Best Overall
Rachael Ray 16" x 13" Roaster
- Its reversible rack adjusts for high or low positioning in the pan, making it ideal for every type of roast.
Its reversible rack adjusts for high or low positioning in the pan, making it ideal for every type of roast.
- It isn’t dishwasher safe.
It isn’t dishwasher safe.
This pan received high marks across the board, and is recommended for every type of roast or bird from beef to turkey to pork.
It comes with a reversible rack that holds roasts or birds that weigh up to 20 pounds. We also appreciate that the reversible rack allows for high or low positioning within the pan, which is a feature most roasting pans we tested didn’t have. The pan’s wide handles ensure safe lifting and moving of hot foods in the kitchen, and it cooks worry-free in temperatures of up to 500°F.
During our testing, our roasts were evenly cooked and juicy, and the potatoes were some of the most evenly roasted in all of the pans we tested. None of them were overdone, but all were beautifully caramelized. The gravy whisked up from the drippings was even in consistency as well, with no burnt or flour taste to it.
When we washed this roasting pan, we didn’t need to scrub this pan/rack set, as the nonstick surfaces of both the pan and rack made them impressively easy to clean. Post-meal dish washing time was much shorter compared to other pans we tested. Soap and warm water were all it took for this pan and rack to wash clean, and we decided the price was extremely reasonable for such a high-performing roasting pan.
However, it isn’t safe for the dishwasher or on induction stovetops, and you should avoid using metal utensils with this pan. But because the roasting pan produced an evenly cooked roast, this is the best one we tested.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13.5 x 3.5 x 16.5 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Rack Included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Dishwasher safe
Best Budget
Farberware Nonstick Steel Roaster
- Even though it was one of the cheapest roasting pans we tested, it evenly cooked both chicken and potatoes.
Even though it was one of the cheapest roasting pans we tested, it evenly cooked both chicken and potatoes.
- It’s a bit smaller than other roasting pans on our list.
It’s a bit smaller than other roasting pans on our list.
For those looking for an affordable roasting pan, this is the best option for you. While this is one of the least expensive roasting pans we tested, it was also one of the highest performing.
After cooking a chicken and potatoes in this roasting pan, we found the chicken to be perfectly and evenly roasted, and the potatoes had a crispy exterior with a fluffy, pillowy interior.
When it was time to clean the pan, we found it to be fairly straightforward to clean with a mild dish soap and water. While its flat shape made the rack easy to clean, washing each section of the wire rack sufficiently took a few extra minutes. Despite this, the roasting pan earned a perfect score for ease of cleaning since the pan itself didn’t require any difficult scrubbing.
Keep in mind that this pan can’t withstand the direct heat or open flame of a stove top, and should only be used in the oven. Compared to our best overall pick, this pan is a bit smaller, so you may want to opt for a slightly larger pan if you are cooking for a crowd or large family.
Because of its exceptional performance at an affordable price point, this roasting pan earned a score of 5 out of 5 star rating during our testing, making it ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly option.
Product Details: Dimensions: 11.3 x 2.4 x 16 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Hand wash only
Best Splurge
Hestan Provisions Classic Roaster with Rack
- It makes a thoroughly cooked bird in slightly less than an hour, and a tasty well-developed fond for the gravy to go with it.
It makes a thoroughly cooked bird in slightly less than an hour, and a tasty well-developed fond for the gravy to go with it.
- The groove around the edge catches drippings, but also limits the amount you’ll have for that tasty gravy.
The groove around the edge catches drippings, but also limits the amount you’ll have for that tasty gravy.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra on the right roasting pan, this is the best one for you. We found it brought plenty of bang for the buck, and minus a couple of points for cleaning issues, we felt it outperformed other more expensive brands.
During our testing, we found that this pan roasted a bird thoroughly after about an hour. Although the color on the roasted chicken wasn’t as even as other roasting pans we tested, it still produced a mouth-watering meal.
