Valenciana, marisco, mixta, vegetariana, negra—there are many kinds of paella, the Spanish dish of rice, saffron, and proteins such as chicken or seafood cooked and served in a large, wide, and shallow pan. The type of pan you need, however, depends on your cooktop, the number of people you are serving, and whether you plan on cooking outdoors.
The best paella pans are made out of either carbon steel, stainless steel, enameled steel, or copper. Any paella pan will work on a gas cooktop. For electric, glass, or induction cooktops, you will need a paella pan with a flat bottom so it will transfer heat efficiently. Cooking outdoors or with gas? Go for paella pans that have a rounded bottom. Once you’ve chosen a material, choose a size that accommodates the number of people you plan to serve.
In the end, “Paella is like barbecue—it works better when there are people to enjoy it,” says Alex Piñeiro, a chef who specializes in Spanish cuisine.
Best Overall
Garcima Pata Negra Paella Pan
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- Professional quality
- Suitable for all stovetops
- Even heat distribution
- Heavy
- Requires extra maintenance
Made in Valencia, Spain—the birthplace of paella—this Garcima pan is made of extra-thick, professional-grade carbon steel and has a wide and shallow cooking surface for sautéing meats and vegetables before adding rice. The “dimples” in the base mimic those of traditional paella pans and help with uniform heating. Keep in mind that since it’s carbon steel, you will need to season it before cooking and be careful when cleaning.
The 14-inch bottom is large enough for up to six servings, and you’ll have no fear of spilling while stirring thanks to the 2-inch-tall sloped sides. The large looped handles make it easy to transfer from the stove to the table for serving. What makes this pan so versatile is that it is ideal for most cooktops or on the grill. That said, it is on the heavy side, so keep that in mind.
Material: Carbon steel | Available Sizes: 16 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, grill, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Budget
Despaña El Cid Paella Pans
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- Oven-safe
- Available in many sizes
- Durable
- Sizes larger than 15 inches must be special ordered
- Requires additional seasoning and maintenance
“This is my go-to when I am going somewhere to cook paella and I want to leave the pan as a gift,” says Piñeiro. This affordable pan from El Cid is made from carbon steel, has a dimpled surface, and dips slightly in the middle, allowing oil to collect at the center. It’s constructed to withstand the heat and flames of your oven and stove, and the round, shallow shape ensures rice cooks in a thin layer. It has two handles for easy maneuvering.
When buying a budget paella pan, Piñeiro recommends not spending more than $20 per person, so about $80 per pan that serves four people. The largest of these El Cid paella pans (15 inches) will cost you way less than that.
Material: Carbon steel | Available Sizes: 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 12.5, 13.5, 14, 15 inches | Suitable For: Gas, grill, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Cast Iron
Staub 13-Inch Double-Handle Fry Pan
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- Sturdy pan that is built to last
- Doesn’t require seasoning
- Holds heat very well
- Heavy
- Expensive
While cast iron is not the most common material for paella, you can make it work. This Staub Double-Handled Fry Pan is beloved for even heat distribution and great heat retention. The large surface area with matte black enameled cast iron keeps the rice layer shallow and allows excess moisture to evaporate—perfect for top-notch toasty socarrat.
Admittedly, this pan is heavy compared to its carbon steel counterparts, but cast iron pans can be used on any heat source, including induction (though it can scratch glass cooktops). This Staub pan also works well in the oven, or on your outdoor grill, and the durable matte black enamel finish requires no seasoning. Available in a few different colors, this show-worthy piece looks pretty in your kitchen and is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Material: Enameled cast iron | Available Sizes: 13 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, grill | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Stainless Steel
Garcima Stainless Steel Paella Pan
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- Easy to maintain
- Available in many sizes
- Resists corrosion
- Not recommended for ceramic or induction cooktops
- Expensive
This high-quality pan is made from 18/10 stainless steel, giving it the ultimate resistance to corrosion. That means you don’t have to season it before use, making it easy to maintain. Unlike enameled pans, you don’t have to worry about chipping, but the thermal conductivity of a stainless steel pan is about a third of a carbon steel pan.
