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Have you ever heard of Paella? Are you looking for a Paella pan? This here is your definitive guide to buying the best Paella pan in the market today.

This delicious dish is one of Spain’s most popular recipes and is also the kind of food that has something for everyone. Paella Pan is one of the best options when you are looking for a frying pan.

But what’s the history of this famous dish? What is it made from? Is it good for your health and can you make it at home?

Find your answer and the best Paella pan below.

WHAT IS A PAELLA PAN?

Paella comes from the Valencia region in Spain, and while it’s known as a Spanish dish through the world, in Spain, they call it a Valencian dish, even if it’s cooked all through the country.

The traditional recipe calls for a mixture of ingredients: Chicken, rabbit, beans, tomatoes, rice, and a variety of spices.

However, there are several variations of the recipe, to the point where you can be sure to find something to suit your taste.

Seafood paella is a rather popular choice that’s also described as “traditional” or mixed paella by the people of Valencia, which involves both seafood and meat. It is one of the most popular variations in the rest of the world.

While paella might seem to be the kind of dish that welcomes just about any ingredient, famous chefs from all over the world who have dared to alter the recipe, have been bombarded with heavy criticism by Spaniards and the Valencian community.

Paella isn’t just rice with stuff tossed on it. It’s a cultural dish with as much history as it has the flavor and, as such, respecting the original recipes as much as possible is highly encouraged.

With red copper pan, Paella pan is one of the best frying pans the market has offered today.​

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what paella has to offer.

DOES A PAELLA PAN WORK?

Whether a particular food is good or not often depends on how much of it you’re consuming.

However, different foods can do different things for your body, and that’s where the multiple ingredients in paella can give a significant boost to your diet:

• Rice: This is the main ingredient of the dish and is full of fiber and different types of vitamins, such as B1 and B2. This carbohydrate can be quite high in calories. But when rice is coupled with other ingredients in paella, you’ll find that it makes for a satisfyingly filling and nutritious dish.
• Meat and Fish: While there are paellas made only with seafood, you’ll be hard-pressed to find paellas made only with meat. This means that just about any type of paella out there will have a healthy serving of omega- 3, vitamin D, and vitamin B, not to mention a hefty dose of proteins.
• Vegetables: If you’re not a big fan of veggies on their own, but don’t mind them when mixed with other delicious flavors, you’ll be happy to know that paella is often full of them, which means you get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients of veggies coupled with everything we just mentioned.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF A PAELLA DISH

We mentioned a lot of vitamins, but do you know what those can do for you?

• The fiber in paella can help you improve your digestion.
• The Omega 3 acids, found in fish and other types of seafood, can help you control your cholesterol.
• ​Meats, such as chicken and red meat, contribute to your daily protein intake, which can help prevent anemia.
• ​The oils used to cook paella, and the seasonings (such as garlic, onion, and saffron) can act as antioxidants, helping you reduce inflammation of the body.
• Finally, the vegetables found in the dish help balance everything out with powerful vitamins that are absorbed by your body.

In short, you could even say paella makes for one of the most nutritional sound dishes out there, and as such, it’s definitely one you need to try at least once in your life.

But what if paella is something you already include in your diet?

What if what you’re looking for the best paella pans in the market are?

Well, if that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we have reviewed the ten best paella pans currently in the market and how you can choose the best one that suits you.

PAELLA PAN BUYING GUIDE

To the untrained eye, all paella pans are the same, but there are a couple of things you need to consider before purchasing yours:

Size

Paella pans can be either big or huge.

There are many ingredients involved in paella, so having plenty of room to cook them all is necessary.

You should always measure your oven and stovetop to make sure your paella pan is the right size for your kitchen.

You should also keep in mind the heat sources, particularly if you’re cooking in a stovetop, as you want to make sure the heat is adequately spread all over the pan.

If your stovetop or oven isn’t large enough, or you notice the heat source won’t heat the paella pan evenly, consider purchasing two smaller ones instead of a larger one.

The size will also determine whether you’ll be able to wash it easily or not.

