What Is a Roasting Rack?
Datetime:2012-10-11 Hits:
What Is a Roasting Rack?
A roasting rack is a metal rack that is normally set into a roasting pan and used when cooking meat, generally chicken and other poultry, rib roasts, and pork roasts. The roasting rack can be flat or v-shaped, square or oval. Some are adjustable, adding more versatility. They are generally made of stainless steel, but some inexpensive ones can be made of aluminum.
The interconnected metal wires of the roasting rack allow the air to circulate around the meat as it cooks. This not only helps to prevent burning, but it makes the skin of the meat crispy and brown while sealing the juices inside. The roasting rack helps to achieve this effect by keeping the meat away from the juices and fat that drip to the bottom of the pan as the meat cooks. Since the meat will not be resting in the juices, it will not be boiled, and will continue to brown evenly on all sides.
Roasting racks also help avoid steaming the meat instead of browning it. Covering the meat too tightly will cause it to steam, which in turn will keep the skin from browning and crisping nicely. If the meat is elevated, however, more air will be able to circulate around it.
