I use my roasting pan just about every day. It’s one of the most useful pieces of cookware you can have if you use a regular oven. And, we would argue an essential.
Unlike baking pans which are usually glass or ceramic, roasting pans are usually metal, have higher walls, and can be used at higher temperatures.
The metal helps conduct heat under the meat (and/or vegetables etc) since it cannot reach the heat from the flames in the back of the oven.
There are lots of great roasting pans out on the market today. So many it can be hard to decide which one to get. But, there’s no need to worry - that’s where we step in.
We’ve done our homework, and after much deliberation, we were able to come up with our top 6 favorites, which we can’t wait to show you.
Our reviews on those are coming up very shortly, and they’re all bestsellers.
And after that, we’ve also got a handy buying guide for you which runs through everything you might want to think about before you buy.
Then, we’re going to top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
Let’s get straight to it…
OUR TOP PICK
This little beauty has been simply flying off the shelves - and rightly so.
On Amazon alone, it earned well over 2,000 individual customer ratings, with 80% of these customers giving it a full 5 stars out of 5.
It comes from big, well-established brand Faberware, and while they may be better known for their bakeware, we can confirm that this pan can also be used for roasting too.
It’s a durable, heavy-duty roasting pan, made of steel, so can withstand great heat (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit) and conducts heat well along the bottom of your foods. It will resist warping and will last for years to come.
It’s a nice size, coming in at 15 inches by 11 inches, and can accommodate large joints of meat such as whole chickens.
We like the inclusion of a removable chrome-plated rack. You can use this to separate the fats and juices from your meat as you cook. All you have to do is place your joints of meat on top of the rack.
There are handles on both the short ends of the tray, so you won’t get any food juices on your oven gloves when it comes time to remove the tray from the oven.
And, of course, we love that it has a non-stick coating. Food does not tend to stick in the roasting pan, and clean up is a breeze.
It can be used in a dishwasher, but only with regular dishwashing liquid and not in conjunction with standard dishwasher detergents.
Pros
- Good, long-established brand
- Removable roasting rack included
- Handles present on either end
Cons
- Not strictly dishwasher safe
EDITORS CHOICE
This is a very smart looking roasting pan from a very smart brand.
And we’re not the only ones so taken with it - at the time of writing this article there were about 2,500 individual customer ratings on its Amazon page, and over 80% of these ratings came out at a full 5 stars out of 5.
And there’s a lot to love about it. It’s composed of a triple-ply of stainless steel, which not only means it conducts heat very well when you need it to, but it’s also entirely dishwasher safe.
It’s a nice, large size, specifically 16.8 inches long and 12.8 inches deep, with 3.4-inch walls.
We like how the handles are positioned above the pan’s walls to ensure the safe and clean removal of the pan from the oven.
There’s a removable U-shaped rack that can be used to separate the meats from their fat and drippings. This rack is also composed of stainless steel, which helps to conduct heat and help cook the underneath of the joints of meat.
And although it doesn’t state “non-stick” in the product description, customers have rated it at 4 and a half stars out of 5 under the feature “easy to clean”.
We love that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty - that’s the sign of a good quality brand.
Sometimes Amazon has deals on this item - worth a look!
Pros
- A great, well-established brand
- Entirely dishwasher safe
- Removable U shaped rack
- Smart stainless steel look
- Well-positioned handles
Cons
- It’s quite heavy at 7 pounds
- Not strictly non-stick
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a roasting pan with a lid, then you need look no further - this is an excellent choice!
Many people, chefs included love a roasting pan with a lid because it means that steam released from the meats stays in place, to keep the meat from drying out, and instead keep the meat moist and juicy.
But this lid is better than your regular lids. It has dimples within the lid, designed to allow steam from your meats to drip back down, basting it for you so you don’t have to - perfect for your Thanksgiving turkey!
