Best Roaster Oven-Guide and Review

Do you love roasting a whole turkey or another large cut of meat for holidays, family events and parties, but don’t have the space in your oven? There never seems to be enough space in the oven and each recipe requires a different temperature. You don’t have to stress anymore over the holidays, because buying the best roaster oven can solve your cramped space problems. A roaster oven is a countertop kitchen appliance that cooks meat or turkey while allowing you to use your real oven for sides and other items.

Despite the name, roaster ovens aren’t just for roasting . They can also be used to bake, slow cook, steam and can even be used to keep items warm. We’ve created a guide to the best roaster ovens. Let’s take a look.

Best Roaster Oven

Oster Roaster Oven With Buffet

This Oster Roaster Oven With Buffet is designed to cook thirty percent faster and uses thirty percent less energy, which is why it comes first on our list. The capacity is eighteen quarts which can hold up to an eighteen pound turkey.

It includes a removable steel rack that raises food up above the liquid. As a result, your food won’t get mushy. In addition, we love this electric roaster oven because it includes a buffet server with three removable pans that keep food warm while serving. Take a look at what else we found.

What We Like:

• It includes a buffet server with three removable pans that keep food warm for parties and other large gatherings
• The Oster Roaster Oven has a variable temperature control that warms and cooks from 150 to 450 degrees
• This oven uses less energy when compared to a full size oven
• It comes with a one-year limited warranty

What We Don’t Like:

• There is no indicator light for the temperature, not a big deal since it works so well
• The buffet servers are smaller and more shallow than expected
• The top of the lid got hot, but the handles stayed cool, which is what’s really important

Details of the Oster Roaster Oven With Buffet

Dimensions: 17.7 x 23.8 x 9.6 inches

Weight: 17.6 pounds

Manufacturer: Oster

Summary: This Oster Roaster Oven With Buffet is designed to cook more than just turkey and meat. It has a variable temperature gauge that can keep food warm at warms and cooks from 150 degrees or roast at 450 degrees.

This unit is thirty percent faster and uses thirty percent less energy than regular ovens. It has many features that makes it a great kitchen gadget.

Proctor Silex Roaster Oven

If roasting a large turkey is your thing, then this is your unit. It can hold up to a 24 lb. turkey because of the dome like lid. As a result, your oven will be free to bake sides and desserts. Best of all, after holiday meals you won’t spend a lot of time cleaning up. The cooking pan is removable and very easy to clean.

What We Like:

• The design is very nice and looks like serving food
• The pan is removable, which allows for easy cleanup
• It not only roast, but can also bake and the cleanup is easy
• The Proctor Silex Roaster Oven comes with a one year warranty

What We Don’t Like:

• The outside of the machine gets hot, which is expected but might be a little dangerous is you’re working near it
• The lid is not see through so you’ll have to keep opening it to check on food
• It will lose heat fast if you keep opening up to look at the food

Details of the Proctor Silex Roaster Oven

Dimensions: 17.25 x 9.6 x 23.75 inches

Weight: 13.7 pounds

Manufacturer: Proctor Silex

Summary: This great roasting oven will allow you to cook large amounts of food for the holidays. It will save time and save space. In addition, it will not heat your kitchen up during summer months like a standard oven.

Large turkeys and meat are no problem in this 18 quart roaster pan. As a result, you will spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.

Stamo Electric Roaster Oven

The Stamo Electric Roaster Oven has the largest capacity of all roasters we reviewed. It has a 24 quart capacity. As a result, you can cook enough food for your entire family and then some. Not only is it large, it also has a lot of bells and whistles. It has cool touch handles, removable pan, see through lid that is self basting, and red light temperature dial. Its offered at a great price considering how many features it has.

What We Like:

• It has a dome lid with a glass window that allows you to check on your food while cooking without lifting up the lid
• The cooking pan is removable which makes clean up quick and painless
• This roasting pan has an adjustable temperature dial that goes from 150 to 450 degrees and even has a keep warm, and defrost setting

What We Don’t Like:

• The machine smells a bit the first few times you use it, but the manufacturer warns of that and its completely normal for this machine
• As with all roasters reviewed, the sides do get hot while cooking.
• Items cook faster in the roaster oven, but not a big deal if you adjust your recipe cooking time

Details of the Stamo Electric Roaster Oven

Dimensions: 14 x 17 x 10 inches

Weight: 24 pounds

Manufacturer: Stamo

Summary: The Stamo Electric Roaster Oven is a whopping 24 quart capacity roaster. Not only is it large, it also has a self basting lid with a glass window. It has cool touch handles, removable pan, and red light temperature dial. It really is a great gadget to add to your home kitchen.

Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven

We love the Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven 22 quart roaster oven because it can fit a 28 pound turkey. As a result, it’s the perfect addition to your family gatherings and holidays. You don’t have to worry about running out of space, because this roaster cooks faster and it frees up your oven for sides and desserts.

What We Like:

• This unit is really big. If you plan to make large items, you’ll love it
• The Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven has a sleek stainless steel look, which looks great while serving food
• The cooking pan is non-stick which makes cleanup quick and easy
• The oven is really big, but its not too heavy. As a result, you can easily travel with this oven.