This roasting pan was also able to produce a nice fond for making a chicken gravy on the bottom of the pan. We also liked that the pan has a groove around the edge for catching the drippings from the bird, which is handy, but also limits the amount of liquid you’ll be able to use for gravy later on.
This roasting pan does come with a rack, but we found it didn’t quite have as much room underneath as other pans we tested. We were able to fit potatoes under the rack, but it was a tight fit. However, this roasting pan yielded delicious potatoes that were caramelized and buttery.
After we cooked the chicken and potatoes, there was a little bit of stuck-on food, but it came off after some scrubbing. Although we opted to scrub this pan during our testing, we do appreciate that the pan and rack are both dishwasher safe.
While it is true to its stainless steel name and cleans easily for the most part, we did find that it stained slightly from the potato starches we cooked in it. Otherwise, the performance of the pan was exemplary and earned an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 3.5 x 18.5 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Dishwasher safe
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Best Carbon Steel
Made In Blue Carbon Steel Roasting Pan
- It has a naturally nonstick surface and can withstand up to 1,200°F.
It has a naturally nonstick surface and can withstand up to 1,200°F.
- It has to be seasoned prior to use, and it can be easily scratched.
It has to be seasoned prior to use, and it can be easily scratched.
This French-made carbon steel roaster provides excellent heat retention, a naturally nonstick surface, and the capacity to withstand up to 1,200°F. It can be used on induction, glass top, and standard stove top surfaces as well.
A fairly straightforward pan with a streamlined design, this model also has deep sides that helped create a lovely crisp texture on the chicken’s skin during testing. It also has a flat rack that allowed just enough space under the chicken for the potatoes to cook while we roasted— but it was tight.
However, the potatoes that did fit underneath turned out perfectly, cooked to a pillowy softness inside. Although the nonstick feature likely made our cooking time longer due to not having the ability to develop fond (as the surface was too slippery), the end result was still outstanding.
Its nonstick surface meant that only a very small amount of dish detergent was required to clean the roaster and rack. The rack’s design also made it easier to clean than some other more intricate models. Because of how simple it was to clean, this roasting pan earned a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for its ease of cleaning.
The manufacturer advises against cooking acidic foods like tomatoes, vinegars, and citruses in order to protect the longevity of the carbon steel. In addition, the pan is prone to being scratched fairly easily (we found it was scratched after the very first time making gravy in it), but the manufacturers say this is normal and to be expected.
Overall, the price is high for a roaster and rack combo, but with its excellent nonstick capability, overall ease of cleaning, and capacity for induction stove use, it is the best carbon steel roasting pan.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 4.25 x 18 inches | Materials: Carbon steel | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Hand wash only
Best Stainless Steel
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Roasting Pan
- It produced a perfectly cooked chicken, has supportive handles, and is dishwasher safe.
It produced a perfectly cooked chicken, has supportive handles, and is dishwasher safe.
- Because the potatoes were slightly overcooked, the cleanup process was a little tedious.
Because the potatoes were slightly overcooked, the cleanup process was a little tedious.
If you’re looking for a stainless steel option, this is the best stainless steel roasting pan we tested. This pan roasted a perfect, evenly browned chicken. However, the potatoes were a little overdone and a little too crispy, so we recommend taking the potatoes out of the oven while the bird finishes cooking.
This roasting pan is oven safe up to 500°F, and stovetop safe up to around a medium high heat. Its exterior is brushed stainless steel with an aluminum core, and it comes with a slightly U-shaped rack that is gently sloped on the sides and a flat bottom to hold your roast.
The stainless steel handles are riveted in place for a safe and secure grip, and they stay cool for comfortable gripping while cooking. We also like that it has a convenient pouring rim that prevents drips, too.
Because the potatoes got overcooked during testing, we found that cleaning the stainless steel pan required some effort and scrubbing. However, we do appreciate that this option is dishwasher safe, unlike some other roasting pans on our list.
