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With travel options being limited these days and plans replaced with nights at dwelling, in that location's no better time to plough to your kitchen for an hazard. And although your palette may adopt a trip to Espana for authentic dishes, you lot tin can all the same spice things up on your ain and enjoy rima oris-watering dishes like paella, without leaving home. All you need are the ingredients, conviction and, near importantly, the correct pan.

SKIP AHEAD Best pans for paella

Although it may be possible to whip up this archetype saffron rice dish with a skillet that you already have, it'southward the standard paella pan that will make the departure between a soggy dinner and that flavorful, dinner complete with socarrat, or caramelized rice crust. "It'southward the crispy, delicious end to the meal," says Lolo Manso, chef and owner of Socarrat Paella Bar. "Mostly, there isn't much on the pan, and so in Spain, nosotros usually fight over the socarrat."

Nowadays, not-stick pans made of cast fe are available for easy maintenance — just making the socarrat will not be like shooting fish in a barrel.

Lolo Manso, Chef and Owner, Socarrat Paella Bar

What is a paella pan?

A paella pan is wide and completely flat, sporting a sloping edge. "In the past, the pans were all fe-based as this was an affordable grade. It requires maintenance of scraping after use but makes delicious socarrat, the lightly burned gummy and crunchy rice," explains Manso. Socarrat forms as a result of increasing heat in the terminal minutes of cooking. "Nowadays, non-stick pans made of cast atomic number 26 are available for like shooting fish in a barrel maintenance — only making the socarrat will non be easy," he said.

Socarrat Paella Bar owner Chef Lolo Manso
Socarrat Paella Bar owner Chef Lolo Manso whips upwards seafood paella with a focus on socarrat: the crusty lesser that becomes caramelized forth the paella pan equally it cooks. Courtesy Socarrat Paella Bar

A paella pan'southward unique shape is all about rice, the wide surface assuasive information technology to cook through as thin a layer equally possible without leaving whatsoever water or steam. "Traditionally, rice was cooked in a pot and had a watery texture but the paella pan was created to brand rice with a dry texture," explained Diego René, head chef at Beluga and Kraken in Málaga, Spain. "And curiously, although the whole globe, including Kingdom of spain, refers to the xanthous rice dish as paella, 'paella' is really specifically the name of this flat pan."

Traditionally made from carbon steel, paella pans are thin, which make them very responsive to changes in rut. They can go from full boom estrus to simmer in seconds. "This is important so that we tin attain the perfect rice texture and the socarrat, the best office of the paella," added Daniel Lopez, a chef from Barcelona and possessor of Time to Sense of taste Catering in South Carolina. "Paella pans are likewise large because y'all desire to melt the rice as thin as possible and then that there's the to the lowest degree corporeality of pressure level and so that the starch from the rice doesn't release."

Which type of paella pan is correct for you?

Although people tend to think that these pans are only proficient for one affair — paella — you tin can likewise use them to sauté and roast, as well. "They're mostly cheap and are besides great over the grill or an open fire," said Frank Proto, director of culinary operations at the Institute of Culinary Education. But to find the right one for you, he suggests first taking into account non just how much you lot desire to spend but also which material y'all're most comfortable cooking with.

  • Carbon steel: Lightweight, fairly cheap and tin can easily make socarrat but it needs to be taken care of properly in lodge to preclude rust.
  • Stainless steel: It doesn't rust and requires little maintenance simply can exist expensive. It doesn't sag or deform if the instructions that come up with the paella pan are followed, assuasive food to cook evenly, said Juan Hormiga, the chef at Buena Vida Tapas & Sol and a contempo transplant from Spain to Atlanta.
  • Non-stick: Offers piece of cake cleaning and low maintenance simply will create piffling or no little socarrat, Manso warns.

...So you lot can cook your paella on the grill, which volition give it a groovy smoky gustatory modality — and it will melt beautifully.

Daniel Lopez, Chef and Owner, Time to Sense of taste Catering

  • Bandage iron: Conducts heat well just tin take a long time to estrus and cool. A misconception is that It more often than not isn't recommended for making paella because it traps residual estrus, all the same Daniel Lopez notes that it'due south dandy for warming leftover paella.
  • Enameled steel: Cheap and easy to clean but the enamel can chip and might contaminate food if handled improperly.

Other than the type of metallic you prefer, there are some other factors to take into consideration before buying your new paella pan:

  1. Heat source. "How are you going to cook the paella: over the fire or in an induction?" asked Nicolas Lopez, concept chef at Mercado Little Kingdom of spain. "If you want to cook it in consecration, you need to buy a paella pan peculiarly for that."
  2. The size of your heat source. Get a pan that fits your biggest burner. If you lot are using a charcoal grill, get one that is only smaller than the grill itself. "Build a nice base of dress-down, put ii bricks on the grates to brand a secure correspond the pan and give it a flake of pinnacle," Daniel Lopez added. "And then you lot can cook your paella on the grill, which will requite information technology a great smoky taste — and it will cook beautifully."
  3. Serving size. A squeamish balance is a 12-inch pan with 400g of rice to serve five people, said Nicolas Lopez. Still, you may have to size up for a larger family.

Best paella pans to shop

Keeping all of this in heed, here good-approved and leading paella pans for cooking at domicile beyond materials, sizes and prices.

