Well, I have an 18 quart and I have the 6 quart. It's the most regularly used appliance in my house next to those used for roasting and brewing coffee. I use the 18 quart for stock because I have cattle and chickens and make a lot of stock from the bones and can it. I put the bones of either in the big roaster, add my vegetables (onion, celery, carrot) and seasonings (bay leaf, salt, pepper), and roast the whole thing at 400 or 450 for a couple of hours, then add water to cover the bones and let it simmer all day, sometimes all night. The longer you cook, of course, the more flavorful the stock is. I also use the 18 quart to make things like scalloped potatoes, baked beans, sloppy joes for family parties and I use it to roast turkey or ham when my oven is busy at said parties. That happens a lot. I use the 6 quart in place of the crock pot a lot of the time. There is a learning curve, I've found that the "slow cook" setting on the Nesco is still too hot for my liking, so I turn it down further. That's the beauty of it, it can be adjusted for temperature instead of the mostly high/low crockpot type settings. I don't sear a roast in mine, the heat is on the sides and so it's not great for that, but I just plop it in with no liquid and roast it, then add whatever else I want and turn the heat down for a slow roast. The advantages of different sizes depends on the volume of cooking/product. I use the big one and I use the 6 quart but I don't really need anything smaller or larger, those do what I want them to. I can also put either on the back porch in the summer time to avoid any heat in my kitchen, as I do not have air conditioning, and I can bake in them in lieu of turning on an oven. I've baked brownies and banana bread, and used the small one as a bain marie for cheesecakes although you have to cover the tops to avoid condensation dripping onto the tops from the lid. I do know that others have the fan in theirs and love it, but I've never used one with that option, so I can't help you there. I love my roasters, the 6 quart gets a regular workout and the 18 quart is a lifesaver for big gatherings, I highly recommend them. Annie

liz, Amanda has a Hamilton Beach and Elery has a different brand, I don't remember. They both had an odor when first purchased and instructions on Amanda's did say that there would be an initial odor, and it should be heated before use. You won't harm the oven by heating it with nothing in it any more than you would hurt your oven by preheating. In essence, it's an oven. I wouldn't give it more than half an hour or so, though, I think that should do it. Annie

Thank you for all the advice. I was shocked not to have too much smell from the roaster. I set it in the garage, door partly open, oiled pan inside and turned it on. I ran it at about 350 for a couple of hours and then turned it all the way up for about half an hour. I didn't smell anything when I turned it off so hopefully all the nasties are gone and I'm ready for my turkey bones.

Thanks plllog.........For now and to the near future, we go elsewhere for Thanksgiving. For Christmas I only have 4-5 people and we have a standing rib roast and a tofurkey. Your idea of using it for a warming oven is a good idea. Do you know if a 9x13 pan would fit into the 12 qt? Seems like the 12 qt are only available online, so I can't go somewhere and actually look at it. I suppose I could order it online from a nearby store and return it if it's not what I wanted......but I'd rather guess right the first time. I'm so used to using the stovetop and the oven, it's hard for me to think in terms of anything besides those. Initially, I mostly wanted it for a second oven. At Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, my DD is a vegan and she likes to make her own stuff......which means I have to work around her with our non-vegan stuff, and really need a second oven. I'm just having a hard time picturing the size of each of them. But I would like one that fits a 9x13 dish, and also could keep a few smaller things warm. Sorry if I'm being so anal. hahaha I order lots of things online, and I can't feel/see them like I can in the stores. Thanks for your help!