Achieving perfectly cooked meats and vegetables under the broiler can be a challenge. The right pan is crucial for draining excess fat, promoting even air circulation, and preventing hot spots that can lead to unevenly cooked food. A high-quality broiler pan is an essential, often overlooked tool for any home cook looking to master their oven’s highest setting.
From dedicated broiler pans to versatile cast iron and stainless steel options, the market offers a solution for every need and kitchen. This roundup examines ten excellent pans designed to deliver superior results, whether you’re broiling steaks, roasting a chicken, or baking cookies. We’ve focused on features like material, non-stick properties, size, and durability to help you find the ideal match for your cooking style.
The Best Broiler Pans for Your Kitchen
- General Electric GE Appliances Broiler Pan with Rack
- Norpro Nonstick Broil/Roast Pan Set
- Range Kleen BP106X Air Fry, Bake and Broil Pan
- Lodge 13-1/4 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
- Cuisinart 14-Inch Chef’s-Classic Lasagna Pan w/Rack
- Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
- Broiler Pan for Oven Nonstick Porcelain Coated
- Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware Cookie Pan Set
- All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Roaster and Rack
- Empire Red Porcelain Enamel Broiler Pan
General Electric GE Appliances Broiler Pan with Rack
As a genuine OEM replacement part, this GE broiler pan is engineered to fit and perform perfectly in many standard ovens. Its design focuses on optimal roasting and broiling, with a rack that holds food above the grid to allow air to circulate completely around all surfaces during the cooking cycle. This promotes even browning and cooking.
The carbon steel cooking pan provides a stable surface while letting juices drain away from the food, resulting in crispier outcomes. The black porcelain coating adds durability and helps with cleanup. At 16.5 inches long and 12.75 inches wide, it’s a practical size for most household ovens and is built to be dishwasher safe for added convenience.
Norpro Nonstick Broil/Roast Pan Set
The Norpro set is designed for healthier cooking, as its perforated top rack allows grease to drain off into the pan below while you cook. This two-piece system is a classic broiler pan design that works effectively to reduce the fat content of your meals. The nonstick finish on both the rack and the pan is a significant benefit.
This nonstick coating makes removal of broiled or roasted foods effortless and helps make cleanup a much simpler task. Measuring 16.5″ x 12″ x 2″, it provides a generous cooking surface for family-sized portions. Its straightforward design and easy-maintenance features make it a reliable choice for regular use.
Range Kleen BP106X Air Fry, Bake and Broil Pan
This versatile pan from Range Kleen is an excellent accessory for countertop ovens and air fryers. Its compact dimensions of 12.75″ x 8.5″ make it ideal for smaller cooking appliances without sacrificing performance. The two-piece set functions like a traditional broiler pan, allowing fat to drip away for crispier food.
Beyond broiling, its design is perfect for achieving air-fryer-style results in your oven, making it a multi-functional kitchen tool. The pan is also noted for its suitability on an outdoor grill, adding to its versatility for various cooking methods and settings throughout the year.
Lodge 13-1/4 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
While not a traditional two-piece broiler pan, a Lodge cast iron skillet is an exceptional tool for broiling. Cast iron is renowned for its superior heat retention and ability to withstand extremely high temperatures, making it ideal for creating a perfect sear on steaks and chops under the broiler. Its naturally seasoned cooking surface improves with use.
This pan’s versatility is a major advantage; it can move seamlessly from the stovetop to the oven, to the grill, or even over a campfire. Crafted in the USA, it’s a durable, lifelong kitchen companion. The more you use it, the better its non-stick properties become.
Cuisinart 14-Inch Chef’s-Classic Lasagna Pan w/Rack
This Cuisinart pan offers a multi-purpose design, functioning as both a lasagna pan and a roasting pan with its included stainless steel rack. The aluminum encapsulated base is a key feature, as it heats quickly and spreads heat evenly to eliminate hot spots, ensuring food cooks uniformly.
Constructed from durable stainless steel, it is built to last and provides a professional performance. The cool grip handles are solid stainless steel and are riveted for safety and a secure grip, which is especially helpful when moving a full pan in and out of a hot oven. Its design is as practical for a large roast as it is for a layered pasta dish.
Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
The Farberware sauté pan is a versatile piece of cookware that can also handle broiling tasks. Its 2.75-quart capacity and deep sides make it suitable for one-pan meals that start on the stovetop and finish under the broiler. The included self-basting lid helps seal in heat and moisture during other types of cooking.
Fast, even heating is provided by a full cap base that features a thick aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel. This construction helps prevent warping and ensures consistent cooking results. The polished mirror finish gives it a classic look, and its overall sturdiness makes it a reliable choice for high-heat applications.
Broiler Pan for Oven Nonstick Porcelain Coated
This pan is specifically built to withstand the intense heat of the broiler, where typical non-stick pans may fail. The porcelain coating is designed for high-temperature use without shedding or warping, offering a durable and safe cooking surface. Its design promotes even heat circulation for crispier, evenly heated foods with attractive grill marks.
The slotted design of the rack is central to its function, allowing fat to drip to the bottom pan. This prevents food from cooking in its own grease, leading to healthier results and better texture. It’s marketed as a replacement for Whirlpool part 4396923, ensuring a good fit for many standard oven models.
Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware Cookie Pan Set
This two-piece set of baking sheets brings exceptional versatility to the kitchen. The pans, sized at 10″x15″ and 11″x17″, are perfect for large batches of cookies, but their utility extends to broiling vegetables, fish fillets, or making sheet-pan dinners. The superior-quality premium nonstick provides rapid food release.
