Granite Ware Roaster – Steel Wrapped in Porcelain
Written: Dec 30 '03 (Updated Jun 21 '04)
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Pros: Granite Ware lasts and lasts, evenly heats and browns.
Cons: Label says pan holds 20-pound poultry; will not fit an 18-pound bird.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is roasting and browning nicely in this Granite Ware pan.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Granite Ware Oval Roasting Pan 19-In. |
My mother loves the old, dented Granite Ware roasting pan she’s used for over 40 years. She had been looking for a replacement pan the same large size as her old roaster. Awhile ago I found the closest equivalent that I could find to her old Granite Ware roasting pan, though it’s smaller.
Granite Ware roasters are built to last, as you can tell from my mother’s 40-year experience with her old Granite Ware roaster. And she’s not throwing the old roaster away since the roaster can easily fit a 22-pound turkey. The new roaster fits an 18-pound turkey, but the lid doesn’t quite cover the bird!
Looks ... and What’s Granite Ware?
Granite Ware is made from porcelain overlaid steel and is speckled with white. This roaster is a black color. With all the abuse the old roaster took, it only has one dented side ... and the material has not cracked, though the enamel shows signs of wearing in spots. I’m not about to test the new roaster by denting it ... but I’m willing to assume that today’s Granite Ware is just as durable. The same company has been making these roasters since 1871.
A unique feature to this Granite Ware roasting pan is the tree-shaped design embossed on the bottom. This embossing allows the meat to rest above the bottom of the pan and offers a “well” where meat juices collect. Since this roaster has a steel core, it distributes heat for faster cooking and more evenly browns the bird.
Another great bonus is that this roaster comes with a lid. My mother definitely wanted a roaster with a lid. When the lid is in place, it forms a dome over the pan’s contents. This dome helps to baste the meat inside. Since my mother primarily uses her roaster for oven-cooking turkey or chicken, this lid helps baste the bird. It doesn’t eliminate the need for hand basting, but it helps keep the bird moister during cooking. When the roaster isn’t in use, simply invert the lid so that the dome nests inside the pan. This reduces the amount of storage space needed.
The label affixed to the Granite Ware roaster says that the pan will accommodate up to 20-pounds of poultry. Yet the cooking.com website states the roaster will hold 17.5-pounds of poultry. We agree with the cooking.com website. An 18-pound turkey is a bit too big for the pan so that the lid doesn’t rest flush. The roasting pan dimensions are 19 inches x 13.5 inches x 8.5 inches high (measurement includes the handle on top of the lid).
Are There Limitations to Its Use?
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. And while I think it’s a bit silly for the label to mention it ... it’s not recommended that you drop the roaster on a hard surface. (My mother can’t recall how the dent occurred in our old roaster, but I have a feeling it met with one of those forbidden hard surfaces.) Since the roaster becomes hot to the touch, it’s practical to use ovenmitts or potholders when removing the roaster from the oven.
Cleaning the Roaster
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.
A Roaster by Any Other Name – Or Size
Ironically, while writing this review, a new catalog (The Home Marketplace) arrived in the mail. And guess what? Featured on one of the pages is a Granite Ware roasting pan that holds a 22-pound turkey or 25-pound roast.
Summary
I can remember my grandmother using a Granite Ware roasting pan, and my mother still likes her dented 40-year-old Granite Ware roaster. While my mother is happy with the new smaller Granite Ware roasting pan, I know she would enjoy owning the larger Granite Ware roaster. So I’m upgrading her. After all, cooking a 22-pound bird for family gatherings in a roomy roaster is better than trying to squeeze an 18-pound bird in too small a roasting pan. Of course, we could always press the old dented pan into service, but a new large Granite Ware roaster would make my mother smile. The way Granite Ware lasts, I have no doubt that these pans will eventually find their way into a future generation of cooking service.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
This roaster is made in the USA. The address listed on the label is:
Columbian Home Products
1600 Beech Street
Terre Haute, IN 47804
The Granite Ware roaster I purchased is labeled that it lasts a “lifetime”, but it does not come with a written warranty.
Update June 21, 2004
I purchased the larger Granite Ware roaster for my mother, and she loves it. This smaller roaster is still used; however, the larger roaster is now the official turkey pan. You can read about the larger Granite Ware Rectangle Roaster by clicking on the link below. Happy Cooking!
Please read my other reviews:
Granite Ware Large Rectangle Roaster -- holds a 22-pound turkey!
Trudeau Polypropylene Cutting Board
Calphalon Flat Whisk
Rubbermaid Stain Shield Round 1.1 Quart Storage Container
Rubbermaid Space-Saver Dish Drainer
Le Creuset Bean Pot with recipe
T-Fal Perfection Saute Pan
Calphalon Professional Non-stick Sauce Pan
Pyrex 4-cup Glass Measuring Cup
Amco 4-cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup
GE Top Freezer Refrigerator
Maytag Gemini Oven
Copyright 2003 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 19.99
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