Testing these stunning paella pans spoke to my Spanish ancestry in a giant means, and introduced again a flood of aromatic, saffron-scented recollections. It was all the time essentially the most particular events as a child: watching a relative dragging out the paella pan, blooming the saffron, scrubbing the mussels and clams, and taking the time to face over the range whereas shifting the pan round in order that the socarrat (the crust that varieties on the rice in direct contact with the pan) would brown and crisp evenly.
As a disclaimer, I did check these pans out the normal means (or as near it as doable) on a charcoal grill, so whereas I’ve suggestions which can be particular to that course of, I additionally have suggestions for making paella on the stovetop. And sure, this text goes stay in November, so sure, I used to be exterior on the peak of New England autumn, working over a grill on the patio and sure, the neighbors completely had questions for me.
For now, although, the one query I care about is, “What are the perfect paella pans on the market?”
Our High Picks
Greatest Total: Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Paella Pan
Dimension: 15 ¾ inches | Materials: Carbon Metal
Why we selected it: This heavy-duty pan heated essentially the most evenly.
This thick-walled paella pan was a pleasure to make use of as soon as I accomplished the seasoning course of—it comes with detailed directions on find out how to season earlier than use, and it took beneath half-hour to finish. As soon as seasoned, this pan was fantastically non-stick, that means that there was no digging or scraping required when serving paella, even once we received to that treasured socarrat. As a result of the pan is so thick and heavy-duty, it did take a bit longer to preheat, however as soon as it got here to temperature, it retained warmth very nicely. I didn’t even have to regulate the peak of the pan through the cooking course of. (This may be achieved with heat-proof bricks, or crumpled up aluminum foil.) One factor I significantly appreciated was the positioning of the handles:they’re pointed up at a vertical angle, relatively than protruding horizontally from the pan, which made it simpler to seize and slide the pan across the grill with out getting my arms too near the flames. The pan’s seasoning made cleanup quite simple. This pan is available in three sizes, 14 ⅛”, 15 ¾”, and 17 ¾”, all of that are giant sufficient to serve a crowd.
Greatest Worth: Machika Polished Steel Valencian Paella Pan
Dimension: 12 inches | Materials: Carbon Metal
Why we selected it: This carbon-steel paella pan is an efficient worth at about $50 lower than our Greatest Total choose, however requires a bit extra vigilance throughout cooking.
Like our Greatest Total choose, this pan is manufactured from carbon metal and have to be seasoned earlier than use. It’s significantly thinner than the Matfer Bourgeat pan, so it heated up in a short time over the grill. This resulted in a quicker prepare dinner time general, but in addition meant that the pan needed to be raised up a bit increased to maintain the rice from burning. I did this with heat-proof bricks that I maintain to be used with my grill, however you can even use wadded up aluminum foil to realize the identical outcome. Clear-up was simple sufficient due to the seasoning. This pan is available in a wide range of sizes, from 10 inches, serving 2, as much as 20 inches to serve as much as 14 hungry paella followers.
Greatest Improve: Mauviel M’Heritage Copper Paella Pan
Dimension: 15.7 inches | Materials: Copper
Why we selected it: This attractive copper pan with brass handles is all it’s worthwhile to make a show-stopping presentation of your paella.
Why, sure, I’m recommending a pan that prices over 5 instances greater than our Greatest Total choose due to its completely gorgeous aesthetics. However whereas trendy, this pan is way more than only a fairly face:it carried out fantastically in my check and didn’t require any pre-seasoning. Placing this pan over a charcoal flame and watching because the copper backside darkened felt like sacrilege, however the pan truly washes up fairly simply—particularly if you happen to maintain Bar Keeper’s Buddy round. This pan is made virtually totally of copper, aside from the precise cooking floor, which is stainless-steel. The socarrat was crispy golden brown and I discovered throughout cooking that I didn’t have to maneuver this pan across the warmth as a lot, which I think is as a result of copper conducts warmth a bit higher than carbon metal.
Greatest For Learners: Machika Enameled Steel Paella Pan
Dimension: 12 inches| Materials: Enamel-coated Carbon Metal
Why we selected it: The enamel coating and comparatively low value level make this an ideal choice for folk simply beginning out on their paella journeys.
From the identical producer as our Greatest Worth choose, this pan (and its polished metal cousin) can also be nice for folk desirous to make their paella indoors as a result of it is available in quite a lot of oven-friendly sizes. The enamel coating means no seasoning is required beforehand, and it’s a breeze to wash up when you’ve packed yourselves stuffed with paella. Should you are cooking over a range prime, I like to recommend utilizing a paella pan no bigger than 12 inch and, if you happen to’re cooking for greater than 4 individuals, it’s higher and simpler to make use of two smaller pans directly relatively than determine find out how to maneuver a 20 inch pan over a single burner. It may be performed, and there are strategies for ending paella within the oven, however belief me… two smaller pans is the best way to go. Just like the polished metal model from Machika, this pan is on the thinner aspect and heats shortly, so it requires a bit extra vigilance through the cooking course of, however that is in any other case a strong alternative.
