JerseyMike
Well-known member
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- Sep 7, 2004
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Wow. There's a website devoted to the Westinghouse Roaster. What an interesting looking gadget!
Mike
Mike
Westinghouse roaster / Winter ideas
- Thread starter paulg
- Start date
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In the booklet for ours, there are directions for making coffee for a crowd by bringing the water to a boil and putting the ground coffee in a cheese cloth bag and steeping it like tea.
It's great for a large batch of chicken and dumplings. We made dumplings that were like drop biscuits and put them on top of the chicken breasts, lightly dusted them with paprika and let them steam. Just before serving we sprinkled the dumplings with chopped parsley. Mom used to use it for a large batch of baked chicken breasts which could then be carried to the luncheon, etc. and the roaster kept them warm.
The nice thing about the RO is that some of the heat comes from the side of the well. This is why it is so good for long simmering and why it bakes cakes, etc. so well. This is why it roasts turkeys so evenly also. A word of caution learned the hard way: If you bake in a Bundt pan, you have to put a rack under the Bundt pan that lifts it off the floor of the inset pan. The Load and Lift rack is not sufficient because it will let the flutes in the pan touch the inset pan. That conducts heat directly into the Bundt pan and boils the batter right over the top. Flat bottom angel food and other pans work fine with the Load and Lift rack.
In the Summer it is good for steaming and keeping warm corn on the cob. If you are doing any canning that can be processed in a boiling water bath, the inset pan can be removed, at least in the Westinghouse, and water can be boiled in the well. With the rack in place, pint jars can be processed in quantity, but I would advise filling the well with boiling or very hot water in because at 1500 watts, it takes a while to boil that much water if you start with cold.
When we roasted the turkey in it, we kept the rack in position and then used the rack to lift the bird when it was done. We made the gravy in the inset pan and once it was nice and smooth and simmering, we lowered the rack back in so that all of the good drippings stuck to the rack cooked into the gravy.
The inset pan was easily washed by placing it on the bottom rack of our KA.
In addition to large batches of spaghetti sauce, the capacity and gentle heat distribution make it easy to prepare and simmer double or tripple batches of ketchup for canning.
It's great for a large batch of chicken and dumplings. We made dumplings that were like drop biscuits and put them on top of the chicken breasts, lightly dusted them with paprika and let them steam. Just before serving we sprinkled the dumplings with chopped parsley. Mom used to use it for a large batch of baked chicken breasts which could then be carried to the luncheon, etc. and the roaster kept them warm.
The nice thing about the RO is that some of the heat comes from the side of the well. This is why it is so good for long simmering and why it bakes cakes, etc. so well. This is why it roasts turkeys so evenly also. A word of caution learned the hard way: If you bake in a Bundt pan, you have to put a rack under the Bundt pan that lifts it off the floor of the inset pan. The Load and Lift rack is not sufficient because it will let the flutes in the pan touch the inset pan. That conducts heat directly into the Bundt pan and boils the batter right over the top. Flat bottom angel food and other pans work fine with the Load and Lift rack.
In the Summer it is good for steaming and keeping warm corn on the cob. If you are doing any canning that can be processed in a boiling water bath, the inset pan can be removed, at least in the Westinghouse, and water can be boiled in the well. With the rack in place, pint jars can be processed in quantity, but I would advise filling the well with boiling or very hot water in because at 1500 watts, it takes a while to boil that much water if you start with cold.
When we roasted the turkey in it, we kept the rack in position and then used the rack to lift the bird when it was done. We made the gravy in the inset pan and once it was nice and smooth and simmering, we lowered the rack back in so that all of the good drippings stuck to the rack cooked into the gravy.
The inset pan was easily washed by placing it on the bottom rack of our KA.
In addition to large batches of spaghetti sauce, the capacity and gentle heat distribution make it easy to prepare and simmer double or tripple batches of ketchup for canning.
