What is the Importance of the Paella Pan

Let’s take a journey to understand what is a Paella pan, why it is important and how to pick the right one for our needs.

And as always, since it’s about the Easy Paella, we will take a fun, easy journey in very simple steps.

How the Name “Paella” Originated

As we have seen in previous posts, Paella gets its name from the Valencian term for frying pan, that comes from the original Latin word for pan, “patella”.

Originally known as “Valencian rice”, it was due to the popularization of the dish in its iconic pan that we now get to know our most famous dish as Paella. 

Why the Importance of the Paella Pan

According to the Paella experts, they maintain that the success of making a Paella relies on two factors: the quality of the ingredients (specially the rice), and the container. And this is, plain and simply, very true. 

Because while the quality of the ingredients used in making a Paella is critical for obvious reasons, the truth is that the way in which the heat is distributed through the Paella pan is what makes it different from other elaborations of the many other world dishes based on rice. 

And how is that? Because due to its peculiar shape the Paella pan is the only one that manages to give the rice the right distribution and equilibrium to achieve its distinctive touch and taste.

The Easy Paella Pan Guide

So now that we have gotten to know the origins and importance of the Paella pan, let’s dive into a complete guide on how to pick the right pan!

What is a Paella Pan?

In essence a Paella pan is nothing else than a container used for cooking.

However, with a very specific use: to cook Paellas. Hence, the name of the dish is the same  as the name of the technology in which it is prepared.

Usually made of metal, mainly stainless steel since it is more affordable by the general population, we can also find paella pans made of iron, which are actually the most prized ones since they are the more traditional, though their weight is bigger but at the same time they manage to distribute the heat better.

A paella pan is a kind of pan without a handle, rather it’s characterised by being a large circular pan with two side handles.

Depending on different diameters it will allow you to prepare the number of servings you need. And in most cases, it will have a non-stick coating on the inside and sometimes the outside as well. 

Mostly, it is an essential utensil to prepare a traditional paella.

The main characteristic of a Paella pan, and the main reason why it is the used utensil to cook Paella, is that it is shallow and very wide, allowing the ingredients to be cooked by adjusting and equilibrating the appropriate evaporation times. 

Therefore, when purchasing a Paella pan, we must pay attention to these elements: the material with which it has been made of, the size and the depth of it.

The latter should not exceed 5 or 6 centimeters. That is, it must be large in diameter but shallow.

How to Use a Paella Pan for the First Time?

If you want your paella pan to last a long time, you must take care of it from the beginning.

One of the best ways to do that is to prepare it for the very first use. Experts recommend that before doing so, boil the paella pan with water and vinegar for a few minutes.

Then empty it, let it cool a bit and clean it with soap and water. This very simple yet effective trick will prevent the paella pan from rusting in the future.

Thanks to its iconic handles, it allows us to properly place the pan on the heat source and remove it comfortably once we have finished preparing it.

But be prudent because as we know, metal is a conductor of heat, so we must be careful not to burn ourselves since the handles are usually made of the same material as the rest of the Paella pan.

What is the Right Paella Pan Size?

When it comes to the right diameter of a Paella pan, it essentially comes down to knowing the number of people who are going to be delighting themselves with our Paella.

And one of the most important questions when buying your Paella pan is to calculate the portions well. 

It is important to proceed in this manner so as not to fall short and not to buy a too large paella pan.

Although each manufacturer has their particular measurements, we have prepared the following table so that you can calculate the one you will need.

Servings	Diameter
2	26 cm / 10.2 inches
3	28 cm / 11.02 inches
4	30 cm / 11.8 inches
6	34 cm / 13.4 inches
8	38 cm / 15 inches
10	42 cm / 16.5 inches
12	46 cm / 18.1 inches
16	55 cm / 21.6 inches
20	60 cm / 23.6 inches
25	65 cm / 25.6 inches
30	70 cm / 27.5 inches

What Materials Should a Paella Pan Be Made of?