Although you may have to make some adjustments with roasting vegetables with this pick, it earned one of our top spots because of its ability to roast a flawless chicken.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.1 x 5.2 x 19.3 inches | Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Dishwasher safe
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Best Ceramic
GreenPan Reserve Nonstick Roasting Pan
- It's versatile, has a great nonstick capability, and is excellent for cooking proteins and one-pot creations.
It's versatile, has a great nonstick capability, and is excellent for cooking proteins and one-pot creations.
- The chicken slid around slightly on the rack.
The chicken slid around slightly on the rack.
This ceramic pan is ideal for the home cook who is looking for an efficient roasting pan to handle their proteins and occasional one pot meals. It’s also a great option for those who care about kitchen aesthetics, as this is a sleek, modern-looking pan.
Regarding the pan's performance, it was noted that while the roast was perfectly golden brown after cooking for about an hour, the skin was crispy in some places but not others. After about 15 minutes, the potatoes looked brown and started to caramelize.
However, after cooking with the chicken for an hour, the potatoes ended up overdone, dark, and crunchy. If you use this roasting pan to make sides, you may want to remove them before the chicken is finished cooking. The gravy was smooth and well-incorporated.
It was also incredibly easy to clean, and stuck-on food came off effortlessly with just a few swipes of the rough side of a scrubber sponge. Because of this, we gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating for ease of cleaning. It's also technically safe for the dishwasher—but the manufacturer does recommend hand washing in warm soapy water for best results.
While the handles made the pan simple to maneuver with just the potatoes in it, the V-shaped rack leaves a little too much room between its sides and the pan. This meant that once the roast was added, we noticed that it did slide around a bit.
Unlike a few other options on our list, it’s safe to use metal utensils with this roasting pan because of its scratch-resistant surface. It can also be used on gas and electric stovetops. Overall, this ceramic roasting pan earned a score of 4.1 out of 5, making it one of the best products we tested.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13.25 x 2.5 x 16.25 inches | Materials: Ceramic, PFAS-Free nonstick surface, aluminum, stainless steel | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand wash recommended
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Best Nonstick
All-Clad Stainless Steel Nonstick Roasting Pan
- This pan can roast turkeys up to 25 pounds and has a removable rack that doubles as a baking dish.
This pan can roast turkeys up to 25 pounds and has a removable rack that doubles as a baking dish.
- It was a little difficult to get the drippings out to make gravy.
It was a little difficult to get the drippings out to make gravy.
This versatile roaster can function as a baking dish when the rack is removed, and it conveniently works on gas, ceramic, and electric cooktops, as well as in the oven. Both the rack and the roasting pan are nonstick, and it’s safe for temperatures of up to 500°F in the oven.
After cooking the chicken for an hour and one minute, it had a light, crispy feel to its skin. The chicken was a little bit light on the bottom, but that may be due to the close proximity of the rack to the potatoes we put in with it. When we checked the potatoes after the same amount of time, they were unevenly browned with a few on the crispy side, and some still a little blond on the bottom. All of the potatoes were perfectly creamy on the inside, however.
The gravy had a well-blended consistency, although it did require a bit of maneuvering to get enough of the drippings out of the grooved edges of the pan to make it.
Because of the nonstick design of this pan, cleanup was swift and easy, which earned this roasting pan a score of 5 out of 5 for ease of cleaning. We recommend skipping any harsh detergents, steel wool, bleach cleansers, nonstick sprays, or metal utensils on this pan as they might damage the nonstick surface. However, nylon scrubbing pads are fine to use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 16 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Rack included: Yes | Lid included: No | Care: Dishwasher safe
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Best Rack
Le Creuset Stainless Steel Roasting Pan
- It has a removable nonstick rack, a groove-lined pan that traps juices as they drain, and stay-cool, sturdy handles.
It has a removable nonstick rack, a groove-lined pan that traps juices as they drain, and stay-cool, sturdy handles.
- You’ll likely need some stainless steel polish to keep this pan looking its best.
You’ll likely need some stainless steel polish to keep this pan looking its best.