The medium-sized, 16-inch stainless steel Garcima pan serves four to six people and fits over a large stove burner (or can straddle two). It comes with a beautiful mirrored finish and gold handles, making it perfect to hang or show off. This pan is sturdy and rigid with a classic dimpled bottom and can be used on gas and electric stoves as well as open flame, but since the bottom is ever-so-slightly convex so it is not recommended for ceramic or induction cooktops because it doesn’t make complete contact with the heating surface.
Material: Stainless steel | Available Sizes: 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, grill | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Copper
Mauviel Copper Paella Pan
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- Excellent heat conductivity
- Beautiful appearance
- Very high-quality construction
- Requires additional maintenance
- Very expensive
While it can be expensive, copper pans are a chef’s favorite. They have excellent heating conductivity properties, in addition to being shiny, beautiful, and dazzling enough to go from stovetop to table. The interior surface of this copper pan is made from stainless steel, allowing the interior to remain non-reactive to acidic foods.
Made in France, it features heavy-gauge 2-millimeter copper for better heat conductivity and temperature control, which helps infuse flavors in the rice. It is 90 percent copper and 10 percent 18/10 stainless steel. Two functional and beautiful riveted bronze handles adorn the sides. Like most copper pans, this is hand-wash only and will require some special upkeep to maintain a shiny copper appearance, but this pan will last a lifetime with proper care.
Material: Copper and stainless steel | Available Sizes: 14, 16 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Enameled Steel
Magefesa Enameled Steel Paella Pan
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- Many sizes available
- Suitable for all stove tips, charcoal grills, and open flame
- Secure, double-riveted handles
- Hand wash only
- Can potentially chip
Enameled steel paella pans are popular because they don’t rust. They are made by coating carbon steel pan with a thin layer of enamel. However, the thermal conductivity of an enameled steel pan is not as good as a carbon steel pan. On the plus side, cleaning and maintenance are easier.
“Enameled steel paella pans are most common in the home,” says Oscar Cabezas, the executive chef at Telefèric Barcelona. “They are usually cheaper than carbon steel.” This pan from Magefesa has a dimpled base, which allows for oil to be collected in the center for sautéing. The wide and shallow base makes sure that rice cooks in a thin layer. Just remember to take caution with any enameled steel pans, as they can easily chip, which will then cause them to rust.
Material: Alloy steel | Available Sizes: 12, 13.5, 15, 17, 18 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, grill, oven, open flame | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best with Lid
Cuisinart Non-Stick 15-Inch Covered Paella Pan
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- Nonstick interior
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Only oven safe to 400 degrees
Paella doesn’t require a lid—recipes will typically have you simmering the dish uncovered or placing it in an oven to cook ingredients placed atop the rice. The lack of a lid can mean your pan is not as versatile as one would like. That’s why we love this Cuisinart version, which comes with a handled glass lid.
The steel core of the paella pan receives a nonstick coating so you won’t have to worry about stuck-on rice. And of course, it has the dimples necessary for even cooking and the best socarrat. Lastly, the stainless-steel side handles are riveted on to make transport to the table easier. The pan is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, with the lid safe up to 350 degrees.
Material: Steel | Available Sizes: 15 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No
The Final Verdict
Our top spot goes to the Garcima 16-Inch Pata Negra Double Gauge Steel Paella Pan. It heats food evenly, works on all stovetops, and has sloped sides to keep things tidy. For a sturdy and rust-resistant option, consider Magefesa’s Enameled Steel Pan.
What To Look for in a Paella Pan
Material
Even heating is a primary concern for making paella, so the pan you choose should be made of a material that distributes heat evenly with no hot spots. Carbon steel, the most popular material for paella pans, does a wonderful job of heating quickly and evenly and is also very responsive when lowering or increasing the temperature of your heat source.