How We Selected These Merchandise
We picked best-selling and extremely rated pans from trusted manufacturers to check. For the testing course of, I adopted the directions from every producer to organize the pan earlier than first use. Within the case of the 2 carbon metal pans, I merely needed to wash the pan, then comply with detailed directions for seasoning each pans. For the opposite two, they simply wanted to be washed and dried.
As soon as the pans have been ready, I cooked a batch of paella, scaling the recipe to suit the pan as wanted over a charcoal grill. Through the cooking course of, I paid consideration to how simple it was to maneuver the pan over the flame, how lengthy it took to preheat the pan, and the way nicely the pan appeared to retain warmth as an increasing number of elements have been loaded in. As soon as the paella was able to be served, I scooped the rice out, paying shut consideration as to whether the socarrat was sticking to the pan.
When every pan had cooled, I washed every one in keeping with the care directions supplied by the producer, taking note of how simply any stuck-on bits of rice got here free, and whether or not any further steps wanted to be taken past simply washing. The enamel-coated pan was the one one which may very well be washed and left to air-dry; the opposite three wanted to be dried fully, and the 2 carbon metal pans wanted to be oiled and heated after clean-up.
Options to Hold in Thoughts When Looking for the Greatest Paella Pan
The Proper Dimension This all relies on how many individuals you’re cooking for and what your meant warmth supply is. Pans bigger than 12 or 14 inches ought to typically be used over a grill or some type of open flame (or a burner constructed particularly for paella pans). A ten inch pan can serve two, whereas a 20 inch pan can serve as much as 14 individuals.
Warmth Supply Historically, paella is supposed to be cooked over an open flame in a large pan to serve a crowd. This can be achieved over a fuel or charcoal grill, however if you happen to’re simply cooking for a number of individuals, you should utilize a smaller pan in your stovetop.
Building A paella pan ought to be considerably heavy-duty with thick partitions to forestall your paella from burning. Some paella pans include lids (none that we examined) however this isn’t crucial—paella is usually cooked uncovered.
Materials Carbon metal appears to be the most typical materials for paella pans, however stainless-steel and copper are good choices, too. Carbon metal is essentially the most ideally suited materials as a result of it retains warmth nicely and tends to distribute it extra evenly than most supplies, with stainless-steel being a detailed second, adopted by copper.
Ask the Consultants
Q: What’s the finest dimension for a paella pan?
All of it relies on what number of you’re cooking for and what your warmth supply is! 10 inch pans are good for 2 individuals, and might simply match on a daily stovetop burner. 15 inch pans are good for as much as eight individuals, however ought to actually be used over some type of open flame, like a grill.
Q: Can I take advantage of a paella pan on a BBQ?
Sure— in actual fact, cooking over an open flame is the normal technique, so most paella pans ought to be capable of deal with it. When doubtful, although, verify with the producer’s directions.
Q: Can I prepare dinner paella in a traditional pan?
Undoubtedly, particularly if you happen to’re planning on cooking on a stovetop and making a small quantity for simply a few individuals—you may use a ten to 12 inch skillet so long as it’s vast and shallow, like a conventional paella pan. You’ll need one thing heavy obligation, like carbon metal or stainless-steel and nothing too skinny, in any other case you’ll threat burning the rice. A superb paella pan is made with the paella cooking course of in thoughts, together with cooking over an open flame, so it’s finest to go together with the true deal.
Q: Ought to I season paella pans?
If it’s carbon metal, then the reply is normally sure, in any other case your rice will certainly stick. Even with seasoning, the socarrat in your paella might stick right here and there in small spots, but it surely typically ought to elevate out with out a lot effort.
Q: Can paella pan go within the oven?
Typically, sure! It is a fairly frequent option to end paella when cooking indoors for a extra even prepare dinner. However, once more, all the time verify along with your producer if you happen to’re undecided.
Our Take
The proper paella pan for you all relies on whether or not you propose on making your paella historically, and the way many individuals you propose on serving. You can use our Greatest Total choose over a stovetop, however needless to say you’ll have to be shifting the pan round near-constantly to maintain the warmth evenly distributed. It’s finest to go away the bigger pans to be used on an open flame. The smaller Machika pans are higher suited to stovetop use and, if you happen to’re cooking for a giant crowd, two 12 inch paella pans on separate burners ought to do the trick.
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