The Best Roast Pan: Stainless Steel vs. Nonstick

A great roast pan is the cornerstone of any serious kitchen, capable of delivering everything from golden, crisp-skinned poultry to deeply caramelized vegetables. But when it comes to selecting the right one, the debate between a stainless steel roast pan and a nonstick roast pan often arises. Each material brings its own advantages, and understanding the differences is key to choosing the best tool for you and your kitchen.

Whether you’re roasting a weeknight chicken or crafting a holiday centerpiece, the right roasting pan can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll compare stainless steel and nonstick roasting pans, highlight Hestan’s exceptional offerings in both categories, and help you determine which pan (or pans) deserve a place in your kitchen.

Stainless Steel Roast Pans: Classic, Powerful, Built to Last

Why Choose Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is the material of choice in professional kitchens for a reason. It’s tough, responsive to heat, and delivers consistent browning, all of which are essential qualities for achieving deep, complex flavor. Whether you're searing a prime rib roast or building a rich pan sauce, a stainless steel roast pan is an indispensable tool that bridges stovetop and oven cooking with ease.

Benefits of a stainless steel roast pan:

• Superior searing: Stainless steel excels at conducting and retaining high heat, which is essential for caramelizing proteins and vegetables. This ability to create a flavorful crust without overcooking the interior is what separates restaurant-quality roasts from home attempts that fall flat.
  
  

• Oven and broiler safe: Hestan’s stainless steel roasters can withstand the highest temperatures your oven or broiler can deliver, giving you complete flexibility from sear to finish. Handling high temps without degrading makes these pans ideal for finishing dishes under a broiler or starting a sear on the stovetop before roasting.
  
  

• Durability: For chefs who value longevity, stainless steel offers peace of mind. With no nonstick coatings to scratch or deteriorate, it stands up to years of regular, rigorous use.
  
  

• Deglazing potential: After roasting, you can use the pan directly on the stovetop to deglaze with wine, broth, or aromatics, scraping up flavorful browned bits to create rich gravies and complex sauces directly in the pan.

Best for: The stainless steel roasting pan is the gold standard for home chefs who roast regularly, love developing rich, layered flavors, and expect their cookware to be a lifetime investment.

Nonstick Roast Pans: Easy Release, Easy Clean

Why Consider Nonstick?

While often dismissed in professional kitchens for lack of heat tolerance, not all nonstick pans are created equal. Hestan’s nonstick roast pan changes the game by offering oven and broiler safety up to 500°F, making it a high-performance option without the traditional limitations.

Benefits of a nonstick roast pan:

• Effortless food release: Particularly useful for delicate items like skin-on fish, stuffed vegetables, or layered casseroles, you can work with these dishes easily, preserving presentation and preventing torn or broken pieces.
  
  

• Easy cleanup: A busy kitchen often needs practical solutions. Nonstick surfaces allow for a quick rinse and wipe-down—no overnight soaking or scrubbing required—making them perfect for weeknight cooking or hosting duties where kitchen time is limited.
  
  

• Lightweight construction: Easier to handle than heavier stainless steel pans, especially when maneuvering in and out of the oven. This is particularly helpful when draining drippings, flipping large roasts, or transferring hot dishes from oven to counter.

Best for: A nonstick roasting pan is an excellent choice for occasional roasters, those who prioritize easy maintenance, or anyone preparing dishes prone to sticking. It's also a smart addition as a specialty pan for delicate or glaze-heavy dishes.

How to Choose the Right Roast Pan for Your Kitchen

Both stainless steel and nonstick roasting pans shine in different scenarios, depending on the dish and your priorities in the kitchen. By understanding which pan excels for which type of cooking, you can match the right tool to the right meal—and maximize your results every time. 

Dishes Best Suited to Each

Take a closer look at the kinds of dishes best suited to each type of roast pan.