Another aspect that you should take into account when buying your paella pan is the material from which it is made of.

This is an important issue because it will determine the use that you can give it and also how long it can last. 

Do not leave this matter to chance, as it will be key to get the most out of it. So, pay close attention to this table.

Material	Characteristics
Polished Steel	It is the type of Paella pan in which traditional Valencian paella is usually prepared. They are very resistant and can be used even with firewood, fire and gas.
Stainless Steel	Stronger than polished steel, it is a material from which you will get great performance for its durability. They are also suitable for firewood, fire and gas.
Aluminum	Since Paellas are not suitable for induction, if you have this type of stove you will have to acquire one that is, such as the aluminum one.

How to Use a Paella Pan?

The use of a Paella pan is actually very simple, but you must take into account a series of aspects to make sure you do it the right way.

As instituted in the previous information, you need to know from the first moment how you should use it.

For that reason do not overlook what you will see in the following list, so you can prepare the most delicious Paella to delight your guests.

– Initial cleaning. Tradition says that before using a Paella pan, it is important to clean it with vinegar and gravel. Why? So we can ensure that our Paella won’t have a metallic taste. 

– Stoves. Regarding the stoves you have in your kitchen, you should always use the largest one. If they are not too big, try that the chosen model of Paella pan has a surface that distributes the heat evenly. If you are to use it outdoors, check that the base on which you will place it is stable and thus it will not lose its balance.

– Temperature. When using your Paella pan, always use the right temperature. Excessive heat could damage your materials. Of course, be careful and do not place afterwards the empty Paella pan on the stove to prevent it from burning.

– Careful treatment. It is important that when using the Paella pan you try to be as careful as possible. If you do, obviously it will last you longer. If you can try to use wooden utensils while you are cooking, it will avoid scratching the internal surface of the paella pan. Be aware that scratching the interior will damage the non-stick coating.

– Cleaning. Again we want to emphasize the importance of doing it as soon as possible, at the beginning but afterwards as well. Always leave it to soak until you clean it.

– Cured. Some producers recommend smearing the inside of the Paella pan with oil to prevent it from rusting. This process is called “Curing”.

– Storage. When you are not using it, always store the Paella pan in a dry place without humidity so it will last you longer.

How to Clean a Paella Pan?

It is important to remark that the Paella pan has a non-stick coating, essential when it comes to prevent the food from sticking. So it is relevant to clean it the right way to prevent that coating from being erased.

The best way for that is to clean it as soon as it cools down, or when you finish enjoying the Paella.

If you choose this second option, we recommend that you leave it to soak with soap and water, so the dirt will not be embedded in the pan.

The first thing you should do is remove any remaining food. To prevent scratches, use a wooden spoon and you can use vinegar and spread with kitchen paper to remove the leftovers that may have remained.

Then, clean it with soap and water until it looks shiny. Keep in mind that some models can be put in the dishwasher, it will be easier.

After we have used it and cleaned it, tradition tells us that the best thing to do is to keep it with a little fine salt or a little flour dusted so it will absorb moisture and maintain itself properly.

However, don’t be deceived by this, since only the more purist Paella chefs follow this advice.

How Important is the Paella Pan

When it comes to buying the classical and most loyal ally for any Paella, it is essential that you understand some of the most important features of the available options, in order to know if we actually need a Paella pan that best suits our wishes and requirements. 

Because making the right choice of a good pan can be the best decision for your Paella experience!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paella Pans

At this point in the buying guide you already know quite a few interesting aspects of Paella pans. But you still have to assess some other issues to make your purchase successfully. 

Before the final analysis, we want you to be clear about the main advantages and disadvantages of paella pans. Take them into account when you go to make your purchase.

Advantage	Disadvantages
It is the best way to prepare a Paella	Not all of them are suitable for all stoves
They are quite cheap	Some are not easy to clean
There are many different options	The largest ones are difficult to store

Important Purchase Criteria when Buying a Paella Pan

So far you have discovered many aspects that you must take into account when making your purchase. 

