Verticle Roaster Results

Lance

Question to the forum:[p]Did using a verticle roaster allow your turkey to cook faster?[p]Did you see a more thoroughly cooked bird?[p]I would like to try this for my next go at a turkey, but I would like to get some of your thoughts first. [p]Thanks!

Buck Shot

Lance,[p]The verticle roaster is a nice toy to have however I do not feel that it is necessary. It may reduce cooking time a little, however size maximum of bird may be smaller that you can fit in the egg. Makes a wonderful presentation after you pull the bird off to carve. I found it better to put some fruit like apples, pears or something in the cavity than a verticle roaster

Spin

Lance,[p]Roasting the bird vertically provides a beautiful skin and a convenient method of presentation and slicing. Cooking times are similar with the vertically cooked bird not requiring to be turned to achieve an even skin coloring.[p]If size is a problem, remove the fire ring from the Egg and place the grill directly on the fire box. Always use a small drip pan (no fire bricks, etc.) under the vertical roaster and add any aromatics to the drip pan rather than the cavity. I use a foil covered metal cake pan as the weight of the bird on the roaster has worn through the cheap foil pans before. I prefer using a lower dome temperature (250-275°F) when cooking. Timing runs in the 20-25 minute per pound range.[p]Spin

Rich

Lance,
For what it's worth, I have used a vertical roaster 3 years in a row and the turkeys turned out great. Rave reviews from all our guests. The cooking time is interesting. I always cook an 18 lb turkey because that is the largest I can fit in the large egg. The first year it took about 4 hours at 325 to 350. The last 2 years it took only 2 hours to get the breasts to 165.
Rich

Ohio Boy in DC

Lance,
Yep...my Vertical Roaster is a Foster's Beer Oil Can size...cut a little bit off butt of the turkey to make sure it's flat....I did two 22lb turkeys at the same time this way