Do you love meat? To me, finely roasted chicken meat is the highest sensation of happiness.
It often reminds me of my happy childhood, because my mother used to prepare this meal every Sunday, and we would all gather around the table and enjoyed our moment.
She achieved the perfect texture and crispiness while retaining the moisture and taste by utilizing the rotisserie oven to the maximum.
Since now I’m older and make my own meals, I’m on a mission to find the best rotisserie oven money can buy. Here’s how I picked:
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Rank | Image | Product Name | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Editor's Pick | ||
2 | Runner Up | ||
3 | Budget Pick | ||
4 | Upgrade Pick | ||
5 | Other Pick |
What To Look For In Rotisserie Oven?
Every journey begins with the research, and here’s what’s important when considering Rotisserie ovens:
The Easiness Of Usage
Right, and proper Rotisserie has to be easy to use, manipulate and clean. If those terms are not met, it is likely that you will use it less, therefore sending it to the garage to join other appliances you are not using. But, if the machine or device is so easy to use that my niece can (I’m not saying that she will) use it, then it will probably be a part of my daily routine.
Of course, modern science is there to help and make the device equipped with touch screen and fancy digits, and that is awesome. But, if you have to spend half an hour figuring out how to take out a part which will grant you access to the area you should clean, then the touch screen is for nothing.
It is the modern standard that manufacturer provides you with an instruction manual, so that even people who had never used this device can find their way around, and use it appropriately and safely. Most of those manuals are relatively easy to use, and it will not be much of a fuss, but there are some who don't look up to details, so their manuals are quite confusing, and are considered as a minus.
The Materials Used
When it comes to materials which manufacturer had used to make a Rotisserie oven, there are certainly no compromises. I have looked only for the top-notch quality and proper make. This is not because I insist on only the best, but because it is the most economical path to take. Surely, there are cheaper rotisseries out there, but those are made of more inexpensive materials such as aluminum and cheap plastic, which will cut down the serving age to half. This means that you will have to buy another one before you have planned.
Of course, there are those who invest in their manufacturing process, and the high-quality product is what we get while remaining at a low or at least reasonable price.
The quality of these materials is also what affects the quality of the meat you are preparing. Low-cost materials are more likely to dissipate the heat, making your kitchen a hellish space to be in, or it will burn the meat on the outside, leaving it raw on the inside.
The Heat And Temperature
To be honest, chicken, turkey, duck or any other meat which is prepared in whole is not something you can just bake fast. It takes time, sometimes even up to three or even four hours, so the heat must be properly contained.
Luckily, many of the manufacturers now include the circling hot air system in their appliances, and this system was pushed even further, so today is part of a standard procedure of sterilizing the medical equipment. This means that the heat will circulate, baking the meat on every side equally, and more important, not just on the surface, but inside as well.
Also, as I said, those rotisseries which emit too much heat around are also not good. In short terms, it will heat the space around, which is not such hard thing to endure in the winter, but imagine that you are preparing the chicken with 85 degrees outside, and this device adds up some more. Surely, something which needs to be as low as possible.
The Price
“The lower, the better” is general rule upon which people decide what to buy. Luckily, I’m not one of those people. Modern era imposes a lot of expenses upon us, so it is natural that we look for better deals and more affordable solutions, but this is true when we are buying something for shorter usage period, such as napkins or plastic glasses. When it comes to kitchen appliances, it is vital to plan long-term.
First of all, there is a question of the amount of money at your disposal. In case that you are a student which wants to have a proper meal from time to time, it is unlikely that you can afford top-of-the-shelf products. Then, you should set the amount of money to be spent, and search for those less famous, but quality manufacturers.
In case that you are buying an appliance for your family house, in most of the cases this means a bit higher price, but still, this is what you may consider as an investment. Of course, the higher price usually means safer products, something you should also take into consideration if you have children.
Rotisserie Ovens I Considered And Compared
Rank | Image | Product Name | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Editor's Pick | ||
2 | Runner Up | ||
3 | Budget Pick | ||
4 | Upgrade Pick | ||
5 | Other Pick |
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
If you’re on a hunt for a modern, functional, and very efficient product for your kitchen, this oven is a no-brainer. Since it almost has no flaws, ST5500SSGEN won’t leave you aloof when you try it.
Here comes a high-quality oven from Ronco, which won’t impress you at the first sight; it looks like a big toaster. But if you look closer, you will see some traces of modern and curved design, all shelled in stainless steel housing.
The materials used to look as if it is top notch, with a curved front door which fits and seals perfectly without losing too much heat. Also, the grease drawer is nicely made, which just adds up to overall quality.
Rather than a touchscreen, this model utilizes analog timer with three programmed buttons. This gives a more traditional look, and it also has a three-hour safety switch, so you will not have to worry about whether you have turned it off or not.
