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The Best Roasting Racks of 2024
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Roasting racks are kitchen tools designed to elevate meat, poultry, or vegetables above a baking pan or roasting dish while they cook in the oven. These racks typically consist of a grid-like structure made of metal wires or bars that allow air to circulate around the food. The circulation of air promotes even cooking and surface browning. Roasting pans can be made of stainless steel, chrome-plated steel, or non-stick coatings. Some are designed to fit specific pans or dishes, while others are adjustable to accommodate different meat or pan sizes. We have put together a list of the best roasting racks, and our favorite is the HIC Kitchen Roasting Rack. This rack has seven adjustable positions, is made of durable chrome wire, and can support heavy cuts of meat despite its compact size.
Our Top Picks For Roasting Racks
View all ContentsThe Best Roasting Racks
Best Overall
We love the innovative design of HIC Kitchen’s roasting rack. The design is adjustable in seven different positions to suit the size and cut of the meat you are roasting. It has a reinforced base that provides stability for meat placement while offering a choice of elevation— so don’t be afraid to stick a piece of hefty meat on this thing! The elevation allows you to optimize air circulation for even cooking, which ideally will leave you with the perfect crispy skin every time.
This is a great choice for poultry, pork, game, and various cuts of beef. If you aren’t necessarily looking for a multipurpose roasting/cooling/drying rack but something specifically designed for perfect roasts, this chrome-wire rack should be your go-to.
Pros
- Offers good elevation
- Rust-resistant construction
- Ensures even browning
- Great price point
Cons
- Not dishwasher friendly
Most Compact
If you have an oval roasting pan or dish, this black, non-stick oval roasting pan from Gourmex is ideal for you. Since the rack is flat it can be used for a large variety of meat types and cuts. This rack is also oven safe up to 500°F, so you can create great delicious gravies from the drip without having your meat stick to the pan.
It is also versatile to use for drying, grilling, and as a cooling rack. With sturdy integrated legs, it can steadily hold hot pots or pans elevated off the counter to prevent heat damage to your countertops.
Pros
- PTFE free non-stick coating
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Can be used in oval and rectangular pans
Cons
- No space underneath the rack
Most Versatile
Ribs can take up a whole lot of space in the oven, smoker, or grill which makes a lot of people turn away from making them. But with this smart design from Mydracas, you will never have to worry about having enough space again! This rack allows you to position ribs upright which not only saves space but also eliminates the need to turn them during cooking.
Optimally spaced and supported, the ribs won’t lean against each other in this rack. This ensures good air circulation resulting in an all-around smoky charred crust on every rib. With seven slots, the rack can also be used to hold pork chops and chicken breasts.
Pros
- Specialty design for ribs
- Corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel
- Space-saving design
Cons
- Not suitable for poultry
Most Racks Per Set
If you don’t have a large oven but still want your yummy Sunday roast, P&P Chef offers a smaller size rack that is the perfect size for either dinner for one or two people. As an added plus, this rack is made of durable stainless steel that can withstand high heat. With a slight elevation, the rack allows for air circulation around all sides of the meat which ensures even cooking throughout.
The rack is ideal for meat portions including chicken wings, chops, bacon, and a mini roast. The roasting rack conveniently fits into a toaster oven. Besides roasting, it can also be used for grilling, frying, and as a cooling rack for cookies and cakes.
Pros
- Purchase includes two racks
- Versatile kitchen use
- Dishwasher friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for large roasts
The Best Roasting Rack Buying Guide
Roasting is undoubtedly one of the most delicious ways to cook a large cut of meat. It is made even better when you get to eat those juicy vegetables that softened and browned underneath the roasting rack and make a delicious robust sauce from the meat drippings.
Depending on the shape and size of the roasting rack you get, they can also be used for smoking, grilling, and as a cooling rack. Before we get to the must-have features of a quality roasting rack, we’ll uncover why it is such a necessity for any home cook.
Why Every Roast Needs A Roasting Rack
A roasting rack is a sturdy metal rack that fits inside of a roasting pan. The rack is positioned on four (or more) legs that keep the meat off the bottom of the pan. This lets hot air circulate evenly around the entire piece of meat including the sides and underneath. All-round air circulation allows the meat to cook consistently and evenly as opposed to having the bottom cook faster when it’s in contact with the heated pan surface.
When a roast is placed directly into the roasting pan without a rack, it essentially starts to steam in the released moisture rather than roast. Poultry skin can turn flabby and soggy and the meat will start sticking to the pan. In addition, when you’re cooking vegetables and meat together in a jam-packed pan, veggies will become soft. They won’t develop crispy roast edges, a savory brown outer appearance, or have notes of a smokey flavor.
Slow roasting meat retains enough moisture for flavor while also releasing excess fat. As it melts, the fat will drip down imparting flavor to the vegetables while still allowing plenty of air circulation between the meat and veg to allow browning and crisping. The juices also make for delicious gravy stock.
One more reason you need a roasting rack is that a whole turkey or roast is very difficult (and dangerous) to reposition and turn while piping hot. When using a roasting rack you won’t need to do any moving or turning— thus saving you the headache and possible burns.
How To Choose a Roasting Rack
Size
To truly roast your meat (rather than steaming or stewing it) a roasting rack should keep the meat elevated about two or three inches for sufficient air circulation. The rack should fit perfectly inside or across the pan. Racks that are smaller than your pan can be used, as long as they fit the meat and keep it a couple of inches off the bottom.
Shape
Roasting pans are generally flat, concave, or V-shaped.
Flat racks usually have narrow bars or even come in a grid-type construction. Although flat racks are good for meat, they can also be used for cooking fish and smoking, and as a cooling rack for cookies.
Basket or cradle roasting racks are u-shaped, cradling the meat inside. They are great for rolled roasts and whole birds but not ideal for poultry exceeding five pounds.
V-shaped racks securely cradle food and are available in adjustable or non-adjustable varieties. Adjustable varieties can be expanded to fit bigger roasts or contracted for smaller birds or cuts.
Handles
Make sure the roasting rack has handles for you to hold. This makes it easy and safe to lift the rack with the meat out of the pan while it is hot. Without handles, lifting the rack and heavy roast out to get to the vegetables or gravy can be hazardous. Use oven mitts or dish towels when touching the handles since they are not heatproof.
Construction material
Roasting racks are generally made of stainless steel or aluminum. Both materials are sturdy and durable, yet not overly heavy to handle. Not all racks are non-stick so you may find it helpful to give it a coat of cooking spray before placing your roast on top.
People Also Asked
Can I place my meat on top of the vegetables instead of using a roasting rack?
While placing the meat on top of veggies may keep it off the bottom of the pan, it still does not allow for sufficient air circulation. Although you can cook your dish like this, the meat and vegetables will still end up steaming instead of fully roasting and may not cook evenly.
When cooking half hams, should the cut side be placed up or down on the rack?
You should always place half hams face down when cooking— this ensures the most crispy skin!
How do you get turkey skin crispy when roasting?
The skin needs to be as dry as possible before going in the oven. Pat the turkey completely dry with a paper towel before roasting. Once fully dry, pat it with oil to enhance browning and crispiness. Make sure there is enough air circulation around the entire bird. Never cover it up as this will cause steam which will have the opposite effect.
