Roasting Pan: A Kitchen Essential

A roasting pan is a staple in many kitchens, especially if you regularly cook large cuts of meat. Roasting pans are specifically designed to cook at higher temperatures without fear of uneven cooking. They are usually made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron—materials that conduct heat very well. The rack within the pan keeps the food elevated so that it doesn't touch the bottom, allowing air to circulate and helping the roast to heat evenly. The slots in the rack also allow juices from the roast to drip into the bottom tray, which can then be used to make gravy.

Roasting pans are versatile and can be used for braising, casseroles and sheet pan dinners

Roasting pans are a versatile addition to your kitchen, and can be used for braising, casseroles, and sheet pan dinners.

Braising is a method of slowly cooking food in a small amount of liquid. The long cook time breaks down the food, making it tender, and the cooking liquid evaporates, condenses on the lid, and drips back onto the food, creating a sauce in the bottom of the pan. The main things to look for in a braising container are a good sealed lid, the right size, and a heavy pan to distribute heat evenly. Roasting pans can be used for braising as they can be placed over two burners, allowing you to brown large amounts of meat.

Roasting pans can also be used for casseroles. While roasting pans and baking dishes are two closely related types of kitchenware, roasting pans are usually made of aluminum or another metal, and have higher sides to contain the cooking juices. They are also more likely to have a non-stick coating. However, nothing prevents a roasting pan from being used as an oversized baking dish to prepare a casserole.

Sheet pan dinners are another use for roasting pans. A sheet pan dinner takes the concept of a one-pot meal and flips it onto a pan. It saves time, makes clean-up easier, and doesn't require expensive equipment or fancy ingredients. You can start with your protein of choice, then add vegetables, fat, and flavorings, and roast at high heat until everything is golden brown. Roasting pans are ideal for this as they are wide and shallow, allowing for airflow and browning.

They are good for cooking large quantities of vegetables

Roasting pans are great for cooking vegetables in large quantities. From butternut squash to smaller veggies like carrots, roasted potatoes, onions, asparagus, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts, you can get creative with side dishes.

The most common model is rectangular and 16 inches, but today you can find several shapes and sizes on the market, from 12-14 inches up to even 20 inches. Oval roasting pans give you just a little more room for your roast. You can purchase a covered oval roaster, which is good for larger meats. A covered oval roaster can also be used as a serving dish and for easy storage inside your fridge. This is very similar to Dutch ovens.

Roasting pans are usually made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron (materials that conduct heat very well). The upper rack is what makes a roasting pan what it is. The rack keeps the food high enough so it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan, allowing air to circulate and helping the roast to heat evenly. The slots in this rack allow juices from the roast to drip into the bottom tray. The bottom tray, or the "drip pan", is responsible for collecting the pan drippings from certain foods (especially meats).

A roasting pan is perfect for whole roasts like a turkey in all its delicious variants, like herbs, apple or apricot glazed; baked ham (like the classic one with pineapple for Christmas), pork, tenderloin, brisket, or a whole roasted chicken (some sizes will even accommodate two chickens).

If you want to eat top-quality roasted vegetables, you need a good baking sheet. The process of roasting has an immense impact on both the taste of your veggies and their quality. If you want your vegetables to have the right texture, taste, and to preserve their nutrients, you should use the right baking sheet.

The market is saturated with them, so here are some recommendations:

