This page is part of a website devoted to swing dancing and retro culture from the 1930s through the 1950s. You may be asking yourself, "Why do they have a special page about Westinghouse Roasters?" The answer is purely statistical --- we get more mail about the Roasters than any other collectible. Further, we keep finding pictures of the Roasters and their associated support devices -- they were beginning to swamp their former category, Kitchen Appliances.

We suspect the reason that we get so much mail is that the Westinghouse Roaster is a supremely durable product. There are effectively no moving parts. The things were outrageously expensive in the 1950s and were built to last. They are so blindingly simple that it is very easy to keep them running indefinitely. The downside is that they are also stunningly inefficient. My version uses 1320 watts --- use this for three hours at Thanksgiving and your utility company can also have Turkey (including Istanbul) ...

Click here if you are looking for parts.

If you are seeking to get a valuation for your roaster, Check this source

If you have broken the glass in the lid: Only tempered glass will work. Go to a shop that specializes in glass and have a piece made to the specific size for the roaster; after the glass has been cut to size, the glass shop will temper it so that it may withstand the heat of cooking... this will be expensive...

With all its faults, I still love my Westinghouse Roaster. It occupies a proud place in my kitchen!

The Famous Westinghouse Roaster

June, 1999: This is a Westinghouse Roaster Oven and its associated Forgee (4G) stand/cart. This has a special memory for me. Early in the 1950s, my Mom and her sisters chipped in to buy one of these for my grandmother. As I recall, this must have been quite an expense because I can remember the comments my Dad made when he heard the amount. My guess is that this was more expensive than a TV set. I certainly remember Betty Furness touting the virtues of this appliance on TV. (I always wondered why my Mom didn't parade through the kitchen in an evening gown...)

Most families used this as an auxiliary oven, especially during the holidays. My personal memory is that the thing was used to make lasange for Sunday dinners (like about 25 people...). Also, on Christmas eve, the oven was used to keep Zeppole (sort of like doughnuts, but better) warm.

Thus, it was with a wave of nostalgia that I seized upon the opportunity to buy one of these remarkable devices. The fact that both pieces were only $5 (at a rescue mission in Winchester) served only to reinforce my decision.

My initial wonder was somewhat tempered by the fact that the thing was coated with rust. When I took it apart, I was also dismayed. This vaunted "Luxury Item" proved to have clay feet underneath its spectacular 40s moderne design. Briefly, the thing is nothing but a pressed steel pan that has been wrapped with nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster). The inner pan is covered with fiberglass insulation (like in your walls...) and is set inside the glorious exterior. No energy efficiency here --- the oven draws a full 1320 watts!

We had to go to a hot rod specialty store to find a special epoxy high heat gloss white paint to refinish the rusted exterior. However, the visit paid a bonus in that we were also able to find a matching grey color to refinish the bottom. The paint took five days to cure between coats. (NOTE: this is an insulated exterior wall -- see the note at the bottom about "High Heat" Paint, particularly if you are thinking about using this trick on a Stove Top)

We were successful in restoring the roaster to its original glory. We celebrated with Lasagne --- as I watched the electricity meter speed up into overdrive.

For those with interest in the technical details, here is the a photo of the manufacturer's nameplate:

Manufacturer's Data
Courtesy of Jamie and Alan Myers

Here is the Text

Roaster with the Indicator Light "ON"

The "Time Cooking Chart"
Courtesy of our friend Betty in Charlottesville, Va

Knockout Panel for the Timer

Closeup of the Timer

6-14-2000: The knockout panel in the Forgee stand bothered me for about a year --- I knew that a timer was supposed to go in there, but who ever expected to find the Timer. Then, I was at an antique mall in Manassas, just minding my own business. There, sitting on the back of a shelf was something labeled "Westinghouse Electric Clock" --- and then lightning struck! This was the missing timer! Sure enough, when I rushed home, popped out the panel and slid the timer into its proper place. It fits like a glove and works like a charm! Ain't that amazing??

One small note: the knobs that set the time are threaded and when they are turned to their maximum, they come loose. It is very rare to find a timer with all the knobs.

Equipment Inside the Roaster
Courtesy of Jamie and Alan Myers

The Baking Dishes

8-11-2000: Thanks to one of my WONDERFUL readers, I was able to obtain a copy of the Instruction Manual for the Roaster. The manual showed pictures of the original baking dishes that came with the roaster. While I was strolling throught an antique mall in Frederick, what should appear but the very same dishes with their very distinctive arch and letter "W" on the top. I was thrilled to add yet another touch to the restoration of the Roaster! They are shown in the last photo above.

