Do a search for "nesco" on the entire site (not just KT). There is a lot of discussion on several forums about electric roasters.

I own Nesco roasters only, 2-4qts. 2-6qts. and 2-18qts. Did just give one of the 18qts. to my brother for church run functions. I have never cooked a turkey in the 18qts. but have used it to bake in, as a buffet server, (have buffet inserts for both 18qts.) Just used mine this weekend to keep hotdogs HOT after grilling them. We had a large crosscountry meet, grilled and sold close to 300 "dogs" Ran the Nesco and a steamer on a generator. The smaller Nescos get used often, for stews, sloppy joes, roasted chicken, meatloaf, just did a pot roast in a 6qt. this week.

So lots of use for the smaller ones but the only few times a year for the larger one. But must say my brother has used the one I gave him more often and he has only had it 3 months. He and his wife both told me they like the Nesco over the less expensive one their church owns.

You do need storage space for the roasters, and the 18 qt. is not light weight.

Sue

I have two big electric roasters, a Nesco and a Rival. I also have the buffet inserts for them. I can't tell you right now the size as I am upstairs. They do cook a turkey well. I used to use them a lot when my oven was not working. I used mine in the garage on a base cabinet as they do take up a lot of room. I also baked other things in them, sweet potatoes and most things that I would bake in a regular oven. I did not care for them for pies or rolls. We used them a lot too when we had an open house for Amber and Mike and served lots of hot things for people to eat, sloppy joes, barbecue and hot dogs.

Sue

Through the years we have had one that we could borrow at any time we needed...but didn't have to store! ;) We have used it for many gatherings...Confirmations, graduations, KT gatherings! This year we got a good bargain on a 18 qt roaster so we bought our own.

I have never made a turkey in one, so this years will be the first for that, but anxious to have it here for the convenience of having...at least the warming use of it. Ours also has the buffet dividers...I think that will be very nice also.

There's Roaster on the cover of the Target Ad this week for $27. It's a Oster 18 Qt.

I assume not everyone's ads are alike but you may want to check your local ad if you're thinking of buying one.

As a guideline, 1# to 1 qt is a good guideline but I wouldn't say it's a limitation. I have a 4 qt and a 6 qt and put 7-8# turkey breasts in the 6 qt all the time. Nesco, as I recall says an 18 qt will handle up to a 20# turkey (or maybe more, I don't recall for sure but I know Virginia Olson always said it would handle a larger one), but I know a lot of people have put 22#+ birds in theirs. The issue isn't weight, it can handle it, it's the volume. You want a little air space for circulation. An even bigger bird could be cut up and put in there and roasted in pieces if you wanted to.

I don't recall the brand of roaster my mother had. Dad gave it to me after she died, then my sister borrowed it and never gave it back! It was a little bigger, probably 22 qt? But we had some huge birds in there and they were always fabulous. I grew up with that and that's why I'm such a fan of electric roasters.

I've read and talked to people who have compared Nesco to the cheaper brands and Nesco usually comes out the winner, BUT, for an occasional use, hey, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a cheaper one. I do like the features of Nesco with the options of the buffet server, the Roast-Air option and the like but for a basic turkey roaster, like I said, I wouldn't hesitate to get a cheaper one.

I see 16 qt, 18 qt, 20 qt and 22 qt depending on the brand (for the larger ones). Nesco now makes 5, 6, 12 & 18 qt.

Other uses? It's an oven. Anything you can put in an oven can go in the roaster. Anything you can do in a slow cooker you can do, and usually better in the electric roaster. For me the large one isn't practical very often so I have the smaller ones. I don't do whole turkeys or huge batches of soup, stew, chili, brats, hot dogs, double pans of lasagna, massive amounts of burgers, etc. Here's some other recipe ideas for the roaster that should give you some ideas on what you could use it for.

Whether it'll collect dust depends on the individual person. Some would never use a microwave, a KitchenAid mixer, a blender or other items that others use daily. If you limit your possibilities on uses, you won't use it much but if you think of it as an oven+ you'll probably get a lot of use out of it. If however you only make small batches except for holidays, well then it could likely be used less. Then get a smaller one if you want. You need to examine your needs.

