Best Roasting Pans

Top-rated fancy and plain roasters

Many cooks prefer the versatility of stainless-steel roasting pans, even though their nonstick surfaces can be a bit tougher to scrub clean. The Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Roaster with V Rack (*Est. $130) earns top marks from one foodie magazine and many positive owner reviews. This roaster has a beautiful brushed stainless-steel exterior and aluminum core. This tri-ply construction minimizes warping and promotes even cooking, and the roasting pan's stay-cool handles also curve inward to prevent cooks from burning their hands. This dishwasher-safe pan's nonstick rack (included) also makes for easy cleanup.

Most owners are happy with their Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Roaster. More than 75 owners on Cooking.com give this roasting pan an average score of 4.7 out of five. It gets equally positive reviews at Amazon.com, with one owner saying it has "superb heat distribution." Other users agree that it's a solid but not too heavy pan. Owners also appreciate the roasting pan's sturdy handles.

Calphalon currently makes three hard-anodized aluminum roasting pans for cooks wanting a nonstick cooking surface. Calphalon's hard-anodized products have been highly ranked in professional reviews, but Calphalon has changed its product line since these older reviews were conducted, so we can't recommend particular roasting pans yet.

The KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions Roaster with Rack (*Est. $50) costs less than Calphalon products but is also highly rated in professional reviews. Made from 18/10 stainless steel -- 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel -- this roasting pan can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and is dishwasher-safe. According to one foodie magazine, it excelled at roasting potatoes, but didn't have the "heft and performance" of the more expensive Calphalon roasting pan. The KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions Roaster with Rack also exhibited some buckling on the stovetop. Still, The New York Times says its sturdy, three-riveted handles are roomy enough to grip with oven mitts. They also report that it "yields nicely browned meats and caramelized drippings," and "there were no hot spots" during use on the stovetop. At 15 inches, this roasting pan is slightly smaller than the Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Roaster.

Owner reviews for the KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions Roaster with Rack aren't as plentiful as the Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Roaster. Owners posting reviews on Cooking.com are mostly happy with their roasting pan -- 46 people (at the time of our visit) give it an average rating of 4.7 stars. Some positively comment that it "cooked the turkey perfectly" and "cleanup is a breeze." Although the 13 users posting on Amazon.com are mostly satisfied, a few owners do complain that the pan's single-ply stainless steel is too thin, and its bottom is not completely flat, so it doesn't work well on the stovetop.

Don't want a stainless-steel roasting pan? Nonstick pans are easier to clean since there's less stuck-on food, but critics do argue that those crunchy stuck-on bits (called "fond") are what make gravy taste great. Still, if you vote for easy cleanup, the Circulon 16-Inch Rectangular Nonstick Roaster with Rack (*Est. $60) is a solid, hard-anodized aluminum option. Aside from the previously mentioned nonstick issues, Denise Landis at The New York Times says this pan's stainless-steel handles are "sturdy and roomy enough to accommodate bulky kitchen mitts." This roasting pan was also lighter in weight than other pans in their test, and the Landis says it's very easy to clean. The 16 or so owners who comment on Amazon.com give it an almost perfect rating.

Granite Ware roasters, another inexpensive option, consist of porcelain over a carbon-steel core. This roasting pan's dark surface attracts heat, which encourages browning; however, one foodie magazine says this thin pan can scorch easily. Amazon.com owner reviews reflect that most users are happy, though some complain that the pan is just too lightweight. Granite Ware roasters are sold in several shapes and sizes. The Granite Ware 19-Inch Oval Roaster (*Est. $25) gets 4.6 stars from more than 50 owners at Cooking.com, while the 13-Inch Oval Roaster (*Est. $15), 18-Inch Oval Roaster (*Est. $20) and 19-Inch Rectangular Roaster (*Est. $35) each average four stars at Amazon.com. None of the pans include a rack.

Bigger roasting pans aren't always better

We thought it was important to identify some highly rated roasting pans for consumers who have smaller ovens or are only cooking for two or three people. Experts advise using smaller pans for petite portions because if the pan is too large for the amount of food, the juices from the roasting meat will evaporate and burn.

The All-Clad Stainless Petite Roti Pan (*Est. $160), which is 14 inches long, receives recognition in both professional and owner reviews. The All-Clad Petite Roti sandwiches aluminum between an interior layer of 18/10 stainless steel and an exterior layer of magnetic stainless steel. The Los Angeles Times reviews the 16-inch version, called the All-Clad Stainless Roti Pan (*Est. $200), and its editors are impressed by the pan's good looks but say its performance is lackluster. Why? Deglazing revealed this pan's hot spots, and testers said its handles became too hot. However, reviewers say this pan was "the easiest to clean." The New York Times' Landis also praises this pan, saying All-Clad pans produce "crisply browned skin on poultry and flavorsome gravies from the pan drippings."

The handful of reviews for this product on Amazon.com are mostly positive, and about a dozen owners on Cooking.com give it an average rating of 4.8 stars. Owners agree that it's expensive but well made and worth the cost. The larger All-Clad Stainless Roti Pan is the top-rated roasting pan on Cooking.com. Both sizes of pans are also available with a nonstick surface. All pans come with a nonstick rack and lifetime warranty.

Bon Appetit magazine recommends two smaller roasting pans that are not made of stainless steel. The French-made Mauviel 1830 M'heritage Copper/Stainless Steel 15-by-12-inch Roasting Pan (*Est. $620) costs more than most cooks are willing to pay for a roasting pan, but it's beautiful copper exterior is lined with sturdy stainless steel. Le Creuset makes enameled cast iron roasting pans in two sizes: the 5.25-quart Le Creuset Rectangular Roaster (*Est. $185) is 14 inches long and the 2.5-quart Le Creuset Rectangular Roaster (*Est. $120) is 12 inches long. Not only does the enameled surface brown meat amazingly well, it comes in a wide range of colors.