Westinghouse Electric Roaster

[waterwitch]

Would anyone know of a trick in calibrating the thermostat on this? I set it to 150, placed an oven thermometer inside and covered it. After about 10 minutes I checked and it read about 225... The cat. # is RO-5411.

 

[rp2813]

Anthony, maybe you should test it at around 350, which is a common roasting/baking setting.  Give it longer than ten minutes, like at least half an hour.  Instructions for portable roaster ovens typically advise to pre-heat for at least 20 minutes.  Your thermometer should be elevated off the bottom surface of the insert.

 

I'm guessing that any attempt to calibrate would only give you grief.  I have a mid-'40s GE roaster and from the looks of its thermostat, I don't think there's any option to calibrate it.

 

[artcurus]

My Westinghouse roaster is now happily cooking the turkey

You need to find a way to suspend the thermometer above the bottom of the pan then try to get a tempature measurement.

 

[waterwitch]

Well I used the roaster to bake cherry cobbler. First I set it to 150 thinking it was sure to be off and register at a higher temperature. I checked about 45 minutes later and the cobbler was barley baked at all. I cranked it up to 350, checked 45 minutes after that and bingo, it was perfect. I guess having the insert in, as well as an actual item in the roaster, it registered at the proper temperature. I'm glad to say the least.

 

[eronie]

Roaster

Remember these roasters are not ovens. The heat comes from the SIDEWALLS like most crockpots. Thats why food dosent burn on the bottom of the insert / liner. The insert / liner does conduct SOME heat to the bottom. Thats why temp is goofy without liner. Hope this helps. Happy Roasting!!

 

[polkanut]

Glad you got it figured out, and may you have many years of enjoyment from your Westinghouse® roaster.  Those things will damn near last forever with some TLC.

 

[paulg]

Where the heat comes...

I used two Westinghouse roasters yesterday to do two turkeys. All went well.
Classic 1950's Westinghouse roasters have heating elements on the sides and bottom.
However, later model (non-Westinghouse) roasters that look quite the same only have elements along the sides.
I found this out while doing repairs on a 1950's roaster while parting out a late-model roaster. The designs did change over time.