In Valencia, Spain, Aella was created as a way to make a tasty meal from leftover food and rice. It is amazing how many tourists travel to Spain to try this “delicacy”, even though it was originally a leftovers dish!
When paella is cooked, it should be spread all over the pan. You should make sure that the rice is not more than an inch (22.5 cm) thick. This will help keep the rice loose when you cook it with other foods.
The best paella pans will be both wide and shallow. Continue reading to learn more about what makes paella pans so good.
Paella Pan Size & Servings
Paella pans come in three sizes: wide, shallow, and round.
Paella pan sizes are measured by their diameters.
For paella, I use a 10-inch frying pan to make it for my children and me. My husband does not like rice. A 10″ paella pan can serve 2-3 people as a complete meal.
You can double the amount of paella if you’re making it as part of a starter or main course.
Remember that servings increase faster than the sizes. A 20-inch pan would provide enough food for 8-12 people.
A 14-inch pan would serve 4-6 people, or a 16-inch pan for 5-7 people. This is enough to make a family meal. For guests, you can serve paella with another dish.
An 18-inch TV is a great option if you want to entertain. It could easily feed 4 adults and 4 children. Okay, so if the children are all hungry teens, then you might have a problem. Then consider a 20-inch!
Will it fit on your stove?
It’s impossible to fit the pan of paella on one burner of a regular stove if it is larger than 12 inches. You can use multiple burners. Make sure it fits on the stove.
Gas stoves work best for large paella pans. However, you can also use other types.
You may have to consider other options if your stove is only one burner. I recommend a combination burner/pan. You can also cook the dish outside or use your stove to prepare other dishes.
My gas stovetop is perfect for me as I can cook paella for my family or small guests. I don’t need a burner and it would take up too much space in my home.
If you’re interested in outdoor burners, check out my roundup.
Paella Pan Alternatives
You may be wondering if a 10-12 inch frying pan can be used as a substitute for a paella pan. Yes you can! This is something I do all the time even though I don’t have a paella pan. It is just easier to use a smaller pan.
As long as the pan is large enough, a frying pan or saute pan can work well. Paella pans are not necessary. A paella pan has the main benefit of being able to cook for more people.
However, I would not recommend using a saucepan to make paella. It might be tempting to pile the rice too high in the pan. This could lead to rice that is too brown on the bottom, and overcooked rice on the top.
Induction Paella Pans
An induction pan can be any pan that works on an induction stove. It is best to get a large frying skillet that can be used on an induction stove. This 12.5-inch frying pan could be used to make paella for up to 4 people.
Are you really saying that the best paella pot for induction cooktops doesn’t exist? You can choose from any of the paella pans made of carbon steel and they will be compatible with induction.
However, I am concerned about the size. The second burner could be turned off if the pan is too large to cover one burner. Induction stoves can handle paella pans that are quite large. You might be able to use a few regular pans.
Paella Pan Material
Cast iron, carbon steel, nonstick or stainless steel paella pans are all options. Enamelled steel is the most popular material for paella pans. This is a black pan with some white spots. It’s the one that I use.
A carbon steel paella pan is better if you use your pan often. However, carbon steel is more work.
You may see some burnt rice in the bottom of your pan. This is a common side effect, and some people consider it a special treat. However, I do not recommend that you eat it for your health. It does make cleanup more difficult. Enamelled steel is much easier to clean.
A stainless steel paella pan can be very difficult to clean, as you can see.
It should also be simple to use nonstick. Nonstick is a little scary to me. It should work as long as the temperature remains below 260°C (500°F).
Carbon steel is the best choice for paella pans if you’re willing to take care of it and use it often. Enameled steel is a better choice if you aren’t able to do extra work or if you have a more casual use for it.
Paella Pan Reviews
Garcima 16 Inch (40 cm) Paella Pan (Overall Best Paella Pan)
Garcima is a large manufacturer of paella pans made in Spain. They were responsible for some of the products in this guide.
This large enameled steel paella pot is the best. It is easy to clean and more durable than non-stick.
It is also large. If paella is the main course, it can accommodate 5 to 7 people. If paella is just one dish, you can get more.
