Fryer vs Roaster Chicken
Chicken happens to be the most popular non-vegetarian food item in the world. It is eaten in many different ways depending upon the method of preparation. Going to the market and seeing different labels applied on dressed chickens such as broiler, fryer, and roaster can be too much for someone who does not purchase chickens often. Also, it could be difficult for people trying to make a recipe that asks for two fryers or a single roaster making people wonder if these are different varieties or if they can be used interchangeably.
Fryer
Most of us, when looking for dressed chicken in the market, are concerned with the amount or the weight of the bird rather than its name or the variety. However, you would be surprised to know that the bird is referred to as a broiler, fryer, and a roaster depending upon its age. Fryer is the bird who happens to be 6-8 weeks old. Broiler is also 6-8 weeks old, but it is lighter in weight than a fryer who happens to be in the weight range of 2 ½ to 4 ½ pounds.
Roaster
Toaster is an older bird that weighs between 5 and 7 pounds. It is no less than 10 weeks old and is a large bird that looks beautiful when served after roasting. The body parts of a roaster are much larger than that of a fryer, and it is at times difficult to cook it properly with traditional methods though roasting makes it easier as it allows the heat to permeate inside and cook the entire fowl in a uniform manner. Some people like to have roasters as they believe that roasters have a distinct flavor, not found in smaller and younger fryer. However, it is a fact that roaster meat is harder and more difficult to cook than the meat of the fryer.
What is the difference between Fryer Chicken and Roaster Chicken?
• Both fryers and roasters are chickens and can be used interchangeably with differences pertaining to their age and weight mostly.
• Fryers are 6-8 weeks old, whereas roasters are more than 10 weeks old.
• Fryers weigh 2 ½ – 4 ½ pounds, whereas roasters are heavier and weigh 5-7 pounds.
• If a recipe calls for 2 fryers, you can make use of a roaster if its meat is double that of a fryer.
• Fryers have tender meat, whereas roasters have hard meat.
• Roasters are loved by some for their distinctive flavor.
• Harder meat of roasters requires them to be cooked for a longer time.