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Pros and Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster -Best Things to Know

Pros and Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster -Best Things to Know

A turkey roaster is an oven used to roast, cook, steam, slow cook, or bake a turkey. The appliance is significant in time-saving and provides well-cooked or baked turkey due to its timer.

Whenever I cook my turkey using the roaster, I guarantee the dish doesn’t get overcooked, and the flavor will be superbly great!

Pros and Cons of Using a Turkey Roaster

Using a turkey roaster has several benefits, including shortening the time taken, even cooking, and ease of baking your turkey. However, it also has countable disadvantages, including cleaning difficulties, high buying costs, and unusable for small quantities of turkey meat. Nevertheless, the pros and cons mentioned above are not the only ones present, as you will notice as you continue reading.

Pros & Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster
Pros & Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster

How to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster

If you’re from North America, you probably have not escaped some days in a year when there are some holidays like Thanksgiving.

However, this isn’t the only time turkey is eaten, and North America isn’t the only continent that loves turkeys!

Circling back to how I cook my turkey in a roaster, I have a short, simple procedure that anyone would follow.

The outcome is great, and you’ll like it! Here are a few tips on how to do it.

Ingredients

  • A small sliced onion,
  • 4.5 to 5.5 kg bronze turkey whose giblets are removed,
  • A single stuffing quantity,
  • Fresh bay leaves,
  • A whole nutmeg,
  • A glass of red wine, and
  • About 10 rashers of streaky bacon

Method

  • Step 1: Begin by heating the roaster oven to a temperature of about 374 °F.
  • Step 2: Place the sprig and the onion in the opening between the legs. At the neck end, pack half of the stuffing and push it towards the turkey breast. Now secure the neck skin using the skewers. Also, tie the legs together at the top.
  • Step 3: Use the weighing balance in your kitchen to determine the weight of the turkey. That is significant in determining the cooking time. It would take approximately 40 minutes per kilo for the first 4 kg, and there after 45 minutes per extra kilo.
  • Step 4: Place a wide foil sheet on a large roasting tin. Place your turkey on the top and smear butter on the breasts.
  • Step 5: Grate about half of your nutmeg on top of the butter-smeared turkey and season well. Now use the bacon to cover the breast further and sprinkle wine on top. Enclose the turkey using foil paper to cover the top.
  • Step 6: Place the turkey into the roaster oven and let it cook for approximately 90 minutes.
  • Step 7: Open your foil and discuss excess fat and bacon from the tin. Let the foil paper remain open and place the turkey back into the roaster for browning. Let it cook for about 30 minutes.
  • Step 8: Push a skewer deep into the thickest part of the thigh to check whether it is fully cooked. The fluid should be clear. If pinkish, cook for an extra 15 minutes.
  • Step 9: Now transfer your turkey pig-in-blankets and stuffing to a platter and cover it with foil paper. Place several tea towels on top and let it stay enclosed for about 30 minutes. That allows your turkey to get juicy.
Turkey is the star of the show during holidays like Thanksgiving.
Turkey is the star of the show during holidays like Thanksgiving.

Pros of Using a Turkey Roaster

While it’s one choice to choose the method of cooking their turkey, roasting is the best for me. I use a turkey roaster oven, and I have several reasons for this choice.

My top reasons for preferring a turkey roaster oven to cook the big bird are;

1. Reduced Cooking Time

 It’s simple and easy to regulate temperatures, especially for electric roasters, making it easy to set the right temperatures to cook the turkey fast. Hence, it reduces cooking time by approximately 40 minutes.

Turkey takes longer to cook in an oven compared to a turkey roaster.
Turkey takes longer to cook in an oven compared to a turkey roaster.

2. Safe to Use

Thanks to the growing technology, one of the best safety ways to do your cooking in a modern kitchen is using electric appliances. An electric turkey roaster guarantees your safety!

3. Even Cooking

One of the things I fear most when cooking my turkey is having some parts overcooked and others undercooked. A turkey roaster solves this problem by ensuring even cooking throughout the process.

4. Cooks in Bulk

I never worry that my turkey is too huge or I have many guests. That’s because my turkey roaster is big enough to roast a giant turkey.

Turkey Roasters also ensure even cooking.
Turkey Roasters also ensure even cooking.

Cons of Using a Turkey Roaster

Despite the pros discussed above, the turkey roaster has a few disadvantages that could make it unattractive at some point. These drawbacks include;

1. Expensive

Electrical roasters come at a high purchase cost and require an electrical outlet. Thus, they might not be an available option to everyone.

2. Hard to Clean

One thing that limits me from using the roaster is the later work of cleaning it. Cleaning a roaster after using it takes too much time and work.

3. It’s Too Bulky

Whether you are focused on where to position your roaster appliance or the size of your turkey, the machine is bulky.

For example, it would seem a waste to cook a small turkey or any other meal using the bulky roaster. Again, it also consumes a lot of space in your kitchen.

A turkey roaster can be a bulky appliance in a small kitchen.
A turkey roaster can be a bulky appliance in a small kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions to Pros & Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster

Is Water Necessary in a Roaster Oven When Roasting a Turkey?

Adding water isn’t necessary when cooking a turkey using a roaster oven. That’s because if the lid is fixed correctly, the turkey will self-baste and cook with its juices.

How Long Would It Take Me to Roast a Turkey?

Roasting a turkey using an electric roaster could take approximately 40 minutes for the first 4 kilos and 45 minutes for each extra kilo. You could then brown the turkey for about 20 to 30 minutes.

What’s The Most Annoying Thing About Using a Turkey Roaster?

Cleaning a turkey roaster after use is one of the most annoying things after a nice meal. Creating every part of the roaster after use takes time and a lot of work.

Pros and Cons Of Using A Turkey Roaster

Pros:

  • shortening the time taken
  • even cooking
  • ease of baking your turkey

Cons:

  • cleaning difficulties
  • high buying costs
  • unusable for small quantities of turkey meat