Written by Lara Yehia. Lara researches home and kitchen products for Cupindy.
Published October 2026 · Last reviewed October 21, 2026
For a turkey, the simplest choice is an uncoated stainless steel roasting pan about 16 inches long with a stainless rack. Then read what the rack is made of, because some stainless roasters, including one in the same Cuisinart line as our pick, ship with a nonstick rack.
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Our quick pick
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 16-Inch Stainless Roasting Pan with Rack (7117-16UR)
Cuisinart's Amazon listing says “Uncoated stainless steel” and describes “The solid stainless steel rack”. It works on every cooktop, induction included, and goes in the oven up to 500°F.
See the Cuisinart roasting pan on AmazonThe drawback: the aluminum is in the base only, not up the sides. Cuisinart's own site lists this model as discontinued, so Amazon stock may run out before Thanksgiving; the MultiClad Pro below is the fallback.
Best Roasting Pans at a Glance
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| Pan | What touches the food | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
|
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 16 in. Best for: most turkeys and roasts |
Uncoated stainless pan, stainless rack; 500°F | See it |
|
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16 in. (tri-ply) Best for: gravy across two burners |
Polished stainless pan, stainless rack; 500°F | See it |
|
Tifanso stainless pan with rack Best for: a tight budget |
Stainless, no coating, per the listing; flat rack; 450°F | See it |
|
Granite Ware 19 in. covered roaster Best for: a 20 lb bird with a lid |
Glass enamel; lid; rack material not listed | See it |
|
Decymis stainless rack, 2-pack Best for: no roasting pan at all |
Add-on: bare stainless rack for a half-sheet pan | See it |
Is a Stainless Steel Roasting Pan Non-Toxic? Check the Rack Too
Short answer: an uncoated stainless pan has no nonstick layer to scratch, chip or wear off, so food touches steel only. The rack is another matter. The bird sits on it for hours, and on some roasters the rack is coated even when the pan is not.
You can see it in the product names. Cuisinart sells a 15-inch Chef's Classic “Stainless Steel Roaster w/Non-Stick Rack” (7117-15NSR) next to the 16-inch pick above, and its listing says “A nonstick rack makes cleanup convenient.” Viking's 3-ply roaster on Amazon is sold “with Non Stick Rack”. Armorbear's carbon steel roaster advertises a “Non-Stick Coated Rack”, and the GoodCook drop-in rack we found is “chrome plated” with a nonstick finish.
Nonstick roasting pans are a different question. The Glad pan, #3 in Amazon's roasting pan best sellers on October 21, 2026, says “PFOA free & PTFE free” but never names the coating it uses instead. Our non-toxic cookware guide explains PTFE and ceramic coatings, and our stainless steel grades guide explains labels such as 18/10.
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Budget pick
Tifanso Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Rack (TFB069)
The listing says the pan “contains no chemical coatings”, has “3-inch deep sides”, and lets you “make delicious gravies directly on an induction stove”. It comes with a flat rack.
Good for: a first roasting pan on a tight budget
The drawback: the listing never names the steel grade, and it stops at “450℉”, 50 degrees below the Cuisinart. Tifanso also suggests oil or foil “to prevent food from sticking to the bottom”.
See the Tifanso roasting pan on AmazonRoasting Pan Materials Compared
For most cooks, uncoated stainless steel is the best roasting pan material. It has no coating, it goes on a burner for gravy, and Cuisinart rates its stainless roasters to 500°F (Tifanso's listing says 450°F). An enamel roasting pan has a glass coating, not a nonstick one, and Granite Ware's maker says to keep its roasters off glass cooktops.