I have a Rival. I bought it at a "Black Friday" sale several years ago.

Works great - and I am sure it was well under $30.

I have used it for soups, roasts, serving loose meat,etc., but never a turkey! I will have to try that. Works great for making lots of roast beef.

I have one don't remember the brand but all the discount stores have them on sale for $30 or less this time of year. I bought mine at Walmart for a little over $30 just don't remember exactly...

and yes they do a Turkey until it's tender, juicy, and delish. If you have ever used a cooking bag, it's the same type of roast. I've heard that they don't brown like in the oven, but mine are always brown enough for me.

I have never had a roaster, but my daughter has 3 that are at least 18 qt or larger. Other than the usual turkey, Christmas ham, New Years Pork and 'kraut, Easter Legs of Lamb family feasts, they are great for canning season. She hosts the family applesauce and spaghetti sauce making parties every fall. The apples and sauce making ingredients are cooked down in the roasters. This years applesauce making day netted 92 pints of sauce. Spaghetti/pizza sauce day netted 40 quarts of s.sauce and 33 pints of p. sauce. Of course it helps that there is a very large picnic shelter for all the helpers to work in and lots of electric outlets for the necessary equipment.

Nesco, I've had it for nearly 20 years and love it! I think it is the 18 quart. There is a fan attachment that I can put on the lid to crisp the skin of the bird.

I have one and love it too, mine was a gift from my sister for Christmas one year. She had one and I commented to her how useful it was and the next year she gave me one!
They make a beautiful turkey and you can make huge batches of stuff in them, I have made soup, gumbo, dirty rice, jambalaya, etc. Plus it works great as a warmer to keep things warm at an event or party. I too have the warmer trays that go on the top to serve from, that was a gift from my other sister.

Mine is a GE I know they got it all at Walmart, I have seen them there in the past. My friend saw mine at one of our summer cookouts and loved it she went to walmart and got one just like it. They sure come in handy when you need to use the regular ovens for other dishes. Only problem is they are large and take up a lot of storage space, I keep mine in the original box and store it on our shelves in the garage.

I read on one of the forums that one person takes hers to the screened porch during the summer. She can roast & bake & not heat up the oven.

A lot of people like the Nesco brand. I have been lusting after the largest for a couple of years now, but think I would not use it enough; there are only 2 of us & I can't even gather more than 6 for Thanksgiving. Storage would be a definite problem, too.

I do that, it is a great help during the hot weather. I also have an insert with 3 loaf type pans that converts it to a mini-steam table for a buffet. I love my nesco, no it doesn't sit unused, it is used often.

The 6 qt one is on sale this week for $30 at Winn Dixie.

I think there is a big difference in the roasters and Nesco seems to get the best reviews. I have been told that the coils are on the sides in Nesco and only in the bottom in some of the other brands. I have two 18 qt but only one is Nesco. While the other one is good for some things, I think the Nesco type would be best for baking.

the HEB grocery ad today has a 17qt roaster oven in it for $18.

I purchased a Nesco 18qt a few years back for Thanksgiving.

For years, it was the only way my Mom ever cooked a Holiday meal so I thought I'd try.

After the initial smelly "burn in period" (at least for the Nesco) - it works like a charm with a whole ham & whole turkey breasts (never tried a whole turkey).

This year I'll be doing two 6.5lb Turkey Breasts in it instead of a whole turkey. It's large enough with plenty of room left over to do them both at the same time.

It's almost a set it and forget it kind of thing but not quite. Still - very easy and it frees the oven up for all the sides.

I have a rival and paid $19 dollars for it years ago. I see them everywhere this time of year. Yesterday I cooked a big pork butt roast in mine ......I am making tamales in the next few days and I have to tell you, It will cook a roast till the meat is melt in your mouth tender.

I am so hungry after reading this thread :0)

I own a Showtime Rotissrie. You know "Set it and forget it." I made a turkey in it one Thanksgiving. I had ten peple for dinner. It did a great job on the turkey. My nephew said it was the best he ever ate! Unfortunately, it has since broken so I can't make my turkey that way anymore. This year it's just me and DH. I bought a turkey breast and a package of those oven bags.