Responses to the invitations you've sent for a holiday party are quickly pouring in, and you're faced with one oven and a load of food that needs to be prepared in that oven, including a holiday ham.
Running out of oven space is the bane of many cooks, and it's why alternative cooking appliances have made an appearance in catalogs and store displays everywhere. An electric roaster with a self-basting lid is an ideal addition to your appliance shelf because it can roast, bake, cook, steam and slow cook depending on your recipe.
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Cooking a ham in an electric roaster pan frees up oven space and doesn't dry out your main course. Let's go over how to cook a ham in an electric roaster and just how long it takes.
Electric Roaster vs. Crock-Pot
The biggest difference between an electric roaster and a Crock-Pot is the choice of heat settings. Using a Crock-Pot allows you to cook on a low or high heat setting, but you can't control the exact temperature.
Using an electric roaster lets you set a specific temperature and allows you to vary that temperature during the cooking process. Both appliances are approximately the same size and can be stored off the countertop after use.
Advantages of an Electric Roaster
Cooking ham in an electric roaster has some advantages over cooking ham in the oven. Aside from freeing up precious oven space, the electric roaster cooks food more quickly than a traditional oven. The smaller cooking space gives more intensity to the heat, directing it toward the meat instead of swirling around the cavernous space of the oven. It's also low maintenance — just use it, clean it, and store it until you're ready to use it again.
Choosing a Ham to Cook in an Electric Roaster
The supermarket is brimming with different types of ham: hams that are already cooked and just need warming; fully cooked or partially cooked; bone-in, partially boned or boneless; or smoked. Some hams are already glazed and spiral cut, and other hams are plain.
The type of ham you choose depends on whether or not you want to make your own glaze and how much prep time you have. Once you've decided on the type of ham you want, then the preparation and cooking process begins.
Tip
Food safety is paramount when you're cooking a ham in a roaster oven. Per the USDA, fresh ham must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and precooked hams should be reheated until they reach at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Having a reliable meat thermometer is essential for preparing ham safely.
Cooking Ham in an Electric Roaster
The electric roaster is like a mini oven that uses heat to cook and steam to moisturize. This is unlike a traditional oven that just roasts, often drying out what you're cooking. To cook your ham in a roaster oven, you'll need:
- An electric roaster
- A fully cooked ham
- 2 to 4 cups of water depending on the size of the ham
- Packaged glaze or homemade glaze with orange juice, brown sugar, and honey
- A basting brush
- A meat thermometer
Tip
Using pre-made glaze makes this dinner super easy to prepare and guarantees that you'll get a delicious result. Try a tasty brown sugar glaze, or appeal to adult diners with a bourbon-flavored ham glaze.
1. Preheat the Oven and Add Water to Pan
Set the roaster heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and pour the water into the roasting rack. Cover and let the water heat up while you prepare the ham.
2. Trim the Fat
Place the unwrapped ham on a clean cutting board. Use a sharp boning knife or slicing knife to trim the fat down to a 1/4-inch thick layer all around the ham.
3. Score the Ham
Score the top of the ham in a diamond pattern. This holds the glaze.
4. Roast the Ham
Then, place the ham on the roasting rack that comes with the appliance. Cover and roast for one hour.
5. Make a Glaze
Make the glaze, if you're not using pre-made glaze. After one hour, use a basting brush to brush half of the glaze onto the ham.
6. Continue Roasting and Adding Glaze
Roast for another hour. Remove the lid and brush the ham with the remaining glaze. Replace the cover and roast for another 10 minutes.
7. Check the Temperature
Test for the internal temperature. Continue roasting the ham until it reaches at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (if the ham was precooked) or 145 degrees Fahrenheit (if you're using uncooked ham).
How Long to Cook Ham in an Electric Roaster Pan
The cooking time for your ham depends on its size and whether it's uncooked, partially cooked, or already cooked. Bone-in hams take less time to cook per pound since the bone distributes heat throughout the entire ham. Most have tags that give the correct cooking times for the specific ham. Do not overcook the ham, as the moisture begins to evaporate, and your ham will dry out.
Refer to your roaster's instruction manual for the specific timing of different meats and other uses for the electric roaster.