Let’s take a final look at some important issues to analyze and assess before getting the best Paella pan. We have prepared a list with the purchase criteria that you cannot ignore.

1. Stoves

One of the aspects that you should assess is whether the paella pan is valid for the type of stove in your kitchen. It will be of vital importance if you have a ceramic hob and especially with induction. 

For the latter case, not all models are suitable. If you are going to use it outdoors, check if it is suitable for barbecue or firewood. Finally, keep in mind if it is suitable for the oven.

2. Size

You should check that the size of the Paella pan will allow you to cook for your family or guests. As it is a relatively affordable kitchenware, perhaps you can have two Paella pans.

One, for the times you cook just for your family, and a larger one for when you have guests. 

3. Materials

As we have seen Paella pans are made of different materials, being the most common steel and aluminum. Remember that there are two types of steel, polished and stainless, being the first one the most used one for Valencian Paellas. 

If your choice is stainless steel know that it is even more resistant. However if you have an induction cooker, aluminum is probably the most suitable option.

4. Non-stick coating

Most Paella pans have a non-stick coating on the inside to prevent food from sticking to the surface. But you need to check that yours also has it.

Some models come with this type of coating on the outside as well. Remember that it is very useful for cleaning and taking care of the Paella pan.

5. Security

Safety in the kitchen is vital, let’s not forget that a large number of domestic accidents occur in it. Make sure that it complies with all the existing regulations on this aspect.

Some models have removable silicone handles to avoid burning yourself, a very useful option. 

And of course, always use the Paella pan safely and with extreme precautions.

Last things to take into account:

• Compatibility with your type of kitchen: it will vary if it is glass-ceramic, induction, fire, gas or electric.
  
  
• Size: It’s about the right diameter and depth. Since it may not work for the amount of food you want to prepare in the pan, but also you may have trouble finding a good space to integrate it into the kitchen.
  
  
• The Coating Materials: Take into account the type of kitchen where you want to use, depending if you are going to use a traditional Paella pan or an electric frying pan.
  
  
• The Function of the Frying Pan: Take in consideration that not all electric frying pans include an adjustable thermostat. While some will allow you to adjust the temperature to your liking, others may have only the basic “on / off” options.
  
  
• Pan Simplicity: You may want to keep things simple and pure, but some of you may want to rely on the possibilities of new technology.
  
  
• The Design: The importance of the pan including a lid. Because although it may seem as irrelevant, for lovers and true chefs it may be very important to choose a pan with a new design with or without a lid, especially if you are going electric.
  
  
• Other Uses: If you may be using the Pan for other dishes such as cooking pizzas that come ready from the supermarket to put in the oven, then you may choose a pan that does not include a lid. If, on the other hand, your plan is to make Paellas, it would be ideal to buy a pan with a lid.
  
  
• The price. And obviously the eternal factor. A good quality / price ratio is essential when choosing the right pan.

Do We Actually Need a Paella Pan?

So after all, the question still remains the same… Do we actually need a Paella pan? 

The reality is that no, you don’t necessarily need a Paella pan to cook one. Obviously, if you want a true authentic experience then the Paella pan is a must, and since we are sure that you will love it, you will use it more than once, specially for big gatherings.

At the same time, Paellita is the Easy Paella, so it was created to have the best quality Paella without needing to be an expert chef or needing, as you may have guessed, the whole Paella equipment. 

Leaving tradition aside, although Paella has been cooked over fire, or gas in the last years, currently there are models that allow us to cook on all types of glass-ceramic cookers, which combined with Paellita, The Easy Paella, will serve you as good as any traditional pan.

However, due to its low price and for the sake and beauty of a true Paella experience, we do recommend the purchase of a Paella pan depending on the quantity of guest you are going to attend to have a more intimate and real experience of a true Paella.

Just think of those Instagram pictures for full, beautiful, Paella memories!

Sign up to keep updated with everything related to Paellita