What is a roaster oven?
The versatile Oster electric roaster oven is a countertop electrical kitchen appliance that can bake, roast, steam, slow cook and keep food warm.
The wide metal roaster comes with a large removable pan, heating element either at the side or bottom, a lid and usually a roasting rack is included.
Just as in an oven, the countertop roasting oven makes use of dry indirect diffused heat to cook the food in the cooking chamber.
The adjustable temperature normally ranges from 150 – 450°F.
Heat is distributed evenly throughout the roasting chamber eliminating the need to flip your food.
Since the electric roaster has a smaller cooking chamber compared to the big conventional oven, heat is more condensed and cooking time is quicker compared to the oven.
Oster Electric Roaster Oven – Important Features and Accessories
Oster electric roaster ovens are available in 16qt, 18qt, 20qt and 22qt cooking capacity.
So, how much can you cook in a 16qt roaster or the large 22 qt roasting machine?
Well, you can roast up to a 20 pound turkey in the 16qt roaster, a 24 pound bird in the 18qt roaster and up to a 26 pound turkey in the 22qt roasting oven.
Based on average time and energy savings when using a roaster vs a conventional oven, you get to save 30% more time for cooking and use 36% less energy using the roaster.
[alert-announce]Not all the Oster roasting ovens come with the same features[/alert-announce]
Let’s check out the different accessories and features of the Oster electric roaster ovens
Self basting lid
It is made of aluminized steel meaning that it is made of aluminum with stainless steel exterior finish.
The specially-designed lid with groves does the basting for you by continually re-circulating moisture onto the food cooking in the roaster.
Defrost setting
Defrost temperature is set to 275°F. You can defrost a frozen turkey in the roaster oven at this temperature.
Keep warm setting
When your food is done cooking, simply switch the temperature dial to the keep warm setting and the roaster will maintain a low heat to keep your food warm until you are ready to serve.
Variable temperature control
Manual knob with temperature markings around the outer rim of the knob
Removable roasting pan
Roasting pan is made of steel with enamel coating. Fast even heating and easy clean up. It is not dishwasher safe.
Roasting rack
Made of stainless steel/chrome, it is dishwasher safe.
The roasting rack is approximately 12.76 inches long and 8.05 inches wide for the 16qt smoker roaster oven.
Buffer server insert
Set temperature to 250°F to keep food warm. Great for parties, large gatherings, social functions, potluck etc.
Wood chip insert
Removable pockets/bins for putting wood chips. Can only be used with the roaster oven with smoking feature.
Indicator Light
The green indicator light switches off once desired temperature is reached. However, not all models have this feature.
Roaster oven power cord
It is a two prong cord and is polarized for safety so that it can only be inserted into the wall outlet one way. One blade is wider than the other. It is about 2′ long.
Wattage/Volts
1450W, 120V
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Self Basting Roaster Oven
Oster 20-Quart Roaster Oven with Defrost and Self-Basting Lid
The Oster 22 quart roasting oven comes with a self basting lid.
The roaster oven with self basting lid speeds up cooking time, thus saving time, energy and heat.
You do not have to baste your food manually.
The self basting lid is designed in such a way that it recirculates moisture on its own.
There are grooves on the lid that catch the water condensation. The droplets drip back onto the cooking food.
Without the basting lid and its grooves, water moisture drips down the sides of the pan only and not onto your food.
This is great for busy moms who do not have time running back and forth to check on their turkey etc.
Roaster Oven With Dome Lid
The dome lid maximizes the cooking capacity of the roaster. This allows for more roasting space with less counter space needed.
Roaster Oven With Buffet Server Insert
To use the buffet server insert, first add water to the roasting pan until about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Then place it inside the roaster.
For safety reasons, you do not add water directly inside the roaster body.
Rest the buffer server frame on top of the roasting pan.
Then place the empty serving dishes securely onto the frame.
Cover back the lid and preheat water until hot (Set to 350°F for 30 minutes).
Lift up the lid and add your hot cooked food into the 3 serving dishes.
You have to use all 3 serving dishes even if only 1 is filled with food.
