A roasting pan does two jobs, and most people only shop for the first one. It holds a turkey, a pork shoulder or a tray of root vegetables in a hot oven. Then it comes out, goes across two burners, and becomes the pan you make gravy in, scraping up the browned bits while the meat rests. A pan that does the first job but warps or scorches on the second is only half a tool.
In a restaurant kitchen, most roasting happens on heavy sheet pans and in deep steel pans that can take a flame as well as an oven, because whatever comes out of the oven usually ends up on the range next. That is the lens for this guide: a home roasting pan should be big enough, heavy enough to stay flat, easy to grab with oven mitts, and honest about whether it can go on the stove. Below are the pans worth buying, what their makers say about each, and what America’s Test Kitchen found when it compared roasting pans side by side.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which roasting pan to buy
For most kitchens the best roasting pan is the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-inch Stainless Roasting Pan with Rack: tri-ply stainless with an aluminum core that runs up the sides, a stainless rack, a listed capacity of an 18-pound turkey, and induction compatibility, so it can go straight from the oven to the burner for gravy. It is also the current winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s roasting pan review. If you roast birds over 20 pounds, the Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan is listed for up to a 25-pound bird. On a tight budget, the Cooks Standard 14 x 12-inch Stainless Roaster is ATK’s best-value small pan, and if you rarely roast whole birds, a Nordic Ware Naturals half sheet may be all the roasting pan you need.
The table compares the five we would point most cooks to first. All eight pans are reviewed in full below it.
Five roasting pans side by side
One pick for each kind of cook, with the material, capacity and stovetop use each maker or listing states.
| Roasting pan | Best for | Material & capacity | Stovetop (per maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most kitchens, holiday birds and weeknight roasts | Tri-ply stainless; turkey up to 18 lb | Gas, electric, glass-ceramic, induction | View on Amazon | |
Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan, 16 x 13-inchBest for big birds
|
Turkeys over 20 pounds | 3-ply stainless; bird up to 25 lb | Gas, electric, induction; oven to 600°F | View on Amazon |
| Chickens, roasts and small budgets | 18/10 stainless; capacity not stated | Gas, electric, glass, ceramic; not induction | View on Amazon | |
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Rectangular Roaster, 5.25 qtBest enameled cast iron
|
Chicken, vegetables and braise-roasts | Enameled cast iron; 5.25 qt, 9.8 x 13 in | All cooktops; oven to 500°F | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Half Sheet, 2-PackBest alternative
|
Cooks who rarely roast a whole bird | Aluminum; 17.9 x 12.9 x 1 in | Oven pan; stovetop not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacity, stovetop and care details are as stated by each maker or its Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
What a roasting pan is actually for
A roasting pan is a large, fairly low-sided pan, usually rectangular, with handles on the short ends and often a rack that holds the food above the floor of the pan. The low sides let hot air reach the meat so the outside browns instead of steaming. The rack lifts the roast out of its own fat and juices, which collect underneath and start to caramelize. Those browned drippings are the reason to own a real roasting pan: they are the base of a pan gravy or a jus.
Everything else follows from that. The pan has to be big enough for the largest thing you roast, with an inch or two of room around it. It has to be heavy enough not to buckle in a hot oven or over a burner. The handles have to be easy to grab with thick mitts while the pan is full of hot fat. And if you want to make gravy in it, the pan has to be rated for the stovetop, ideally with a flat floor that sits evenly on two burners.
With a rack or without one
A rack matters most for big birds and fatty roasts, where you want air underneath and the drippings kept separate. For vegetables, chicken pieces and anything you want sitting in its juices, the rack comes out and the pan works like a large baking dish. Every pan on this list except the Le Creuset, the covered Granite Ware and the sheet pan comes with a rack. If you already own a sturdy pan without one, our guide to the best roasting pan turkey picks covers a stand-alone V-rack that drops into a pan you already have.
Our picks for the best roasting pan
These eight pans cover the ways most home kitchens roast: clad stainless for the stovetop-to-oven job, a large pan for birds over 20 pounds, a budget stainless pan, enameled cast iron and porcelain-enamel steel for cooks who do not need a rack, and a heavy half sheet for everything that does not need a deep pan. Each pick lists the same eight specifications, taken from the maker or the Amazon listing.
1. Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-inch Stainless Roasting Pan with Rack – Clad to the Rim, Gravy-Ready
This is the pan to buy if you want one roasting pan that does everything well. Cuisinart builds it tri-ply: a pure aluminum core bonded between a brushed stainless exterior and a polished stainless interior, and the layers run up the sidewalls rather than stopping at a bonded disc on the base. The listing says it holds turkeys up to 18 pounds, and America’s Test Kitchen, which named it the winner of its current roasting pan review, reports that it held a 19-pound turkey easily.
The stovetop rating is what makes it the overall pick. Cuisinart lists it for gas, electric, glass-ceramic and induction cooktops and for the oven to 500°F, so the drippings can go straight onto the burner once the roast comes out. ATK found it browned a pork loin without buckling or burning. Its one complaint is that the rack’s handles line up with the pan’s handles, which makes lifting a heavy bird off the rack a little awkward.
Cuisinart says the pan is dishwasher safe but recommends hand washing in hot, soapy water to keep the polish bright, and notes that a deglaze releases the fond from the stainless interior. A stainless-steel cleaner restores the shine if the dishwasher dulls it.
Why we like it
- Tri-ply construction up the sidewalls, per Cuisinart
- Induction compatible, so it handles stovetop gravy on any range
- Listed for turkeys up to 18 pounds
- Winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s roasting pan review
Key specifications
| Model | MCPS117-16BRP1 |
|---|---|
| Material | Tri-ply stainless steel, aluminum core |
| Size | 16-inch rectangular (ATK measured 16 x 12.25 in) |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Turkey up to 18 lb |
| Rack included | Yes, stainless steel |
| Handles | Riveted stainless side handles |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven to 500°F; broiler not stated; gas, electric, glass-ceramic, induction |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who roasts a few times a month and a turkey once or twice a year, and wants a pan that goes from oven to burner without a second thought.
Skip it if you regularly roast birds over 20 pounds; the Viking below is listed for larger birds.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clad sides spread heat evenly
- Works on every stovetop, including induction
- Lifetime warranty, per the listing
Cons
- Rack handles line up with pan handles, per ATK
- Broiler use not stated
- Polish dulls in the dishwasher
2. Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan, 16 x 13-inch – Room for a 25-Pound Bird
Viking’s 3-ply roaster is the one to look at if your holiday turkey is big. The listing says the 16 x 13-inch pan fits up to a 25-pound bird, the largest stated capacity of the stainless pans here. The construction is a 304 stainless interior, an aluminum core and a stainless exterior, with the layers running along the bottom and up the sides, and the pan comes with a V-shaped nonstick wire rack that cradles a bird.
Viking rates it for gas, electric, grill and induction and for the oven up to 600°F, and describes the interior as non-reactive and suited to reducing sauces, which is the gravy job. America’s Test Kitchen rated Viking’s 3-ply roasting pan with rack highly recommended and found it roomy enough for a 20-pound bird. Its reservations were the weight, nearly 9 pounds on its scale, and a rack small enough to slide around in the pan.
The handles are inverted, turned up and in, which keeps them out of the way in a crowded oven. The pan is dishwasher safe, though Viking recommends washing it by hand, and the nonstick rack will last longer that way too.
Why we like it
- Listed for birds up to 25 pounds
- 3-ply with the core running up the sides, per Viking
- Oven safe to 600°F and induction capable
- Highly recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
Key specifications
| Model | 4013-5016 |
|---|---|
| Material | 3-ply: 304 stainless, aluminum core, stainless exterior |
| Size | 16 x 13 x 3 in |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Up to 25 lb |
| Rack included | Yes, V-shaped nonstick wire rack |
| Handles | Inverted 304 stainless handles |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven to 600°F; broiler not stated; gas, electric, grill, induction |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits the family that hosts the big holiday dinner and needs a pan with clearance around a large turkey, and still wants to make gravy on the stove.
Skip it if you have to lift heavy pans out of a low oven often; it is one of the heavier pans ATK weighed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest stated capacity among the stainless picks
- High oven rating
- Non-reactive interior for pan sauces
Cons
- Heavy, per ATK
- Rack can slide in the pan, per ATK
- Nonstick rack needs gentle cleaning
3. All-Clad Specialty Stainless Large Roaster with Nonstick Rack – Classic Shape, Big Capacity
All-Clad’s large roaster is the familiar polished pan you see on holiday tables: a 13 x 16-inch stainless roaster with riveted stainless handles and a removable nonstick rack. The listing says it holds turkeys up to 25 pounds and that, with the rack out, the pan doubles as a large baking dish for lasagna or a sheet of roasted vegetables.
