The 8 Best Rotisserie and Roaster Ovens of 2023

What to Look for in a Rotisserie or Roaster Oven

Size 

The size of your rotisserie will directly impact how large of a bird you’ll be able to cook. It’s important to take into account how big the actual capacity of the oven is (so you know how large of a protein you can cook), but also to acknowledge how much counter space the appliance requires. If you’re not going to use it on a daily basis, you’ll likely want a spot in your kitchen big enough to tuck it away.

Versatility 

If you’re only looking to roast a holiday turkey once a year or cook an occasional chicken, a basic oven may be a good choice. However, if you plan to use it on a more regular basis, consider a machine that can double as a toaster oven, a steamer, and other appliances.

Value 

Price tags for rotisserie and roaster ovens range widely, from $40 to upward of $200. How much you should spend depends on how often you plan to use it as well as how important added features are. If you’re looking to keep things to simple roasting, a cost-effective model should be fine. But if you want to play with all sorts of bells and whistles, you may want to spend more.

Number of Spits

A spit is the rod that cooks the meat, and most rotisseries come with one or two. Multiple spits allow you to cook more pieces of meat at one time, though keep in mind that all of the meat will still need to fit into the oven (meaning you probably can’t do two large birds at the same time in one small rotisserie. Multiple spits can be super convenient for smaller cuts of meat, like kebabs. Single spits will be the most practical if you’ll mostly be using your rotisserie to cook larger meats. 

Temperature

Not all rotisseries offer the same temperature settings. In some cases, you can set the desired temperature using degrees. In other models, you can utilize preset controls, which not only offer some extra convenience but also take some of the confusion out of roasting. If you’re new to rotisserie ovens, it might be helpful to have preset controls to navigate the device. If you’re comfortable with temperatures, the option of setting specific degrees will give you much more control and precision. This is ultimately up to your personal preference. If you are making recipes that specify an exact temperature and time, you’re probably better off having customizable temperatures. 

Types of Rotisseries and Roaster Ovens

Horizontal Rotisserie

The most recognizable and common rotisserie is a horizontal rotisserie. As the name implies, this version rotates the protein from a horizontal angle. This version is definitely the most popular model among home cooks, as it can accommodate a wide variety of meats. Not to mention, it is available in a range of sizes, so you can pick a model that is perfect for your kitchen space. The key to horizontal rotisseries is understanding the balance required to make your rotisserie spin perfectly while cooking your protein to perfection. This can sometimes take a little bit of a learning curve, but once you start to get acquainted with how your machine works, you’ll be churning out delicious meats in no time.

Vertical Rotisserie

Contrary to its horizontal counterpart, this type of rotisserie rotates the meat on a vertical angle. The advantage of this setup is that you don’t have to toy with the delicate balance that you do on a horizontal rotisserie. This version can also save a bit of counter space because it’s much taller than it is wide. The main downside is juices from the meat drip down toward the bottom as the meat cooks and are ultimately lost. While some consumers prefer this because there is a bit less fat in the final product, others argue you lose a great deal of flavor.

Vertical rotisseries are also a classic setup for dishes like gyro meat or al pastor, where you can gradually shave away at the protein as it vertically spins on the rotisserie. If tradition or authenticity is important to you for these particular dishes, a vertical rotisserie might suit your needs best.

Rotisserie Oven

The final variety of a rotisserie is an oven. What sets this version apart from the horizontal and vertical models is that it offers more capabilities than simply rotating meat. In fact, it basically can operate as a toaster oven, making it a great option for breads, cookies, frozen food, or anything that needs to be warmed in an oven. That said, you run the risk of sacrificing some quality with the results of your meats (especially in comparison with the rotating models) since it is not the specialty function of the appliance.

If you want to dedicate an appliance to roasting meat, you might be better off with one of the two above models; however, if you’re looking for more value and versatility, a rotisserie oven will allow you to do much more with just one appliance.

Brands

Instant Pot

Bet you didn’t know your favorite pressure cooker brand also makes a rotisserie oven. This 10-quart appliance can not only roast and rotisserie meats, but it can also air-fry, toast, broil, bake, dehydrate, and proof. At a mid-range price, it's a great investment.

Ninja

Known for its countertop roaster oven, this brand makes a rotisserie model that can also grill, air-fry, and dehydrate. Plus it's quipped with a smart probe to ensure you’re cooking to your exact desired temperature, which is a great feature for a novice cook.

Maintenance

Caring for your rotisserie is pretty straightforward—the spits and racks need to be scrubbed in hot soapy water after every use to ensure there is no left-behind grease or food bits. Most rotisseries are made with removable trays and racks, making cleanup a breeze. If there is a lot of buildup of grease, use baking soda and water to remove it. Grease collection trays should be cleaned after each use, too. Make sure when you clean your device that it is unplugged and completely cooled. While some ovens might boast dishwasher-safe parts, it is always best to wash by hand.

Accessories

Skewers and Meat Forks

If you have a vertical or horizontal rotisserie, stocking up on skewers and meat forks gives you the flexibility to cook multiple skewers at once, whether it’s just one big bird or a variety of kebabs and smaller meats.

Drip Pan

There is going to be a lot of residual grease when you’re using this appliance, so positioning a drip pan at the bottom will not only make for a much safer setup, but it will also allow you to clean the device faster.

Carving Board

If you’re going to churn out a slew of juicy meats, you’ll want a sturdy board to carve them on. The great thing about a good carving board is the divot around the board, which will collect any juices and prevent your countertop from becoming a wet, greasy mess.

FAQs

What can you cook in a rotisserie oven?

If you can put it on a spit, it can be cooked rotisserie-style. Beef, poultry, and pork are all contenders, as long as your rotisserie has the capacity, but many ovens come with baskets and skewers that widen the world of rotisserie cooking. Vegetables, kabobs, and seafood all benefit from the rotisserie’s self-basting cooking method.

What can you cook in a roaster oven?

A common misconception is that you can only cook meat in a roaster oven, but so much more is possible. You can cook casseroles, soups and stews, vegetables, and some even accommodate baked goods. Most have the same capabilities as traditional ovens except they are portable. And, of course, any meat is on the menu for roaster ovens. Many have self-basting lids, so racks of ribs, pork roasts, and corned beef briskets come out tender and juicy.

Do you put water in a roaster oven?

In short, no. Roasting is a dry heat cooking method. Roaster ovens utilize the natural juices of the food to baste while cooking. Added water would steam your food, defeating the purpose of using this type of oven. 

Do rotisserie and roaster ovens cook faster than a traditional oven?

Roaster ovens and conventional ovens both cook using dry heat. Traditional ovens require time to preheat and have a larger surface to maintain temperature. The smaller footprint and closer proximity to food makes roaster ovens more efficient than traditional ovens, generally shaving off about 30 percent of total cooking time. That said, they are limited in capacity and can only cook one dish at a time.

Rotisserie ovens operate by rotating food, which causes constant self-basting, which is completely different from a traditional oven where food remains stationary and cooks via dry heat. In general, like roaster ovens, the smaller footprint and proximity to the heat source speeds up the total cooking time.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie hasn’t met a kitchen appliance she hasn’t wanted to try, so she’s constantly looking for the best of the best. She even spends spare time researching new appliances just for fun, so shopping for this roundup might have put a few items on her own shopping list.

Carrie Honaker, who updated this roundup, is a food writer who has owned her share of small kitchen appliances. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of finding the right tool for the right job. She loves succulent rotisserie chicken straight off the spit on her weeknight chicken Caesar salads. Carrie's work has appeared in many publications including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.