How to Choose a Paella Pan

Special pans are used to cook paella, the Spanish dish of rice, meat and seafood. The pans have a flat bottom, short sides and two handles for serving the dish at the table. They come in a wide variety of sizes and made of different materials. Several factors should be taken into consideration when choosing a paella pain to suit your needs. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1

Determine how many servings of paella you will be making. A 10-inch pan is perfect for two servings, while a 26-inch pan is needed for a large crowd of more than 10 people.

2

Choose the material. A polished carbon steel pan is the traditional Spanish type, preferred by professional chefs for its ability to heat quickly and evenly. Stainless steel is also a good option. Pans come in copper; for easier cleaning, use one that is coated with nonstick material. Enameled steel pans are less expensive and suitable for beginners.

3

Consider how often you will use the pan. Making paella once a month versus once a year will help you to determine how much money you are willing to spend on the pan. Small enamel steel pans can be purchased for less than $20, while copper pans may run several hundred dollars.

4

Read the instructions that come with the pan. For example, polished carbon steel pans need to be seasoned before use.