Has anyone cooked a turkey in an electric roaster?

[daughtersrus]

We're having Thanksgiving again this year. My DH isn't a fan of turkey so the only time we cook one is Thanksgiving. In the past, we've always used a deep fryer but this year, I'd like to roast one so that we can have real gravy. Anyway, oven space is a premium so I was thinking about getting a roaster and cooking the turkey in that.
Meijer has a pretty good sale tomorrow but I'd like to hear from some people that have used them.
What are the pros/cons of using a roaster instead of the oven?

I'm also making a spiral ham so do you think that a 18-20lb turkey will be big enough for 17 people (4 children and 13 adults)?

 

[blu3d3vil]

I've used a roasting pan but not an electric roaster. It was the best turkey ever. They probably cook similarly. My DSIL cooked a turkey in a crockpot the same year and no one ate hers, plus it wasn't as pretty as the bird that was roasted.

 

[ksjayhawks]

We have used an electric roaster for our turkeys for over 20 years. It always comes out moist.

I spray the roaster and rack with PAM, then line the rack, both ways, with heavy duty aluminum foil. I spray this also.

Be sure that the turkey is completely thawed. After cleaning the turkey I pat soft oleo all over it--coat it really good--and then salt it. The last few years we have put cut up apples and onions inside the cavity for flavoring.

Put about 2 inches of water in the bottom of the pan. Put the turkey on the foil lined rack. Take another piece of foil and make a tent, shiny side down and place over turkey. (You may want to add some foil over the bottom of the turkey legs as well.) Put the lid on. and set your temperature. We allow about 15 minutes a pound.

Baste about every 45 minutes with the broth in the pan. It will seem like the turkey will never brown, but it does.

Remove when done and let set for 15/20 minutes before carving. While the turkey is resting, take out the broth and make your gravy. Save extra broth to use when reheating the turkey later in the week.

 

[stashbin]

I ALWAYS cook my turkey in my roaster. I place it in the roaster, brush it with butter, sprinkle my seasoning on it, push garlic cloves into the skin, and then stuff it with my dressing. I then put the leftover dressing all around it and cover it in aluminum foil. Then I place the lid on top of the roaster and cook it just like I would if it were in an oven. It is always juicy and the dressing is moist because it is baked in the turkey's juices. Very tasty.

I might need to clarify that my roaster is a large crock pot type of roaster and not a rotisserre roaster.

 

[daughtersrus]

and set your temperature. We allow about 15 minutes a pound.

Thanks so much for the advice. What temp do you set the roaster to?

 

[stashbin]

Thanks so much for the advice. What temp do you set the roaster to?

I just set mine like an oven. Usually about 375.

 

[rie'smom]

My friend cooks turkey in her roaster all the time. She loves that it doesn't heat up her kitchen.

 

[WDWLVR]

We have a Nesco roaster that I've used for our turkeys for years. I love it and as others have said the turkey comes out so moist.

 

[jen0610]

DH was very learly when I bought mine. Didn't think it would turn out as good. But he LOVES it now. I do the same things ksjayhawks does and it is a very moist and flavorful bird.

Keeping the oven free for all the other goodies, is a huge plus. And keeping the temp down in the house is even better.

At Christmas and Easter, I use the roaster to cook our hams, so it's not like it was only bought for a once a year useage. My SIL has used mine for all 3 neices graduation partys.

 

[wdwmom2]

We have a Nesco roaster that I've used for our turkeys for years. I love it and as others have said the turkey comes out so moist.

I use a Nesco also!!! Makes a great turkey!! And frees up the oven for other uses!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Thanks so much for the advice. What temp do you set the roaster to?

375 degrees

I like the dressing idea . . . might have to try that this year.

 

[muffyn]

I also use a roaster, saves on oven space.

had a few times where the darn turkey was so big I had to weight down the lid.

I have also had a problem , that no matter what I do, I can't get the top brown.

what am I doing wrong. I have tried foil.

 

[DISUNC]

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I bought one in Wal*Mart years ago for about 25.00...BEST INVESTMENT EVER! Works great for Christmas Ham too.

They are even cheaper now
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10574352

I prep the Turkey the night before, and tie it to the rack that comes with the roaster (you pull the whole rack out, so its easy to get the turkey up). Then on Thanksgiving morning I just plop it in the roaster & let it cook. Very juicy & makes it so easy to carve.

 

[golfgal]

I also use a roaster, saves on oven space.

had a few times where the darn turkey was so big I had to weight down the lid.

I have also had a problem , that no matter what I do, I can't get the top brown.

what am I doing wrong. I have tried foil.

Foil will keep it from browning. You might want to try cooking 2 smaller turkeys vs one large one (if you can find another roaster). My guess is that the bird it too big and you aren't getting the air circulation you need.

My MIL uses a roaster and the oven bag and that browns the turkey very nicely.

 

[crz4mm2]

I use a roaster EVERY time.
I cook my turkey differently than everyone else and everyone tells me I "can't" do it this way, but have for years.

I put the FROZEN bird in the roaster the night before, set at 200. (put an inch or so of water in the bottom of the roaster)
In the morning I turn the roaster up to 350.(put some butter on the bird then) By noon, it is done to perfection

 

[ozarkmom]

I've read it won't brown in the electric roaster is this right? I also had a friend say to cook it breast side down or it will be too dry.

 

[browneyes106]

My mom has used a roaster for about 10 years now and the turkey always comes out good. She usually puts it in at night.

 

[wdwmom2]

I've read it won't brown in the electric roaster is this right? I also had a friend say to cook it breast side down or it will be too dry.

I cook mine breast side up. It always comes out juicy with a nice "tan"!!!!

 

[justjulie]

you cannot put a frozen bird in the roaster? I have a stuffed Butterball that very clearly states COOK FROM FROZEN