The best roasting tins 2019
Host a roast with the most by investing in a basic but essential piece of kit – a solid roasting tin for meat, potatoes, veg and much more.
Some of us are guilty of having a drawer full of random tins, and we’re often left wondering how we ended up with so many when they can be interchangeable. However, a roasting tin is essential for cooking roasts as it catches juices (often they even come with a little rack to separate a joint of meat from the puddle of delicious cooking liquor) and can be used over a hob to make gravy.
Of paramount importance is how non-stick the tin is. Some tins fail so catastrophically on this front that you end up having to throw them out – which is even riskier if you’re rather overzealous with your cooking timer. Consider the size of your oven and what you’ll be using the tin for – tins really do come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them are so big they’d struggle to fit into a domestic oven. Try to buy the right size for most of your cooking needs, as both over- or under-crowding the pan will result in less-than-optimum cooking results.
We tested a sample of roasters to bring you our top five buys, from budget options to blowout purchases. For more on roasts, read our buyer's guide to the best Sunday lunch gadgets.
Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip
Best budget tin
Flameproof: No
Maximum temperature: 240°
Non-stick-ability: Excellent
For a budget tin this roaster has many features to make us recommend it – a generous capacity, easy-to-clean, non-stick surface and a pouring lip, ideal for collecting gravy juices. The only minus is that it’s not hob-friendly so you’ll need to finish sauces in another pan.
Buy from Lakeland (£12.99)
Le Creuset Signature cast iron rectangular roaster
Best blowout buy
Flameproof: Yes
Maximum temperature: 260°+
Non-stick-ability: Good
The smooth surface inside this Le Creuset cast-iron tin made it easier to clean than expected. It also has plenty of room, a sturdy design and an attractive appearance with a great choice of colours, so it notched up extra points. Cast iron provides good heat retention – a bonus when resting meat before serving.
Staub roasting pan
Best oven-to-table roaster
Flameproof: >Yes
Maximum temperature: 260°
Non-stick-ability: Acceptable
Staub produce beautiful oven-to-tableware and this roasting tin is no exception. Our roast looked all the more appetising against the stark black cast iron. The surface is not non-stick but becomes less adherent over time. Cleaning requires a bit more effort but you get plenty of those sticky, caramelised bits for tasty gravy and it’s worth the effort for long-term durability and appearance.
Circulon Ultimum Large Roaster
Easiest to clean
Flameproof: No
Maximum temperature: 230°
Non-stick-ability: Excellent
If the thought of washing up after a roast fills you with dread, then this is the choice for you. The Circulon tin was by far the easiest to clean, with no sticking whatsoever and therefore no elbow grease required. Due to its ultra-non-stick surface, you can also use the minimum amount of oil for cooking.
Testing notes
What we looked for in a roasting tin
Non-stick-ability: Our most important criteria
Handle: Handles or a lip can make moving the tin in and out of the oven easier, but handles that are too high just use up valuable oven space.
Flameproof: Ideally the tin could be used over a gas flame to reduce juices to a gravy or sauce.
Maximum temperature: The tin needs to be able to handle high heats over and over again, otherwise it’ll buckle and render itself useless.
How we tested roasting tins
We tested using an all-in-one roast combination of chicken thighs, potatoes, garlic (the high sugar content of which makes the unpeeled cloves prone to sticking), lemon wedges and herbs. We looked for an even finish and crispy skin.
What didn’t set us alight:
Sub-par handles: We discounted handles that were either too small, too high or seemingly pointless.
Flimsy metal: As ever, we subjected tins to the Good Food knock-and-drop test to mimic the effects of long-term kitchen wear and tear. Anything that dented didn’t cut the mustard.
What to cook in your roasting tin...
Our best-ever roast recipes
Summer roast recipes
Vegetarian roast recipes
Video: How to make gravy
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This review was last updated in August 2019. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
