Can You Use a Roasting Pan on the Stovetop?

A good roasting pan is an essential part of any home’s cookware set. It allows you to roast a huge turkey for your family and friends during the holidays.

Plus, roasting pans are also perfect for a large quantity of meat for a summer barbecue.

But one concern that many people seem to have is – “can roasting pans be used on a stovetop?”

Can You Use a Roasting Pan on the Stovetop?

While this may sound like a simple question, the answer is quite the opposite. In plain words, it depends.

While most roasting pans can be used on stovetops, there are also some roasting pans that may not be the best choice for use on a cooktop.

For instance, some roasting pans don’t have a sturdy bottom and can warp if placed over a stovetop.

Generally, you should avoid using cheap roasting pans on the stovetop. Even if these pans don’t warp, they can burn the aromatics to make gravy.

However, if you have an expensive roasting pan, it’s probably safe to use on the stovetop.

Check the instruction manual to ensure your specific roasting pan can be used on stovetops.

In most cases, this would depend on the bottom of the roasting pan, which comes in contact with the stovetops.

Normally, non-stick stainless steel or aluminum roasting pans are most suitable for stovetop cooking. These materials are sturdy, robust, and less likely to warp on a stovetop.

Here is a list of some roasting pans that are compatible with stovetops.

Note: Roasting pans are meant to be used in ovens. But in some cases where you want to sear or brown meat and may want to do that on a stovetop, you can do that. Whether your roasting pan is induction-compatible would depend on whether it is made of ferromagnetic material.

Also read: Can You Use a Cast Iron Skillet on an Electric Stove

What Factors Should You Consider When Buying A Roasting Pan?

Here is a list of factors you need to consider before buying a roasting pan.

Size of the Roasting Pan

You should buy a roasting pan with enough room to accommodate large items that need to be roasted.

Plus, it should allow sufficient air circulation for proper browning and roasting, even at the bottom.

If your pan is too big, a lot of the bottom surface will not get occupied and will stay exposed. This can burn the delicious juices that are released during cooking.

The depth of the walls plays an important role too.

If the walls of your roasting pan are too low, there’s a high chance of hot liquids splashing during braising. For the most efficient roasting, your roasting pan needs to be 3 – 4 inches deep.

Alternatively, roasting pans with high walls make it difficult to manage large cuts. They allow the hot air to rise to the top, which can leave the meat undercooked on the bottom.

The Shape of the Roasting Pan

Roasting pans are available in 2 shapes – rectangle and oval.

Oval roasting pans have sleek lines and are best for roasting turkey, chicken, prime rib, and ham.

Whisking gravy or sauce in these pans is also relatively easy, as there are no corners. However, due to the low surface area, you cannot cook several items in this at once.

With a rectangular pan, you can cook more than one item at one time. However, its right-angled corners make it difficult to whisk sauces and gravies.

Thus, the best choice is a rectangular roasting pan with round corners.

Weight of the Pan

The weight of your roasting pan is important for several reasons.

For instance, your pan should be able to handle the oven’s heat without twisting, warping, or going out of shape. Moreover, it should not be too heavy, which makes lifting it cumbersome.

Also read: Does Copper Work on Induction

Best Roasting Pans that Can Be Used on Stovetops

Wondering which roasting pan is best for you? Well, look no further!

Here is a list of the top roasting pans that have a sturdy base and can be used on all types of stovetops.

Pick #1 – The Viking Large Roasting Pans

The Viking Large Roasting Pan is a great match for most people.

It’s very thick and features tri-ply construction. This means that it is manufactured with aluminum sandwiched between two layers of high-grade stainless steel.

Viking large roasting pan is a perfect fit if you want to use this roasting pan on the stovetop. The thick aluminum layer of the pan helps to distribute heat evenly.

Unlike several roasting pans, the Viking Large Roasting Pan features a flat bottom. It is compatible with regular glass stovetops as well as induction ranges.

Another unique feature of the Viking Roasting pan is that it comes with a usable rack.

It has a sturdy and strong build and is also oven-safe for up to 680 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moreover, the pan has been polished to mimic the shine of a mirror. This gives it an incredible finish and fit.

In conclusion, the Viking Roasting Pan is nothing short of heirloom cookware. The only thing that may go against is a slightly higher price tag.

Pick #2 – Calphalon LRS1805P Contemporary 16-Inch Roasting Pan

If you like the Viking Roasting Pan but feel it’s out of budget, this pan is your next best alternative.

The best part about the Calphalon Roasting Pan is that it’s as good as the Viking, except probably in a few areas.

Like the Viking roasting pan, the Calphalon roasting pan is flat with tri-ply construction. It is compatible with induction ranges as well as stovetops.

Plus, the finish and fit of this pan are as good as the Viking roasting pan.

Now, let’s move to the downside of this pan. The Calphalon roasting pan is thicker than a regular roasting pan. However, it’s still not as heavy and thick as the Viking roasting pan.

Nevertheless, this feature might be suitable for people who prefer using lightweight cookware.

Also, the pan is safe for oven use only until 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is sufficient for preparing nearly all the dishes. Another downside of the pan is that its rack is relatively thin and weak.

This means you might have to replace it later down the line with something sturdier.

Overall, the Calphalon Contemporary roasting pan is great in terms of its appearance and price. However, the Viking roasting pan is still superior to it in a majority of aspects, except the price.

Pick #3 – Granite Ware 18-Inch Covered Oval Roasting Pan

A good roasting pan is great for more than just roasting a turkey once every year.

However, if you are looking for one to only use once a year, then the Granite Ware 18-Inch Covered Oval Roasting Pan is a great choice.

The best thing about this pan is its low price, making it budget-friendly.

Plus, due to its small size, it easily fits inside smaller ovens. Its dark color ensures that it can absorb heat and distribute it evenly.

If you’re wondering if you can use this roasting pan on the stovetop, the answer is yes.

This roasting pan can be used on stovetops and is also dishwasher-safe.

The Granite Ware roasting pan is available in multiple sizes. It even has handles for easy lifting.

Pick #4 – All-Clad Flared Roaster

The All-Clad Fared Roaster is one of our pricey picks. This pan delivers excellent results in the oven and on the stovetop.

It has flared sides that allow heat to distribute evenly throughout the pan. This helps to give your turkey the perfect crispy, golden skin.

Overall, the All-Clad Flared Roaster demonstrates the best heat distribution on stovetops. It sears chicken pieces consistently across the pan.

So, if you roast frequently and don’t mind paying a little extra, the All-Clad Flared Roaster is your top pick.

Pick #5 – Cuisinart 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Rack

The Cuisinart 16-inch roasting pan with a rack has consistently received positive reviews for over four years.

This is due to its ability to handle several cooking tasks easily.

The Cuisinart Roasting Pan has a flat surface and tri-ply construction. Moreover, its fully clad construction helps to conduct heat evenly.

This feature is excellent for making gravy, deglazing, and searing foods even on the stovetop.

Cuisinart’s Roaster is large and robust. You can easily fit a complete one-pan meal, two whole chickens, a large roast, and a twenty-pound turkey inside it. The pan’s large, riveted handles provide

We hope this article helped you answer your question of whether roasting pans are safe for use on stovetops.

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