Help! Cooking a turkey in a roaster for Thanksgiving. Tips?

[The Mystery Machine]

I started this because I need to go and buy a electric roaster to cook a turkey in for Thanksgiving.

If you cook in a roaster, give me some tips. Is it any different that cooking it in the oven?

I mean the roaster has a lid so I am guessing the skin does not get brown or crispy? Or what do you do to get the turkey browned like you do in the oven.

Oh and what kind of roaster do you have?

 

[golfgal]

I still use the oven bags in the roaster, so does my MIL. I think the turkey actually browns better in the roaster then it does in the oven. I have a Hamilton Beach roaster that I got at Walmart several years ago. It is sufficient for a 12 lb turkey or so. I don't do anything different in my roaster then I did in the oven.

 

[Mermaid02]

We do it just the same as in the oven- and I agree with GolfGal- I think the roaster does a BETTER job than the oven! It also leaves your oven free for other things, pies, bread etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the info. I guess to me it always appeared that the "roaster" is like a crockpot. Good to hear it browns up just fine and does a better job.

I will do the oven bag in the roaster. I really need a good turkey to come out of this. I will also be cooking one in the oven and a ham in another roaster.

I am cooking at my sister's for her IL's family. It will be my mom and I basically "working" this Thanksgiving. My sister is caring for her MIL, who has cancer, in her home. My sister is inviting everyone on his side and then some. No head count yet but I am only doing 2 turkey's and 1 ham.

 

[jen0610]

I have the big boy Hamilton Beach 22 qt roaster. I have done a 24lb turkey in it.

I don't use a roasting bag and I get it to brown just fine. Maybe I've just been really lucky. Cooking in the roaster also seems to go faster for me, then cooking in the oven.

For the last 3 years, I have used this awesome rub for the turkey. It's originally for a 12lbs bird, so I actually triple it. My father in law, who HATES any cooking with lemon and onions (don't ask), raved, he usually doesn't say much, about how much flavor and how moist the trukey was the first year I used this.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/roasted-butter-herb-turkey-recipe/index.html

I love my roaster. You couldn't pay me to do a Thanksgiving, Christmas (ham), or Easter (ham) without it.

As Mermaid said, it frees up your oven for all the other good stuff.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Cool! Well this event that I am helping with is forcing me (lol) to buy a roaster. I always wanted one, now I have a good excuse.

 

[piglet50]

thanks op for this thread. i bought a roaster just last month and wondered about using the cooking bag inside of it. I have good luck using the bags and wondered if it would "fit". good luck to everyone cooking the bird this year.

 

[lizbaby007]

I moved into a house last year with a gas oven. There was no way I was going to run that thing for 2+ hrs....it would be way too hot in the house. So, I invested in a roaster.

I absolutely LOVED IT!! I prepared my turkey the exact same way I always do (brining it overnight) and browning it on a high heat for the first 30mins. I then put it in the roaster and cooked it. It was so moist and delicious!! I will never cook a turkey in the oven again, lol!

Since everyone says it browns up just fine I might even skip the 30min high heat in the oven step and just place it straight in the roaster

 

[crz4mm2]

I moved into a house last year with a gas oven. There was no way I was going to run that thing for 2+ hrs....it would be way too hot in the house. So, I invested in a roaster.

I absolutely LOVED IT!! I prepared my turkey the exact same way I always do (brining it overnight) and browning it on a high heat for the first 30mins. I then put it in the roaster and cooked it. It was so moist and delicious!! I will never cook a turkey in the oven again, lol!

Since everyone says it browns up just fine I might even skip the 30min high heat in the oven step and just place it straight in the roaster

Would a gas stove running for 2+ hours make a house hotter than an electric stove running 2+ hours?
I have not noticed a difference.

I use my Nesco roaster every year. Love it.