Roaster Pan Makeover: Dressing Up For The Feast

A roasting pan is a staple in many kitchens, adding convenience when roasting a turkey, chicken, or large cuts of meat. It is a large oven-safe dish with a rack that fits inside, usually made of thick stainless steel or aluminum. The rack keeps the meat off the bottom of the pan, promoting even heating and allowing juices to fall through. While roasting pans are not particularly expensive, they can be bulky and take up storage space. If you're looking to dress up your roaster pan, here are some alternatives to consider:

- Cake Pan: Use a 9-by-13-inch cake pan for smaller roasts like chicken.

- Casserole Dish: Opt for the same size as a cake pan, ensuring ceramic dishes can withstand the required temperature.

- Broiler Pan: While it lacks high sides, it includes a rack for drippings and can be purchased separately.

- Foil Roasting Pan: Single-use pans available at most grocery stores, but place on a sturdy baking sheet for stability.

- Cookie Sheet: Ensure it has raised sides to catch drippings if roasting smaller cuts of meat.

- Oven-Safe Skillet: Cast iron or stainless steel skillets are perfect but avoid non-stick surfaces or handles that may melt.

Choose a pan with sides that are about 3 inches high

Choosing a roasting pan with 3-inch-high sides is important for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures even cooking. If the sides are higher than 3 inches, hot air may not be able to reach the bottom of the pan, leading to uneven cooking. On the other hand, if the sides are too low, drippings may spill when removing the pan from the oven, creating a mess.

Selecting a pan with the appropriate side height also allows for better air circulation within the oven. Pans should have a minimum of 2 inches of airspace on all sides when placed inside the oven to ensure optimal heat distribution. Therefore, a roasting pan with 3-inch-high sides strikes the perfect balance between effective cooking and adequate airflow.

Additionally, a 3-inch side height is ideal for collecting pan drippings, which are essential for making rich gravy. A pan with higher sides may cause the drippings to evaporate more quickly, resulting in a reduced volume of gravy. Conversely, a pan with lower sides may not provide sufficient space to capture all the drippings.

Finally, a roasting pan with 3-inch sides offers versatility. It can accommodate a range of food sizes and is perfect for cooking a single roast or turkey, as well as multiple smaller roasts or chickens. This makes it a valuable addition to any kitchen, as it can be used for various dishes throughout the year, not just for the occasional roast.

Ensure the pan has sturdy, fixed handles

When choosing a roasting pan, it is important to ensure that it has sturdy, fixed handles. This is because lifting a hot, heavy pan is much easier with fixed handles that are securely attached to the pan.

When purchasing a roasting pan, look for one with strong, durable handles that can bear the weight of the pan and its contents. Avoid pans with handles that feel loose or unstable, as they may not be able to support the weight and could detach over time.

Additionally, consider the material of the handles. Riveted handles, for example, can be found on both budget-friendly and luxury cookware lines. For lower-priced options, look for iron brackets with two or three rivets and a special treatment to prevent rust. Higher-end pans may feature thicker and wider brackets made of stainless steel, also with a rust-resistant treatment.

If you already own a roasting pan and the handles feel loose, you may be able to repair them. This involves removing the handle, cleaning the handle base, and repairing any warps or bends in the metal. You can find online guides and videos that demonstrate this process, but always exercise caution when working with tools and disassembling products.

In summary, when selecting a roasting pan, prioritize those with sturdy, fixed handles to ensure safe and easy lifting, especially when the pan is hot and heavy. If you're handy, you can also repair loose handles on your existing pan by following online tutorials.

Pick a pan that is heavy and won't buckle under weight

When choosing a roasting pan, it's important to select one that is heavy-duty and won't buckle under the weight of a large roast or turkey. A good roasting pan should be made of sturdy materials, such as stainless steel or tri-ply construction, which is a combination of aluminium sandwiched between layers of stainless steel. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents warping or buckling.

