The Romertopf #117 clay roaster has a capacity of 6.5 quarts and can hold up to 17.5 pounds perfect for holiday gatherings and Thanksgiving dinner. The clay roaster works a bit differently than a traditional roaster with the open rack by circulating air internally to achieve more even cooking and retain moisture. Turkeys cook especially well in the clay bakers as they naturally seal in moisture and nutrients.

The #117 roaster will hold up to a 17 pound turkey perfect for large gatherings and family dinners, although room needs to be left for air to circulate within the roaster. Unlike traditional roasting pans the clay does not need any additional water or stock to retain moisture. The water soaked into the clay roaster before cooking will supply that moisture.

The clay roaster should be soaked in water for 10 minutes prior to use to allow the pores to soak in the water to be released in the cooking process creating an extremely moist bird. Always place the clay roaster into a cold oven and allow the turkey to be heated slowly with the roasting pan. An extreme change in heat may cause undue cracking of the clay. This is the only down side to using a clay roaster. Any recipe can be adapted for clay roasters by adding around 20% to the temperature and cooking time. Clay rosters bring higher nutrient content and healthier dinners to the table by sealing in the nutrients and not letting them cook away. This is especially nice during the holidays as we tend to gorge ourselves on large meals and delectable desserts.

Clay pans are a great alternative to traditional roasting methods, but are not the norm, at least not yet. With proper care and cleaning the clay roaster will bring years of delicious and healthy food to your home and family.

Stainless steel roasting pans are popular as they are easy to clean and very durable. Another closed roaster is the The Prime Pacific 2 in 1 roaster which gives the ability to roast a 20 pound turkey and the lid doubles as a roaster for vegetables or as an au gratin pan. Two pieces of cookware for one low price!

The handles are riveted on to ensure strength and years of use, and they have a molded seal to prevent loss of moisture content. Stainless steel roasters and stainless steel in general heats less quickly than copper or aluminum, so additional time may need to be added to completely cook the turkey. Use an instant thermometer to be sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees. Simply leave the turkey in a little longer to reach this temperature.

Stainless steel is extremely strong and adds to the value of the roaster. Stainless steel can be more expensive, but the quality is well worth the extra money. The cookware and roasters made from stainless steel last for a life time and can be handed down between generations with proper care and storage practices.

These roasters don’t have to be used for turkey roasting. Two small to medium chickens will fit inside of the 17.5 pound Romertopf clay roaster with ease along with all of the vegetables and potatoes. The Prime Pacific stainless steel roaster comes with a removable rack that could be used to steam large portions of fish. Don’t forget the lid doubles as a pan for any number of uses, from casseroles for reunions to vegetables and baked pasta dishes.

Roasting pans are an investment and the type, style and material all play a part in quality cookware. Examine the details of each pan and decide if the qualities and features are what you need, quality is always a better choice than cheap. The stainless steel and clay roasting pans are great additions to a seasoned cook’s kitchen or one just getting started and both will last a life time with a little time and care.