Here are some more references about the Baking Dishes

• Hall China and the Roaster --- this site also has a fragment of the Manual

• check out this site on Hall China Ads
  

The Baking dishes are the rarest components of the Westinghouse Roaster, and hence the most valuable.

Here is a lovely 1958 Roaster sent in by Cassie. This is in especially good condition AND Cassie has the very rare griddle attachment -- and it looks like the griddle is in its original packaging. It also looks like Cassie has all the baking dishes.

She has "posed" her Roaster to show how the Lid Support works. When the roaster is in use, moisture condenses on the inside of the lid. If you need to stir the contents or add things, you would make a big puddle if you set the lid down. The lid support allows you to rest the lid (upside down) while you deal with the food.

Cathy's Roaster and Griddle


The Rare Griddle


The Griddle, Mounted for Use


Front, Original packaging for The Griddle


Obverse, Original packaging for The Griddle

During the 1940s and 1950s, manufacturers sold expensive appliances on the basis that they were a Good Investment --- that is, they could perform many functions and would last forever. The Westinghouse corporation was no exception -- over the years, they modified the roaster so that it was practically a stand-alone stove. Here is a wonderful example of one of these attachments, a Rotisserie. There are more radiant heating wires inside the hood; a bird or roast would rotate below these wires and cook, dripping fat into the pan below. This adds about another 800 watts to the power draw. This appliance was not designed for a society with an energy shortage...

Rotisserie Attachment

Advertisement for the Rotisserie Attachment

Cart for the Rotisserie Attachment
It could be used with the Roaster (left) or with a "Dummy" Well Pan (right)

Manuals for the Rotisserie and the Roaster

1955 Model roaster

November 9, 2001: Here is the 1955 model roaster. It is the same thing inside, but it has some color and three lights which show whether the thing is on and whether it has reached the desired temperature.

Here are some photos of a late 1950s Roaster and Forgee Stand that were sent to us by Randy, one of our readers from Oregon. Here's what he has to say:

Hi!
Just bought this westinghouse roaster at a garage sale near Portland Oregon. It was an end of the day special....$10.00 for the works! It seems to be in perfect shape, works like a dream (although the electric meter did whiz 'round at the speed of sound...
Anyway...just thought you might liketa see it. If you have any leads on an original manual, cookbooks, any accessories....I would love to hear from you!
Thanks and here's to roaster cookin'!

1958 Model Roaster and Stand

1958 Model Knockout for Timer

1958 Model Top

1958 Model Interior

Here is a VERY nice Roaster and Stand, dating (I believe) to the late 1940s, sent in by Beth. She writes:

"A few years ago I inherited a roaster from an elderly aunt who passed away. While seaching the web, I found your site and am taking you up on your request to send pictures of roasters! Do you have any idea what year this model is? It has the glass insert in the top of the lid. "

Beth's Roaster and Stand

Here are some photos of a roaster sent in by our readers Greg and Barb. They write:

We came across your site doing some research on Westinghouse roasters.  We purchased our roaster on July 21, 2006 at a garage sale for $25.00!  I am sending along several pictures of the roaster.  It came complete cabinet with a clock timer, the dishes (with the arched tops), the booklet with recipes, and the small booklet for the timer!  The timer is only missing one of the small knobs.  It is in immaculate condition!

Thanks for all the great information on the roasters!

Indeed, Greg and Barb got a FANTASTIC DEAL! This roaster is really in good condition.

 
Simply Beautiful!


The Timer


The Glassware

There is areason that the timer knob is missing --when you set the time back, you unscrew the knob. After a while, the knob becomes loose and falls off.

The "Frosting Pink" Roaster

A reader sent us a picture of a Pink roaster from the 1950s. They were offered in a variety of colors -- Frosting Pink, Mint Aqua, and Lemon Yellow. I got this from Melinda:

"We were just looking for information about my grandfather's Westinghouse Roaster Oven and came upon your site. We knew the roaster has been in the family for years, but were wondering how old it was. The roasters were indeed Pink. My grandfather's has a broken handle, but it is still pink and gray, and otherwise looks great. Thanks for your site. "

Here's the cover page of the sales brochure for the colored roasters:

The Versatile Roaster in Designer Colors

Phil's 1938 Roaster

Here is a lovely 1938 Roaster sent in by the newest addition to our "Roaster Roster", the celebrated 40s Phil of Indiana. This is the earliest roaster that I have seen and those red handles are just awesome! Roaster fans all over the world are drooling, Phil!

