Ceramic garlic roaster?

[Seahorse]

I nearly bought one of these in a charity shop today but just managed to retrain myself at the last minute, on the grounds that it was probably just a gimmicky thing. I sort of wish I'd bought it though! It was only £1.75. Are they worth having? Do they roast garlic any better than an ordinary roasting tin?

I shall sprint back there in the morning if I've missed a deal!

[cottage garden]

I LOVE roasted garlic, especially mixed into sauces etc...I've never heard of a ceramic garlic roaster though, less messy than a roasting tin I guess. Think I probably would have got it at that price.

[shirlthegirl43]

I just wrap mine in a bit of tin foil, throw it away afterwards - less fuss and mess that way.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I nearly bought one of these in a charity shop today but just managed to retrain myself at the last minute, on the grounds that it was probably just a gimmicky thing.

I'm thinking that you know the answer to this one!

I just chuck the head of garlic in with whatever I'm roasting.

In this instance, cheap does not equal good!

[pigletwillie]

Sounds a bit like a garlic crusher, looks good but far simpler solutions exist. I just chuck it in the roasting tin with fennel and rosmary and use it for gravy.

[Johnny Appleseed]

These terracota garlic roasters are superb. The garlic when roasted inside them is deliciously sweet and soft. When pinched between the fingers after about an hour in the oven (180 degs C) the garlic just pops out, easily and cleanly. We brush the garlic heads with olive oil and soak the terracota pot in cold water first and this retains the moisture beautifully. The instructions say cooking time can be reduced in a microwave - I have not tried this method.
Warning 1 - always put the garlic roaster into a cold oven and allow it to come up to temperature - never put one into a hot oven - it will crack and shatter with the sudden extremes of heat.

Warning 2 - never wash in soapy water - the clay will absorb the detergent and taint the garlic. Just wash in hot water afterwards.

I know you asked this question a long time ago but this is my first post and we love our garlic roaster.