Both the pan and lid are porcelain coated, all-natural, and chemical-free. Within this coating is a steel core, so not only is it very durable, but it conducts heat very well, and you get really even heating.
It has a huge 12-liter capacity, but is surprisingly light, weighing less than 3 pounds.
The porcelain coating is naturally non-stick, so you won’t get any awkward bits of food stuck in there. All that and the roaster is entirely dishwasher safe to boot!
Customer feedback has been very positive. With about 2000 individual customer ratings on Amazon, the average rating comes in at a very healthy 4 and a half stars out of 5.
Sometimes Amazon has deals on this item - worth a look!
Pros
- Features a dimpled lid!
- Ensures even heating
- Spacious yet lightweight
- Keeps your food deliciously moist
- Non-stick and dishwasher safe
Cons
- It’s quite a big roaster, which means you have less space in your oven to simultaneously cook any accompanying side dishes
RUNNER UP
When we saw how well this roasting pan was going down with customers (5 stars out of 5 on Amazon) we simply had to see what all the fuss was about!
What really impressed us with this particular roasting pan, was how it’s safe to use not only in the oven but also on the stovetop as well. So versatile!
This ability comes from its special coating, made up of 4 different individual layers to ensure great heat conductivity, superior non-stick results, and a final finish to ensure long-lasting durability.
This means it will heat up really quickly, and you won’t need to add as much oil to your cooking. And despite its 4 layers, it’s surprisingly lightweight, at just 2.2 pounds.
It’s not a bad size, 14 inches long, 10.5 inches wide, with walls 2.7 inches high, easily able to accommodate most family size meals.
We were also impressed to learn that this brand uses only safe eco-friendly materials, free of any nasty chemicals that might leak into your food, such as PTFEE, lead, and cadmium. Plus the pan is 100% recyclable.
The aftersales service is also very good, and you can return the pan at any point during the 1-year warranty period and if you’re not happy, get a full refund.
Pros
- Made of only eco-friendly materials
- Superior non-stick performance
- Quick and even heating
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- No lid
- No rack to separate the drippings
- Premium product at a premium price
RUNNER UP
This roaster has the most positive feedback of our top 5 picks yet!
After about 600 individual customer ratings, the average Amazon customer rating comes in at a staggering 5 stars out of 5!
It’s a good size, coming in at 16 inches long and 12 inches wide, so can accommodate large joints - even whole birds. It can hold up to a whopping 25 pounds of food.
It’s made of aluminum, but better yet it has a hard anodized surface coating, of which there are several benefits. It’s very thick and durable, heats up quickly, and conducts heat evenly, avoiding hot spots.
And it allows easy release of your food and cleaning, thanks to the non-stick properties.
There’s a V-shaped rack inside to keep the meat separate from all the unwanted drippings, and that’s non-stick too.
We also like how the handles are positioned above the pan’s walls to ensure the safe and clean removal of the pan from the oven.
If you decide to buy this one, please note that there are also other options available on the Amazon page, including 2 stainless steel options in different sizes. Please be sure that you select the one you want.
Pros
- Excellent customer feedback
- Great non-stick properties
- Quick and even heating
- V-shaped rack for the drippings
- Well-positioned handles for safe handling
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
RUNNER UP
This roasting pan has also proved extremely popular. There have been well over 3000 individual customer ratings on Amazon, and yet the average customer rating still comes out at an impressive 4 and a half stars out of 5.
Where this particular pan stands out is that the included removable rack is U shaped rather than flat, which serves to better separate the roasts from their drippings. Moreover, this rack lifts very easily from the pan.
The pan itself is made from heavy gauge stainless steel, so is very durable, and conducts heat very well.
It’s also of a very generous size, coming in at 17 by 13 inches, so can accommodate even very large joints and poultry.
We were also impressed with its non-stick coating. Not only does it prevent your foods from sticking stubbornly at the bottom of the pan, but it also completely free of nasty chemicals such as PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
The handles sit above the pan itself, one on either end, so you don’t have to raise them from a downward position with your bulky oven gloves on.