| Material | What touches the food | Stovetop and oven |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless, clad (MultiClad Pro) | Polished stainless | Induction compatible; 500°F, per the listing |
| Stainless, disc base (Chef's Classic) | Uncoated stainless | Every cooktop; 500°F, per Cuisinart |
| Enamel on steel (Granite Ware) | Glass enamel | Gas and electric, not glass; 932°F, per the listing |
| Enameled cast iron | Glass enamel | Varies by maker; see our guide below |
| Ceramic-coated | A ceramic nonstick coating | Varies by maker; read the listing |
| Nonstick carbon steel (Glad) | A coating the listing does not name | No stovetop; 464°F, per the listing |
| Disposable aluminum | Bare aluminum | Oven-safe, per Reynolds; Taste of Home warns it can react with acidic food |
What the enamel maker discloses. Granite Ware's maker, Cinsa, posts a California AB 1200 disclosure. It says “The speckled black enamel may contain” cobalt oxide, copper, nickel and manganese, and adds that its products “are free from heavy metals such as cadmium, selenium, lead.” (Cinsa AB 1200 disclosure). Graniteware is enameled steel, which is not the same thing as stone-look granite cookware; our granite cookware guide explains the difference.
For heavier options, our enameled cast iron guide covers Le Creuset, Staub and Lodge. Our aluminum cookware guide covers bare and anodized aluminum, and our guide to pan types explains where a roasting pan fits in a kitchen.
What Size Roasting Pan for a Turkey?
Short answer: a 16-inch turkey roasting pan holds a bird up to about 16 lb; for a 20 lb turkey, go to 18 inches. Taste of Home says a 16-inch pan “is ideal for birds up to 16 pounds” and an 18-inch pan “can fit turkeys up to 20 pounds”. Homes & Gardens says a 16-inch pan “offers the best balance of capacity, weight, and easy storage for most people.” (Taste of Home, Homes & Gardens).
| Pan | Turkey up to | Says who |
|---|---|---|
| Small roasting pan, 14 in. | 12 lb | Taste of Home |
| Medium, 16 in. | 16 lb | Taste of Home |
| Large roasting pan, 18 in. | 20 lb | Taste of Home |
| Granite Ware 15 in. oval | An 8 lb bird | Granite Ware Amazon listing |
| Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16 in. | 18 lb | Cuisinart Amazon listing |
| Granite Ware 19 in. oval | 20 lb | Granite Ware Amazon listing |
For 25 pounds, Homes & Gardens points to an 18.5-inch pan: “if you're looking for a roasting pan for 25 pounds of meat, this option is available in an extra-large, 18.5 inch size.” Makers do not agree to the pound, so treat every number as a range. Cuisinart's Amazon listing puts the Chef's Classic cooking surface at “16 in. long by 12 in. wide”, and its own site says only that the pan is large enough for a “big Thanksgiving turkey” (Cuisinart).
Then check the oven. Taste of Home says to “make sure you know the internal measurements of your oven”. Handles add length: Cuisinart's listing says that “Including handles for oven-fit, the dimensions are 20.7 in. long”. Taste of Home adds that a pan can be the wrong size either way: “too big and the juices can burn; too small and constricted airflow won't allow for even cooking.”
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Best enamel roasting pan with a lid
Granite Ware 19-Inch Covered Oval Roaster with V Rack
Enameled steel with a lid and a rack, per the listing, which says it can “accommodate up to a 20 lb poultry or roast”. The maker lists it as “Free of PFOA, PTFE, and PFOS” and made in Mexico.
Good for: big birds, braised roasts, and kitchens without a glass cooktop
The drawback: the maker's care guide says “do not use on glass cooktop” and to avoid knocking it against hard surfaces, and the listing does not say what the rack is made of. Granite Ware's 15-inch listing adds that porcelain “can chip if dropped”, while saying a chip “does not reduce the effectiveness of the cookware”.
See the Granite Ware roaster on AmazonV Rack or Flat Rack, and Do You Need One?
Yes, use a rack. The USDA's turkey advice is to “Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.” (USDA FSIS). Kitchn adds that a rack “elevates the food from the bottom of the pan, which helps with heat circulation and prevents burning.”
