Nesco Roasters

[hunter]

Now, for something completely different:

Who among us are making big use of Nesco roasters outside on the porch during the extreme heat most of the country seems to be having?

I baked 2 loaves of sourdough in my (whatever big roaster I've got - it's a Nesco but I have no idea what size it is, but it will hold a BIG turkey) roaster last weekend. I didn't quite do it right -- i under baked as it probably wasn't as hot as the oven - but it kept the heat OUTSIDE.

I don't have any antique ones but right after Nesco shifted production to China I was able to get one of their orphaned US made ones.

I also have a 6 quart Nesco but haven't used that for a while, preferring the pressure cooker.

 

[tomturbomatic]

If your roaster will hold a large turkey, it is probably the standard 18 qt size. You might want to drop an oven thermometer in it to check the accuracy of the thermostat. In the years before air conditioning, many people used these on porches to keep from adding heat to the kitchen during the summer. Many apartment dwellers liked them because, unlike many pre-WWII gas apartment range ovens, the roaster oven had a thermostat for dependable results.

 

[hunter]

great idea.

you know, I blush to say but an oven thermometer did not occur to me (LOL).

Thanks.

I've actually seen Youngstown kitchen cabinet adverts that did NOT have a counter top - because they were designed for your roaster oven.

 

[dustin92]

We have an Everhot (1948-1954) and I made a pork loin in it last week, started it outside but had to bring it in when the end of the extension cord melted because of a bad connection.

 

[dustin92]

We have an Everhot (1948-1954) and I made a pork loin in it last week, started it outside but had to bring it in when the end of the extension cord melted because of a bad connection.

 

[turquoisedude]

EEK!  That's not surprising about the extension cord - roasters are a BIG power draw item, so the recommendation of the day was to not use an extension.  

 

I have a late 40s GE that I used to love to use in the upstairs part of my old house in winter - it was a tad chilly up there and the roaster was like having an extra heater up there... 

 

[ptcruiser51]

Westinghouse Roaster-Oven

What a blessing this was at our summer cottage for many summers! Always had guests coming to enjoy the lake=lots to feed. So easy to do a turkey breast, loin of pork, or several meatloaves on the porch to keep the place cool. Ours had the "look in" top window so you could check what's going on. Only downside was watching that electric meter spin around like a 78 rpm record.

Mine (1940s model) is still accurate with the thermostat. Check with the oven thermometer from time to time.

 

[kenmore71]

Being a condo dweller, I don't have the option of putting my roaster outside. That said, I've been using my Westinghouse roaster almost daily for one thing or another because it only creates a fraction of the heat that turning on the gas oven or even a gas cooktop burner. I've made several cassaroles, a meatloaf dinner, and a chicken dinner.

Roasters draw a decent amount of current but no more than a space heater. Most of the vintage ones were rated at 1320 watts. If you MUST use an extension cord you should use a 14 gauge cord and keep it as short as possible.

 

[dustin92]

I was using a heavy duty extension cord, but the receptacle end did not fit tight with the roaster plug. I went outside to check on it and smelled a very chemically smell... like burning plastic. The plug was so hot I burned my hand unplugging it, and after it cooled off a bit, had to chisel the melted plastic off of the prongs on the roaster plug. The roaster is fine, but the extension cord is completely unusable and needs the end replaced. Lucky I found it or we would have had a fire.

 

[xraytech]

I love my electric roasters.
I have 3 Westinghouse models, 1 RO-91 and 2 RO-541 models, they are the best ever, very heavy when moving with a full pan of food though.
I also have a newer Hamilton Beach I got on clearance one year and I dont use it, its my loaner one.

Just this weekend I picked up a NIB early 90s Nesco roaster for a mere $50. I've yet to open it. I really want one of the 90th anniversary models they had out about 2 years ago.

I have recently utilized my Westinghouse to make spaghetti sauce as I'll make 12-16 qts at a time and freeze it, though I keep mine on its metal stand and use it indoors. Canning time will be here soon and I use my roasters to extend the capacity of my oven for jar sterilization