The stainless steel outside might be a turn down for someone, so you can pick the alternative pick if you’re not into it as much. Overall this is a winner, but there’s not much difference between the alternate pick.
Things That I Liked
Things I Didn’t Like
If you hunt for quality, but are not able to waste any money, this is a replacement product for you. You won’t lose much in overall quality, but the price will be considerably lower.
From Ronco, here is my second contender. Utilizing more traditional looks, the ST5000PLGEN sports a horizontal skewers orientation, with a significant frontal glass cover. These doors might be a bit of a problem because there might be some heat losing in that area.
Cooking temperature is however nicely oriented and directed toward the meat with heat covers, baking the meat to perfection.
The controls might be a bit confusing because you have different sets of programs available, and the timer as well. The problem is that I’m a traditional person, I love my ovens to have an option of setting the temperature as I see fit. Still, once you get used to it, it is not that bad.
As for the material, some areas seem a bit cheaply, and luckily those are on the outside. Inside there is a quality drawer for grease and fat which you can wash in the dishwasher, making the cleaning far easier. Even when the non-stick surface falls off, it does its job. As it looks somewhat cheap, the price is relatively low, which is another plus, and a logical selection if you don’t like the Editor’s pick.
Things That I Liked
Things I Didn’t Like
This is an option for the people who are on a budget. If you don’t expect much from it and utilize it with care, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. You’ll pay almost the lowest price possible, though.
ERO-2008s is another horizontally oriented rotisserie. This one is not considered as top of the shelf, but still, it has some positive sides.
First of all, the material of which this appliance is made seems a bit cheap. There are tin and aluminum everywhere, and so far you know that means one thing, and that is heat loss. Only, with this housing, the heat will go anywhere, so be careful not to burn yourself.
On top of the rotisserie is a panel where you can prepare eggs and similar breakfast food, making it a hybrid one in theory. In practice, whatever you put on top of it will stick for eternity there, even with added oil.
Using it is quite simple because you have separate switches for temperature, time and program. The buttons, however, seem as made of cheap plastic, and I can only hope that it will endure higher temperatures.
As for the price, it is relatively inexpensive, which is understandable, since the overall quality of the product is also at a lower level. This is a good choice for a low budget.
Things That I Liked
Things I Didn’t Like
For people who want the finest for their money, Cuisinart CVR-1000 comes as a top contender on the market. From the basic positioning and materials used, to the functions and usability, Cuisinart CVR-1000 Vertical demonstrates quality.
This product is somewhat different from others. The main difference is that it has vertical orientation for chicken, which is nicely designed. This way, rotisserie will take much less space, while remaining useful. On the outside, the device looks stylish, with a brushed stainless steel surface; it gives the sensation of beautiful and expensive to me. The price is high, however, but I consider this to be justified.
Using this device is very easy. At the front, you have a touchscreen with several temperature presets, and you can also set the desired cooking time. Light is also included so that you can see what is happening on the inside, without opening and cooling it down.
Speaking of temperature, this model seems to contain it very well, and while the outside heats, burning your hands won’t happen. The handle also stays warm, but not hot. What a lot of people tend to forget is the damage made to countertop by high temperatures, and with this model, this is not going to happen.
Also, the manufacturer gives a three-year limited warranty, and a set of different skewers, so you can not only prepare chicken but the fries as well. If you have a high budget, this oven will fit your kitchen and improve it significantly.
Things That I Liked
Things I Didn’t Like
This product is a great solution for ones who aim to hit more targets with a single device. Furthermore, you’ll get fine additions with the oven, so it will perform like a charm for your kitchen.
Another product from Ronco, this rotisserie is somewhat unique. It is a horizontal one, but the good side of it is that it has retractable legs which can be popped out for the angled position. This way, you can store it so that it saves space while remaining useful.
As for the materials used, rather than cheap tin and aluminum, the manufacturer opted for stainless steel which gives more of a quality and reliable look. Also, the glass cover seems very secure and thick, so the loss of a temperature is not high.
Like the previous model, here you have predetermined set of programs which you can use, but those are somewhat more transparent and seem like more effort is put into making them.
The price for such quality product is small, so there is another plus. If you put barbecue gloves into the package, along with the basket and several other appliances, it is clear that this is a great deal. This is the ideal pick if you want more functionality, and the Editor’s Pick or Alternate pick haven’t appealed to you.
Things That I Liked
Things I Didn’t Like
The Final Verdict
Among quality and not so superb products it is sometimes difficult to choose. But, I think that Ronco ST5500SSGEN is a winner. Although it has a bit higher price, this is justified with the quality of the product. It contains the heat good, the appliances you get along are numerous enough to make it multi-functional, and the fact that using and cleaning it is very easy makes it a winner.
So, do you agree with my opinion or not? I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice in the comment section below.
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