What We Don’t Like:

• The oven does not come with an indicator light to let you know the power is on
• Some items like turkey may not brown like it does in the oven. Although, this can be fixed by opening up the turkey bag an hour before it is scheduled to be done
• The lid sits on the cooking unit. Would be better if it had clips to secure the lid down. But definitely not a deal breaker.

Details of the Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven

Dimensions: 18 x 25.25 x 11.13 inches

Weight: 15.5 pounds

Manufacturer: Hamilton Beach

Summary: We love the Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven because of its size, quality and convenience. If you’re looking for something to cook large pieces of meat and turkey, this is your machine.

Nesco Porcelain Roaster Oven

In this review we’ve covered large roaster ovens and now its time to cover a small one. The Nesco Porcelain Roaster Oven does everything a larger roaster oven does, just on a smaller scale. It may only hold six quarts, but it can still roast, cook, bake, slow cook, and steam.

What We Like:

• The cooking pan is made of porcelain, which make it easy to clean
• This gadget is designed to be portable and convenient
• The temperature range is 200°F – 450°F
• The cooking rack has lift-out handles which are great for baking

What We Don’t Like:

• The cooking pan was hard to clean. However, you can use roaster oven liners that make cleanup a breeze.
• This inside pan is oval. If you’re planning to use rectangle buffets you might have it won’t work with this unit.
• The oven does have a burning smell when first being used. However, the manufacturer states that this will happen with the oven is new. It is nothing to worry about.

Details of the Nesco Porcelain Roaster Oven

Dimensions: 15 x 8.5 x 15 inches

Weight: 8.95 pounds

Manufacturer: Nesco

Summary: The Nesco Porcelain Roaster Oven is a six quart roaster oven. It is designed for smaller families, on the go activities or larger families that need another cooker for sides. This roaster may be smaller, but it still does everything a larger roaster oven does, just on a smaller scale. It can roast, cook, bake, slow cook, and steam. This is a great buy and will make a fantastic addition to your family gatherings and holidays.

What is a roaster oven?

A roaster oven is a portable cooking device that sits on your countertop while cooking. Roaster ovens have three main parts: an electric heating element, a large pan and a lid. The food cooks by distributing heat throughout the roasting chamber. Temperatures can range from 200 to 45 degrees.

The most common size for a roasting pan is eighteen quarts, but other sizes are available. Roaster ovens can be used to roast, cook, bake, steam, or slow cook a wide range of foods such as roasts, turkey, vegetables, soups, and stews. Roaster ovens can cook just about everything a regular oven can, but faster.

4 Benefits of Using a Roasting Oven

Roaster ovens have many benefits, which include cooking very quickly, they save energy, don’t take up a lot of space, and can be used used for more than roasting. Lets take a deeper look at each benefit.

They Cook Faster: Not only do roaster ovens cook faster, they also offer moist cooking conditions. In addition, roaster ovens needs less time time to heat up.

They Save Energy: Since roaster ovens are smaller than regular ovens, they are more efficient. It is estimated that roaster ovens use thirty percent less energy than a traditional oven.

They Save Space: Roaster ovens are smaller and portable. A roasting oven can be stored away after use, or taken on a camping trip. Roaster ovens are especially helpful if you live in a small space.

They Have Many Uses: Roaster ovens have many uses. In addition to roasting a turkey, you can cook pork, whole chickens, and brisket. Side dishes can also be cooked in a roaster oven. But don’t limit yourself to baked potatoes, or corn on the cob. You can also use your roaster oven for baking items such as cake or bread.

4 Features To Look For In Roaster Oven

There are four important features to consider when buying a roaster oven: self basting lid, removable rack, quality heating element, and price. Let’s take a look at each in more detail.

#1 Self Basting Lid: The lid of a roasting pan will keep heat and moisture in while your food is cooking. Most models have a dome shaped lid which makes cooking large items like turkey possible. Self basting lids come with more expensive models. The lid keeps the moisture circulating while cooking so you don’t have to manual baste.

#2 Removable Rack: A rack will lift your food off the cooking liquid and keep your food above the heating element. As a result, your food won’t get soggy and won’t burn. Removable racks are nice because they are easy to clean and can be stored if you don’t need to use it.

#3 Quality Heating & Temperature Range: If you want to get the most use out of your machine, find one that has a wide temperature range. With a wide range you’ll be able to cook more items. For example, some models can steam, bake, warm and even slow cook. Each manufacturer should have a list of possibilities for each model.

#4 Price: The average price of a roaster oven is between $50 and $150. Small models range between $50 and $60. Medium sized one go for $70 to $100. Larger one with buffet containers go for more, some where between $110 and $150.

7 Ways to Use a Roaster Oven

• A roaster oven can cook at large turkey in about two and a half hours
• On the keep warm setting, pre-cooked food like fried chicken can be kept warm for hours
• Roaster ovens can bake potatoes
• A roaster ovens can bake dessert
• Roaster ovens can cook large pieces of meat
• Pork butt can be made in a roaster oven
• They can be used to make baked beans

Is it worth buying roaster oven?

Yes, if you plan to roast turkey or meat often roasting pans are worth it. When considering a kitchen gadget always consider the price. For example, roaster ovens are priced fairly reasonable so if you use it a few times a year it’s worth the investment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, roaster ovens have definitely become the top choice for many home chefs. A roaster oven offers many benefits including, space saving, moist cooking conditions, using less energy, and cooking faster than a standard oven. Let us know which roaster oven you ended up buying and why.