The Best Paella Pans

Machika Polished Steel Paella Pan

Space-Saving Convenience

This paella pan is designed to heat quickly and evenly for convenient cooking.

Best for Two People

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When you’re making paella for two, it doesn’t make sense to pull out the big guns. That’s where the compact Machika Polished Steel Paella Pan comes in. It’s durably made with heavy-duty carbon steel and dimpled to keep it rigid for even cooking. This pan heats up quickly and evenly, which means you aren’t waiting forever to get your meal ready. When it’s all done, it cools down just as fast, allowing you to quickly clean it and get it put away so you can relax.

Pros:

• This traditional pan is made in Spain
• Use it on your stovetop, in the oven, on a paella burner, or even over a wood fire pit
• There are many sizes available

Cons:

• Maintaining the pan takes a bit of extra care
• It can rust over time

Garcima Carbon Steel Paella Pan

Family Friendly

Make a fabulous meal for your family with this paella pan.

Best for Five People

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Make a fantastic paella for your family by using the high-quality Garcima Carbon Steel Paella Pan. Its durable and highly conductive carbon steel heats up and cooks evenly for excellent results. We really like that it is safe for use on grills, fires, stovetops, and in ovens so that you can make paella no matter where you are. Take it along with you for a homestyle dish while camping or hanging out at the beach, or make paella for dinner at home.

Pros:

• There are three sizes, so no matter how many people you feed, you’ll have an option available
• This pan comes with care instructions to help keep it in good shape
• It is both durable and lightweight

Cons:

• It can rust if you forget to oil it between uses, so always pay attention to your care routine
• This pan is pricey

Garcima Andreu Paella Pan Set with Burner

All-Inclusive

Take your paella out to party with this awesome setup.

Best for Parties

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Get the Garcima Andreu Paella Pan Set with Burner for your next party or event and make your meal both fast and entertaining. It comes in several sizes, so you can choose the one to best fit your needs. The high-quality pan cooks your paella evenly, whether you’re using it on the included burner, on the stovetop, or over a fire. We like that the burner is easy to assemble and stands strong and sturdy for safe cooking. Overall, if convenience is what you’re looking for, this is an excellent option.

Pros:

• The burner is made of two concentric circles, and you can control each of their flames separately
• Assembling the burner is quick and easy
• This pan cooks evenly and can be used with or without the burner

Cons:

• The fuel tank and hoses are sold separately
• There’s no storage case for it

Lodge Carbon Steel Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Daily Use

This excellent steel pan can deliver consistent results for the perfect paella every time.

Most Reliable

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Lodge is known for making quality products that can last a lifetime. That’s why the Lodge Carbon Steel Pre-Seasoned Skillet is such a good choice. The 12-gauge carbon steel gets hot fast and evenly distributes that heat for perfectly browned meat and veggies for your paella. It can be used on any cooking surface, and because it has been pre-seasoned, caring for it is simple. As a bonus, the sturdy handles help you hold it steady while cooking.

Pros:

• The thick steel is lightweight and more comfortable to move around than cast iron while maintaining similar durability
• It’s versatile enough to cook meats, veggies, pasta, rice dishes, and more
• Available in several sizes for your convenience

Cons:

• This pan is expensive, but the quality is hard to beat
• You’ll need to keep it seasoned

Victoria Cast Iron Paella Pan

Heavy-Duty

When you choose this cast iron paella pan, you're choosing a pan that lasts for life.

Most Durable

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Cast iron is one of the most durable materials available for cooking, which is why the Victoria Cast Iron Paella Pan may be just what you need. It heats up fast and stays hot for longer, which helps you cook your paella to perfection and keep it hot throughout serving. The pre-seasoning has been done with flaxseed oil, which provides a natural, easy-release surface to prevent your food from sticking. Although it is perfect for paella, you can also use it for any other food you want to cook in it.

Pros:

• This pan can easily last for decades
• It cooks evenly without burning your food, which is excellent for paella and other rice dishes
• The pour spouts make draining oil or sauce easier than ever

Cons:

• Cast iron takes quite a bit of work to maintain, but the end result is worth the extra care
• The finish isn’t the smoothest, so you may want to add a layer of your own seasoning to it

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are paella pans usually made from steel?

Steel has several features that make it an ideal choice for paella. For example, it’s very durable, and these pans are known for being passed down through families. Another reason is the heat distribution. Steel heats up evenly, ensuring your food cooks evenly without burning on one side and staying undercooked on the other.

How do you make paella?

Paella is a very personal dish. In fact, most families, and even regions, have their own tricks and recipes. For example, we’ve seen it made with seafood, beef, rabbit, lamb, and nearly every other protein source at some point or another. In many instances, it’s made with a variety of meats. One of the only constants is the use of rice and veggies.