Read the heat ratings carefully. The listing gives the pan an oven and broiler rating of 600°F in its features and 500°F in its title, and says the nonstick rack is oven safe only to 375°F, so for a high-heat roast the rack is the limit. The pan works on gas, electric and ceramic cooktops but, per All-Clad, not on induction. Its sibling listing describes this line as single-ply polished stainless with a bonded base, rather than fully clad like the Cuisinart and Viking.
America’s Test Kitchen recommended an All-Clad large roaster with rack from the brand’s accessory line, noting it was heavy and that a trough around the edge limited the flat searing space; we could not confirm that it is this exact model. The pan is dishwasher safe and carries All-Clad’s limited lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- Listed for turkeys up to 25 pounds
- Oven and broiler safe, per All-Clad
- Rack lifts out so the pan doubles as a baking dish
- Dishwasher safe, limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 11644910006 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel (single-ply with bonded base, per the line’s listing) |
| Size | 13 x 16 in |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Turkey up to 25 lb |
| Rack included | Yes, PTFE nonstick, oven safe to 375°F |
| Handles | Riveted stainless steel |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven and broiler to 600°F (title says 500°F); gas, electric, ceramic; not induction |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook with a gas or electric range who wants a large, easy-to-clean roaster from a long-standing cookware maker and likes the pan’s look on the table.
Skip it if you cook on induction or like to roast very hot on the rack; the rack is rated only to 375°F.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large stated capacity
- Broiler safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not induction compatible
- Rack limited to 375°F
- Listing gives two different oven ratings
4. Calphalon Premier 5-Ply 16-inch Stainless Roaster with Rack – Five Layers, Any Stove
Calphalon’s Premier roaster is built from five layers of stainless steel and aluminum, which Calphalon says resists warping and denting and heats fast and evenly across the cooking surface. The set is a 16-inch roasting pan, a stainless steel rack and two lifters for moving a bird from rack to board.
It is rated for electric, glass, induction and gas stoves and for the oven to 500°F, and Calphalon describes it as moving “seamless” from stovetop to oven. That makes it a reasonable choice for searing a roast on the burner before it goes in, and for gravy after it comes out. The cast stainless handles are riveted and, per Calphalon, stay cool on the stovetop; use mitts for anything that has been in the oven.
The listing is thin on numbers. It does not state the pan’s exact dimensions, the largest bird it holds, or whether it is dishwasher safe, so check the box or ask the seller if those matter to you. We found no independent review of this specific model.
Why we like it
- 5-ply stainless with an aluminum core, per Calphalon
- Works on induction, gas, electric and glass stoves
- Comes with a rack and two lifters
- Oven safe to 500°F
Key specifications
| Model | 2256784 |
|---|---|
| Material | 5-ply stainless steel, aluminum core |
| Size | 16-inch pan; other dimensions not stated |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Not stated |
| Rack included | Yes, stainless steel, plus 2 lifters |
| Handles | Cast stainless, riveted |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven to 500°F; broiler not stated; electric, glass, induction, gas |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits the induction cook who wants a heavy, multi-layer pan and likes having lifters in the box for a holiday bird.
Skip it if you want a stated turkey capacity before you buy; Calphalon does not give one in the listing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Five-layer build
- Induction compatible
- Lifters included
Cons
- Capacity and dimensions not stated
- Dishwasher use not stated
- No independent review found
5. Cooks Standard 14 x 12-inch Stainless Roaster with V-Rack – Solid Stainless on a Budget
If you want real stainless steel without paying for cladding, this is the pan. Cooks Standard makes it from 18/10 heavy-gauge stainless with riveted stainless handles and a V-shaped stainless rack. The interior measures 14 x 11 inches and 3 inches deep, 15 x 12 inches edge to edge, which suits chickens, pork loins, a small turkey breast and sheet-pan-style vegetables.
America’s Test Kitchen named this 14 x 12-inch roaster the best buy in its review of smaller roasting pans, reporting evenly browned chicken and potatoes and a floor without a grease trough, which makes gravy easier. Its cautions were the weight, over 7 pounds on its scale, and handles that rise high enough that a tester’s wrists got burned, so wear long mitts.
