How to Buy a Roasting Pan

Few cookware items are as essential to good meal planning as a reliable roasting pan. After all, not only do we depend on roasting pans to prepare scrumptious lasagnas, tender roast beefs and crispy potatoes, we also trust our Thanksgiving bird to them. But not every roasting pan performs the same. Before you buy a roasting pan, check out these handy tips below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get an overall feel for the roasting pan by just picking it up and handling it for a few minutes. You're looking for the pan with the most solid construction. Make sure the handles are securely fastened.

2. Choose the pan with the thickest bottom. Most cooks complete the roasting process by placing the roasting pan over direct stove-top heat. Thin pans set on direct heat scorch the food.

3. Prefer the roasting pan made of heavy-duty aluminum or containing a good amount of aluminum, a great conductor of heat. Stay away from purely stainless steel roasting pans which distribute heat unevenly.

4. Buy a roasting pan with sturdy handles, preferably standing upright. Handles make it easier to remove the pan from the oven and to cook the food on the stove.

5. Opt for a roasting pan with a large interior capacity so it can comfortably hold a 25-pound holiday bird. Buy a pan measuring at least 16 inches in length and 13 inches in width.

6. Select the brand that comes with a non-stick roasting rack. Roasting poultry and meats on a non-stick rack allows for easy removal of the food after cooking. Roasting on a rack almost helps foods develop a crispy, brown exterior.

Resources

• View the results of cooking tests on roasting pans.

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