What is an electric roaster?

An electric roaster is a tabletop cooker that bakes, roasts and keeps food warm while serving. Using a roaster to cook a roast, ham or turkey is a handy way to free up oven space when cooking large amounts of food for holiday meals and parties.

The cooking times for electric roasters usually are the same as for a conventional oven. Roasters operate at a wide range of temperatures, allowing cooks to also use the roasters as slow cookers. Some models include self-basting lids that keep meat moist without opening the unit, preventing heat loss while cooking. Divided buffet servers are available for some models to keep multiple dishes warm while serving.