Is it too large for your stove? It will be necessary to position it so that it can fit between at least 2 and 3 burners. You should consider buying a different stove if you only have one burner. You should be fine otherwise.
There have been reports that enamel can wear over time. It all depends on how often you use it.
Some people also complain that the paella pan burns the rice. It’s actually what was meant to happen. The bottom layer of caramelized rice, also known as “socorrat”, is a Spanish term for it. Many Spaniards swear that it’s delicious. I personally avoid it because I am suspicious of anything that is burnt.
Socorrat is a part of the cooking process and is a sign that you have a good paella pan.
This pan is for people who are looking for a traditional, easy-to-use paella pan.
Pros:
- It is easy to clean
- Good size
- Affordable
- Traditional paella is easy to make
Cons:
- Over time, enamel wears down
- There are more than one burner for your stove.
La Paella 18” Pata Negra Restaurant Grade Paella Pan (Best Commercial Paella Pan)
This carbon steel paella pan measures 18 inches (45 cm). It is very durable, but you must take good care of it after washing.
According to the manufacturer, it can serve 6-8 people. It can serve 7-10 people.
18 inches is too big for paella pans. It will require multiple burners to heat it. You will need to have enough space to move the heat around.
This pan is made of carbon steel and is ideal for those who are likely to make paella a lot. This pan is great for large families or guests. This pan is not recommended if you plan to cook paella for only a few people.
Pros:
- Delicious paella meals for 7-8 people
- Carbon steel is extremely durable
- High quality at a very affordable price
- Traditional Paella pan made in Valencia Spain
Cons:
- It is too big to handle – can it fit on your stove?
- Carbon steel requires more work
Garcima 16-Inch Stainless Steel Paella Pan (Best Paella Pan for Gas Stoves)
Although the pan measures 16 inches (40 cm) in diameter, it is very affordable for a traditional Spanish paella pan.
This is the best paella pan made of stainless steel. However, I don’t think stainless steel would be my ideal material. It is perfectly normal for rice to burn on the bottom of the saucepan. Stainless steel can also be difficult to clean.
Although the manufacturer states that you can feed 4-6 people with this recipe, I recommend serving 5-7 meals per 16-inch pan. Let’s say it serves 5-6 people.
It’s sufficient for most families and maybe even a few guests.
Garcima offers a 10-inch pan. But I wouldn’t recommend it. You can use your regular frying pan.
My experience has shown that stainless steel paella pans can be used on gas stoves. This is the ideal pan to use for your gas stove if you’re looking for something more specific. It will take more effort to remove scorched rice.
Pros:
- Pan for the whole family
- Traditional paella pan made in Spain
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons:
- Over time, gold colored handles will lose their shine
- Cleaning stainless steel is more difficult
- You get what you pay for
Garcima 18-Inch Carbon Steel Paella Pan (Best Paella Pan for Grill)
Garcima offers a traditional, high-quality, but pricey, paella pan. It’s made of carbon steel, so it is durable, but it will require care.
According to the manufacturer, the 18-inch (46cm), one (reviewed), can serve 5 to 8 people. It could easily serve 7-10 full meals, so let’s say it serves 7-8 people.
Two burners will be required for the 18-inch pan. Make sure it fits on your stove.
But there are other options. The large 22-inch pan (55cm) is available that can serve 7-12 people. (I think 9-14 people would eat this, so I recommend 9-12 meals).
The largest paella pan they sell is 40 inches (100cm), which produces 85 servings. Although I could have made 35 to 45 full meals from that pan, I have never used one that large.
I find it daunting to season a large-sized carbon steel pan.
If you own a restaurant, I wouldn’t recommend that you purchase it. It is unlikely that it will fit on your gas stove. To manage it, you would need at most two people and a large stovetop.
There are also larger sizes, such as 60 inches (150cm), which is their largest paella pan. These are not available at the time I write this so I don’t know if they exist. If 40 inches seems too large, 60 inches would be absurd. It would require specialist equipment and at least 3-4 people to manage.
For most people, the 18-inch pan is sufficient.