Here is a photo from one of our readers who has THREE roasters!

This home really appreciates the Roaster!

Parts for a Roaster were an integral part of the detonator mechanism for Fat Boy, the Nagasaki bomb.

Of course, that is not true... However, a reader sent us this photograph of an actual kitchen in the Luxury (?) apartments (Sundt Block) of the Los Alamos project (Site Y) in about 1944. We are told that the Army furnished the scientists with wood stoves. Note that the family has augmented its cooking capacity by adding a Roaster.

The Roaster at Site Y

If you would like to see more photos of day-to-day life of real people who worked on the Manhattan Project, check out the website of the Manhattan Project Heritage Preservation Association.

The General Electric Oven Roaster

Westinghouse wasn't the only company making roasters. Here's the cover of the instruction manual for the General Electric version.

Parts for the Roaster

Only "You Guys" would be interested in technical details...

In general, it is not possible to find parts for the Westinghouse Roaster, per se. On the other hand, you might try the Factory services Catalog for some items like cords and light bulbs. I have even seen replaccement cords that will work with the Roaster in Home Depot and Lowes stores. The T-43 indicator bulb may be found at Radio Shack. You might also want to check out Nelson Appliance Cords

Westinghouse was one of America's industrial powerhouses -- literally and figuratively. The company made thousands of useful products and employed many, many people in good, solid, stable jobs. Here is a photo of a gigantic monument to George Westinghouse that still stands in Schenley Park on the East Side of Pittsburgh. The monument shows "youth" (in the foreground) gazing across a large reflecting pool ("history") remembering the achievements of Mr. Westinghouse, listed in detail on the various panels. Indeed, these achievements are significant and worthy of admiration - the Air Brake, the Dynamo, Broadcast Radio, in short all the precursors of our modern society.

The Westinghouse Monument in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
There really was a time when Americans made something besides Hamburgers and Lawsuits

During the 1980's and 1990's, Westinghouse Electric Corporation sold all of its industrial assets and focused on its media businesses. In 1997, Westinghouse was renamed CBS Corporation and in 2000 merged with Viacom Inc. (a media company). Westinghouse is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. and licensor of the Westinghouse name for consumer products. In 1972, the historical Westinghouse small appliance business was sold to Scoville Manufacturing. Scoville went out of business in the 1980's. Today's Westinghouse appliances are made by Salton (phone 800-947-3745, e-mail salton@saltonusa.com). Needless to say, they are manufactured in far-off dictatorships where "Unions", "Benefits" and "Decent Life Style" are not words in the language. You provide the money while smirking MBAs conspire with foreign tyrants to reap the rewards. If the monument (above) were to be constructed today, "youth" would be shown burdened with debt and insecurity while being forced to gaze across a vast ocean to watch the antics of sybaritic foreign potentates as they are served by a cadre of shameless Americans who are willing to sell out the future for a BMW today.

Principally due to a large tax deduction, most of the Westinghouse corporate historical records were given to the George Westinghouse Museum, 325 Commerce Street, Wilmerding, PA 15148; phone: 412-823-5000; e-mail museum@georgewestinghouse.com; website http://www.georgewestinghouse.com/museum.html; or the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, 1212 Small Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; phone 412-454-6000; e-mail hswp@hswp.org.

The paint which I used on the insulated sides of my roaster may be found at auto specialty stores Click Here for one source of the paint. This is gloss white auto engine paint which is good up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's about $6 a can plus about $4 in shipping. For a roaster, buy two cans "just in case". You must be VERY VERY careful in applying the paint. The surface must be cleaned several times with a high quality degreaser. Then it must be "etched" with an acid product. (Paint will NOT stick to a smooth porcelanized surface). Finally, the paint must be evenly sprayed on the surface in many small coats. Allow plenty of time for each coat to harden thoroughly before applying the next.

HOWEVER!

If you want to refinish a Stove Top, look in your yellow pages for auto repair paint shops. What you want is something called a "powder coat" which is used for all kinds of high heat or high corrosion situations. Hot rodders want their exhaust systems to be glossy colors, and many restorationists want the actual frame of the car to be totally impervious to rust. In this process, a powder is affixed to the metal and then baked on under high heat. This is almost the same thing as firing a clay pot with enamel, or the process used to make your stove top. This is STRICTLY NOT a do-it-yourself project and can be expensive because the materials are useless shortly after the can has been opened. You might find a fellow who is going to do a gloss white batch and maybe he will include your stovetop in the lot.

Restored stoves go for $1,500 - $3,000 because it is SOO difficult to refinish the porcelain.

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