All-time overall paella pan: Garcima

i. Garcima 15-Inch Carbon Steel Paella Pan

Many of our experts agree that Garcima is the style to go when shopping for paella pans and information technology's non simply for the price point. This xv-inch carbon steel pan can serve three to 5 people, conducts rut evenly and is completely versatile. "It's perfect for a Weber grill and still fits inside most household ovens if you want to brand the paella in the oven," Daniel Lopez said.

Best upkeep-friendly paella pan: Garcima

ii. Garcima 12-Inch Enameled Steel Paella Pan

Non only is the price signal of this depression-maintenance paella pan difficult to beat but it's as well Daniel Lopez'southward favorite when it comes to enameled steel options. "The Garcima 12 inch enameled paella pan is a good everyday pan that notwithstanding fits in your stove superlative burner and can be used for more than than paella," he says. This durable pan is ideal for serving ii to three and is prophylactic for the stovetop, oven or grill.

All-time cast iron pan for paella: FINEX

3. FINEX 10-Inch Cast Fe Skillet

Although non a traditional paella pan, Daniel Lopez, turns to this FINEX skillet when cooking with cast iron. "Information technology's virtually indestructible, beautiful and you can cook literally anything on information technology," he said. "This pan is a beauty." The handcrafted skillet is pre-seasoned with organic flaxseed oil and features a stainless steel coiled handle to cool down faster, every bit well every bit an octagonal "multi-pour" design.

Best carbon steel paella pan: Made In

4. Made In Paella Pan

Weighing in at under v pounds, this thirteen-inch carbon steel pan is both lightweight and heavy duty. Made from 2 millimeter-thick blue carbon steel and designed to prevent warping, this versatile pan allows for even heating even if it's larger than your oestrus source. It equips the traditional dual handles and can tolerate high temperatures for both open up-flame and stovetop cooking.

Best budget-friendly carbon steel pan for paella: Lodge

v. Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet

Whether you lot're cooking over a grill'due south open fire or are whipping up paella on an electric stovetop, this versatile pan heats up quickly across oestrus sources. Measuring in at 15 inches, this spacious pan is surprisingly lightweight, weighing 6.42 pounds and made from durable 12-judge carbon steel that evenly retains rut. It likewise comes pre-seasoned with 100-percent natural vegetable oil so it's gear up as soon equally you get it.

Best enameled cast atomic number 26 pan for paella: Le Creuset

half dozen. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Paella Pan

If yous're looking for a low-maintenance paella pan that's worth the investment, consider Le Creuset's 3.25-quart, 5-pound enameled cast fe option. This wide and shallow cast iron pan helps yous achieve toasty socarrat at dwelling while the matte black enamel end is rust-resistant and makes for an easy cleanup.

Best high-finish paella pan: Demeyere

7. Demeyere 14.8-Quart Stainless Steel Paella Pan

If y'all're looking for a paella pan that's worth the investment, this is the one Proto said is worth the splurge. This 18/10 stainless steel pan is both dishwasher- and oven-safe, comes with a 20-year warranty and is large plenty to handle a diversity of ingredients in one impressive batch. Information technology's also suitable for utilise across heat sources, including barbecue grills and induction.

Best pre-seasoned paella pan: BK

8. BK Black Carbon Steel Paella Pan (sold out)

This lightweight carbon steel pan allows domicile chefs to develop the nonstick patina that cast iron users love without having to deal with the heft that typically comes forth with it. Fabricated from heavy-duty blackness carbon steel, this 15-inch pan comes pre-seasoned with an oxidation layer to prevent rust, has a two-yr warranty and is ready for use out of the box. Information technology's also oven-prophylactic upward to 600 degrees Fahrenheit and fix for cooking over a grill and open up flame.

Best stainless steel paella pan: La Tienda

9. xiii Inch Stainless Steel Paella Pan with Gold Handles (sold out)

Whether you lot're cooking over an open up fire or are staying indoors, Lopez suggests checking out this 13-inch pan for the all-time stainless steel option. You lot likely won't have to worry nigh rust or seasoning with this low-maintenance pan that's made from xviii/10 guess stainless steel. With a dimpled surface and flat bottom that'south large enough to feed iv, this beautiful paella pan volition become a family unit favorite. While this 13-inch option is currently sold out, consider the 15-inch pan.

All-time paella pan for a party: Machika

10. Machika Polished Steel Paella Pan 24 inch (pre-order, ships Oct. 23)

Paella is made to be shared and, if you're cooking for a large family or group gathering, check out this 24-inch option. With the ability to serve nineteen people, this polished steel paella pan is surprisingly budget-friendly. It also has a dimpled surface to help promote even rut distribution and works on both paella burners as well equally grills. But be warned: Because of its size, this pan does not fit in a typical oven or on a conventional stovetop.

All-time enameled steel paella pan: La Tienda

11. 20-Inch Enameled Steel Paella Pan

This 20-inch paella pan has Proto'southward vote when it comes to enameled steel options considering information technology gives consumers the "best bang for your buck" while also offering impressive quality. The dishwasher-safety pan is easy to clean and serves 10-12 people. Although it won't fit in a traditional oven, you lot can enjoy outdoor cooking over the grill or on a stovetop.

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Lauren Levy

Lauren Levy is a contributor with piece of work published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.