Kitchn's tester preferred an angled rack, because “Angled racks also hold food in place better than flat ones”, and wrote that with a flat rack, lifting a big roast out of the pan for gravy is harder: “A flat rack just doesn't allow you to do that.” (Kitchn).
Before you buy, check three things on the listing: what the rack is made of, whether the word nonstick appears anywhere in the rack line, and whether it has handles you can grab with oven mitts. The Cuisinart pick above comes with a solid stainless rack. If your pan came with a coated one, a bare stainless rack like the one in the sheet pan section below can replace it, if it fits your pan; it is flat, not a V rack.
Making Gravy on the Stovetop: Which Roasting Pans Can Go on a Burner?
Stainless pans can, the Glad nonstick pan cannot, and enamel depends on your cooktop. Reynolds sells its disposable pans as oven-safe and says nothing about the stovetop. Here is what each maker says:
| Pan | On a burner? | Maker's rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart stainless | Yes, induction too | Low to medium heat, never high |
| Tifanso stainless | Yes, induction too | Per the Amazon listing |
| Granite Ware enamel | Gas and electric, per Cinsa | Not on a glass cooktop |
| Glad nonstick | No | Not on the stovetop, not under the broiler |
Cuisinart's stainless care sheet says “We recommend using a low to medium setting for most cooking” and, on gas, to “make certain the flame touches only the pan bottom.” On a glass cooktop it says “do not slide cookware on the glass surface.” (Cuisinart stainless care sheet). A flat bottom also helps: Kitchn found that a channel around the edge “creates a spot for food to get caught, and makes whisking more difficult.” Our guide to cookware for glass-top stoves covers smooth cooktops.
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Upgrade for gravy
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-Inch Tri-Ply Roasting Pan with Rack
Cuisinart says the pan bonds “a pure aluminum core between a brushed stainless exterior and a polished stainless interior, edge to edge.” Its description contrasts that with “standard disc-bottom roasting pans that only heat at the base”, which matches the Chef's Classic's encapsulated base. The listing says it “holds turkeys up to 18 lbs” and includes a stainless steel rack. Kitchn named it its best overall roasting pan.
Good for: cooks who make gravy in the pan across two burners
The drawback: it cost about twice as much as the Chef's Classic when we checked, which puts it above the price range we usually recommend.
See the MultiClad Pro on AmazonRoasting Pan with Lid or Open?
Short answer: roast open for color on the skin, and use a lid or a foil tent when you want to hold moisture in. Granite Ware's 13-inch roaster listing touts a “SELF-BASTING LID” that it says “retains moisture while roasting”. For turkey, the USDA describes a middle route: “If your roasting pan does not have a lid, you may place a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the turkey” for the first 1 to 1½ hours, and “To prevent overbrowning, foil may also be placed over the turkey after it reaches the desired color.” (USDA FSIS). If you want a lid, our pick is the lidded Granite Ware roaster in the size section above.
No Roasting Pan? A Sheet Pan and a Rack Work
A rimmed half-sheet pan with a wire rack inside can stand in for a roasting pan for a chicken or a small roast. Low sides are the point: Taste of Home warns that in a pan that is “Too deep” you “end up steaming your ingredients rather than roasting them.” Homes & Gardens suggests a large oval Dutch oven, “around 7-quarts”, for small turkeys and chickens; see our enameled Dutch oven picks for round options. For sheet pans, see our non-toxic bakeware guide.
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For a sheet pan
Decymis Stainless Steel Cooling and Baking Rack, 2-Pack, 10 x 15 in.
The listing says the racks are “composed entirely of stainless steel without any harmful coatings” and are “Perfect with the majority of half-sheet baking pans”. They are dishwasher safe, per the listing.
Good for: roast chicken, ribs, and cooling cookies
The drawback: these are flat cooling racks, not V racks, so a whole bird sits flat, and the listing does not name the steel grade.
