Paella pans: types, how to choose maintenance and how to use them

The paella pans allow you to enjoy a delicious paella outdoors with your loved ones, while sharing unforgettable moments that will make you smile.

And, yes, the good weather arrives, and it is the perfect time to take advantage of this typical Spanish dish. But it is not enough to have the ideal ingredients, you also need a quality paella pan that guarantees an optimal result.

Therefore, we are going to give you some tips so that you can choose the right paella pan for you, take care of it, and keep it as it was on the first day.

So you can taste the most authentic paella whenever you want and you can surprise your guests with your culinary mastery.

Types of paella pans that exist

There are different types of paella pans, which can be classified by their material and design. Let's talk about each of them and their main characteristics.

Paella pans with legs

Apaella pan with legs is one that has a gas burner type design and that goes on the ground, and whose height is perfect for you to prepare your paellas. The characteristics of this type of paella are:

Legs that give it greater stability and height.

The legs are adjustable or removable, in most cases, and can be 75 to 90 cm in height.

They have lower support to place utensils and food.

You can get paella diameters of between 30 and 75cm, although the ideal would be42cm.

They have wheels for ease of transfer.

Valencian paella pans

When we talk about tradition and quality, Valencian paella pans are one of those that lead the way in Spain.

They are made with steel sheet to give them more or resistance, and you can get them in a variety of sizes, from 22 cm in diameter to 130 cm in diameter.

Of course, the size will depend on the number of diners there will be, as well as the amount of paella to cook and the desire that one or another must repeat.

One of the best advantages of the Valencian paella pan is that it can be used with gas or firewood.

Garcima paella pan

This type of paella pan is large, can even measure 60 cm in diameter, and is used for large rice preparations.

Among the main characteristics of the Garcima paella pan we have that its steel sheet has a greater thickness, which makes it very resistant and durable.

In the market, you have availability of this type of paellas for a single serving or for 50.

And the best thing is that they stand out for having good value for money.

Gas or wood paella pans

They are those that, as their name indicates, use fire from wood or gas for their operation, so they are coated with high resistance materials to guarantee their long useful life.

You can get them from polished, carbon, enamelled, vitrified or stainless steel.

It should be noted that its entire design is designed for outdoor preparation, so it has no diffuser or compatibility features with glass-ceramic.

There are from 20cm to 100 cm, and it can be perfect for you if you want to show your cooking skills to your family and friends outdoors.

Cold paella pan

They are made of cast iron or polished steel, so they are perfect for retaining and evenly distributing heat along the surface, thus ensuring that the rice cooks well.

Of course, they are also very resistant and last, but it is important that you apply proper maintenance with them since rust can affect it. Therefore, we recommend that you wash them with olive oil and a dishcloth.

Stainless steel paella pan

What stands out most about these types of paellas is their aesthetic, shiny and rust-free finish.

They are also very simple to clean and distribute heat very well on the surface, just as iron does.

Glass-ceramic paella pan

They are those that can be used in induction or glass-ceramic cookers, which is why they are manufactured with materials that resist heat and torsion in each preparation.

They can be found in sizes of up to 40 servings and can also be used with firewood and gas.

How to choose the best paella pan: factors to consider

Now we will tell you what are the factors that you must consider before choosing a paella pan for you.

Height

It is the distance between the top edge and the bottom of the paella pan. A paella pan should have a low height, between 4 and 6 cm, so that the rice is in a thin layer and cooked evenly.

Material

In the market, you can find a paella pan made of polished steel, enamelled steel, stainless steel, aluminium or cast iron.

Although each material has its advantages and disadvantages, it is important that you know that, if you will use it outdoors, one that is resistant to rust would be ideal.

Power and efficiency

By this we mean the ability of the paella pan to transmit and distribute heat quickly and homogeneously over the entire surface.

This depends on the thickness, bottom and material of the pa, and itis important that you consider it because a powerful and efficient paella pan allows you to cook the rice in less time and with less energy consumption.

Size

The diameter of the paella pan will depend on the number of guests you have.

For example, if you have a paella for yourself, a 20 cm paella is more than enough. But, if you are going to prepare a paella for a group of friends of 40 people, one of 100cm in diameter is your best option.

Base type

The base is the bottom of the utensil and can be convex or flat.

For example, it should be flat when you will use it with a ceramic hob, while convex if you will use wood or gas for cooking.

Cost

And, without a doubt, the cost. Stick to your budget and consider the use you are going to give to the paella pan.

How to use the paellas to extend their useful life

The tips you should follow when using your paella pan are:

• Wash with soap and water before use.
• Buy the right size, according to the number of people to eat.
• Use medium or low firepower so that the material is not damaged.
• Use kitchen utensils that do not affect the covering material of the paella pan.
• Do not use metal or abrasive scorers when you go to wash it, as it affects the surface.
• Never keep it dirty or wet. Dry it well and always keep it clean so that it lasts much longer.

How to apply maintenance to a paella pan

The paella pans last many more years in perfect condition if you apply the following maintenance:

• Check the condition of the paella pan before and after each use so that there are no stains, cracks, etc.
• Clean thoroughly with soap and water after use.
• Dry very well before storing.
• Store it in ventilated and cool spaces.

Without a doubt, you have learned how to choose the best paella pan, the types that exist and how to keep them in perfect condition.

Now we hope you can enjoy it on the next occasion with friends and family and prepare an unforgettable paella for everyone.