When you're buying a roasting pan you should know how big your oven is. I have known people who bought a roasting pan that wouldn't fit in the oven - and found this out on Thanksgiving morning as they were trying to fit the turkey into the oven. Just don't think about the length of the pan, but you have to leave a little extra for the handles.

Speaking of handles - they have to be very strong and comfortable to use, or it will be really hard to get the pan out of the oven. I like it when they are designed to stay cool to the touch. But even then I just don't trust them. I always use mitts to take a roasting pan out of the oven. A roast or turkey is such a time and money investment, that I can't bear the thought of dropping it.

I also like to buy a roasting pan with a roasting rack. That way I'm certain that the rack will fit. And the roast rack should have good handles so you can easily take the rack and roast out of the roasting pan.

I have several different roasters made of different materials. Probably my favorite is the heavy-duty almuminum that is sandwiched between layers of stainless steel. It's very heavy and I love to make gravy in it. But the others roast well to.

What I don't care about is the appearance. While some people serve from the roasting pan, I'm a platter person myself. So the lines and outer finishes of the roasting pan aren't that important to me.

But anyways, thank you for visiting this site, and I'm sure you'll find the perfect roasting pan. Best wishes, Nelle.

This Circulon Roaster Pan measures 16 inches long and 13.5 inches wide and 3.75 inches deep. It is made of hard-anodized aluminum and ready for heavy-duty cooking and high heat. Aluminum conducts heat well, and this pan will provide a uniform heat source across the bottom and up the sides. So you know your turkey, ham or beef roast will be done perfectly every time. You can put it in ovens up to 500 degrees. For easy clean up it has a non-stick interior. Hand-washing is recommended.

Your roast will cooked to perfection in this Calphalon Roasting Pan. At it's core you'll find 100% aluminum, which means your pan will provide even heat. For strength Calphalon has surrounded the aluminum core with 3-ply 18/10 stainless steel. You'll be able to easily take your roast out of the oven because the Calphalon Roasting Pan has large, sturdy, stay-cool handles. The roasting pan measures 16 x 13 inches and with 3.75-inch deep sides.

You'll be proud to take this roasting pan to the table on Thanksgiving or for family celebrations. KitchenAid gave it a beautiful mirror polished stainless steel finish inside and out. But beyond beautiful, it is a very practical roasting pan, with a professional roasting rack. One of the best features of both the roasting pan and rack are the handles. You'll be able to easily take the roasting pan out of the oven; and then take the roasting rack out of the roasting pan.

Granite Ware roasting pans have a unique look that you can spot anywhere. The roasting pan core is constructed of steel and then is coated with porcelain. The dark surface absorbs the oven's heat and evenly distributes it to the roast. This roasting pan can easily hold a 22-pound poultry or 25-pound roast. It won't ever discolor or add an aftertaste.

Clean up is as easy as it's non-stick relatives, just put in hot soap water and all of the food particles will wipe clean.