Hamilton Beach 32229 22-Quart Roaster Oven, Stainless Steel

I bought my roaster for Thanksgiving. I usually do a lot of cooking and baking for Thanksgiving and this year I made 6 baked desserts alone. I started looking for something to help me with the lack of oven space for this year and found out about the turkey roaster, I had never heard of one before. I started reading a ton of reviews on several different sites to educate myself prior to buying one. I also asked around and called a few people I knew cooked a lot for thier opinions. I got good overall feedback, so I bought this one. Maybe I shouldn't have tried a new method for the first time on such a big day as Thanksgiving... but this has a happy ending. I had a 23.22lb turkey this year. Typically I will cook a bird that big on 300-325 degrees for about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. All the reviews and the instructions stated to cook anything you are making in the roaster at the exact same temperature and time as you would a regular oven. The only two things I saw were about not opening the lid because of how much more of a loss of heat you have on a roaster vs. a regular oven. Also the complaints about a crisp outside which can be easily solved by placing your bird in the oven for just the last 20 minutes of cooking time.

So I got my turkey in the preheated turkey roaster at just below 325 degrees and decided I would cook it for about five hours. I knew I didn't want to keep checking on it because of the notation about heat loss so I decided on that time from the get go since it always worked for me in the past. I got a little nervous and about 3 hours and 45 minutes into the cooking time, I decided to take a peak. A turkey is done and still tender in the thigh at 175 and more like 165 degrees in the breast, and since the turkey will continue to cook 5-10 degrees after you take it out of the oven, I usually take my bird out at 155-160 degrees when taking the temp from the breast. I freaked out when the thermometer read 215 degrees after only about 3.5 hours. I turned the roaster off and took the inside pan out and set it out in the cold to cool down as fast as possible. I admit, I started to cry at the disaster and couldn't help but think about how much that turkey cost that I worried would be a waste of money. And what would my family eat as far as meat went. But let me tell you something... I have never had a juicer turkey in my entire life. I have NO CLUE how at 215 degrees, but I went to grab the leg and the bone just came out completely clean. I guess because it is more of a steam cooking process that it stayed so juicy, or maybe because I wrapped it in bacon, but it was so good! I read someone said it took an extra hour and half, perhaps you didn't preheat the oven or thought you had it at the right temperature but it wasn't... or maybe you opened the lid too many times or didn't secure the lid to begin with, because I had the exact opposite problem. I guess I would just say to check whatever you are making just one time, half way through the originally cooking time to see how it is doing. Otherwise, I love my turkey roaster!

Nesco 4816-25-30PR Professional 6-Quart Stainless Steel Roaster Oven with Glass Cover, Non-Stick Cookwell

I bought it originally as a gift for my daughter. During several visits to her and her family of three, we used the roaster oven, and always had great results. All she and I cooked in the Nesco came out great and does not require much attention or effort. It was so impressive that I bought another as a wedding gift.

I did not realize that there is also a slowcooker / crockpot when I originally bought it for my DD. I went to YouTube and watched videos and even went to the Nesco site for more information about cooking with this Roaster oven. I was amazed at the variety of uses for the stove. This item is a blessing for a full-time river that myself.

The Roaster oven can bake on a table that provides a second oven. On low setting it works like a slowcooker / crockpot. It can also be used on a table outdoors. I put my Range Kleen SM1720SWR Sm1720Swr-17''X 20''Silverwave Counter Food subunit (my DD does the same thing) as it does produce heat on the bottom. The sides of the device becomes too hot so use a potholder when handling. The stove is still very easy to take to get togethers.

I ordered non-stick cook well for my daughter, but a porcelain cooking is well accessible. The cover is also available in glass or metal.

The only thing holding back on getting one for myself was the size. I think 6 Qts. be too large for my slowcooker need and a little big for my baking needs for the two of us. The performance reviews for Nesco 4805-12 5-Quart Electric Roaster, Red blended. This unit still worked great for my slowcooker / crockpot needed since when you use a slowcooker manufacturer recommends it be at least 1 / 2 full. Ebay to the rescue! I found the rectangular 4 qt. Vintage models, plus shipping for less than $[...] with all included accessories (manual, rack, cookbook). One white and one blue. They may not be as spiffy as the Red 5 qt or stainless 6 qt. But they are doing beautifully! The nonstick inner cooking well for 4 qt. The model is still available on the Nesco website if you want a second and / or different finish than what eBay sellers offer.

The Nesco Roaster oven is the best I've found for slow cooking in recent years. It does not get as hot as many of the newer slowcooker / crockpot that gives vegetables a wonderful texture and color. Much better than the newer slowcookers on the market (I have found this to be true for the new 6-qt model, and vintage 4 qt.) On 4 qt place for a chicken, beef / pork or ham beautifully. The roast meat, our juicy and tender. When you use toast settings meat is slowly roasted not boiled / steamed in slow cooker temperature setting. The cooked meat is not quite as brown as when roasted in a conventional oven, but the metal cook well can be placed in an oven at the end of cooking time of 20 minutes or so for more browning, if desired. This works well for the holidays and gatherings, because the meat may be slow roasting, while the conventional stove and oven used for other meal prep.

I like the fact that the home cook is well-metallic lid. This reduces the risk of fracture and reduces weight. The chef is well easily removed for cleaning.