“Stainless steel paella pans are the ones that are used in high-end restaurants in Spain,” says Cabezas. “Among the advantages of using this type of material, there is prevention against rust, [and] good conductivity.”
Other materials, like cast iron, may not be as responsive, but it’s durable and can often produce beautiful paellas and socarrat. Whatever material you choose, pick one that isn’t too thin to avoid scorching.
Size and Weight
“At Boqueria, we use a medium-sized pan (14 to 15 inches in diameter), which is perfect for feeding two to four people,” says Yann de Rochefort, the founder of the American-based tapas chain, Boqueria. “You can also use a smaller 7-inch diameter pan for single paellas.”
If you’re serving a crowd, go 16 inches or more. Give your stovetop a quick glance to make sure it will fit. If not, you may want to also invest in an outdoor paella tripod and burner. Since paella is a very popular dish for parties, paella pan sizes can be found up to over 55 inches in diameter. Be aware that the larger the pan, the heavier it will be when it is filled, so be sure your vessel isn’t so heavy that you can’t lift it off of the burner.
Features
A great paella pan with have at least two riveted loop handles attached so you can securely lift and transport it; sometimes they are coated for extra grip, but oftentimes they are simply made of metal. Some paella pans also have dimples on the pan’s interior surface. These trap small amounts of liquid and help the pan cook evenly, and most traditional paella pans with dimples have a very slightly convex bottom that allows the oil to pool to assist in the sautéing of ingredients when you first start your paella. Unfortunately, that means this won’t sit flat on a ceramic, glass, or induction cooktop. If you’re working with either of those types of stoves, choose a pan with a perfectly flat bottom for optimum contact.
FAQs
How do you season a paella pan?
For new carbon steel paella pans, you’ll want to get rid of any residue left over from manufacturing, so simmer some water in it, and then give it a scrub with a nylon scrubber and gentle dish soap. Thoroughly dry the pan, add a few drops of vegetable oil to the surface, and use a paper towel to coat the interior and exterior. Then, place it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes to fully season it. Pans made of other materials, like stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or copper, typically don’t need seasoning.
Be sure to clean the pan thoroughly immediately after each use, and then rub it with olive oil before storing it to prevent rusting.
How do you use a paella pan?
A paella pan is used just like any other large sauté pan in the sense that you will add oil and heat the pan, then begin sautéing your ingredients. The convex shape of some pans will help your oil pool in the center, so you can easily sauté onions, garlic, and meats before adding the rice and broth. If you need a step-by-step guide, this paella for two recipe is a great place to start.
Can you put a paella pan in the oven?
Most paella pans can be used in the oven—just check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
What makes a paella pan different than other pans?
Paella pans are wider and shallower than most other types of cookware, often have sloped sides, and in some cases, feature a dimpled and slightly convex bottom. A paella pan is meant to only have a thin layer of rice—no thicker than half an inch—and the pan’s shape and depth work perfectly for this purpose.
Can you cook other meals in a paella pan?
You can certainly use a paella pan for other purposes, like searing steaks or sautéing vegetables. At its core, it’s simply a wide, shallow pan. Nearly anything you can do in a frying pan, you can conceivably do with a paella pan.
Can you use a paella pan on the barbecue?
As long as the manufacturer has specified it, yes—paella is often cooked on the grill. When cooking on an open flame, be sure that the pan’s handles are not coated with anything that might melt when exposed to the heat of a barbecue grill.
How do you clean a paella pan?
If your pan has a lot of cooked-on food that is difficult to remove, you can soak it for a couple of hours or overnight. Fill the pan with water and allow it to sit. This will let you easily scrub away any debris with a pan scourer and soap. Rinse, then immediately wipe it dry, particularly if it’s carbon steel since any moisture that is left to air dry may cause the pan to rust. Rub the pan with vegetable oil and wipe away any excess before putting it away. If you do notice any rust on a carbon steel paella pan, you can scrub it away with steel wool and season it again.