See the stainless racks on AmazonHow We Chose
On October 21, 2026, we read Amazon's roasting pan best sellers and the listing for each pan we link, with a U.S. delivery address. Then we read the maker's product page and care guide where one exists, and Cinsa's California chemical disclosure for Granite Ware. For Tifanso and Decymis, the Amazon listing was the only maker documentation we found. Our quick pick was Amazon's top unsponsored result for “stainless steel roasting pan with rack” that day. We did not cook in these pans; every rule on this page comes from the maker's documents or the sources named.
Questions People Ask
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What is the best material for a roasting pan?
Stainless steel, for most cooks: it is uncoated and can go on a burner for gravy. Cuisinart rates its stainless roasters to 500°F.
Is stainless steel or nonstick better for a roasting pan?
Stainless, if you want to make gravy in the pan or avoid coatings. Cuisinart's nonstick-rack listing says the coating makes cleanup convenient, but the Glad nonstick pan, for example, is not for the stovetop and does not name its coating.
What temperature should I roast a turkey at?
The USDA says to set the oven no lower than 325°F, and that a whole turkey is safe at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F, measured with a food thermometer in the thigh, the wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Should I cover a turkey in a roasting pan?
For the first part of the roast, if you like. The USDA allows a foil tent for the first 1 to 1½ hours; see the lid section above.
What is a shallow roasting pan?
The USDA calls for a rack in a shallow roasting pan for turkey but gives no depth. Taste of Home says most cooks agree three inches is the ideal height.
Are disposable foil roasting pans safe?
They are bare aluminum, and Taste of Home warns that aluminum can react with acidic ingredients such as lemon juice. Reynolds says its multi-purpose disposable pans can handle “Up to 24 Lbs total.” If you use one, a foil oval roaster with a rack, such as a Handi-Foil roaster, at least gives you handles and a rack.
How do you clean a stainless steel roasting pan?
Soak it in hot, soapy water first. For burned-on residue, Cuisinart says to add an inch of water and a tablespoon of non-lemon dishwasher detergent, simmer for 15 minutes, cool, and loosen it with a sponge or plastic spatula. Cuisinart warns against steel wool. Our stainless pan cleaning guide covers stains.
Can a roasting pan go in the dishwasher?
Cuisinart's stainless can, per its care sheet: it is dishwasher safe with a non-lemon detergent, but other dishes can scratch it. Granite Ware's Amazon listing says its products are dishwasher safe, while the maker's care guide only describes hand washing.
What is the difference between a roasting pan and a baking dish?
Size and the rack. Kitchn says roasting pans are much larger than baking pans and usually come with a rack that lifts the food off the bottom.
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The short version
Most turkeys: a 16-inch uncoated stainless pan with a stainless rack. Gravy across two burners: a fully clad pan. A 20 lb bird and no glass cooktop: an enamel roaster with a lid. No roasting pan at all: a sheet pan and a stainless rack.
Sources
- Cuisinart: Chef's Classic Stainless 16 in. Roasting Pan with Rack (7117-16UR)
- Cuisinart: Stainless Cookware care and warranty sheet (PDF on the Amazon listing)
- Cinsa (Granite Ware): Covered Oval Roaster, 19 in.
- Cinsa (Granite Ware): Disclosure of California AB1200 law
- USDA FSIS: Let's Talk Turkey Roasting
- Taste of Home: What Size Roasting Pan Do I Need?
- Kitchn: The 3 Best Roasting Pans
- Homes & Gardens: Best Roasting Pans
- Reynolds: Disposable roasting pans
- Amazon listings for each pan, checked October 21, 2026 with a U.S. delivery address.
We report what each company's documents say; we do not make legal judgments about any company's disclosures. Cupindy is not affiliated with Cuisinart, Granite Ware, Cinsa, Tifanso, Decymis, Glad, Handi-Foil, Viking, Armorbear, GoodCook, Reynolds or any seller named on this page. Product names are trademarks of their owners.
