Are oven garlic bakers/roasters worth paying money for?

Question

I tried roasting garlic in the oven, and it didnt turn out good at all. I dont want to use tin foil, so is a garlic roaster worth paying $20 or so? Here's a link to the specific product http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Garlic/dp/B0000DDVNK/sr=1-9/qid=1154197249/ref=sr_1_9/002-6602502-4886434?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen

Answer 1

I didn't pay that much for mine - it was around $12 and it was very worthwhile. It does an excellent job, and I just love having roasted garlic to serve on a baguette, or to mash into potatoes.
If you like roasted garlic, it would probably be worth it.

Answer 2

First, that garlic roaster you referred to is really flat compared to any I've seen before so I'm not sure if it would be tall enough for many whole heads of garlic... it's primary function seems to be as a tortilla warmer, so it's also much wider than you'd need.

The reason for enclosing the garlic is just so the garlic exposed to the hot air where the cloves are trimmed won't brown (but that's yummy too), and to generally moderate the temp so everything gets cooked through. Covering the bulb (or individual cloves) with oil also "encloses them" a bit, so if you use enough oil on the outside, or cook at not too high a temp so they will heat through before burning on the outside, you can bake them alone.

Or you can bake them in any type of enclosure if you don't like aluminum foil. Any type of oven-safe pan or container will work... it can be tightly covered with a lid, etc., or just loosely covered with alum. foil or parchment paper, or with a plate or tile.

The main problem with baking in an enclosure is that it just takes a lot longer to roast the garlic. That's why the terracotta roasters have a ceramic coating on the inside... that heats up quicker and/ or stays hotter than plain terra cotta (you could also buy your own flowerpot and saucer).

To speed things up, you can always bake the individual cloves (trim end of each, cover with oil) in a skillet or glass custard dish for that matter, in the oven... or even cook them in the microwave (won't have that same carmelized taste on the ends though). A compromise would be to start them in the microwave, but finish in the oven or toaster oven.
You can also bake individual peeled cloves in open skillet or container in the oven... oil them first; then bake 15 min at 350.


Diane B.

Answer 3

I understand your no foil choice it taints the food. I have used a garlic roaster and the results were terrific but after I broke it I found that a small roasting pan with a lid worked just as well and I could roast more to refrigerate for quick recipe access. If you use it often enough (mine lasted 2+ years) the cost is well worth it. Good Luck!

Answer 4

NO!
Try a cookie sheet, turn your oven to 350*, turn garlic every couple of minutes until garlic is roasted. Stir garlic with a spoon to keep the garlic from burning. When finished roasting, put on paper towel to cool.

Answer 5

I simply put my garlic in a pan, drizzle with olive oil or what ever oil I have handy and roast it.. NO special gadget needed !!!

Simple and no expense !

Answer 6

Tin foil works great and is much cheaper.