Keep in mind that most paella pans won’t fit in a dishwasher, so prepare yourself for that.

Material

Paella pans can be made with a variety of materials, though the most popular are carbon steel, enameled steel, and stainless steel.

Each material has certain advantages and disadvantages that you’ll have to keep in mind before making our choice.

• Carbon Steel: This is the most traditional material, as well as the most affordable. It works well when it comes to conducting heat, but it tends to rust if you don’t take good care of it.
• Enameled Steel: Relatively affordable, this material is one of the best when it comes to heat conduction, and ease of cleaning. However, they’re rather delicate, and the enamel coating can be scratched or chipped off quite easily.
• Stainless Steel: The most expensive material out of the list is fantastic, and it makes excellent paellas, thanks to how good it is at conducting heat and how easy it is to clean.

What material your paella pan is made of will also determine the type of stovetop you should use.

Stainless steel paella pans, for example, can be used with induction stovetops as well as gas ones.

Depth

A shallow paella pan is an excellent paella pan, which also explains why paella pans tend to be large.

Make sure yours isn’t too deep either, you’ll risk buying a wok instead of the paella pan.

We’ve looked through several paella plates from all kinds of manufacturers to find the best of the best. This way, you can skip all the hard work and choose only from the winners.​

IS IT WORTH IT TO BUY A PAELLA PAN?

Read the full review below.

TOP 10 BEST PAELLA PANS

PANDERNO WORLD CUISINE PAELLA PAN

When it comes to paella pans, you want to buy the ones that are made to last, and Paderno World Cuisine certainly delivers in this area with this fantastic 18.5-inch paella pan made with carbon steel.

This material is resistant and boasts incredible heat conduction and circulation, which helps the pan get hot very fast and minimizes the appearance of hot spots, which can result in your paella being overcooked in certain areas and undercooked in others.

There’s a significant disadvantage to this material, though, and that’s that it rusts very quickly if you’re not careful. So, to prevent this, you need to clean your pan immediately after use, re-season it after every wash, and never, ever, leave water overnight.

This pan comes with zinc handles designed to stay cool through the entire cooking process, allowing you to move the paella pan as you please.

Large enough to serve up to 12 people an affordable without sacrificing quality, this pan certainly gives you quite a lot of bang for your buck.

You will need to consider the size of this pan before buying, though, as 18.5 inches is nothing to scoff at, and many buyers have purchased this pan only to find out it doesn’t fit in their ovens or dishwashers.

This pan is not dishwasher safe and needs to be hand-washed.

LA PAELLA PATA NEGRA RESTAURANT GRADE PAELLA PAN

If the best way of making paella is following the traditional recipes, it makes sense that the best paella pans out there are the ones made in Spain, don’t you agree?

This beautifully crafted ‘paellera’ is large enough to feed up to 16 people, and it’s made with carbon steel, which means it gets hot, really fast.

There is an issue with carbon steel, though, and it’s the fact that it needs to be continuously seasoned to prevent rust and needs to be hand washed and dried immediately after every use.

The size of this pan can be both a good and a bad thing. Its large size means you’ll be able to produce all kinds of paellas and serve many people, but this pan will take up a lot of space in your kitchen, both when cooking and when storing it.

Despite its large size, it works well on a stove, and its excellent heat conductivity means you can safely use a single burner to get things done.

That said, you’ll probably want to use more than once, only because this pan takes up so much room.

COOK N HOME NONSTICK PAELLA PAN

You’ve probably noticed that carbon steel paella pans need a lot of care to stay in top shape, but what if you can’t afford the time to do that?

Cook N Home answered this question by creating a beautiful nonstick paella pan made of aluminum and ceramic. This fantastic combination of materials means that you won’t have to season your pan as often, and you can use a dishwasher to clean this baby.

But how does it perform?

Overall, this paellera is very good. The materials used in its construction allow fast and even heating, and the riveted handles stay cool to the touch even after use.

As the name implies, this paella pan is nonstick, so cleanup is effortless. 