My 2-IN1 slow cooker has given away when I can slow cook for 2 to 4 liters of Nesco and cook and bake. The Nesco teriffic site has recipes for slow cooking, appetizers, main dishes, casseroles, desserts and roasting meats in addition to the recipes that come with the stove. The site still offers recipes for 4 qt and 5 qt the newer and bigger models.

This item works better than expected and works well for the river, empty Nester, dorm room, small apartment dweller, and just an optional cooking / serving unit for a conventional household.

I highly recommend!

Nesco 4816-25PRG Professional 6-Quart Stainless Steel Roaster Oven with Glass Cover, Porcelain Cookwell

I love this roaster. I have used it almost every day since I got them. I had one before, but the door was aluminum. The cover is discolored badly and the paint began to melt away. I had emailed the company to obtain a cover glass substitute for it, but I had no answers. So I went ahead and bought another with a glass lid. I have no complaints about the new date.

Since 1932, NESCO brand has been synonymous with Roaster ovens. In fact, in many parts of the country people refer to all roaster ovens "Nesco". The NESCO brand offers the widest range and most sizes of roaster ovens on the market. The NESCO 4816-25PRG 6qt Roaster oven with glass lid is designed for everyday use. It's versatility and size make it an ideal appliance for preparing family meals. There is also a practical gift - perfect for weddings, showers, and Christmas. The patented and unique "Circle of Heat" heating element wraps around the moist, even cooking with automatic temperature control keeps even cooking temperatures. In 4816 25PRG is versatile and you can fry, bake, cook, steam, slow cook and serve. Fully adjustable temperature from 125 degrees to 425 degrees to cook a wide variety of food. The entire cooking is well removable porcelain enamel interior allows easy cleaning and with glass lid, you can watch your meal without interrupting the cooking. A removable steel rack designed for better baking and fat-free frying. The 6 qt size is perfect in its portability. Prepare meals for up to six on the kitchen table, kitchen table, or away from home in a cottage, caravan or boat. Stainless steel exterior. Includes Use / Care and Recipe Guide.

Nesco 4818-25PR 18-Quart Professional Roaster Oven, Stainless Steel Base and Lid, Porcelain Cookwell

Wow. I had no idea of frying a turkey was so easy. There was no effort. I left Turkey in the roaster for 5 hours (a little too long because of committments) and came home and took a pot luck. The turkeyhad fallen away from the bone, was extrememly moist. Strongly recommended.

Since 1932 the Nesco brand has become synonymous with Roaster ovens. With a Nesco Roaster Oven can roast, bake, cook, steam, slow boil and serve. Other than the rear, Nesco Roaster Oven do anything a regular oven can do but better and with less power consumption and less heat in the kitchen. Designed in beautiful stainless steel exterior with a lid in stainless steel, so it looks good. The Roaster Oven is portable, so you can make good food everywhere. The exclusive "Circle of Heat" heating element wraps around for moist, even cooking. The automatic temperature control keeps even cooking temperatures from 200 degrees to 450 degrees. Removable mesh has easy lift handles and design for better baking and fat-free frying. The 18 qt size is designed to last up to a £ 22 Turkey, is it big enough for family reunions and other social events. Recipe Guide and use / care included.

Nesco American Harvest 4808-25-20 18-Quart Roaster Oven with Stainless Steel Cookwell, Stainless Steel

My parents got a roaster in 1941 as a wedding gift. All my warm holiday memories presented the traditional turkey and dressing in the roaster. Of course it is 2008, and the old roaster is tired and just a bit. Enamel cooking is well-cracking in two places and the rack must be welded.

So this year I splurged and bought this roaster with stainless steel cook and just in time for Thanksgiving!

The only negative is the burn in! Now I was not around in 1941 when my parents got theirs, but I can not remember my mother complaining about a burning in recent years. Anyway I took the roaster without (this is critical), deleted cook good, paperwork, etc. .... and lit it. 1 hour later the smell was terrible, 2 hours, no change, 8 hours and it still smells bad, very bad!

I turned the roaster out after 8 hours of burn in, and because it still stunk, I did another 8 hours to burn the next day and the end of 16 hours total burn time of "stink" had subsided. The strength of the smell bothered me. The last thing I wanted to do was to ruin Thanksgiving 20 pounds so I threw a 5 pounds frying chicken in the roaster, turned roaster to 350 and may simmer for 2 hours.

At first I was worried because there was still a slight residual smell in the beginning of the cook, but within minutes all you could smell was heavenly roast bird. 2 hours later, the chicken was falling off the bone tender. The whole bird shooting just up the leg when I tried to lift it gently out of the roaster.

Spices were deeply penetrated and my husband and I stood at the roaster and feasted on the dead chicken pieces back in the roaster. It was the best fried chicken we had in recent times.

Clean up, oh the dreaded clean up, as the old roaster Middle Ages cleaning became harder and harder, and it was a much feared and hated task. I bought the stainless steel cook well in order to hopefully make it easier cleaning, and now began to clear up with great trepidation. I was pleasantly surprised. After washing all the organic bits I just sprayed with a little oven cleaner put a lid on the roaster and giggled know my husband would end up being stuck with cleaning in the morning. Boy was a joke on me! The next morning ALL the inside was clean, and after a quick sponge with a little dishwashing liquid in the stainless steel cook and was clean!

So for the first time in the last 20 years I have been in charge of roasting the bird I'm not afraid sanitation component of the program and for me that alone is worth 5 stars!
Thanks Nesco no more fear Thanksgiving