Constructed from heavy-duty, warp-resistant steel, these pans are built to handle high oven temperatures without bending. The rolled rims add to their durability and provide a professional feel. Their large, flat surface area is excellent for ensuring even browning under a broiler’s heat, making them a great multi-tasker in the kitchen.
All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Roaster and Rack
All-Clad is synonymous with high-end, professional-grade cookware, and this roaster is no exception. Crafted from heavy-gauge, polished 18/10 stainless steel, it is exceptionally durable and built for a lifetime of use. The 16×13 inch size provides ample space for large roasts or multiple dishes, making it ideal for holiday meals.
The cooking surface resists sticking and will not react with food, ensuring pure flavor. The included nonstick rack keeps meat elevated for even roasting and easy basting. This pan promotes even heat distribution and is broiler safe up to 600°F, offering outstanding performance and making cleanup straightforward.
Empire Red Porcelain Enamel Broiler Pan
For those who value aesthetics as much as function, the Empire Red Porcelain Enamel Broiler Pan offers a vibrant splash of color in the kitchen. Porcelain enamel on steel is a classic material known for its durability and resistance to staining and odors. It provides a hard, non-porous surface that is easy to clean.
This type of pan is typically capable of withstanding high broiling temperatures while maintaining its attractive appearance. The bright red color can add a touch of classic style to your kitchenware collection. Like other two-piece broiler pans, it is designed to drain fat away from food for healthier cooking and better texture.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Broiler Pan for Even Cooking
Finding the right broiler pan can feel like a chore, but it makes a huge difference in how your food turns out. I’ve learned that a good pan isn’t just about durability; it’s about design. The main goal is to get that perfect sear without drying out the inside, and that all comes down to a few key factors. Let’s break down what you should be looking for.
First, consider the material. This is probably the most important decision. Stainless steel is my go-to. It’s a workhorse—it heats evenly, responds quickly to temperature changes under the broiler, and won’t react with acidic foods. Non-stick coatings are tempting for easy cleanup, but I avoid them under the intense, direct heat of a broiler. High temperatures can cause these coatings to break down and release fumes. Cast iron is another fantastic option for incredible heat retention and searing, but it’s heavy and requires seasoning to maintain.
Next, look closely at the design of the pan, specifically the broiler pan itself. A great pan has a slotted top tray that allows fat to drip away from the food. This is non-negotiable for preventing greasy, steamed food and for minimizing smoke from burning drips. The slots or holes should be numerous and well-placed. Just as important is the bottom drip pan. It should be deep enough to hold a surprising amount of fat without overflowing and causing a smoky mess in your oven. There should also be a comfortable amount of space between the top grill and the bottom pan to prevent splattering and ensure proper air circulation.
Size and capacity matter more than you might think. Make sure the pan fits comfortably in your oven with a few inches of clearance on all sides for proper heat circulation. A pan that’s too large can create hot spots and block airflow. Also, think about what you typically cook. A small pan is fine for a couple of steaks, but if you’re cooking for a family, you’ll need a larger surface area. Finally, don’t forget about handles. I always look for sturdy, riveted handles that stay cool to the touch or are at least oven-safe. The last thing you want is to burn yourself when pulling a sizzling pan out of the oven. By focusing on material, design, size, and safety, you’re well on your way to finding one of the 10 best broiler pans for even cooking that suits your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a baking sheet instead of a broiler pan?
You can in a pinch, but I don’t recommend it for the best results. A baking sheet is flat, so the food sits in its own rendered fat. This steams the bottom and prevents it from getting a proper, crispy sear. The dedicated slotted top of a broiler pan lets that fat drip away, which is the key to achieving a good crust and even cooking without a soggy bottom.
How do I clean a broiler pan, especially with baked-on grease?
This is the least fun part of using a broiler pan, but a few tricks make it easier. As soon as the pan is safe to handle, fill the bottom drip pan with hot, soapy water. Let it soak while you tackle the top grill. I find a stiff brush or a scrubbing pad designed for non-scratch cleaning works well. For really stubborn, baked-on grease, a paste of baking soda and water can work wonders. Apply it, let it sit for a bit, and then scrub. Avoid using harsh metal scrapers on stainless steel as they can scratch the surface.
Is it safe to put a broiler pan in the dishwasher?
It depends entirely on the pan. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first. While many stainless steel pans are labeled dishwasher-safe, I often hand-wash mine to preserve its finish and prevent water spots. Pans with non-stick coatings should almost always be hand-washed to protect the coating. Cast iron broiler pans should never go in the dishwasher, as it will strip the seasoned surface and cause rust.
What’s the difference between broiling and baking?
This is a fundamental cooking difference. Baking uses ambient, circulating heat that cooks food from the outside in. It’s a slower, more even process. Broiling uses intense, direct radiant heat from above. It’s a fast and powerful method ideal for browning, caramelizing, and cooking thinner cuts of food quickly. Because of this high-heat environment, using one of the 10 best broiler pans for even cooking is crucial to handle the temperature and manage drippings effectively.
Why is there so much smoke when I use my broiler?
Smoke is usually caused by fat dripping onto the hot surfaces of the oven or the broiler pan itself and burning. To minimize this, make sure your drip pan is clean before you start and that it’s deep enough to contain the fat. Trimming excess fat from meats before broiling can also help. If smoke is a consistent issue, try placing a shallow layer of water in the bottom drip pan before you start cooking; this can help prevent the fat from hitting a dry, super-hot surface and smoking immediately.