That said, it makes ‘socarrat,’ what some regard as one of the best parts of paella, utterly impossible as the rice at the bottom doesn’t toast as nicely as it does when using other materials.

At 15”, this paella pan is a large one, though it has a better chance of fitting in your oven and your dishwasher, making it an excellent option for those who are thinking about using their paella pan for cooking a variety of dishes.

The best thing?

This paellera is affordable, which means you’ll be making a great investment even if you only use it for paella.

ESSENSO ENAMELED CAST IRON 14 INCH STIR FRY PAN

Just looking at this paellera lets you know there’s something special about it, and the ‘what’ becomes apparent when you realize this paella pan is made entirely out of cast iron.

Cast iron cookware can retain heat and distributes the heat evenly, eliminating hot spots even if you’re using a single burner when cooking.

Made in Turkey, the manufacturers of this paellera are so sure of its quality that they offer a solid lifetime warranty. 

This pan is as sturdy as they come, and you’ll get years of use out of it before even experiencing a scratch, thanks to the quality of the cast iron used to make it.

That said, this is a 14” cast iron product, so you know it’s going to be heavy.

Very heavy.

There’s one construction problem we noticed, though, and we can’t ignore it.

This pan is rather shallow, which can be a problem, as rice and other ingredients will fall off unless you’re careful.

If you’re not cooking for a lot of people, this paella pan is ideal, but if you plan on cooking for large groups of people, you’re better off with a pan with a little more depth than this one.

GARCIMA 26-INCH CARBON STEEL PAELLA PAN

26 inches. Let that sink in for a moment.

This paella pan is enormous, and there’s no way you’ll be able to use it in your kitchen unless your kitchen has been designed to feed an army.

Why do we include it in this list, then? Because this paellera is just amazing.

This pan is made of carbon steel, with a flat base, a dimpled surface, zinc handles that stay cool even when in use. It shows you exactly how paella pans are supposed to look, which comes as no surprise considering this pan was made in Valencia, the land where paella originates.

As with every other carbon steel product, this paellera needs to be seasoned before every use and hand washed after every use to prevent rusting. We had taken some points off it for not being dishwasher safe, but unfortunately, they don’t make dishwashers big enough for this baby anyway.

If you’re planning a huge dinner or considering feeding an army, this is the paellera for you.

And the best thing?

It’s super affordable.

MATFER BOURGEAT BLACK STEEL PAELLA PAN

Matfer Bourgeat is a family-owned French Industrial Group. The Group has 200 years of experience in producing professional kitchenware around the world. Their products are used daily by Chefs all over the world in hotels, clubs, restaurants, conference centers, and cruise lines.

Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Paella Pan is made of carbon steel. It is well made and sturdy. It has good depth and a nice wide bottom compared to the total width and can cook for at least 6-8 people.

Double-loop pattern vertical handles are not typical for a traditional paella pan but very convenient when it comes to storage.

You can use it on any cooktops and even on the grill. Because of carbon steel and big thermal mass, this pan heats up quickly and evenly. It makes perfect socarrat at the bottom of the pan, essential for an epic paella, and not too hard to clean after cooking.

Besides paella, you can also use this pan for cooking other foods from vegetables to real steaks.

This pan comes polished, so you will need to clean and season it before first use. Check the videos below to learn how to season a paella pan.

If you’re looking for a great paella pan ideal for home use, this is it.

GARCIMA 12-INCH ENAMELED STEEL PAELLA PAN

Garcima is a premiere Spanish cookware brand that has been manufacturing high-quality traditional cooking utensils, including a vast range of paella pans since 1940. These pans are all made in Spain, not China.

Garcima 12-Inch Enameled Paella Pan is traditionally designed for cooking paella, but you can also cook other food in it. It has a flat base, which means you can use it on a glass or ceramic induction cooktop as well as on a gas burner, grill, or even open fire.

Its enamel coating prevents rust. So, it doesn’t rust in how carbon steel pans do, requiring less care and maintenance. Like any other enameled pans, it is not suitable for dishwasher due to the harsh dishwashing chemicals and should be hand washed with care.