When choosing a roasting pan, look for one with strong, fixed handles that are securely riveted to the pan. The handles should be large enough to grip comfortably, even with oven mitts or bulky kitchen towels. Avoid pans with thin, folding handles, as they can be difficult to grab and may not feel sturdy when carrying a heavy, bubbling pan.

Additionally, consider the size and shape of the pan. Rectangular pans tend to be more versatile than oval ones, as they can accommodate multiple items, such as two whole chickens, and are better suited for purposes other than roasting, such as casseroles or lasagna. A good size for a roasting pan is at least 16 by 12 inches, which is large enough for a big Thanksgiving turkey or a large roast.

When it comes to racks, flat racks tend to be more versatile than V-shaped racks, as they provide more surface area and can accommodate larger roasts. However, V-shaped racks are still suitable for poultry and oblong cuts of meat.

Finally, when choosing a roasting pan, consider your budget and how often you plan to use it. If you only need it occasionally, a more affordable option may suffice. On the other hand, if you roast frequently or prefer higher-quality cookware, investing in a premium roasting pan will provide better searing and roasting performance.

Opt for stainless steel or aluminium for gravy

If you're looking to make gravy in your roaster pan, it's best to opt for stainless steel or aluminium. These materials can stand up to the direct heat of a burner and will give you those crispy browned bits at the bottom of the pan that are essential for making a rich gravy.

Stainless steel pans are heavy, durable, and nonreactive, meaning you can cook any kind of food in them. They also tend to hold their heat better than nonstick pans, making them ideal for casseroles. However, they are not nonstick, so be sure to use enough oil to prevent food from sticking. Higher-quality stainless steel pans with an inner core made of copper or aluminium can improve heat conductivity, but they tend to be more expensive.

Aluminium pans, on the other hand, are excellent heat conductors, lightweight, and affordable. However, they are not very durable and are also not nonstick. Anodized aluminium pans are an exception, as they are more durable and somewhat nonstick due to a treatment process that hardens the metal.

Both stainless steel and aluminium roaster pans will help you achieve those delicious crispy bits at the bottom of the pan that are perfect for making gravy. Just be sure to measure the inside of your oven before purchasing any roasting pan to ensure it fits properly and allows for good air circulation.

Measure your oven before buying a roasting pan

Before buying a roasting pan, it is important to measure your oven to ensure that the pan will fit properly. The internal dimensions of your oven should be measured, taking the width at its narrowest point. When measuring, be sure to account for the thickness of the pan walls, as well as the design of the handles, which can increase the overall width and height of the pan.

The measurements listed on roasting pan packaging typically refer to the interior dimensions of the pan. However, the thickness of the pan walls and the design of the handles can slightly increase the overall dimensions of the pan. For example, handles that extend horizontally from the sides of the pan can make it easier to hold but will also increase the overall size.

To avoid buying a pan that is too large or too small for your oven, measure the width of your oven and compare it to the width of the roasting pan, including any handles. The average oven is about 25 inches wide, while the three most common roasting pan sizes are 14 inches (small), 16 inches (medium), and 18 inches (large). Larger roasting pans over 18 inches are typically used in commercial kitchens.

In addition to the width, it is also important to consider the depth of your oven when choosing a roasting pan. The ideal depth for a roasting pan is between 3 and 4 inches. This depth allows for proper air circulation and prevents juices from splashing over the sides. However, if the sides of the pan are too high, the hot air may not be able to reach the bottom of the pan, resulting in uneven cooking.

When selecting a roasting pan, it is crucial to choose one that is the appropriate size for the food you will be cooking. The food should fit comfortably in the pan without touching the sides. There should be enough space for air to circulate and for the underside of the food to brown. A larger pan is not always better, as it can cause meat juices to burn due to the larger surface area.

In summary, when buying a roasting pan, it is important to measure your oven to ensure the pan will fit properly. Consider not only the width but also the depth of your oven, and choose a pan with the appropriate dimensions to fit your needs. Additionally, consider the design of the handles and the thickness of the pan walls, as these can slightly increase the overall dimensions of the pan.

Frequently asked questions