surface taking up space. Please let us know they work.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow - nice roasters!  And yes, that broiler/griddle accessory is not seen often so you found something extra-special.  Great saves!!

 

[spacepig]

Well, the roaster in picture #1 (the one with the yellowed cabinet) does not work. I plugged it in for about 10 minutes, and no light and no heat. I even swapped out cords with the other, even though they're identical. The clock on it is not working, either. The second hand spins around, but nothing else. Of course, I could be doing something wrong, especially since there are no knobs which makes things hard to turn.

Roaster #2's dial lit up and it did start to heat up fairly quickly. I bought a roaster chicken at the store this morning, so we'll probably plop that in tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[rp2813]

Definitely sounds like a power issue with #1.  It's probably something simple, but you'll have to pull the thing apart to find out. 

 

How does the power supply work on these cabinets?  I know that the clock has to be tied in with the roaster's power supply in order to set and forget, but don't know if a dead clock = a dead roaster.  I tend to think not.

 

#2 certainly looks like new, so no surprise that it works as it should. 

 

[ea56]

Is it possible that maybe someone set the clock on the stand for #1 to come on at a set time? Have you tried just plugging in the roaster alone, without the stand? I had an old Westinghouse Range with a clock that could be set for auto on, and if I messed with the control the oven wouldn’t come on in the auto set position. Just a thought.
Good Luck! Those are both very nice roasters.
Eddie

 

[spacepig]

Ralph and Eddie,

I plugged the roaster in directly to the wall--I didn't even try to plug in through the clock. May take it apart tomorrow and see if there's anything obvious.

I did bring the better one inside and it's all cleaned up and ready to start roasting. The clock on this one works, but I've not tried out the timer.