The pan is rigid and durable and will last a long time in your kitchen. Ideal for cooking paella for a small family of 2-3 people.

LE CREUSET ENAMELED CAST IRON PAELLA PAN

This pan is made of cast iron, which is the authentic material for cooking the perfect paella, but you can also use it for so much more. You can use it on any heat source, including gas, electric solid plate or radiant ring, induction, stovetop or outdoor grill.

Cast iron retains heat efficiently and distributes heat evenly so that you can cook your paella on lower heat settings on stovetop and oven cooking. On the table, it will also keep the food warm for second servings.

Its durable matte black enamel finish requires no seasoning and makes it easy to clean. The Colorful, long-lasting exterior enamel resists chipping and cracking.

SERTODO ALICANTE COPPER PAELLA PAN

If you are looking for a top-shelf paella pan, there is no way you can go wrong with Sertodo Alicante Copper Paella Pan. Unlike many other products out there, this pan is handmade from 100% recycled sources for a healthier environment.

Sertodo Copper is an international cooperative of master copper artisans founded by Jonathan Beall with workshops in Austin, Texas USA, and Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacan Mexico.

The Alicante Paella Pans combine the unsurpassed quality of traditional craft with the beauty of modern design in the warm glow of heavy gauge hammered copper and the hot-tinned interior for professional cooking performance or dazzling displays.

It has a long-lasting, naturally non-stick, non-reactive cooking surface. The stainless-steel handles stay cool and are easier to handle. The pan is oven safe. The 12 inch serves 4-6 adults, 15 inch serves 6-8, and 18 inch serves 10-12 adults. Reasonable price and unique style for fine cooking!

NORDIC WARE PAELLA PAN

Nordic ware international specialties feature a variety of unique ethnic products influenced by countries around the globe. This pan is specially designed for paella recipes and comes with a 10-year warranty.

If you are cooking paella for the first time and don’t want to spend a fortune on a brand new pan, this affordable pan is the real deal. It cost way less than other paella pans on this list. You can also use it as a general-purpose high-sided griddle or a crepe/pancake pan.

Its premium aluminized steel distributes heat evenly across the pan, even over to the edges.

The pan is very durable. You can use it regularly, and it will not wear down quickly.

Its non-stick surface makes it very easy to clean.

The size of this pan is perfect for making paella just for a few friends or a medium-sized family anywhere from five to eight people.

WHAT’S THE BEST PAELLA PAN?

And there you have it!

Now you know all you need to know about paella and the best paella pans in the market. From the above reviews, we choose Garcima 26-Inch Carbon Steel Paella Pan as the best paella pan:

• It’s safe for stovetop, oven, or grill.
• Easy to clean
• Great quality

Factoring in your budget, kitchen, and foreseeable diners, you now have all the information you need to choose the best paella pan for you!

Happy cooking!! You may also enjoy reading: Best cookware for glass-top stoves.

HOW TO SEASON CARBON STEEL PAELLA PAN

• Remove label and place on a stove-top
• Add water up to rivets of pan handle
• Turn on heat
• Bring it to boil for 10 minutes
• Drain water from the pan
• Wash the pan with soap and water, make sure to remove any residue from pan
• Rinse well
• Dry the pan
• Apply small amount of olive oil to pan. Spread out evenly to coat the whole pan, top and bottom
• The pan will discolor but this is normal for a carbon steel pan

HOW TO CLEAN PAELLA PAN AND PREVENT RUST

• To properly clean the paella pan, use dish soap and a scrub sponge.
• Only use a stainless-steel sponge when you have a polished steel paella pan. Carefully remove all the cooking residue from the pan.
• If the water gets too dirty, refresh it and continue cleaning.
• When all the cooking residue is removed rinse the paella pan with clean water.
• After you have rinsed away all the soap, wipe the pan dry with a clean tea towel.
• To prevent a polished steel paella pan from rusting, the pan must be coated with a thin layer of cooking oil.
• By cleaning and preserving a steel paella pan can keep the pan in great shape for many more delicious paellas.

HOMEMADE PAELLA RECIPE