ROASTING DISHES

Stellar €29.95

This is the most compact of the roasting trays we tried yet has a nice, heavy weight and a thick base. It is made of steel and scores extra points for its rack which has handles to facilitate easy removal of a joint. It loses points for that same rack however, as it runs contrary to our new de-cluttering policy. The surface of the dish is non-stick which will facilitate easy removal of grease and we liked that it was also dishwasher safe. It is probably the one least likely to be found in a working kitchen, despite the manufacturers claim that is the “choice of professionals”.

Verdict:Compact and easy to clean

***

Tefal Roaster Collection €22.95

This is the most lightweight of the roasting dishes we tried, and while it performed perfectly well, we’d have a small concern that its weight would work against it in the long term. It is non-stick inside and out and is made from aluminium which, the experts tell is, is what all the best roasting trays are made of. Grease just walked over this. The handles are useful. It is also the second cheapest of the lot, but that doesn’t make it particularly cheap.

Verdict:A bit flimsy, maybe?

**

Genware €12.95

We found this in a shop used by people in the trade and it pleased us greatly. It is made from aluminium, has a nice heavy base, is big enough to accommodate a giant turkey and is comparatively cheap. In fact, it is over four times cheaper than the Mermaid dish and almost as good. It had no handles, and will not take kindly to being shoved in your dishwasher. It looks all bright and shiny now but if treated roughly, it could start to look old and haggard pretty quickly. It roasts a mean joint though.

Verdict:Cheap and wonderful

*****

Mermaid €53.50

This is undoubtedly setting itself up to be the Rolls Royce of roasting dishes and it the most expensive by a mile. It is a fine product, but we still found it hard to justify the expense – and by hard, we mean completely impossible. Really, we’re not overly impressed by the manufacturer’s claim that TV chefs use it. It does have a nice heavy base which aids in the even distribution of heat and has good high sides. You can use a metal spoon on it – although you introduce it to your dishwasher at your peril. Initially, we thought the ridged handles were a good thing but they did get in the way ever so slightly when it came to making in-tray gravy.

Verdict:Top notch, top dollar

***

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