Paella is a delicious rice dish that originates from Spain, and it is specifically a part of Valencian cuisine.
It is full of saffron and other flavors, along with a wide variety of ingredients that can be added as desired.
Usually, paella is made with either chicken or seafood, and plenty of vegetables.
Paella can be eaten as a normal meal at home, but it is also commonly eaten in large gatherings of people, as it is very easy to cook in large quantities.
Whether you’re cooking it at home, or outdoors for a large event, paella can be quite tricky to master to perfection. What can really help, is having a high-quality and suitable paella pan to cook the paella in!
There are many different types of paella pans, that will suit different heating sources and cooking circumstances, as well as there being plenty of different sizes and shapes to suit the number of people you will be serving.
However, with so many paella pan options available in the market, it can become tricky to determine which product is the best choice to ensure the best paella results possible.
A good paella pan can make your job a lot easier, and it can help get better paella results with less of a struggle.
We’ve compiled a list of our top five picks for the overall best paella pan, so you can check those out and choose the one best suited to your needs and preferences!
In a hurry?
Whether you’re cooking for a large number of people, you’re cooking for a small meal at home, or you’re attempting to cook paella for the first time, you’re going to need a top-quality paella pan to get the best results.
If you’re in a hurry to get started, we recommend you check out our number one top choice: the Lodge Store Carbon Steel Skillet.
The Lodge Store brand has been manufacturing different kitchen appliances and tools for over a century, so they have been time tested and proven to offer incredibly reliable and high-quality products that are favored by customers worldwide.
The Carbon Steel Skillet paella pan that they offer is 15-inches big and made from carbon steel for high durability and resistance so that you can use it regularly for years to come.
It allows for an even distribution of the heat, and it also comes seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil to give your paella an amazing finishing touch.
Able to be used on all heat sources, the dual-handle and lightweight design makes it very easy to use and handle, so that you can cook your paella struggle-free and to the best of your abilities!
OUR TOP PICK
The Lodge Store Carbon Steel Skillet paella pan is an excellent choice of product that has made it to the top of our list thanks to all the positive reviews and ratings that back it up as a high-quality and reliable paella pan to cook with.
The Lodge Store brand has been manufacturing many different kitchen appliances for more than a century, and the fact that they remain as leaders in the market is proof enough of how reliable and high-quality their products are.
This paella pan is made from a 12 gauge carbon steel, which helps it heat up a lot faster as well as ensuring an even distribution of the heat for the best cooking results.
It’s a 15-inch big paella pan, which makes it ideal for average use. It’s incredibly tough and durable, able to perfectly withstand regular use for many years to come.
You can use it on gas, electric, induction stovetops, outdoor grills, and even on an open fire.
It is also pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil, providing a natural easy-release finish that improves with every use, helping you get even tastier results.
It is also very easy to clean after use and can be hand washed without much of a struggle.
The dual-handle design makes it very easy to use and control during cooking, and it has also been made very lightweight so you don’t struggle with it.
Overall, it’s ideal for all your paella-making needs!
PROS:
- Highly reliable and recommended brand
- 15-inch paella pan
- Made from 12 gauge carbon steel - incredibly tough and durable
- Pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil
- Dual-handle design and very lightweight
- Can be used on all heat sources
CONS:
- No downsides
EDITORS CHOICE
Second, on our list, is an excellent choice from Garcima, which is an authentic Spanish brand for paella pans, so you know it’s going to be the real deal and provide you with the best possible results.
After all, the Spanish are the experts when it comes to making paella! This 15-inch paella pan is made from carbon steel, which conducts the heat extremely well and allows for high durability and resistance to both time and regular use.
The only maintenance you really need to worry about is making sure you wash it gently and properly after each use. It’s safe to use on stovetops, ovens, and grills.
The size makes it ideal for serving around three to five people, but it obviously depends on the appetite of each individual!
What’s great about this paella pan is that it comes with an informative pamphlet with two paella recipes, straight from Spain, as well as some tips to get your paella tasting perfect, and some care instructions for the paella pan itself.
The handles are made from steel and have a very comfortable grip, so you can easily control the pan as you’re cooking the paella, avoiding any possible accidents!
PROS:
- Authentic paella pan made in Spain
- 15-inch - serves between 3 and 5 people
- Made from carbon steel - great conductor of heat
- Can be used on stovetops, ovens, and grills
- The paella pan comes with a pamphlet with 2 paella recipes, paella tips, and care instructions
CONS:
- Requires careful washing after use
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a paella pan that is big enough to serve people in a big event, like for example an outdoors gathering of some sort, then the Garcima Mirador Paella Pan Set with a Burner might just be the product you’ve been looking for.
The paella pan is 24-inches big, so you can certainly feed quite a few hungry mouths!
And as a Garcima product, you know that it’s an authentic Spanish paella pan, meaning it will 100% help you achieve the best paella results.
It’s made from carbon steel, making it highly durable and able to conduct the heat well and evenly.
It’s safe for use on stovetops, ovens, or grills, but this product is actually a set that comes with a burner so that you can use it outdoors.
It also features some reinforced legs that are easily assembled, so that the burner and the paella pan are stable and safe for use.
The burner features two concentric rings of flame, each independently controlled by its own knob so that you have full control over how the paella is being cooked.
Ideal for cooking your paella outside, with a reliable burner and a large-sized pan to feed plenty.
It also arrives in a gift-friendly packaging, so you can buy it as a gift for someone else, or as a gift to yourself!
