Granite Ware Roaster – Large Enough to Cook a Turkey
Written: Jun 19 '04 (Updated Jun 19 '04)
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Pros: Granite Ware is durable, evenly heats, lid inverts in pan bottom for more compact storage.
Cons: This is a big roaster that will not fit in every oven.
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line looks right at home in this roomy roasting pan. Shall I cook it at 350 degrees?
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Columbian Home Products Covered Rectangle Roaster ... |
I had purchased my mother an oval Granite Ware roasting pan that I thought would be big enough for a turkey. She had an old Granite Ware pan that could hold a turkey, but it was dented and had seen many years of use. The oval pan, however, was not large enough to hold a good-size turkey. We usually cook a turkey between 20 to 22 pounds. Then I discovered the Colombian Home Products Granite Ware Covered Rectangle Roaster.
Description
This Granite Ware roaster is square with handles on the sides. The color is black, and the roaster is speckled with white. It is made from porcelain overlaid steel and is durable. The roaster has two pieces: the lid and a bottom. This rectangular pan has rounded edges. The entire roaster (with the lid on and measuring the handles) is 20 1/2" long x 14" wide x 8 1/2" high.
The lid has a flat top with two rectangular grooves on the top. The rectangular grooves look like one smaller rectangle inside a larger rectangle. Measuring the lid, the length is 20" from handle end to handle end. It is 13 1/4" wide and 4" deep. The handles are shaped like the handles on coffee mugs, a D-shape. Each handle opening is 1 3/4" wide x 3 1/4" long. Around the bottom of the lid is a turned-up edge about a 1/4" deep. When the lid is turned upside-down, it nestles into the bottom of the pan. It’s not a flush fit, though ... so the inverted lid will not keep dust out of the bottom section.
The bottom of the pan resembles the lid in that it has a square bottom with two grooved rectangle designs, one rectangle inside the other. There are also two handles at either end in D-shapes. The bottom measures 20 1/2" long from handle end to handle end. It is 14" wide x 4 1/2" deep. Along the top of the bottom section is a walled rim. When the lid is set into the bottom section, the walled rim keeps the lid in place so that it doesn’t slide off the pan.
A clever design is that the two sets of “ears” match when the top rests on the bottom of the pan. This allows both sets of handles to be grabbed, which keeps the bottom and top of the pan together, avoiding a nasty accident. The last thing anyone needs is to have the top and bottom unexpectedly separating. Allowing both sets of handles to be held is a great safety feature.
Our Experiences
We have family gatherings twice or three times a year where we cook a large turkey for the family. The turkey usually averages 22 pounds ... we like leftovers! We have no trouble cooking a turkey that big in this roaster.
My mother is the official turkey queen. Hmmm ... maybe I should rephrase that. She has been officially nominated by every member in the family to remove the turkey innards and prepare the bird for cooking. Lucky her. While her back was turned we made this a permanent post that cannot be transferred. We want her to feel special. Don’t you agree she’s lucky?
When the turkey has been cleaned and is ready for the pan, we place a Farberware Ultrapro Non-Stick Turkey Lifter in the bottom of the roaster. Then we set the turkey on the non-stick lifter. The Faberware Turkey Lifter is a great device that allows easy transfer of the turkey from the pan to a platter ... just pull upward on the Turkey Lifter handles, and the bird comes out of the roaster. The Granite Ware pan is very durable, and the non-stick lifter does not hurt the finish in any way.
This roaster is plenty big enough for both the Farberware lifter and the turkey. And the roaster does a fabulous job of evenly cooking the bird. The lid also helps to self-baste the bird. We still use a hand-baster to keep the turkey moist during cooking, but we do not have to baste as often with this lid design. With the handles on the sides of the roaster (instead of a handle centered on the top), there is more vertical room in the oven for this large pan. We have a Gemini double-oven range, and the bottom oven is plenty big enough to accommodate this cookware.
While the roaster itself is easy to hold and carry by the handles, one thing to be careful of is that a 22-pound turkey in this roaster is heavy. The pan handles are sturdy and support the pan’s contents. However, hoisting this pan out of the oven will require some muscle. While my mother is designated as the turkey-preparer, my brother is the family turkey-roasting-pan lifter-upper and my father is the turkey carver. Me? I’m the taste tester, of course!
What’s Granite Ware?
In case you are not familiar with the term Granite Ware ... the same company has been making Granite Ware roasters since 1871. My grandmother used a Granite Ware roaster, too. It’s something that is as much a tradition in our kitchen as is a turkey at Thanksgiving.
The most defining feature of these roasters is the white speckled look. Since this roaster has a steel core, it distributes heat for faster cooking. It more evenly browns the bird, too. The material is durable. Even my mother’s ancient Granite Ware roaster, though it has one dent and the enamel shows some signs of wear, the material has not cracked. The dented roaster can still be used.
Granite Ware properties help the cookware to resist staining, scratching, chipping, cracking, and warping. The roaster will also rest denting. However, while this roaster is well-made and very durable, it will dent under certain circumstances.
The manufacturer has designed the lid of the roaster to be used as it’s own roasting pan. We have never used the lid in this fashion, but it’s nice that the option is available. This roaster is not just for cooking turkey; it can also accommodate up to a 25-pound roast. The lid can also be inverted in the roaster to save on storage space.
The Granite Ware roaster is designed for oven use. The directions caution not to use the roaster on a glass cooktop. Also, the manufacturer cautions not to heat the roaster when it is empty. Also do not drop the roaster (as it might dent) and use oven mitts or potholders when handling it’s hot surface.
Cleaning the Roaster
Kitchenetc says this roaster is dishwasher safe. However, the manufacturer recommends hand-washing the Granite Ware roaster. I always hand-wash the roaster. After cooking, remove the pan’s contents (meat, bones, juice). We let the roaster soak in Dawn dishwashing liquid to help lift the grease away from the roaster’s surface. Then we wash the roaster in hot, soapy water. This pan cleans very easily. We’ve never had a problem with meat sticking to the pan’s surface. Simply wash and rinse the pan – no elbow grease required.
Granite Ware – Small Roaster or Larger Roaster
I first purchased my mother the Granite Ware Oval Roaster, but it proved too small to cook a turkey. So shortly after I purchased the small roaster, I bought her this larger Granite Ware Roaster. Please click on the link to read my review of the Granite Ware Oval Roaster. If you are not cooking a large turkey, this smaller roaster might be a better choice for you. For one thing, this larger roaster will not fit in all ovens because of it’s large size.
Summary
I bought this Granite Ware Rectangle Roaster at Kitchenetc.com for $24.99. My mother is delighted with the gift. She keeps the new roaster in the Kitchenetc box and has a special place for it in the basement. It’s a large roaster to store, and downstairs is the best place as there is no room in the kitchen for it. She loves the roaster, enjoys cooking turkey in it ... and the family enjoys the turkey she cooks!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
This roaster is made in the USA.
Columbian Home Products
1600 Beech Street
Terre Haute, IN 47804
The Granite Ware roaster is labeled that it lasts a “lifetime”, but it does not come with a written warranty.
Please read my other reviews:
Kitchen.etc (online store)
Maytag Gemini Oven
Oneida Premier Flatware
Ginsu 13-piece Knife Set with Wooden Block
Le Creuset Bean Pot with recipe
West Bend Automatic Egg Cooker
Braun Coffee Grinder (and flax seed)
Farberware Cutting Board
Rubbermaid Space-Saver Dish Drainer
Rubbermaid Stain Shield Round 1.1 Quart Storage Container
Sterilite Ultra Storage Drawer
GE Top Freezer Refrigerator
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24.99
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