Pros:
- A wide range of sizes
- Carbon steel pans that are strong and durable
- Traditional pans of high quality for restaurants
- Quality and size at an affordable price
Cons:
- Experienced required before using
- Additional care is required when using
- Rotate frequently to avoid hot spots
Victoria Cast Iron Paella Frying Pan 13 Inches (Best Cast Iron Paella Pan)
This is the only paella pan made from cast iron that we have included in our guide. Cast iron paella pans that are larger than this one can be made from carbon steel. Cast iron is heavy and therefore not suitable for large pans.
This pan is a bit larger than the one I have.
It’s also heavy. It is very heavy.
This pan makes enough paella for at least three people. It will work well for a family with 4-5 people, unless you have teenagers eating it! If you offer other courses, guests could also use it.
A bonus glass lid is also available for purchase.
Pros:
- Long lasting quality and high quality
- Flaxseed oil ( best seasoning oil) can be pre-seasoned
Cons:
- For the size, it’s expensive
- For a paella pan, this is a small size
- Cast iron does need extra care
- Very heavy
Cuisinart non-stick Paella Pan, 15′ (Best Pan for Paella with Lid)
This paella pan looks great on paper. It is nonstick and easy to clean.
It is also very large. It’s 15 inches (38cm), which is sufficient to feed 4-7 people. This makes it a great size for both the family and guests. It will fit on most stoves, but not all single burners. It is also not too heavy.
Nonstick surfaces are advertised as being durable.
But…
It is not mentioned that PTFE is in the paella. PTFE is OK. Traditional paella involves frying the rice in the bottom of a pan. It is important to keep the temperature at a minimum of 260°C (500°F).
The nonstick surface is easy to scratch, especially when you try to remove stuck food.
A lid might be an advantage if you are really looking for one. Paella pans without lids are hard to come by, so this is the best paella pan. However, I don’t believe you need a lid to cook paella. You don’t want liquid to splash everywhere and you want some water to evaporate.
Overall, this pan is not going to last long and I don’t have much to say about it. This is not a pan I would buy.
Pros:
- Glass lid
- Nonstick (in theory).
- Small enough to be manageable for the whole family.
Cons:
- Most likely has PTFE
- Hotspots are not to be missed
- Scratches easily
La Valenciana Enamelled Steel Paella Pan
Enamelled steel can be used in paella pans as an alternative. Although the enamel is not completely nonstick it is non-sticky and easy to clean. The steel is strong and heat-transmitting.
This pan is great, not only because of its material. It is made in Valencia, Spain. Paella is a Spanish dish that is loved all over the globe. For Spain, however, Paella was born in Valencia.
It measures 13.5 inches (34 cm) in length. It is large enough to feed a family of four or more people, and is easy to use on most stoves.
It is supposed to serve 6 people, according to the manufacturer. It could have served 4 to 5 people, but that depends on how large the portion is and if it’s the only course.
The manufacturer also offers a 24-inch (60 cm) version that can cook 20 portions at once. It is likely too large for most stovetops.
The 13.5-inch version is also a great value and extremely affordable.
However, it is not one you would purchase to use every day. With heavy usage, the enamel surface can wear.
This is a great place to start if you’re new to using paella pans. It is often not available.
Pros:
- Excellent value
- A great starter pan
- Serves entire family
- Non adhesive surface
- Very affordable
- It is easy to clean
Cons:
- If used frequently, enamel coating will be lost.
- If you are cooking large meals for many guests, it is too small
- Often unavailable
Best Paella Pan
The Garcima 16 inch (40 cm) Paella Pan is the best choice for a novice paella cook. It’s a good, traditional pan at an incredible price. It’s irresistible!
It won’t last forever, which is not surprising considering the price. It is possible that you will want a larger pan. You don’t have to upgrade – I recommend upgrading to one of my other reviewed pans!
Best Paella Pan for Experts
If you use your paella pan weekly and wish to cook for more people, I recommend a carbon-steel paella pan like the Garcima18-Inch Carbon Steal Paella Pan. Carbon steel requires more work, but it is durable.
It could make 8 meals. It can hold 16 servings if you serve two main courses, one of which is paella.
Because it can withstand the heat of the grill, it’s the best paella pan.
It is also big! It may be too big for some stove tops/people. Before you buy this carbon steel pan, make sure you understand what you’re getting into.
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