• Nordic Ware Half Sheet: Widely considered one of the best baking sheets on the market. It is made out of pure aluminum, which allows it to optimize rising while the steel rim keeps your cake or another type of produce safe. Its measurements are 17.88 x 12.88 x 1.06 inches, so it's spacious and will hold as many vegetables as you need. It's durable thanks to the use of rust-free aluminum.
• Vollrath Wear-Ever Half-Size Sheet Pan: This is a sturdy, open-beat natural sheet pan that will make roasting vegetables a breeze. With this pan, you will never have to worry about something burning or being undercooked as it is highly conductive and efficient. The pan measures 18 x 13 x 1 inch, making it a standard-sized pan designed to fit typical bakers' racks. It was made out of 13-gauge heavy-duty 3000 series aluminum, which makes it sturdier than its competitors.
• USA Half-Sheet Baking Pan: This pan is made in the USA by a family company that clearly values the quality of the products they're putting out on the market. It has a corrugated surface that promotes air circulation, so your vegetables or cakes will be evenly baked and will have an amazing taste. It is coated in non-stick Americoat, a patented silicone coating. The surface is super easy to clean; all you'll need is some water and liquid dish detergent.
• Artisan Professional Classic Aluminum Baking Sheet: This product is among the sturdiest on the market. It was made from ultra-durable 18-gauge commercial-grade aluminum. It does not rust or warp, which means that you can safely use it for years to come. It features outstanding heat conductivity, so your veggies will take less time to roast. It heats evenly along the surface. It weighs only 2 lbs and measures 18 x 13 x 1 inch, making it a standard-sized baking sheet.
• Focus Chicago Metallic Baking Sheet: This is a three-piece value pack that measures 16-3/4 by 12 by 1 inch. It is non-stick and easy to clean, so you will never have to struggle with stuck bits of food. It's known to be conductive, which helps it roast or bake evenly.

Roasting pans are easy to clean

• Let it cool down to room temperature. Trying to wash a hot pan with cold water can make stains stick.
• Separate the pan and the rack.
• Pour warm water and rub gently with a non-abrasive sponge to remove excess residue and fat.
• Soak the pan and the rack in warm water and dishwasher detergent for around one hour.
• Scrub again with the sponge to remove all debris and stuck-on stains.
• If necessary, soak again and repeat the process until the pan is clean.

If you are dealing with burnt bits or stuck-on food, it will probably take a little more time, but following a few simple steps, you will quickly recover your roasting pan. Here are some methods to tackle those tough spots:

• Soak your pan in hot water with a little dish soap for 30 to 60 minutes, then scrub.
• Sprinkle baking soda over the entire roasting pan, then pour vinegar over the baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Soak the pan in hot water for 15-30 minutes, then scrub the pan and rinse.
• For a stainless steel roasting pan, lather the pan with a generous amount of baking soda and scrub the pan thoroughly with a scouring pad.
• After soaking, rinsing and drying your pan, coat tough stains with baking soda, then combine 1 cup of hot water and 1/3 cup vinegar and pour this mixture onto the stain. Let the pan soak for an hour, then scrub.
• Combine 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide and stir until it forms a paste. Spread the paste on the stains, then wait a few hours. Wipe away the paste with a sponge, then rinse as normal.

They are safe to use at high temperatures

Roasting pans are designed to withstand direct heat at very high temperatures of more than 350°F. They are usually made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron—materials that conduct heat very well.

However, it is important to check the maximum temperature that your roasting pan can withstand. Some pans are only oven-safe up to 400°F, for example, and using them at higher temperatures could cause the handles to melt or the pan to warp.

If you are using a disposable aluminum pan, you can place it on a sturdy baking sheet to prevent it from warping under high temperatures.

If you are using a roasting pan with a non-stick coating, be aware that these coatings can degrade at high heat. For example, Teflon® coatings may lose some of [their] nonstick properties above 500° F and may begin to deteriorate above 660° F.

If you are unsure whether your roasting pan is safe to use at high temperatures, consult the manufacturer's instructions or look for a specification on the pan itself.

Roasting pans are good for cooking large cuts of meat

Roasting pans are usually made from thick stainless steel or aluminium and can hold the weight of whole poultry and large roasts. They are also deep enough to better distribute heat.

If you plan on roasting vegetables in the drippings underneath your meat, you will need the extra volume that a roasting pan provides. Roasting pans are also useful if you want to brown large amounts of meat, such as braising short ribs or putting a sear on a whole pork loin.

The best cuts of meat to cook in a roasting pan include:

• Turkey
• Prime rib
• Brisket
• Pork loin
• Leg of lamb
• Whole chicken
• Baked ham
• Tenderloin
• Short ribs

Frequently asked questions