Cover back and set temperature to 250°F to keep food warm. Make sure the temperature of the food is kept at 150°F and above.
It is best used for cooked food that has sauce such as broth, wine, water or juice.
Smoker Roaster Oven
Oster 16-Quart Smoker Roaster Oven, Red
The smoker roaster oven with wood chip insert can be used outdoors as a smoker and indoors when roasting, baking, steaming or slow cooking.
It comes with removable pockets/bins to hold your wood chips for outdoor smoking.
Put the wood chips in the holder/bins, insert back into the roaster.
The heat from the roaster will light the chips.
Put about 1/3 cup of dry wood chips into each bin/pocket.
Wood chips 1 to 2½ inches long and ¼ to ½ inch thick work best.
Wood chunks are not recommended, neither are very small size chips or shavings.
These small size wood chips can burn too fast without producing the desired smoke flavor.
The steam/smoke vent need not be opened when smoking (you can open it all the way if you so preferred) but it is recommended to open it to release steam just before lifting the lid.
Cold smoking is not possible with the Oster smoker roaster oven.
The 17.7″W x 24″L x 9.8″H Oster 16 qt smoker roaster oven has a capacity for 4-6 lb standing rib roasts and can cook up to a 20 pound turkey.
The inner roasting pan comes with perforations and measures 7.5″ x 12″ x 18″ (H x W x L).
Heating elements are on the bottom and sides of the roaster smoker oven.
There are two small vent holes on the top of the lid, one on each side of the handle.
Before operating, make sure unit is not plugged in and is cool before starting.
Make sure you do not use chunks of wood, it may cause damage to your roaster.
Dry wood chips is best used to produce more smoke, and make sure you did not preheat the oven.
For smoking a turkey 16-18lbs, use 2 cups of water. It will take 7-8 hours to smoke.
For a 14-20 lbs turkey at approximately 325°F, it’ll take about 1-2 h0urs.
You’ll have to add more chips when necessary.
For smoking a whole chicken that weights between 3 – 3.5 lbs, use 1/2 cup of water. It will take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.
For smoking baby back ribs, start with 450° F until brown,then you turn the temperature down to 250° F. Estimate about 15 – 17 minutes per pound.
For smoking beef roast – the maximum weight capacity for beef roasts is 3-6 lbs.
Your average time for beef roasts range from 300° F – 450° F (Tenderloin).
Some roasts take 17 to 21 minutes per pound, and others can take 26 to 34 minutes per pound.
Roasting A Turkey In The Oster Electric Roaster Oven
As recommended by Oster:
For a 19 pound turkey – Prebasted turkey: 375° F for 13-15 minutes per pound Fresh turkey: 350° F for 15-20 minutes per pound
For a 23 pound stuffed turkey – It should take approximately 3 to 4 hours on 325º F. Use about 22 – 24 cups of stuffing.
A fresh turkey between 12 – 14 pounds will take about 1 3/4 hours roasting at a temperature of 325°F. Estimate about 6 – 8 minutes per pound.
How To Bake Cakes In A Roaster Oven
Oster 18-Quart Roaster Oven
Always place the metal cake tin/pan with your cake mixture on the roasting rack and not on the removable roasting pan.
This means that your cake pan is on the roasting rack and the roasting rack is on the roasting pan.
A metal cake pan is recommended as metal allows for better heat transfer and browning.
A pound cake will take about 50 – 60 minutes of baking time at a temperature of 350°F.
Muffins will need only about 15 – 20 minutes at a temperature of 425°F.
Brownies and cupcakes baking at a temperature of 350°F will be done after about 25 – 30 minutes.
Remember to preheat the roaster oven before baking.
Check out these popular Oster roasters for your roasting, steaming, slow cooking and baking needs.
So, are you looking for a small or large roaster oven?
It acts as a great energy-efficient alternative to the big conventional oven.
Oster 16 Quart Red Electric Smoker & Roaster Oven
Oster 22 Pound 18 Quart Stainless Steel Roaster Oven with Removable Buffet Server
Oster 22-Quart Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid, Stainless Steel Finish
Oster 18 Quart Red Roaster with High Dome & Self-Basting Lid