Cooks Standard lists it for gas, electric, glass and ceramic stovetops, not induction, and for the oven to 500°F. It is dishwasher safe. The listing does not give a turkey capacity; for a whole bird over about 12 pounds, the 16 x 13-inch version of the same pan is the safer size.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best buy among smaller roasting pans
- 18/10 stainless pan and rack
- Flat floor without a grease trough, per ATK
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 02448 |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/10 heavy-gauge stainless steel |
| Size | Interior 14 x 11 x 3 in; 15 x 12 in edge to edge |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Not stated |
| Rack included | Yes, V-shaped stainless |
| Handles | Riveted stainless steel |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven to 500°F; broiler not stated; gas, electric, glass, ceramic; not induction |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household of two to four that roasts chickens and pork more often than turkeys and wants stainless that can take a burner.
Skip it if you cook on induction; Cooks Standard says it is not compatible.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong showing in ATK’s small-pan review
- All-stainless pan and rack
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not induction compatible
- Tall handles, per ATK
- Too small for a big turkey
6. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Rectangular Roaster, 5.25 qt – Holds Heat, Goes to the Table
Le Creuset’s rectangular roaster is a different kind of roasting pan: a 9.8 x 13-inch, 5.25-quart dish in enameled cast iron, with no rack. Cast iron is slow to heat and slow to cool, so it suits a roast chicken on a bed of onions, a tray of carnitas finished in the oven, roasted tomatoes and chiles for a salsa, or a gratin, all of them dishes that want to sit in their juices rather than above them.
Le Creuset says the roaster works on all cooktops and in the oven to 500°F, so you can brown on the burner, roast, and reduce the juices on the burner again. The enamel needs no seasoning, and Le Creuset says it resists dulling, staining, chipping and cracking and that the light interior makes it easy to watch browning. Wide loop handles help with lifting, which matters, because enameled cast iron is heavy even before it is full.
It is safe for the dishwasher and metal utensils, per the listing. It is not a turkey pan; at 13 inches long it is sized for a chicken or a small roast. If you want a turkey pan, see the stainless picks above. Le Creuset says its cookware complies with FDA safety regulations; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker.
Why we like it
- Compatible with all cooktops, per Le Creuset
- Enamel needs no seasoning
- Holds heat and goes straight to the table
- Dishwasher and metal-utensil safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 20184033717001 |
|---|---|
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Size | 9.8 x 13 in, 5.25 qt |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Not stated |
| Rack included | No |
| Handles | Wide loop handles |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven to 500°F; broiler not stated; all cooktops |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who roasts chicken, vegetables and braises far more often than turkey and wants one heavy dish that browns, roasts and serves.
Skip it if you need a rack or a pan for a whole turkey; this one has neither the rack nor the room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works on any cooktop
- Even, steady heat
- Table-ready
Cons
- No rack
- Heavy
- Too small for a turkey
7. Granite Ware 19-inch Covered Oval Roaster – A 20-Pound Bird for Little Money
The speckled black Granite Ware roaster is a long-familiar holiday pan. It is porcelain enamel fused onto steel, oval, with a domed lid, and the listing says it holds up to 20 pounds of poultry or meat. The lid also works as a separate shallow roaster.
A covered roaster cooks differently from an open pan. With the lid on, the bird sits in steam and stays moist but browns less; take the lid off for the last stretch to color the skin. The listing says the dark enamel absorbs and holds heat, and that the surface is free of PFOA and PTFE. It is dishwasher safe.
Be clear about its limits. Granite Ware’s own care notes say not to use its roasters on glass cooktops, and there is no rack, so drippings sit under the bird. We would not make gravy in a thin enamel-on-steel pan either; pour the drippings into a saucepan instead. America’s Test Kitchen did not recommend an open rectangular Granite-Ware roaster, which warped and could not fit a 19-pound turkey; that is a different, uncovered model from this oval one.
Why we like it
- Listed for up to 20 pounds of poultry
- Lid included and doubles as a second roaster
- Porcelain enamel, free of PFOA and PTFE per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 0510-4 |
|---|---|
| Material | Porcelain enamel on steel |
| Size | 19-inch oval, covered |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Up to 20 lb |
| Rack included | No |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven; broiler not stated; not for glass cooktops, per Granite Ware |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who roasts one big bird a year, wants a lid, and would rather not spend much on a pan that lives in the garage the rest of the year.
