A paella pan is used for preparing the paella dish, a delicious meal made from rice and is a favorite in the Valencia region of Spain. The pan is versatile and can also be used to prepare other dishes too. Therefore, we have written this article to guide you to practical best paella pans found in the market.
What is a Paella Pan?
A paella (also called paellera) pan is a broad and shallow pan designed especially for cooking the paella dish; this is a delicious Valencia meal made with rice. The pan has a flat, round bottom and is also surrounded by splayed sides. The pan looks like a skillet and can be constructed using carbon, stainless steel, brushed aluminum, and cast iron. It also features two handles that enable you to move the pan around before and after cooking. Besides, the pan does not have a lid, and the food is cooked uncovered.
The pans cooking technique maximizes the amount of rice that touches the pan's bottom, thus allowing the grains of the rice to absorb enough liquid. In this way, the rice is forced to cook in extension instead of height, thus properly incorporating the other ingredients; this is why the paella dish tastes much better than other dishes made of rice.
Top 8 Best Paella Pan from Our Reviews
Rank | Pan | Image | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Garcima 20-Inch Paella Pan |  | Carbon Steel | |
#2 | Garcima 32-inch Paella Pan |  | Carbon Steel | |
#3 | Matfer Bourgeat Paella Pan |  | Steel | |
#4 | Victoria Cast Iron Paella Pan |  | Cast Iron | |
#5 | IBILI Paella Pan |  | Stainless Steel | |
#6 | La Paella 18” Pata Negra Paella Pan |  | Carbon | |
#7 | Garcima 16-inch Paella Pan |  | Stainless Steel | |
#8 | La Ideal Paella Pan |  | Steel |
A paella pan is explicitly designed to cook the paella dish effectively; you can also use it for cooking seafood and other Spanish dishes. Hence you must have a paella pan in your kitchen to enable you to prepare the dish.
Consequently, our team of professionals to it upon themselves to relieve you of the stress of searching for a paella pan yourself. We carried out detailed research into the different types of paella pans products available for sale. We were finally able to pinpoint the 8 best paella pans that can be used to prepare your favorite paella recipe.
1. Garcima 20-Inch Paella Pan - Most Recommended
The Garcima Paella Pan is the first paella pan on our list of the best paella pan. The pan is huge and can help you cook your paella dish at once instead of in batches; this feature is one f the reasons we regard it as one of the best paella pan available for your use. The pan has a diameter of 20 inches, and it's adequate for catering for a group of about 6-10 individuals. The pan, which is made of carbon steel which is very durable, lasting for several years and makes it an excellent conductor of heat, allowing for even and fast heat distribution; this feature prevents the incidence of a hot and cold spot while cooking.
Besides, the pan is very versatile and can be used to prepare other dishes apart from paella. It is equally compatible with a stovetop, grill, or oven; therefore, in the incidence of inadequate stove space, you can transfer your paella pan into the oven to finish your cooking or keep it warm until you're ready to eat it.
That's not all, as the pan is not dishwasher safe and should not be washed with a dishwasher; however, the pan is effortless to clean using a wet towel and little soap to wipe the surface clean. Finally, as with most Paella Pan, this pan can also serve as a serving tray due to its large size. As a bonus, the product package comes with a very informative pamphlet and contains two recipes for preparing paella and details on how to care for your pan.
Pros and Benefits
- Made with Carbon Steel.
- Very durable.
- Versatile in purpose.
- Caters for 6-10 persons.
- Best Hand-washed.
- Safe for stovetop, grill, or oven.
2. Garcima 32-inch Paella Pan
This Paella pan model by the Garcima brand is unarguably one of the largest Paella pans you can find in the market; it has a diameter of 32 inches and can be used to cater for about 20-30 persons at once. The silver-colored pan is manufactured using carbon steel, a very durable alloy, and an effective conductor of heat.
Furthermore, the product can be used effectively with charcoal or gas grills, specialized paella burner, and over a wood fire, making it a fantastic and versatile choice of utensils for your indoor or outdoor cooking activities.
