Best Electric Roaster Ovens for Turkey and a Crowd
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Every big holiday meal runs into the same wall. The turkey needs the oven for hours. So do the stuffing and the potatoes and the pie. One oven. Five dishes. Something has to give.
An electric roaster oven is the fix. It is a big lidded pan with its own heating element. It cooks a whole turkey on the counter and frees your main oven for everything else. After dinner it switches to a warm setting and holds food for the buffet.
Here are the roasters we would look at and how to pick the right size.
Our top picks
Paid links. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. We chose these from specs and owner feedback, not our own testing. Photos show the type of gear, not the exact product.
Large
Best overall for a big turkeyHamilton Beach 22 Quart Roaster OvenA 22 quart roaster from a brand most kitchens know.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Dan Bock, CC BY 2.0- Best for the biggest crowdsSunvivi 26 Quart Roaster Oven with Viewing LidA 26 quart roaster with a see through lid so you can check the bird without letting heat out.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Dan Bock, CC BY 2.0
Mid size
- Best mid size roasterSunvivi 18 Quart Roaster OvenAn 18 quart roaster with a self basting lid and a removable pan.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Dan Bock, CC BY 2.0
- Best simple roasterProctor Silex 18 Quart Roaster OvenA no fuss 18 quart roaster with one dial from 125 to 450°F.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: Dan Bock, CC BY 2.0
Thermometer
Best partner for any roasterTempPro TP19H Instant Read ThermometerA roaster cooks a little differently from your oven.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓Photo: psd, CC BY 2.0
In this guide
What size roaster do you need
Size is the first decision. Roasters are sold by quarts and by the largest turkey they hold.
- 18 quart roasters fit a turkey of about 18 to 24 pounds. That is plenty for most family dinners.
- 22 quart roasters fit about 22 to 28 pounds. Pick this size for a crowd or a big bird.
- 26 quart and up fit about 30 pounds. Few homes need this unless you host very large groups.
Think about storage too. A 22 quart roaster is a bulky box with a lid on top. Measure the cupboard before you buy.
Our picks
Hamilton Beach 22 Quart Roaster Oven
A 22 quart roaster from a brand most kitchens know. Hamilton Beach says it holds a turkey up to 28 pounds. The self basting lid sends moisture back onto the meat. It is the safe choice for a large family Thanksgiving.
What to like
- Fits a very large turkey
- Self basting lid
- Well known brand
Watch out for
- Large to store
- Outside gets hot in use
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Sunvivi 26 Quart Roaster Oven with Viewing Lid
A 26 quart roaster with a see through lid so you can check the bird without letting heat out. It has defrost and warm settings. The maker says it fits a 30 pound turkey. It also bakes and slow cooks for a crowd.
What to like
- Very large capacity
- Viewing lid
- Defrost and warm settings
Watch out for
- Huge to store
- Pan coating needs gentle cleaning
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Sunvivi 18 Quart Roaster Oven
An 18 quart roaster with a self basting lid and a removable pan. The dial runs from 150 to 450°F. It is a good fit for an average family turkey and handy for ham and roasts the rest of the year.
What to like
- Good everyday size
- Removable pan
- Wide heat range
Watch out for
- Not for very large birds
- Handles get warm
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Proctor Silex 18 Quart Roaster Oven
A no fuss 18 quart roaster with one dial from 125 to 450°F. The maker says it fits a 24 pound turkey. A lift out rack makes it easier to get the bird out in one piece.
What to like
- Simple single dial
- Lift out rack
- Fits a 24 pound turkey
Watch out for
- No viewing window
- Basic features only
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TempPro TP19H Instant Read Thermometer
A roaster cooks a little differently from your oven. So a thermometer matters even more. This one reads in about a second and has a backlit screen that turns for left or right hands. Check the thigh and the wing and the breast.
What to like
- Fast reading
- Backlit screen
- Easy to store
Watch out for
- Needs batteries
- Not a leave in probe
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| Pick | Best for | Main plus | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 22 Quart Roaster Oven | Best overall for a big turkey | Fits a very large turkey | Large to store |
| Sunvivi 26 Quart Roaster Oven with Viewing Lid | Best for the biggest crowds | Very large capacity | Huge to store |
| Sunvivi 18 Quart Roaster Oven | Best mid size roaster | Good everyday size | Not for very large birds |
| Proctor Silex 18 Quart Roaster Oven | Best simple roaster | Simple single dial | No viewing window |
| TempPro TP19H Instant Read Thermometer | Best partner for any roaster | Fast reading | Needs batteries |
How we chose
We haven’t tested these roasters in our own kitchen. We chose them from maker specs and from patterns in owner feedback. We looked for clear turkey sizes from the maker. We looked for a removable pan and a lift out rack because a hot 20 pound bird is hard to handle. We left out roasters where owners often reported hot spots or lids that did not fit well. Our page on how we choose products has the full method.
How to roast a turkey in an electric roaster
- Thaw the turkey fully in the fridge. The USDA says to allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds.
- Preheat the roaster with the lid on. Most makers suggest about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Set the turkey on the rack breast side up. Put the lid on and keep it on.
- Roast at the temperature the maker suggests. Many say 325 to 350°F.
- Start checking the temperature early. Roasters can cook faster than a wall oven.
- The turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh and wing and breast reaches 165°F.
- Rest it for 20 minutes before carving.
Every lift of the lid lets heat out. Resist peeking. That is where a viewing lid helps.
Use it again after dinner
A roaster is not just for turkey. Once the bird is out wash the pan and use it as a big warmer. It holds mashed potatoes or pulled pork or a big batch of chili on the warm setting. The FDA says hot buffet food should stay at 140°F or warmer. Check with a thermometer.
You can also roast a ham or bake potatoes for a crowd. Some hosts make a big pot of soup or cider in it all winter.
FAQ
Does a turkey cook faster in an electric roaster?
It often does. Many owners find it finishes sooner than in a wall oven. Go by temperature and not by the clock. Check from about an hour before the time you expect.
Will the skin get crisp in a roaster?
Less than in a wall oven because the lid holds in steam. For crisper skin take the lid off for the last 30 minutes. Or move the bird to a hot oven for a few minutes once the main oven is free.
Can I cook a frozen turkey in a roaster?
Some roasters have a defrost setting. The safest route is still to thaw the bird in the fridge first. The USDA says a turkey can be cooked from frozen but it takes about 50 percent longer.
Can I put stuffing inside the turkey in a roaster?
The USDA advises cooking stuffing in a separate dish for best safety. If you stuff the bird the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F.
Related guides
- Best food warmers for parties to hold the sides.
- Party food prep timeline for planning a big holiday meal.
- How much food per guest for turkey per person.
- Catering vs DIY party food if you would rather order in.
Sources
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Let’s talk turkey. A consumer guide to safely roasting a turkey.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Serving up safe buffets.
- Maker listings on Amazon for capacities and turkey sizes and heat ranges.