Skip it if you want to make gravy in the roasting pan; this one is an oven vessel, not a stovetop pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large stated capacity
- Covered, keeps a bird moist
- Simple to clean
Cons
- No rack
- Not for glass cooktops
- Browns less with the lid on
8. Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Half Sheet, 2-Pack – The Roasting Pan You May Already Need
Here is the honest alternative. If you roast vegetables, chicken thighs, salmon or a spatchcocked chicken far more often than a whole turkey, a heavy half sheet pan will do most of a roasting pan’s work and fit in more ovens. Commercial kitchens lean on sheet pans for roasting for the same reason: the 1-inch rim lets hot air reach the food from every side, so it browns instead of steaming.
Nordic Ware’s Naturals half sheets are pure aluminum, which conducts heat quickly and evenly, with an encapsulated galvanized steel rim that the maker says resists warping. Each pan measures 17.9 x 12.9 x 1 inches outside and 17.1 x 12.1 inches inside. They are made in the United States of domestic and imported materials, and this listing is a 2-pack.
What a sheet pan cannot do is hold a big bird or a lot of liquid; the rim is only an inch deep, so a turkey’s drippings could spill. The pan has no handles, no rack (Nordic Ware sells an oven-safe grid separately), and no stated stovetop use. Nordic Ware recommends hand washing, since dishwasher detergent discolors bare aluminum.
Why we like it
- Pure aluminum for quick, even browning
- Steel-reinforced rim resists warping, per Nordic Ware
- Two pans: one for the roast, one for the sides
- Made in the United States, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 43105AMZM |
|---|---|
| Material | Pure aluminum, galvanized steel rim |
| Size | 17.9 x 12.9 x 1 in (interior 17.1 x 12.1 in) |
| Capacity (lb bird, as stated) | Not stated; not for a whole turkey |
| Rack included | No |
| Handles | None; rolled rim |
| Oven/broiler/stovetop use | Oven; broiler and stovetop not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits the small household that roasts on weeknights, wants an all-purpose pan, and would rather borrow or buy a disposable pan for the one turkey a year.
Skip it if you want to make gravy in the pan; a 1-inch rim and bare aluminum are not built for the burner.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast, even browning
- Fits most ovens
- Useful for baking too
Cons
- Too shallow for a turkey
- No rack or handles
- Discolors in the dishwasher
How to choose a roasting pan for your kitchen
Six things decide whether a roasting pan earns its cabinet space. In order of importance:
1. Size, measured against your oven and your biggest roast
America’s Test Kitchen suggests a pan of at least 16 x 12 inches for most home cooks, which it says fits large roasts and 20-pound turkeys. Smaller households can do well with a 14-inch pan. Measure your oven’s interior before you buy, and remember to add the handles, which can add several inches to a pan’s length.
2. Construction that stays flat
A thin pan can buckle in a hot oven and warp the moment it hits a burner, and a warped pan rocks, spills and scorches drippings in the high spots. ATK favored fully clad stainless and did not recommend several thin pans that warped or blackened over a burner. Clad stainless (Cuisinart, Viking, Calphalon) is the safe choice if you plan to make gravy in the pan.
3. Stovetop rating and a flat floor
If gravy is part of the plan, check that the maker rates the pan for your cooktop, induction included, and look for a flat floor. ATK marked down pans with a grease trough around the edge because it shrinks the flat searing area and makes gravy harder. Porcelain-enamel and bare aluminum pans are oven vessels; pour their drippings into a saucepan.
4. Handles you can grab with mitts
A pan holding a 20-pound turkey and its drippings weighs well over 20 pounds. ATK prefers large, upright handles that leave room for oven mitts and clear the oven walls. Inverted or upright handles also take less room in a crowded oven.
5. A rack that fits
The rack should sit snugly so the roast does not shift as you carry it. ATK noted racks that slid in several pans. A V-rack cradles a bird; a flat rack suits roasts and can come out entirely for vegetables. Check the rack’s own heat rating: All-Clad’s nonstick rack is rated only to 375°F.
