Serve up your best Sunday roast with a high-quality roasting rack

Enjoying the delicious savoury flavours of roast meat is easy when using a non stick roasting rack, not to mention the added bonus of the delicious gravy it helps to create. This essential kitchen tool will help you create perfect succulent roasts, roast potatoes, and roasted vegetables with minimal fuss, every time.

With a range of roasting pan styles, materials and sizes, there’s a roasting tray to suit all types of cooking needs.

Common roasting pan materials to choose from

• Stainless steel. Highly durable, easy to clean and resistant to cooking marks. It also helps to create a tasty, sticky fond that makes for delicious gravy.

• Copper. This provides the highest thermal conductivity among non-noble metals and is fast heating with even heat distribution. The copper roasting pan is ideal for roasting large pieces of meat like whole chicken, pork ribs, beef and turkey.

• Aluminium. An effective heat conductor that is also lightweight. Anodised aluminium in particular is naturally non-stick, and the dark colour helps to brown meat as it roasts.

• Cast iron. A fantastic heat conductor that is efficient and hardy. Enamelled cast iron is very easy to clean and retains heat extremely well to keep your meat warm while serving the table.

Why your roasting pan should have a rack

Roasting meat on a rack helps to keep an ideal meat texture when juices run out. This creates a firm crispy skin while the drippings in the pan become extra succulent as the meat cooks. Once the roast is cooked, the rack is easy to lift out and remove the meat, leaving the pan free for reducing the drippings to a delicious gravy.

Considerations when buying a roasting rack

• Size and height. Choose a roasting pan that is at least 5cm larger on all sides than the meat you are roasting to ensure the roasting liquids don’t evaporate and burn. Additionally, if the pan is too small, meat may stew in its own juices instead of roasting, and gravy may be lost over the sides, either from bubbling over or while removing from the oven.

• Design. A rack that sits a couple inches over the pan, so you can cook vegetables under the meat is ideal. If space allows, opt for a rack with handles for easier and safer handling, in and out of the oven.

• Durability. Opt for a material that can withstand regular use and cleaning such as stainless steel, as it keeps its shape and stands the test of time.

• Sturdiness. A sturdy roasting rack is essential for even and thorough roasting as well as maximum safety when handling the pan in and out of the oven.

• Compatibility. Ensure you choose a roasting rack that will comfortably fit within your oven’s dimensions.

Nonstick roasting rack - pros and cons

• Pro – Nonstick coating is easy to clean up and requires less oil than traditional pans.

• Con – Non-stick roasters can be very delicate, and scratch easily. Generally it doesn’t brown food as well as metal surfaces.

Tips on how to make the most out of your roasting rack

• Allows 2-3 inches of space underneath the rack for air to circulate evenly.

• Regardless of the size of the pan, choose a rack that fits meat comfortably while roasting.

The secret to perfect basting and roasting

• Use a basting brush to apply roast liquids to the meat by dipping the brush into the drippings and then brushing directly onto meat.

• Bring food to room temperature before roasting for even cooking. Use a food thermometer to confirm that the inside of the meat is properly tempered. This is also handy to confirm meat is fully cooked before removing it from the oven.

• Calibrate the oven by putting an oven thermometer in your oven, turn the oven on, and when it’s fully heated, check that the reading on the thermometer is the same as your oven thermometer.

• Slow down cooking by placing aluminium foil over the meat or basting the skin with room-temperature liquid.

• Know your cuts as different types of meat are best cooked at different temperatures and lengths of time.

• Rest meat after roasting for 10-20 minutes before carving and serving.

• Some meats may need a quick pan-sear before transferring to the oven to ensure a golden-brown finish.

• Cut vegetables into similar sizes to ensure even cooking.

Mouthwatering ideas to try using a roasting rack

• Roast chicken

• Roast potatoes

• Oven roasted salmon

• Roasted vegetables

• Roasted pork loin

• Roasting pan ratatouille

• If the roasting pan is stove top compatible, use it as a grill pan to make eggs, bacon and pancakes.

Proper storage of roasting racks

Store racks separately to pans to protect both and layer either in a vertical or horizontal position, depending on the amount of space available in kitchen cabinets.

Maintenance, cleaning and care

• Clean immediately after each use with hot soapy water and scratch-free sponges.

• For burnt-in food, drizzle detergent over a pan and then fill with hot water to bubble up. Leave to soak for 30-60 minutes before scrubbing.

• For food that is extra hard to remove, combine half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar with hot water. Pour into a pan and leave to soak for 30 minutes and then scrub clean.

Brands we know and trust

We carry a range of cookers, baking trays, kettles, stockpots and steamers from Australia and around the world from brands such as Le Creuset, Masterpro, Pyrolux, Techniq, Essteele, Tefal, Jamie Oliver, Scanpan and Anolon. Explore the wide range we have available at Kitchen Warehouse.

Buying online with Kitchen Warehouse

We have the biggest range of kitchenware, frypans, woks, cookware sets, saucepans and bakeware available. Browse our best-selling products with prices below RRP and add your product details to your wishlist, or checkout and enjoy free delivery on orders over $100 to any Australian postcode. Shop with peace of mind with our warranty guarantee. You can also surprise a friend or loved one with a gift card for a special occasion.

FAQs:

What are the advantages of using a roasting rack? A roasting rack allows heat to circulate evenly underneath the meat, as well as around the sides. The more air circulation in the pan, the more evenly the meat will cook.

How do I use a roasting rack? Place the rack into the oven tray and make sure the rack sits 2-3 inches above the surface of the pan and then place meat into the centre of the rack in a preheated oven.