Crofton Roasting Pan with Rack

Last Updated on October 28, 2023

EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Updated with information about how the roasting pan with rack performed with long-term use. 

EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Aldi sold a roasting pan with rack again in 2023 for $14.99. 

If you need new kitchenware, November is a great month to get it from Aldi. The discount grocer rotates in a large selection of pots, pans, skillets, baking accessories, utensils, and small kitchen appliances in anticipation of the holiday season.

I had to throw out an older Walmart roasting pan and rack earlier this year after the nonstick coating started to deteriorate and peel off, so I’ve been keeping an eye out for roasting pans at Aldi. The grocer didn’t let me down.

The Crofton Roasting Pan with Rack cost $9.99 at the time of publication. It’s an ALDI Find (Special Buy), which means it’s only in stores for a short time and then it will be gone until next year.

The roasting pan came in black speckled or copper colors. I opted for the black speckled pan.

It measures 16 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches. It’s not the largest roasting pan I’ve ever seen, but it fits in my smaller wall oven, so it’s just the right size for me. I’ve had roasting pans before that were so large I couldn’t close my oven door. The box for this roasting pan states it’s “ideal for a turkey or roast up to 30 pounds.”

Other features include a nonstick pan and a removable elevated V-rack that drains excess grease and fat.

The pan is made in China, and it comes with a two-year warranty serviced by McSunley LLC in Mason, Ohio. The company’s website states they “specialize in direct import, private label programs” and that their “core strength is cookware and houseware items manufactured through a select network of Indian factories.” To get after-sales support in the U.S., you can call 1-844-806-6842 or email custserv@844support.com.

The roasting pan comes with a small manual that recommends hand washing in warm soapy water using a soft sponge or dishcloth. It does not recommend washing in a dishwasher. It says to always use nylon, wood, or plastic tools because sharp edges or metal utensils will scratch the nonstick surface.

The manual also states: “For best results, always use the rack when roasting meats. This allows the heat to circulate and makes clean-up easier.” The pan is not intended for use in the microwave, and the manual says to be careful about storing the roaster so other cookware does not scratch it.

So far, I’ve baked a ham with the roasting pan. It made an impressive mess in the bottom of the pan because the ham juices dripped down and got burned on, but I had coated the pan with nonstick cooking spray beforehand, and the caked-on cooking residue washed off without too much effort. What I couldn’t initially get off eventually came off readily after allowing the pan to soak overnight.

One of the bottom “feet” on the rack lost its black paint coating after I baked a ham. (Click to enlarge.)

The upper left screw in this photo has chipping paint. (Click to enlarge.)

The black paint/coating on one of the rack’s two feet wore off after the pan’s first use. That part was not in contact with my ham, but all the burned-on cooking juices may have done a number on it. I also noticed the paint wore off of part of a screw that holds one of the handles on. So while the roasting pan and rack seem to clean up easily enough after a tough baking job, some components do look a bit worse for the wear after their first use. For a pan that’s just $9.99, though, I’m not too surprised. I’ll update as I continue to use it.

UPDATE (11/16/2021) — After two years of use, I noticed the nonstick coating is bubbling and peeling off the bottom interior of this roasting pan.

A close-up view. After two years, the nonstick coating is bubbling, flaking, cracking, and peeling.

Because I don’t want paint or nonstick coating getting on my food, I’ll probably toss this pan and look for another. It’s too bad it didn’t last longer than two years, but it was also incredibly cheap at just $9.99.

Notice the peeling spot just up and to the right of the pan’s center.

The Verdict:

Aldi’s Crofton Roasting Pan with Rack works for roasts or turkeys up to 30 pounds and comes with a two-year warranty. Part of the rack lost some of its paint after I first used it to bake a ham, but the pan cleaned up easily and doesn’t seem too bad for as inexpensive as it is. After a couple of years of use, the pan’s nonstick coating started cracking and peeling off the bottom interior, so while this is a decent pan while it lasts, it’s not going to last forever.