These roasters are large items to store. Unless you are regularly cooking for a crowd or don't have a regular oven (or maybe need a 2nd oven on a regular basis) an item like this could take up valuable storage space and see very little use. I don't think the one at my mom's has been used since around 1980 when some friends and I did a giant batch of cioppino in it. There is a smaller Nesco roaster from the mid 40's at my mom's that seems more practical but I doubt when the time comes to liquidate things over there that my partner will allow me to keep either the Nesco or the Westy. Besides, he always says he's "afraid" of old appliances, especially those with cloth cords! He has no feel for the concept of "built to last," since in his family they were constantly throwing out the old and buying new. New but cheap. Having gone through the depression, my parents bought with the intention of making things last, not replacing them after a few years for something newer and more shiny. Hence the Westy and Nesco still sitting on shelves in the basement over there. I'm still trying to come up with a scenario where I could press one or the other into service again, and where he would agree to it!
The owners manual is full of great recipie ideas..they are almost always on ebay...along with the glass baking dishes that came with these
I'm a lookin'
I think I'll go to EBAY and get the o/m for the thing. I'd like to peruse the Westinghouse-approved recipes.
I think I'll go to EBAY and get the o/m for the thing. I'd like to peruse the Westinghouse-approved recipes.
polkanut
Well-known member
Ralph,
Just tell him that you're keeping them for sentimental reasons, they're yours anyway. You shouldn't have to part with them just because they're "old".
Just tell him that you're keeping them for sentimental reasons, they're yours anyway. You shouldn't have to part with them just because they're "old".
We have several at church,
and they are great for mashed potatoes. I have also seen them used to keep mulled cider drinkably warm. I would imagine they'd be great for cocoa, too.
I'd like one, but the ones I have seen are either in terrible condition, or priced at the king's ransom. Which is why I am thinking NEW.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
and they are great for mashed potatoes. I have also seen them used to keep mulled cider drinkably warm. I would imagine they'd be great for cocoa, too.
I'd like one, but the ones I have seen are either in terrible condition, or priced at the king's ransom. Which is why I am thinking NEW.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
I'm already seeing new ones in thrift stores Lawrence.
Dreary days improve with roaster use
Due to heavy snow, we've elected to stay indoors and cook Lokringbob's brisket in the roaster! Got the brisket at Costco. Jewel had the Beau Monde seasoning. Heeeere goes....
Due to heavy snow, we've elected to stay indoors and cook Lokringbob's brisket in the roaster! Got the brisket at Costco. Jewel had the Beau Monde seasoning. Heeeere goes....
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Your roaster and stand are in such EXCELLENT condition!!! Wonderful to see!
I also see some of my favorite roast-ware in there! Enamel over cast iron is da bomb for slow roasting/cooking!
Don't forget the "after" pix!
Chuck
p.s.- did I just type "da bomb?" I've spent too much time with the middle-schoolers on the bus!
I also see some of my favorite roast-ware in there! Enamel over cast iron is da bomb for slow roasting/cooking!
Don't forget the "after" pix!
Chuck
p.s.- did I just type "da bomb?" I've spent too much time with the middle-schoolers on the bus!
You can be sure.....
That our electric meter is going nuts: Tonight is the neighborhood fundraiser, and I've got one roaster full of beans and the other doing a ham.
That our electric meter is going nuts: Tonight is the neighborhood fundraiser, and I've got one roaster full of beans and the other doing a ham.
Holy cow
Wow Dalangdon, you got two! And I thought I was the only one with the moderne timer unit. My timer is dated 1967. Don't know if it was a replacement or what.
Superbowl is near! Roasters to the rescue.
Wow Dalangdon, you got two! And I thought I was the only one with the moderne timer unit. My timer is dated 1967. Don't know if it was a replacement or what.
Superbowl is near! Roasters to the rescue.
After pix
Here's the "After pix". Salad not shown.
Here's the "After pix". Salad not shown.
