A lot of it depends on what you're using it for. I've never used one with a fan. The regular kind is great as a spare oven if you're having a feast. You can stack up baking dishes to reheat (lasagnas, casseroles, kugels, etc.) if you leave spaces so that there's room for steam to rise from all layers, if they're not full past the top, or if you put in a stand rack. For that, choose the one that fits your largest baking dish.

If you're using it for baked beans, for instance, how big a crowd is coming for barbecue? Or how many quarts do you want to put in the freezer?

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!

There you go! Having talked it through, you have your answer. The size you want fits a 9"x13" baking dish. In fact, I'd say measure your dish so you're sure of the outside dimensions including the molded in handles. I don't know the current sizes of the current models, but I'm sure if someone here doesn't know, you could find out the interior dimensions from the maker's website, from e-mailing them, or from Amazon. If it doesn't show the specs, look in the questions and reviews, and if it doesn't say there, you can ask a question which will be e-mailed to people who have bought it.

I think it'll be a great supplement for your daughter's extra vegan dishes.

I have a 6 quart and an 18 quart, and a 9x13 will fit in the 18 quart with the rack. The specifications for the 12 quart say that the dimensions of the "cook well" are 10.5x15, so I'm assuming that's inside dimensions. That would give you an inch and a half clearance total or 3/4 inch on each side and 4 inches clearance on the ends, minus any handles. You won't have a lot of room, but you'll have enough, probably, but just barely. It's only 4 inches deep, though, so you won't be able to stack very many dishes for reheating, although it does have a domed lid, which adds a bit of height. Personally, I'd go for the 18 quart, and give myself the room to maneuver containers inside it but you may have storage issues or something that will sway you to the smaller size.

Annie

Remember that the rack inside the oven requires space so the interior dimensions of the cookwell don't tell you the whole story. I have an 18 qt. and have never, ever wished that it was any smaller. Plenty of times, I wished it was bigger. The sides of the cookwell get hot and it's real easy to burn yourself when you start trying to nudge dishes around inside of it. Lifting dishes loaded on the rack into & out of the oven can be pretty tricky so that's why I often will just reach into the oven & grab the casserole/ pan directly to remove it.

And if you plan to use it as a warmer, you'll probably want to get one of the buffet kits. I think those are designed for the 18 qt ovens and probably won't work in the 12 qt.

Thanks everyone! Your input has helped. The deed is done. I bought an 18 qt one.

Actually, I've been trying to figure out who has the least expensive one that can be ordered from a local brick and mortar store, in case there's problems. I remembered (before I had considered an 18 qt), that Menards had one in their store. So I went to look at it, and it was even on sale! So......I got it! .....for $40.00. It looks great. My only concern is that the cookwell (which is supposed to be porcelain), doesn't have those speckles in it like porcelain/enamel usually does). I would not want Nonstick coating. But it appears as though the 18 qt Nonstick cookwell has a different model number........so I think I'm safe. (I worry about nonstick stuff for health reasons).

I still have to smoke it out. It's around 5 degrees out here and I don't want to stress it in my old chicken coop (no chickens left...big shed with a cement floor and windows), so I'll wait until the temp goes up a bit.

I'm really glad I decided on the larger one. I even have a larger-than- 9x13 glass dish and it fits in there too.

So thanks to everyone who helped me think this through!

Porcelain enamel only has speckles if they're put there for decor. Graniteware is known for their speckles. Perhaps in days gone by there were more speckles because it was harder to keep the colors separate. I always think of it as an old timey look. The roasters I've used have solid color enamel interiors.

Like plllog, my porcelain enameled Nesco roaster has a solid colored (black) enamel interior. If it doesn't say "non stick", it probably isn't.

Congratulations on your good buy!

Annie

Thanks plllog and annie!