Finally, due to the pan's large dimension, it can also double as a serving tray and has a pamphlet attached to the product package, which contains two recipes for preparing paella. The booklet also includes details regarding how you can care for your pan, thus elongating its lifespan.
Pros and Benefits
- Made with carbon steel.
- Very large (36-inches).
- Hand-washing is very easy.
- Caters for 20-30 persons.
- Versatile in purpose.
- Very durable.
3. Matfer Bourgeat Paella Pan
Do you need a paella pan that can be used for a variety of purposes? If yes, then you must acquire the Matfer Bourgeat Paella Pan. The pan's diameter is 15.75 inches and can cater to a group of 6-8 persons, making it the perfect choice for paella gatherings. It is made of black carbon steel, which is a natural mineral material that promotes healthy cooking, and also makes the pan free from toxins or chemicals such as PFOA and PTFE, this way, the pan becomes nonstick as soon as it is seasoned with oil.
Additionally, the pan has two handles, securely attached to the pan's body to provide extra strength and security. Handles are not riveted but instead welded to the body, preventing bacteria from being trapped between the handle and body.
Finally, the product is very versatile and can effectively withstand high temperatures, making it compatible with various stovetops, including induction. The pan can also be used for both residential and commercial use.
Pros and Benefits
- 15.75 inch for 6-8 servings.
- Natural nonstick material.
- PTFE and PFOA free.
- Handle welded to body.
- Can withstand high temperature.
- Very durable.
- Easy to clean.
4. Victoria Cast Iron Paella Pan
If you need a good quality paella pan that is very durable and easy to use, then this seasoned frying pan by the Victoria brand is the best paella pan for you. It is black, has a diameter of 13-inches, and is made from durable cast iron material, which guarantees its durability as the product can last for several years. The product has a naturally nonstick surface (due to the cast iron component), and thus cleaning after cooking is straightforward and fast.
Besides, the product can distribute heat effectively and keep food hot for as long as 15min and above. The flaxseed oil (a vegetable oil that ensures easy release of your food after cooking) seasoned coating, which is 100% non-GMO, is free from PTFE and other toxins that can be harmful to your health. Another fantastic benefit derived from using this product is the trace amounts of iron released naturally when you cook with this paella pan.
Pros and Benefits
- 13-inches cast iron.
- Even heat distribution.
- Healthy for you.
- Free from toxins like PTFE.
- Very durable.
- Natural nonstick surface.
5. IBILI Paella Pan
If you desire to have a large premier paella pan made of stainless steel, you should purchase the IBILI paella pan. The pan is made by the IBILI brand and is well known for its nonstick coated surface. The pan is made of stainless steel, a feature that guarantees its durability; it also has 3 coats of nonstick coating, ensuring that food does not stick to the bottom and prevent your food from getting burnt. It also makes cleaning very easy.
Furthermore, the product has two stainless steel handles attached to the main body using rivets; it is designed to fit correctly and ease cooking. In addition, the pan is suitable for use on electric, vitro, gas, and also induction stovetops. Finally, it is very durable and easily maintained.
Pros and Benefits
- Nonstick 3 coats.
- Stainless steel construction.
- Handles made of stainless steel.
- Easy to clean.
- Very durable.
- Suitable for induction stove.
6. La Paella 18” Pata Negra Paella Pan
This pan made by the La Paella brand is one of the best paella pans and is a favorite amongst several households. The pan, which is silver colored, has a dimension of 18 inches and is ideal for serving 5 to 8 people; it is made using professional-grade carbon steel, which is extra thick and therefore very durable. Consequently, it is a good conductor of heat.
Furthermore, the pan is versatile and can be used on a gas or charcoal grill and a paella burner, making it the ideal choice to prepare your paella recipes. Besides, due to its construction material, carbon steel requires a little bit of washing (hand-washing advised for extended lifespan) and maintenance. Lastly, the product package comes with an informative pamphlet that contains two recipes for making your paella.
