Electric Roaster Questions (thinking about getting a Nesco)

[disneyhand]

[QUOTE=iankh;34485292]This was the first year I used the electric roaster, and I have to say that I will never go back to using the regular oven!

I originally bought a Nesco Roaster, but decided to test the temperature calibration the weekend before Thanksgiving. I found that it was 100 degrees off!

I had ordered over the Internet, but took it back to a local branch of the department store. I ended up buying a Hamilton Beach at Costco for $39. Testing the calibration temperature of this one was also off a bit, but I knew how to adjust it..

The dining room which is next to the kitchen was emptied, because the dining table was moved to the front room. I had the roaster on a folding table in there. The turkey itself was browned for about 40 minutes in a hot oven to sear it and then plopped in the roaster.

There was a fair bit of experimenting, considering that this was the first year for brining and the first year for the electric roaster. It was also the first year I've every roasted a turkey unstuffed.

I think I can safely say that everyone LOVED the turkey. There have been friends who have been coming for years and thought that this was the tenderest, moistest and most flavorful.

I have to admit myself that this was the best one I've ever done. The brining added tenderness and flavor, but I think the roaster also contributed a lot, because the cooking space is small there is more vapor and steam in the cooking process.

As I said, browning is a challenge, but between searing it for the first 40 minutes and a browning concoction I painted it with, it came out looking very greeting card-esque.

To top it all off, I didn't have to baste the turkey.

Because the oven was freed up, it made everything else much easier as I had the oven free for other uses.

I am very pleased with the electric roaster. As I said, I won't be going back to doing on in the regular oven.[/

I agree with you! My roaster turkey turned out moist and delicious as well. I was really happy with it. I decided not to brine this year. I basted it with evoo and some seasonings. I stuffed the inside with some celery stocks, green onions, halved apple and halved yellow onion, just for flavor. I "browned" it in the regular oven at 450 for about 45 minutes (in the cookwell that came with the roaster..) then into the roaster (also the Hamilton Beach from Costco!). When it was done cooking I turned the roaster way down to keep it warm till I was ready to deal with it. It turned out so good.

It was great to have all the extra room in the oven. Inspired by the roaster, I made my stuffing on the stove top early in the morning and kept it warm in my crock pot and out of my way till dinner time. I can't wait to figure out other things to cook in my roaster now, I love it. You sure can't beat the price at Costco and I thought the clean up was really easy. So glad I made this purchase.

[aboveH20]

Time to think Turkey '10. I remember reading all of these posts LAST year so was happy I was able to find them again.

Looks like I will buy a roaster this year, but don't think I'll bother with the brining.

Any last minute tips?

Have any of you used the roaster throughout the year or just for turkey?

(I can almost smell them roasting.)

Thanks

[aboveH20]

PS Which interior do you recommend? I know there was discussion about stainless steel vs non-stick. Which one???

[iankh]

Originally Posted by aboveH20

Time to think Turkey '10. I remember reading all of these posts LAST year so was happy I was able to find them again.

Looks like I will buy a roaster this year, but don't think I'll bother with the brining.

Any last minute tips?

Have any of you used the roaster throughout the year or just for turkey?

(I can almost smell them roasting.)

Thanks

Nothing I would do differently from last year. I would use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the bird. Also make sure that the temperature of your roaster is calibrated correctly.

If you see my posting from last year, the first roaster I bought (a Nesco) was off in temperature and I returned it and ended up with the Hamilton Beach, which was very reasonably priced at $39.

Whichever roaster you buy, remember that it will need a "burn in." You find this in the instruction manual. Basically, you plug it in and switch it to the highest setting and let is go for about an hour. The element gives off a smell, so you may want to do this outdoors. I set up up a table on my porch and did it there.

Originally Posted by aboveH20

PS Which interior do you recommend? I know there was discussion about stainless steel vs non-stick. Which one???

I went with the regular, porcelain interior. In both the Nesco and Hamilton Beach the roasting pan lifts out. The porcelain cleaned up very easily. I shied away from non-stick because I was a afraid that the roasting rack/lifter might scratch it.

My Hamilton Beach came with a rack/lifter. I can't remember if the Nesco did/does.

[aboveH20]

Thanks for the quick reply. It certainly seems like the way to go. I just wish there weren't so many models and brands to choose from. I know higher price doesn't always mean higher quality.

[disneyhand]

Bumping! It's that time of year again and so much good info in this thread. I'm so glad I bought mine!

[MazdaUK]

I did a turkey crown in the crockpot on Sunday and everyone loved it - and DH is not usually keen on turkey. My DSis always roasts the turkey the day before, then while she's finishing the side dishes puts slices in oven trays with a very little water, covers with foil and pops in the hot oven. The water evaporates and warms/moistens the meat - this is a catering trick, aparently. After all, the turkey is often cold by the time you've finished carving so it makes sense to do it this way! (And I am just soooooo glad she likes to do Christmas)

Having said that, while my oven was out for nearly two weeks I was seriously thinking of one of these.....

[disneyhand]

Hi everyone!

I'm feeding a crowd on Saturday and serving tri tip sandwiches.

I have a 16 lb roast and just started thinking about throwing that in the roaster instead of the oven.

I can't find a recipe (really just cooking time and temp)for that much meat and thought some of you may have experience with this. Any advice?

Thanks!

[dreamin_disney]

I have a 22 qrt electric roaster oven. I need recipes for parties for large group 40-75 people .

I's pretty new to using it. I've used it once. Plus i have a few question like can i use the cooking bags in it? Foil?

Recipes i want are .....Please share your recipes that you've actually tried in an Electric roaster oven or any tips

I dont need any turkey recipes , i think theres already a thread on turkeys.thanks

1.Pork carnitas- I have a recipe that calls for it to be put in a cooking bag and placed in oven. Its a good recipe but can i use that cooking bag in the roaster??? If so this would be awsome as I need to make 40lbs worth-lol!

2. BBQ chicken. I found an awesome recipe for the oven on a rack but I need a recipe for bbq chicken enough for 50 people. Whats the best way

3.beef roast with potatos and carrots

4. bbq ribs for 4th of july

I have recipes for the listed items but those are for your regular oven so i get confused with the roast.

for what items should the rack be used?

example the bbq chicken. recipe reads to fry the fat ont he chicken, then place on cookie sheet with rack, brush bbq sauce then place in oven, now if i have 40-50 pieces of chicken there no way i can lay each piece on the rack in the roaster, it would have to be stacked and might not have the same effect. If i fry the chicken then put it in the roaster minus the rack will the bbq stick to the roaster and burn or bbq sauce come off because it will stick to other pieces of chciken??

carnitas. - Will the cooking bag melt or melt onto the roaster? If bags can be used do i just stick it in the roaster or do i need to put a pan in ?


sorry I'm sure some of these question might be dumb to some but i dont want to mess up my roaster or mess up the food for such a large crowd. Thanks everyone