Stainless steel roast pan:

• Herb-crusted rack of lamb, where achieving a savory crust is critical
  
  

• Bone-in ribeye roasts that need high heat to render fat perfectly
  
  

• Whole turkeys or chickens, roasted at high temperatures for crackling skin
  
  

• Roasted carrots, parsnips, and other roots where caramelization brings out sweetness
  
  

• Pan-roasted dishes that transition from stovetop to oven and finish with a sauce reduction

Nonstick Roast Pan:

• Delicate roulades or stuffed vegetables that could tear during removal
  
  

• Lasagnas, baked pastas, and layered casseroles where sticking edges are a risk
  
  

• Sticky-glazed meats, like honey-mustard chicken or apricot-glazed pork loin
  
  

• Bacon-wrapped entrées where sugar-based glazes could normally scorch
  
  

• Fish fillets or fragile skin-on poultry that needs careful handling

Why Many Experienced Chefs Use Both

For passionate home cooks and professionals alike, having both a stainless steel and a nonstick roast pan isn’t a luxury—it's a smart kitchen strategy. Different dishes demand different surfaces. A stainless steel pan ensures the highest flavor development, perfect searing, and unbeatable sauce-making potential. Meanwhile, a nonstick pan offers a streamlined alternative when you're working with sticky ingredients, preparing delicate dishes, or prioritizing a speedy cleanup.

Having both tools on hand means you can tailor your technique to the dish, ensuring every roast—whether elegant or everyday—turns out exactly the way you envision it.

Caring for Your Roast Pan

Investing in a quality roast pan means you'll want to take the right steps to protect it—and keep it performing at its best for years to come. Proper care differs slightly between stainless steel and nonstick pans, but both are simple to maintain with just a few key habits. Here's how to keep your roasting pans in top shape.

Stainless steel care:

• Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge immediately after use to prevent stubborn residue.
  
  

• For tough stains or baked-on bits, apply a baking soda paste to restore the surface’s shine.
  
  

• Avoid steel wool or harsh abrasives that could scratch the polished finish.
  
  

• Store carefully; if stacking with other cookware, place cloth liners or paper towels between pans to prevent cosmetic damage.

Nonstick care:

• Always use wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils to protect the nonstick coating.
  
  

• Clean with mild soap and a soft sponge—never abrasive pads or harsh scrubbers.
  
  

• Let the pan cool completely before rinsing to avoid thermal shock, which can weaken the coating over time.
  
  

• Store flat or stack gently with protective layers to maintain surface integrity.

Hestan’s advanced nonstick coatings are engineered for durability and performance, resisting peeling, blistering, and premature breakdown. Still, attentive care will ensure your nonstick roasting pan continues to perform beautifully for years to come.

What to Look for When Shopping

When selecting a roast pan, consider the following features:

• Material quality: Hestan’s fully clad stainless steel pans ensure even heat distribution with exceptional responsiveness.
  
  

• Capacity: Choose a pan large enough to hold your largest roast (think: holiday turkey), but not so large that heat and juices spread too thinly.
  
  

• Handles: Look for sturdy, ergonomic handles that provide a confident grip, especially when the pan is full and hot.
  
  

• Rack included: A quality roasting rack elevates the meat, promoting air circulation and even browning. Hestan’s included racks are custom-fitted for performance and convenience.

Choosing the Best Roast Pan for Your Kitchen

Ultimately, the best roast pan is the one that fits your cooking style, meets your performance expectations, and enhances your kitchen workflow. If you value rich flavor development, high-heat performance, and long-term durability, Hestan’s stainless steel roast pan is a superior choice that will serve you for years.

If you prioritize easy release, lighter weight, and easy cleanup—especially for more delicate or sticky dishes—Hestan’s nonstick roast pan offers professional-grade performance with none of the traditional compromises.

In many serious home kitchens, the two pans complement each other beautifully, offering flexibility across a wide range of dishes and techniques. Having both ensures you're always equipped to handle everything from a towering holiday roast to a delicate roulade.

Choose the roasting pan—or pans—that suit your needs best, and elevate every meal you bring to the table.