6. Weight and cleaning
ATK’s ideal was under about 7 pounds with the rack. Stainless pans are mostly dishwasher safe but keep their polish better washed by hand; nonstick racks and bare aluminum always last longer washed by hand.
How we chose these eight roasting pans
We started from what a working kitchen asks of a roasting pan: room for the roast, a body that stays flat in the oven and on the burner, handles a cook can grab with mitts, and a floor that makes good gravy. We searched for roasting pans sold on Amazon in the United States, checked each one’s availability with Amazon’s product data, and kept only in-stock pans from makers we could identify. For every pan we took the material, size, stated capacity, rack, handles, heat ratings and care from the maker’s site or the brand’s Amazon listing, and wrote “Not stated” where neither gave it. Independent findings come from America’s Test Kitchen’s reviews of full-size and small roasting pans, which we read directly. We left out pans that ATK did not recommend, including the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 16-inch and the Rachael Ray 16.5-inch roasters. We have not cooked with these pans for this guide.
Roasting pan reviews and questions, answered
What does America’s Test Kitchen say about roasting pans?
ATK’s current full-size winner is the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-inch roasting pan with rack, which it found browned evenly without buckling and held a 19-pound turkey. It rated the Viking 3-ply roasting pan highly recommended, recommended several All-Clad, Misen and Hestan pans, and preferred fully clad stainless, a flat floor, upright handles and a snug rack. In its small-pan review, the Cooks Standard 14 x 12-inch roaster was the best buy.
What is the best kind of roasting pan?
For most kitchens, clad stainless steel with a rack. It browns well, does not react with acidic pan sauces, stays flat on a burner, and survives the dishwasher. Enameled cast iron is a good second pan for chicken and braises; enamel-on-steel and disposable foil are fine for one turkey a year if you make the gravy in a saucepan.
What is the best roasting pan brand?
No single brand wins every category. Cuisinart’s MultiClad Pro is ATK’s winner; Viking, All-Clad, Calphalon and Hestan all make clad or heavy stainless roasters; Le Creuset leads in enameled cast iron. Choose by size, construction and stovetop rating rather than the name on the handle.
Do Wirecutter, Serious Eats and Consumer Reports rank roasting pans?
All three publish cookware coverage, but we could not read their roasting pan pages directly for this guide, so we do not summarize their picks here. The only independent comparison we cite is America’s Test Kitchen’s, which we read in full. If you see their verdicts quoted elsewhere, check the original page, since recommendations change as pans are discontinued.
Do I need a roasting pan, or will a sheet pan do?
For vegetables, chicken pieces and small roasts, a heavy half sheet does the job and browns very well. For a whole turkey, a large roast with lots of drippings, or gravy made in the pan, you want a real roasting pan with higher sides and a stovetop rating.
Can I use a roasting pan on the stove?
Only if the maker says so. Clad stainless pans like the Cuisinart, Viking and Calphalon are rated for the stovetop; Granite Ware says its roasters should not go on glass cooktops; and nonstick racks should stay in the oven. Straddle two burners on medium heat and keep the pan moving if your burners are uneven.
Our final pick for roasting
Buy the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro if you want one roasting pan that does the oven job and the gravy job. Choose the Viking for birds over 20 pounds, the All-Clad for a classic large roaster on a gas or electric range, the Calphalon for a five-layer pan on induction, the Cooks Standard on a budget, the Le Creuset for chicken and vegetables, the Granite Ware for a cheap covered turkey roaster, and the Nordic Ware half sheet if a whole bird is a once-a-year event.
Roasting one bird for a weeknight dinner? See our picks for the best roasting pans for chicken, including vertical roasters.
More specific guides: the best roasting pan racks, the best baking pan and rack sets and the best pans for roasting vegetables.
Related guide: Best chicken cookbook.
Related guide: Best holiday cookbook.
Related guide: Roasting pan alternative.
This guide leads our roasting and baking pan series. For holiday birds, read our guide to the best roasting pan turkey picks, with racks, foil pans and USDA roasting guidance. Building out the rest of the bakeware shelf? See the best baking pan sets, the best baking loaf pan, the best baking pan liners for easier cleanup, and the best baking pan organizer for somewhere to keep a big roaster. For how roasting fits next to grilling, braising and frying, read Mexican cooking methods explained. Or skip the dishes tonight: see the menu and call to order.