Which paella pan is greatest?
Initially from Valencia, a rice-growing area in Spain, paella is a slow-cooked dish of meat, seafood and greens which are all simmered with saffron. This deeply flavored culinary masterpiece makes use of a pan that’s broad and pretty shallow. This exposes as a lot of the rice as doable to the underside, permitting it to type the crispy crust — the socarrat — that paella is legendary for.
The Matfer Bourgeat Black Metal Paella Pan is the pan professionals select when cooking at house. It’s sturdy, well-made and nonstick with correct seasoning and care.
What to know before you purchase a paella pan
Materials
This dish’s excessive cooking temperature and lengthy period of cooking require {that a} paella pan be sturdy and in a position to warmth evenly.
There are a number of supplies to select from.
Carbon metal: Carbon metal is the normal materials for paella pans designed to final for generations. They warmth evenly and maintain that warmth for a very long time, however they want particular care to stop rust and stay nonstick.
Forged iron: Forged iron is nice to be used over an open flame, however it is extremely heavy. It additionally requires particular seasoning and care. You may get enameled forged iron, which is simpler to take care of.
Nonstick metal: These pans should not conventional, however they do present a nonstick floor. Be sure you choose a pan that’s PFOA-free.
Stainless-steel: These pans work effectively and look nice, however they don’t launch meals as simply and could be costly.
Capability
Paella pans are historically giant, as much as 32 inches in diameter, however they are often as small as 8 inches. Whatever the dimension, the pan ought to have straight sides which are not more than 3 inches deep. This shallow floor helps obtain the right texture of rice, meat, seafood and greens.
Nonstick vs. uncooked supplies
Whereas nonstick pans make meals launch extra simply, some cooks desire to restrict the quantity of potential chemical compounds leaching into their meals. Search for uncooked supplies, equivalent to metal or forged iron.
What to search for in a high quality paella pan
Keep-cool handles
It’s arduous to search out stay-cool handles on a paella pan. These are normally coated with one thing that minimizes warmth switch from the pan. In the event you don’t need to fuss with pot holders, this can be a helpful characteristic. Nonetheless, remember that even stay-cool handles can get heat, and proceed with warning.
Dimples
The dimples on the underside of a paella pan appear to be the dimples on a golf ball. These shallow indentations promote even heating.
Lid
Lids are non-obligatory as a result of they aren’t historically used to arrange paella. Nonetheless, in case you plan to make use of your pan for different dishes the place a lid would come in useful, this can be a good addition to have.
Free from dangerous chemical compounds
Many individuals keep away from nonstick cookware as a result of potential for chemical compounds to leach into meals. The latest era of those slippery pans makes use of coatings which are PFOA-free and unhazardous, with no probability of meals contamination.
How a lot you possibly can count on to spend on a paella pan
With regards to these pans, the decrease the value, the decrease your expectations ought to be. Anticipate to spend $25-$250.
Paella pan FAQ
What else are you able to put together in a paella pan?
A. In the event you don’t have the house — or persistence — for a unitasking kitchen software, don’t fear. Use your paella pan to arrange:
Stir-fries.
Shallow-fried rooster.
Egg dishes.
Gratin.
Pancakes.
Sautéed greens.
Jambalaya.
Curries.
Pork chops.
Steaks.
One-skillet meals (on the stovetop or within the oven).
Can paella pans be used on induction burners or yard grills?
A. Some paella pans are protected to be used on all surfaces, together with induction burners and yard grills. If you’d like a flexible pan that can be utilized on each cooking floor, forged iron is your greatest guess. It’s heavy, however its sturdy building and skill to be nonstick with correct care make it a sensible choice.
Do paella pans require particular care?
A. Some paella pans do require particular care to retain or develop a nonstick floor. Be sure that to observe the producer’s directions for care which are included together with your pan.
What’s the most effective paella pan to purchase?
Prime paella pan
Matfer Bourgeat Black Metal Paella Pan
What it’s essential to know: As soon as this pan is seasoned, it releases each morsel simply.
What you’ll love: The deep sides of this pan accommodate giant batches of paella. It weighs 7.6 kilos and feels substantial. The handles are oven-safe at excessive temperatures. This pan works on all surfaces, together with induction burners.
What it is best to contemplate: It’s the costliest possibility, so in case you don’t make paella typically, you would possibly need to select a distinct pan.
Prime paella pan for the cash
Ecolution Sol Paella Pan
What it’s essential to know: This barely smaller pan is sweet for folks with much less space for storing who nonetheless desire a well-constructed pan.
What you’ll love: It’s a 15-inch nonstick pan that makes use of Hydrolon, a water-based, unhazardous coating, on sturdy carbon metal. Dimples on the underside distribute warmth evenly. The handles are chrome-plated to remain cool, and the pan is dishwasher-safe. The packaging is constructed from 70% recycled materials.
What it is best to contemplate: It feels much less substantial than costlier fashions.
Value testing
Garcima Carbon Metal Paella Pan
What it’s essential to know: It’s a pan that makes paella for a bunch of six to 10 folks.
What you’ll love: The carbon metal distributes warmth evenly via dimples hammered into the underside of the pan. It heats shortly and is nice for cooking eggs too. It comes with recipes and is made in Spain.
What it is best to contemplate: As a result of it’s uncooked metal, it requires extra care.
Costs listed mirror time and date of publication and are topic to alter.
