My Oster Smoker roaster oven is different from my other electric roasters that I have owned in the past. It is slightly smaller, with a 16 Qt capacity, but I get to smoke all kinds of larger meats flawlessly. If you are looking for a way to indulge your guests with authentic flavors this Thanksgiving, then you can try some outdoor turkey smoking.
It takes a bit longer to prepare the food, but definitely adds incredible aromas. There are removable pockets to hold the chips, so it is quite practical to use this electric roaster as a smoker. Add some mesquite and oak, dial it down, and turn it into a real fest for your guests; they will surely come back next Thanksgiving Day.
Oster Smoker Roaster Oven – 16 Quart
- Electric roaster oven can be used as a smoker, roaster, or slow cooker
- The 16-quart roaster holds up to a 20-pound turkey
- Adjustable temperature control from 150 to 450 degrees F
- Removable pockets hold wood chips for outdoor smoking
- Enamel-coated steel roasting pan and rack are removable for easy cleaning
The benefits of having an electric roaster oven includes easy storing when not in use and saving energy. I have too many gadgets in my kitchen and space is certainly a factor when I try to prepare festive food for my guests. In addition, turkey is not the only thing I cook on thanksgiving. Having the roaster oven allows me to use the regular oven for other stuff which helps me to add variety. The Oster smoker oven is portable and just great while cooking turkey, but I have to admit that it is not small enough to keep it on the counter permanently.
Size wise; I never tried any turkey over 18 pounds with this, but it says on the manual that it is good up to 20 pounds. You can add water to the bottom of the roaster pan in Oster roaster. I do this for large meats (not turkey), and it creates all the steam I need. I don’t recommend adding water when it comes to turkey since it creates its own juices. But occasionally you can add red wine to the bottom to change the flavor.
I know most recipes call for preheating the electric roaster but I skip this, since it only takes a few minutes for it to reach to the desired temperature. However, you will sure speed up the cooking time if you do so. I am just not in a hurry on Thanksgiving Day.
The roasting pan comes with a rack, and both of them are removable, which makes it perfect for easy cleaning. I use aluminum foil at the bottom for easy clean-up, but that is totally optional. Operating this electric roaster is simple. It comes with an instruction manual which is easy to read and follow. You can set it up running within a matter of minutes. It is multifunctional; use it as a roaster, smoker, or slow cooker. So far, I had great results with smoking and roasting. However, I am sure you can efficiently use it as a slow cooker too.
What else do I cook with the Oster smoker besides turkey? Too many to list, but beef briskets, potato skins, and whole chickens get too many requests at our home. You can easily cook 10 pounds of pork ribs; inside is spacious. If you adore meat with smoke flavor then you are going to love what Oster roaster offers you.
This unit is specially made for smoking meat. Add some wood chips and you will know what I mean; the meat comes out moist with extra ordinary smoke flavor. I found out that 250°F is the best setting when I am smoking briskets. Anything higher or lower does not cut, but feel free to experiment and let me know below. Just keep in mind that it is so hard to ignite the wood chips if you go less than 250°F. Also, you might need an extension cord to take it out to the backyard while smoking, because the regular cord is not too long.
Features:
- 7 x 24 x 9.8 inches
- Weighs 16.3 pounds
- Enamel coated rack and pan
- Easy cleaning; removable pan and rack
How To Prepare The Turkey To Cook In The Electric Roaster?
Always pad the turkey with paper towel to take off extra humidity especially if it is a frozen one. This step comes right before you season and butter it. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity. Rub olive oil or butter all over the turkey and also in between the skin and the breast. Season according to your taste. Set the Oster Roaster oven to its highest setting.
10-minute preheating is more than enough. Do not touch the pan because you will burn your hands. Now, it is time to transfer the turkey to the Oster Roaster Oven. I suggest you use lifter forks for that. You can also use one of those non-stick wire lifters with the handles, but I like to keep my hands off turkey juice free when picking up the hot turkey. If you are serious about cooking thanksgiving turkey, then a set of stainless-steel lifter forks is a must.
Is It Better To Cook a Large Turkey or Two Smaller Ones?
Small turkeys taste much better than large ones. I have another electric roaster since I like to cook two medium size turkeys at the same time. Extra-large turkeys never come out as tender as the small ones. We have too many guests coming by on Thanksgiving Day, and one turkey is never enough. Cooking two medium size turkeys in simultaneous electric roasters has been the best solution so far.
How Long Does It Take To Cook a Turkey in An Oster Roaster?
It takes about 2 hours for me to cook a 17 pounds turkey with the Oster roaster. However, you can use a special trick if you want to speed up the process even more. Set the Oster roaster to its highest setting and cook the turkey for 30 minutes at this temperature. After 30 minutes, bring it down to 325°F and continue to cook at this setting until its fully done. Your turkey will come out juicy and tender in about an hour and forty minutes this way.
How Do You Know When The Turkey Is Done?
The best way to figure out if the turkey is done is by using a meat thermometer. I suggest you use one even if your electric roaster has a fixed gauge on the lid, since it only shows the overall temperature inside the oven. Make sure you never lift the lid before the turkey is fully cooked, otherwise you will ruin the cooking environment and the steam inside the oven will escape. If the meat thermometer shows 170°F, then it is ready to go to the platter.
In Conclusion
Electric roaster ovens are extremely convenient and simple to operate for cooking various meals. The space around the meat is very limited in a roaster oven, which makes it a perfect environment for thanksgiving turkey. You can use it like any other roasting pan; the only difference is that it can cook large pieces of meat really fast. The Oster Smoker Oven also allows you to smoke meat with wood chips and add delightful flavor. Plus, if you get one of those with the self-basting lid, then your turkey will be extra delicious since it helps to makes the turkey juicier by circulating its own juices inside the oven.
1 thought on “Cook the Best Smoking Turkey – Oster Smoker Roaster Oven”