Pros
- A huge bestseller
- Removable U rack
- Well-positioned handles
- Superior non-stick coating
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
- With its heavy-gauge construction, it weighs almost 6 pounds
Best Roasting Pan Buying Guide
As promised here’s our buying guide for you!
Size
The most important thing to think about is the size of the pan, it needs to be able to accommodate everything you want it to.
We recommend that you go with a pan that’s at least 12 inches long, 10 inches wide, and has walls at least 2 inches high.
Heat Conduction Properties of the Roasting Pan
An ideal roasting pan will heat up quickly and will spread the heat of the oven as evenly as possible with no hot spots or cold spots.
Fortunately, there’s not just one type of material that does that - there are several different ones. Popular examples include aluminum and steel.
Non-stick Interior of the Roasting Pan
When it comes time to clean up, you’ll be grateful if you’ve got yourself a non-stick pan.
Sometimes food can stick to the pan, making it very hard to remove when you wash the dishes. But with a non-stick pan, you can avoid this altogether, and not have to scrub.
With Rack vs Without
These days, most roasting pans come with a rack. Sometimes flat, sometimes U-shaped, and sometimes V-shaped.
The reason so many chefs rave about these racks is because it keeps the fat and drippings completely separate from your meat, which is just what you need when you come to remove the meat for carving. It won’t be dripping all over your kitchen floor.
Having a rack in place also allows heat to better access the underside of your joints of meat to help ensure nice, even cooking throughout.
We prefer entirely removable racks. That way instead of just using your pan to roast your meats, you can also make casseroles and gratins and such.
With Lid vs Without
Although most roasting pans are sold without lids, there’s a lot to be said for having one in place.
When you have a lid placed over the roasting pan, rather than have all the steam and moisture disperse through the entire oven, the steam and moisture is instead locked in, to make it that bit juicier!
Well-positioned Handles
In our view, safety comes first, always. And to that end, we recommend that you go for a roasting pan with well-positioned handles for easy removal of the pan from the oven.
Moreover, well-positioned handles will also ensure that your oven gloves don’t get messy.
Beware of Leaking Chemicals
Some less well-made roasting pans have been known to leak nasty chemicals into the foods.
But the good news is that these days manufacturers are very careful to ensure that such nasty chemicals cannot be found in their pans.
Customer Ratings and Reviews
The best way to evaluate a product that you’re shopping for online is to check out the customer ratings and reviews and get a feel for customers’ impressions about the item.
And ask yourself, are customers generally happy with the product? Have they found a workaround for any of the issues raised?
There could be lots of pertinent information there, and it only takes a minute or so to get a good overall impression.
Value for Money
Roasting pans really tend to vary a lot in price, since they are often made from a variety of different materials.
The cheapest ones start at about $25 and you can get some that cost nearly $70. So, it pays to shop around.
Our advice is to have a set budget in mind as you shop, and then as you look at different roasting pans, check the prices as you go along.
If budget is of particular importance to you, then we can recommend our number 1 pick, the Farberware Non-stick Steel Roaster, which is the most affordable option in our top 5 picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best roasting pan to buy?
After much deliberation, we made the Farberware Non-stick Steel Roaster our number one pick. It just has so much going for it.
Excellent heat conduction, a removable rack, popularity with customers, coming from a great long-established brand.
But that’s not all. It also happens to be the most affordable option in our top 6 picks too!
Are stainless steel roasting pans good?
We are happy to confirm that stainless steel pans are good for roasting. We even included one in our top 5 picks, it’s our number pick, the.
They conduct heat well, and while it may not be strictly non-stick, who cares when it’s entirely dishwasher safe!
Are roasting pans worth it?
We would argue that roasting pans are in general worth the price.
But we would advise caution when shopping, as some provide far better value for money than others.
