(l-r) John DeStefano and Benjamin Chance
This cooler season beginning in late January reminds us that few things are more lowcountry than an oyster roast. This is true if your family has been hosting oyster roasts for generations or if you are a recent transplant from the north or midwest eager to partake in what the Lowcountry has to offer.
The wonder of an oyster roast exists beyond savoring an abundant plateful of fresh, flavorful local oysters along with some saltine crackers. The soul and purpose of the event is that it’s a very joyful gathering for friends, family, and community members.
Bringing a local tradition up to date with a unique, versatile, and high-quality cooker was a business concept that intrigued two neighbors, Benjamin Chance and John DeStefano. As a result, Charleston Oyster Cookers was born. Offering both sales and rentals, their one-of-a-kind cookers are handcrafted and locally made in the Lowcountry. Their product is a practical cooker for use by both professional and home cooks alike and offers an authentic, yet modern Lowcountry culinary experience.
The partners, both family men, have a great fondness for oysters, though they have very different experiences. John, a Charleston native, remembers the old days when oyster roasts involved throwing a burlap bagful of clustered oysters onto a length of sheet steel set on cinder blocks and heated over a fire and hooding the steam in with the empty bag. Longtime Charleston resident Benjamin grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he learned to love oysters typically served there on the half shell. After being first introduced to “roasted” oysters, however, he now concedes, “They’re my favorite.”
Today, if oyster roasts are a part of your heritage or if you are new to the tradition and want to host one yourself, that’s when you’ll want to contact Benjamin and John about renting or buying one of their Charleston Oyster Cookers. The variations are pictured and described on the company website. Lightweight, easy to use, clean, and store, they are portable and come in different sizes, including one with wheels. These steam cookers run using an external propane tank. They range in price from $399 to $545. In addition, the cookers may be rented with gloves, oyster knives, and tables available a la carte.
Their handcrafted cookers are durable, easy to use, and come with instructions and tips. John and Benjamin also readily offer advice for anyone who wishes further guidance. The only hugely important precaution in using a cooker is not allowing it to heat up without ensuring that it contains some liquid to avoid scorching the metal. Cleaning after use is also important to support decades of use. The partners noted that the marine-grade aluminum cooker gains a patina over multiple uses. “This adds to its allure,” says John.
The Charleston Oyster Cookers are not just for oysters and may readily be used for shrimp, crab, lobster, Lowcountry boils, and much more. If not actually used for an oyster roast under live oaks and views of seagrass marshes with musicians playing country tunes, the cooker is relatively light, and John jokes it can actually be carried up in an elevator to a Manhattan apartment to be used for a Charleston-themed oyster roast. https://charlestonoystercooker.com.
