Why don't more people roast directly on the oven grill grates?

[fuzzybabybunny]

Most recipes I read have you put what you're roasting into a roasting tray, even if the item's just by itself and uncovered during the entire roasting time.

Are there any reasons for not putting the item directly onto the grill grates and just have the tray underneath to catch any drippings?

For example, I see a recipe for roasting a whole mackerel that has me put the fish onto a roasting tray that has been lined with oil-covered parchment paper. After roasting, the top of the fish will be nice and crispy but the bottom will most likely be soggy due to having the juice leak out, pool around the flesh, and steam. When I'm roasting salmon fillets I start with the skin side down but always have to flip it towards the end to crisp up the skin.

Couldn't this be avoided by just roasting directly on the grill grates?

 

[nutxo]

Use a roasting pan with a rack?

 

[Capt Caveman]

B/c then you wouldn't be roasting but grilling.

 

[Humpy]

I sometimes roast pizza right on the rack.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Use a roasting pan with a rack?

This. Cleaning oven racks isn't much fun.

 

[Red Squirrel]

It would make cleanup a pain as stuff would drip down in the bottom of the oven.

You can use racks like above but those are kinda a pita to clean too. Better off doing stuff like that on the BBQ. Then you just give the grill a good brushing and whatever landed in the burner compartment is just going to burn right off anyway.