PROS:
- Authentic paella pan
- Set that includes a paella pan, a tripod stand, and a burner
- 24-inches big - ideal for outdoor use and large gatherings
- Made from carbon steel - highly durable and even heat distribution
- Can be used on stovetops, ovens, grills, and on the burner, it comes with
- The burner has 2 concentric rings of flame, independently controlled
CONS:
- Requires careful washing and maintenance after each use
RUNNER UP
Another great and authentic Spanish paella pan choice is La Paella Pata Negra Paella Pan, popular amongst customers worldwide and ideal for average use.
It is available in different sizes, so you can choose how small or how big you want it!
It’s made from professional grade carbon steel, and it has been designed to be extra thick and durable, as well as it being able to conduct heat extremely well.
It can be used on a paella burner outdoors, or on a gas or charcoal grill. What’s great about the Pata Negra paella pan, is that it also comes with an informative pamphlet that includes two authentic Spanish paella recipes, as well as some tips for making the perfect paella!
This paella pan can also withstand direct heat without ever overheating, so it’s especially suited to those that are going to use it very regularly or for constant paella-cooking throughout the day!
Overall, it’s easy to use and one of the most reliable paella pans on the market, incredibly tough, and resistant to time and use.
PROS:
- Authentic Spanish paella pan
- Available in different sizes to better suit your needs and preferences
- Made from professional grade carbon steel - extra thick and durable
- Can be used on paella burners or on gas and charcoal grills
- Includes an informative pamphlet with 2 Spanish paella recipes and some paella cooking tips
- Extremely reliable and resistant to overheating
CONS:
- Requires careful maintenance and gentle washing after each use
RUNNER UP
Last but not least on our list of top picks, we have the Machika Polished Steel Paella Pan which is an incredibly popular choice amongst customers.
It’s made with top-grade carbon steel, helping it conduct the heat a lot faster and very evenly, helping you cook the perfect paella.
It has also been designed to be very lightweight, without taking away from its durability and resistance, so that it’s easier to manage and handle while cooking.
It also features an innovative hammered dimple technology, that makes the bottom of the pan extra-rigid and better-suited for cooking the paella.
The Machika paella pan is super easy to maintain in top-quality, easily cleaned after use, and easily stored to prevent it from rusting or wearing down.
As it’s a 15-inch pan, it will roughly serve around 8 people, which makes it ideal for big family meals or for small gatherings of friends.
It’s also an authentically Spanish paella pan, designed after the Valencian paella pans, making it a highly reliable and well-manufactured product.
This Machika product also includes a 2-year warranty, just in case the paella pan doesn’t fully live up to your expectations, although we are sure that it will.
Overall, it’s a greatly designed paella pan that will help you cook paella to the best of your abilities.
PROS:
- Authentic Valencian Spanish paella pan design
- 15-inch - serves around 8 people
- Made from top-grade carbon steel - highly durable and great heat distribution
- Lightweight, with an innovative hammered dimple technology
- Very easy to clean and maintain
- Includes a 2-year warranty to ensure customer satisfaction
CONS:
- Not considered as high-quality as the other paella pan options
Best Paella Pan Buying Guide
A good paella can be the highlight of an event, or an absolute treat during meal time.
It’s also a dish that offers a great variety of possibilities, as it can contain many different ingredients to suit your different preferences and tastes.
Although some consider paella to be a bit tricky to get right, having a good paella pan can significantly improve your chances of cooking it perfectly, as well as making the whole process a lot easier.
There are many paella pans available in today’s market, so determining which products are truly the best can be quite hard. What makes a good paella pan?
We like to take a few basic factors into consideration, comparing different products to ensure that the ones we pick as the best are not only high quality, but high value and with all the features needed.
Size
Paella pans come in many sizes, to suit different serving needs. An average paella for home use will usually serve between 3 to 5 people.
A larger paella pan will serve closer to around 8 people. But if you need an even bigger paella pan, you can easily find extra large ones that are intended for large gatherings and events, so that they can serve many people.
Material
Carbon steel is the most traditional and commonly used material when it comes to paella pans, mainly because it conducts heat extremely well and it helps ensure an even distribution of said heat, so that the paella cooks perfectly.
The only downside that carbon steel has, is that it requires a bit more maintenance, so you have to make sure you’re washing it gently after each use and that you’re putting it away properly so it doesn’t wear away.
Other materials you can look for in paella pans are enameled steel and stainless steel, both also very effective at conducting heat for optimal paella cooking.
Handles
Handles might not seem like a very important part of a paella pan, but the handle design can determine how easy the pan is to use when cooking.
First of all, you should make sure that the handles remain cool to the touch while the pan is in use, so that they’re safer to use and you have more control over the pan while the paella is cooking.
Most paella pans will have two handles, one on each side, to help you pick it up, carry it around, and manage it a lot easier.
Accessories
If you’re stuck between two paella pans that are very similar in the features they offer and the quality they uphold, you can check out the different accessories they do or do not come with to ultimately decide between them.
Some paella pans, especially those made in Spain, will come with an informative pamphlet that might include a recipe or two, so that you can try making some authentic Spanish paella.
Some paella pans are designed for outdoor use, and they might come with their own stand and a burner to cook over. So definitely consider what it is you want, and look out for those handy extras!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a wok instead of a paella pan?
If you’re desperate to make paella and you still don’t have a paella pan, you might start to consider if you can use other things to cook it in.
A paella pan is quite large and features a flat increased surface area, which allows for faster cooking (as well as more space for a larger amount of paella).
A wok is quite similar to the paella pan in shape, so it’s a good substitute if you need it. You could cook paella in a normal frying pan too, but the result probably won’t be as good.
At the end of the day, you need to work with what you have. But if you can choose, a paella pan is called a paella pan for a reason, and it really is the best option for cooking paella to the best quality possible.
