Cuisipro Convertible Dual Roasting Rack

Why use a roasting rack? The main reason is to elevate the food above the fray--or in this case, above the fats that drain out of it while it’s cooking. The second is to allow the air to circulate to achieve more even cooking and a better result. Both of these are good reasons to use a rack. But how do you choose which one to use?

We've all heard about “beer can” chicken, with the concept being that you set the chicken upright with some metal thing (you should excuse the expression) up the chicken's butt. Why would you do this, other than the fact that it's amusing to see the chicken sitting at attention in the roasting pan?

In fact, sitting a chicken up vertically is a great way to roast a chicken. You get the maximum amount of crispy skin, and the meat stays moist and tender. But the potential side-effects of beer can paint inside your chicken should be avoided, and most vertical roasters (which is what this class of tools is called) are unitaskers that take up a lot of room in your cabinets. That is ...until now.