Yesterday while cooking dinner, I realized that the temperature of the oven for the prime rib was not going to work for the baked potatoes that I wanted to serve and I didn’t want to cook them in the microwave so I was glad I remembered my Nesco roaster.
Nesco Roaster
Mine is several years old so it looks a bit different from the one in the photo in the link. We had an old Nesco roaster that we had used for years and had used it a lot! One Thanksgiving morning, I got it out to roast the turkey and it would no longer heat up. We ended up cooking the turkey in the oven but ordered a new roaster right away.
This one has been packed away and I hadn’t even thought about til til needing a way to bake the potatoes last night but these little ovens are so useful. Now that I have extra cabinets, I will keep it in the house and use it more.
There’s helpful information, including recipes here. There’s also a lot more info here.
The one we have is a 12 quart. It can be used as a slow cooker (though I’ve never done that because I have a slow cooker), it can be used as a convection or regular oven. Casserole dishes can sit down inside it for easy clean up. They say bread can be baked in it, though I haven’t tried doing that.
Nesco Roaster
For the baked potatoes, I wrapped them in foil and put them on the rack in the roaster, cooked them at 375º for about 1-1/2 hours and they were perfect. That sure beats running the whole oven for over an hour!
One of the best uses for the roaster is during the summer, put it outside and stick whole chickens or casseroles or small cookie sheets, brownies . . most anything will bake in there and not heat up the kitchen.
Nesco Roaster
The rack is removable and can be used to cook foods closer to the bottom of the oven or flipped around and foods are cooked farther from the bottom.
Nesco Roaster
The entire oven liner comes out and can go into the dishwasher, though I always wash it by hand.
Nesco Roaster
Keeping this within handy reach I think will mean it gets a lot more use.
sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
I have 2 Nesco roasters (both smaller than yours) and I love them. I have used them to roast chickens, make chili, beef stew, and lots of other things. Everything always cooks great and cleanup is easy. I’m glad you found yours!
helen says
Several years ago we were having a house built so we lived in our RV for 6 months during the summer. I used the Nesco continuously on the deck outside our RV. The only problem was the neighbors in the campground wanted to know what I was cooking and if there was enough for company.
Susan ~ Patchkat says
We bought our first roaster last year, so I’m still a newbie with it…just now learning how to use it. Think it’s an 18 qt model. All I’ve ever cooked was last year’s 25lb Christmas turkey which was yummy and moist. I need more recipes and instructions, lol. Never even thought about using it outside in the summer! What a terrific idea. It would make a handy second oven during the holidays.
Karen says
I was just going to say this would be great for the RV and see the comment #2 says that is what she did with it – I will check it out.
CindyM says
I’ve thought a lot over the years about getting a Nesco roaster and resisted temptation every time. Now here you go, reminding me and tempting me again!
Sue says
thanks for the link to recipes. We have one that’s never been used. I like the idea of cooking outside without heating up the inside. don’t think ours is Nesco, but the same idea.
Sharon Downey says
My mother in law had one of these that she used often. It had its own stand that came with it. The stand was useful in that it had a door in the stand and shelves and I think perhaps a drawer also that the recipe book that came with it could fit into it. This was 1963 and she’d probably had it for a good while before. She sure loved that roaster though.
Angie says
I have had Nesco cookers since my mother bought me my first one in the 60’s. Love them! However, last year my Nesco up and quit and I opted to try the newer Ninja Cooker. I don’t know if you have both, but I REALLY like the Ninja Cooker. It’s has 3 options from stove top cooking, slow cooker and oven. I use the oven and stove top elements the most. I’m not much of slow cooker fan unless it’s for chili or soups.
JudyL says
The thing I like most about my Nesco is that it’s also convection and that’s what I use the most. Not sure if Ninja Cookers offer that . . last time I checked, they didn’t but I haven’t looked at them in a while.
shirley bruner says
I have a large roaster like that….but not that brand. it lives on our covered back porch on the table out there. i use it a LOT in the summer….no oven heating up the kitchen. we’ve been known to use it in the colder months, also. it is great. i love mine.
Sandy in IL says
I have a 6 quart Nesco roaster that I use all the time. Love it! The 18 quart isn’t used as much as it is too big for the normal meals I make for the 2 of us now. I highly recommend the Nesco!
gardenpat says
I got 3 sixteen or eighteen quart roasters at Target several years ago about two weeks after Christmas for $7 each!!! Love to use them for family get togethers! The more I use them, the more ways I find that I can use them!
Evelyn Starfishy says
These are super handy if you like to bake cakes and roast at the same time! Sometimes, because of people’s schedule – you just have to do it all on the same day. My Mom always had one and it was so useful for when she needed to cook an extra turkey or something for our huge family during the holidays I love them for when I just want to do a big batch of baked potatoes – a regular oven is pretty big to heat up just for potatoes so I think that it does save energy. I am amazed that you were able to find it if you haven’t used it in awhile! Cheers! Evelyn
Robin Crittenden says
I don’t have one but bought a a ninja 3 in one cooker off QVC and really like it. You can use as a stovetop burner, low, med and high, slow cooker, buffet and oven. Comes with pans and cookbook, so far I really like it. Definitely will this summer. Did great job with prime rib at Christmas. Next test is baking brownies.
Will check out the Nesco.
Judy H says
Neat! I bet that would make a nice deep lasagna! I LOVE lasagna and have several recipes that I fall back on depending on what type we want. My favorite is a traditional lasagna with homemade ricotta. Just looking at your roaster made me crave lasagna! LOL!
Judy H says
Oh, I forgot to say –
Down here in the muggy heat area of Texas, a lot of people have ovens in their garages. When we moved I brought our old oven (which was only about three years old) and had my hubby put it in the garage. I use it regularly – any time I need to cook two dishes simultaneously at different temperatures and especially in the hot and humid summer months. I used it just last night to cook a spinach side dish while cooking the meat in my kitchen oven. I can definitely see how having a roaster would be helpful – especially to somebody without a second oven, but even to me! My daughter lives in an apartment and her oven is small. I bet she’d like a roaster! 🙂