Cabbage Rolls
I made Cabbage rolls once for a friends wedding. I used 4 electric roasters. I prepped one roaster full each day for the 4 days before the wedding. I just covered the liners with saran wrap and a layer of foil and put them in the freezer. The night before the wedding they came out and went into the roasters and turned on warm. In the morning they went up to 325 until the reception. They came out wonderfully. The hardest part was figuring out which pan went in which roaster...lol.
Bill
I made Cabbage rolls once for a friends wedding. I used 4 electric roasters. I prepped one roaster full each day for the 4 days before the wedding. I just covered the liners with saran wrap and a layer of foil and put them in the freezer. The night before the wedding they came out and went into the roasters and turned on warm. In the morning they went up to 325 until the reception. They came out wonderfully. The hardest part was figuring out which pan went in which roaster...lol.
Bill
Had One - Sold It On
Roaster that is, though kept the manual.
What the poster stated is correct, unless one has a rather large kitchen and or extra storage space, the thing gets in the way and isn't used often enough (at least at my house) to warrant keeping out.
However will agree the Westinghouse, and some other roasters make great second ovens, and can produce some great things from cakes to roasts.
Roaster that is, though kept the manual.
What the poster stated is correct, unless one has a rather large kitchen and or extra storage space, the thing gets in the way and isn't used often enough (at least at my house) to warrant keeping out.
However will agree the Westinghouse, and some other roasters make great second ovens, and can produce some great things from cakes to roasts.
Laundress is right about space. I keep mine stored in one of the extra bedrooms or in the garage. When in use, it's on top of my chest freezer in the laundry room. I bought an 18 quart Nesco at Sams in 2002. The intention was for a compromise as a 2nd oven since I'd never have the kitchen I'd always wanted with 2 ovens. They don't do well with "wet" cassaroles like green bean cassarole, baked pasta cassaroles, chicken & rice, items where liquid needs to be absorbed or some liquid evaporates during the baking process. It's because of the moist environment. But I do use it to make small batches of biscuits (I do have to bake them longer than instructions); pound cakes; cheese cakes, meat loaf (directly on the roasting rack and fat cooks out of meatloaf); some roasts, and this kind of stuff. I've rarely, other than meat loaf, used the actual cookwell for cooking stuff directly in it--mostly put another pan in it so it's more like an oven. I've done a couple of turkeys in it with mixed results, but I think I cooked them too long. I did use it when we had the wash-in at Glenn's DADoES October 2006, made teh large batch of chicken mole with no effort & it was wonderful.
WESTINGHOUSE ROASTER
HII got my westinghouse roaster with stand and clock timer for free just before it was taken to the dump. It was in very good shape came with extra timer,broiler grill,and the blue bakeing dish set that was sold to go with them.
View attachment 2-3-2008-16-05-46--kenmore62.jpg
HII got my westinghouse roaster with stand and clock timer for free just before it was taken to the dump. It was in very good shape came with extra timer,broiler grill,and the blue bakeing dish set that was sold to go with them.
View attachment 2-3-2008-16-05-46--kenmore62.jpg
Am I being "green?" / Rhetorical question
Upon completion of dinner in the Westinghouse roaster, I wondered if I actually saved energy by NOT using my conventional, electric, 2005 vintage, in-wall oven and using this roaster instead.
The roaster is well insulated and seems just the right size for the load - I may have just used energy more intelligently - with old technology. Don't think I'll ever find the time in my busy life to run the tests but it is an interesting thought.
By the way, Lokringbob's recipe was great and tasted even better as leftovers today. Thanks.
Upon completion of dinner in the Westinghouse roaster, I wondered if I actually saved energy by NOT using my conventional, electric, 2005 vintage, in-wall oven and using this roaster instead.
The roaster is well insulated and seems just the right size for the load - I may have just used energy more intelligently - with old technology. Don't think I'll ever find the time in my busy life to run the tests but it is an interesting thought.
By the way, Lokringbob's recipe was great and tasted even better as leftovers today. Thanks.
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