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!