Pros and Benefits
- Versatile in purpose.
- Ideal for 5-8 people.
- Requires little maintenance.
- Very durable.
- Conducts heat perfectly.
7. Garcima 16-inch Paella Pan
Another model of the Garcima paella pan, the product is made of stainless steel instead of the usual carbon steel. It has a size of 40cm, a dimension 0f 16-inches making it large and ideal for serving 4-6 persons. The pan is aesthetically designed and features a lovely stainless-steel body, with gold-colored handles attached to it.
Additionally, the pan is versatile and can safely be used for stovetop, grill, or oven, thus giving you various choices to make from when you want to cook. It is also effortless to maintain and can be cleaned using the hand-washing method; all you need is a wet cloth to wipe the pan's surface. Lastly, it also comes with an informative pamphlet containing two recipes on preparing a perfect paella and even instructions on how to take care of the pan.
Pros and Benefits
- Attractive stainless steel.
- Gold colored comfortable handles.
- Ideal for 4-6 people.
- Very durable.
- Easily maintained and cleaned.
- Versatile in use.
8. La Ideal Paella Pan
Perhaps you're not a fan of carbon steel or stainless steel, and you need a paella pan made of a different alloy that is very durable and allows you to prepare your favorite paella recipe easily. The La Ideal Paella Pan manufactured in Spain is the product for you. Unlike most paella pans, the product is made of polished steel, easily maintained, red/grey colored. It has a diameter of 35.5 inches, making the pan large enough to cater to about 20 persons once.
Besides, the pan has two handles, which are red and allows for easy handling, and are held in place using 4 rivets for each handle to enhance easy usage by making it easy to grip. Due to its large size, the pan can also serve as a serving tray. It is very durable and can last for an extended period, and you can easily clean it after cooking by making use of clean wet cloth and little soap.
Pros and Benefits
- Made of polished steel.
- Very large size.
- Very durable.
- Handles have 4 rivets each.
- Easily maintained.
Best Paella Pans -Buying Guide
Many factors should be appropriately considered before purchasing a new paella pan for use in the market. Therefore, to make the decision-making process easier for you, we have highlighted the significant points to note before buying the pan.
Size
This feature is the first feature to note. You need a paella pan that would be enough to cater to your family and guests who come to visit without dividing the work in two. The largest size available is 32 inches and can serve 20-40 people. The least size advisable is 16-inches (for 4-6 people).
Construction Material
Most paella pans are made of carbon steel, which requires more seasoning and maintenance than the other types of paella pans made of stainless steel (costly), cast iron, enameled steel, and polished steel. So, depending on your budget, these are the varieties you should consider.
Nonstick Property
For easy cleaning and maintenance, you need to purchase a pan with nonstick coating features, as this will ensure that food doesn't stick to your pans and prevents your food from burning quickly. The traditional paella pans do not have this feature, but if you can, then we recommend you buy a nonstick paella pan.
Pre-seasoned Paella Pan
This is another equally important feature. A pre-seasoned pan would save you the stress of seasoning the pan yourself, especially if you don't know how to. But if you can adequately season the pan, then this might not make a difference.
Cost
Depending on your budget, which is very important, it will determine the product you are to purchase. As an added feature, you can also check the warranty, looking at the details it covers and what it doesn't.
How To Use A Paella Pan?
Before making use of your paella pan, you must determine if it is seasoned already; if it isn't, you must first season the pan; this can be performed in the oven or on the stovetop. After this, you can then use the pan to prepare the meat first before adding the Spanish rice to cook.
Conclusion
Several persons wonder if the paella pans are worth buying, and the answer is yes; the paella pan is worth the money based on the best paella pans reviews by users of the products, and so if you enjoy eating the Spanish rice, then you need the pan.
However, several Paella pans are available in the market, confusing, and eventually leading one to purchase the wrong product. This is why we have provided the necessary information to guide you through buying the right paella pan giving you value for your money. Hence, the best paella pans you can find in the market and a must-have in your kitchen are listed here.