The 7 Best Paella Pans, According to Chefs

Best Overall

Garcima Pata Negra Paella Pan

$40 at Amazon $48 at Wayfair $40 at Walmart

Made in Valencia, Spain—the birthplace of paella—this Garcima pan is made of extra-thick, professional-grade carbon steel and has a wide and shallow cooking surface for sautéing meats and vegetables before adding rice. The “dimples” in the base mimic those of traditional paella pans and help with uniform heating. Keep in mind that since it's carbon steel, you will need to season it before cooking and be careful when cleaning.

The 14-inch bottom is large enough for up to six servings, and you'll have no fear of spilling while stirring thanks to the 2-inch-tall sloped sides. The large looped handles make it easy to transfer from the stove to the table for serving. What makes this pan so versatile is that it is ideal for most cooktops or on the grill. That said, it is on the heavy side, so keep that in mind.

Material: Carbon steel | Available Sizes: 16 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, grill, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Budget

Despaña El Cid Paella Pans

View on Despanabrandfoods.com

"This is my go-to when I am going somewhere to cook paella and I want to leave the pan as a gift," says Piñeiro. This affordable pan from El Cid is made from carbon steel, has a dimpled surface, and dips slightly in the middle, allowing oil to collect at the center. It's constructed to withstand the heat and flames of your oven and stove, and the round, shallow shape ensures rice cooks in a thin layer. It has two handles for easy maneuvering.

When buying a budget paella pan, Piñeiro recommends not spending more than $20 per person, so about $80 per pan that serves four people. The largest of these El Cid paella pans (15 inches) will cost you way less than that.

Material: Carbon steel | Available Sizes: 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 12.5, 13.5, 14, 15 inches | Suitable For: Gas, grill, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Cast Iron

Staub 13-Inch Double-Handle Fry Pan

$290 at Amazon $290 at Wayfair $290 at Walmart

While cast iron is not the most common material for paella, you can make it work. This Staub Double-Handled Fry Pan is beloved for even heat distribution and great heat retention. The large surface area with matte black enameled cast iron keeps the rice layer shallow and allows excess moisture to evaporate—perfect for top-notch toasty socarrat.

Admittedly, this pan is heavy compared to its carbon steel counterparts, but cast iron pans can be used on any heat source, including induction (though it can scratch glass cooktops). This Staub pan also works well in the oven, or on your outdoor grill, and the durable matte black enamel finish requires no seasoning. Available in a few different colors, this show-worthy piece looks pretty in your kitchen and is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Material: Enameled cast iron | Available Sizes: 13 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, grill | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Stainless Steel

Garcima Stainless Steel Paella Pan

$103 at Amazon $71 at Wayfair

This high-quality pan is made from 18/10 stainless steel, giving it the ultimate resistance to corrosion. That means you don’t have to season it before use, making it easy to maintain. Unlike enameled pans, you don’t have to worry about chipping, but the thermal conductivity of a stainless steel pan is about a third of a carbon steel pan.

The medium-sized, 16-inch stainless steel Garcima pan serves four to six people and fits over a large stove burner (or can straddle two). It comes with a beautiful mirrored finish and gold handles, making it perfect to hang or show off. This pan is sturdy and rigid with a classic dimpled bottom and can be used on gas and electric stoves as well as open flame, but since the bottom is ever-so-slightly convex so it is not recommended for ceramic or induction cooktops because it doesn't make complete contact with the heating surface.

Material: Stainless steel | Available Sizes: 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, grill | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Copper

Mauviel Copper Paella Pan

$485 at Amazon $600 at Williams-Sonoma View on Mauviel-usa.com

While it can be expensive, copper pans are a chef’s favorite. They have excellent heating conductivity properties, in addition to being shiny, beautiful, and dazzling enough to go from stovetop to table. The interior surface of this copper pan is made from stainless steel, allowing the interior to remain non-reactive to acidic foods.

Made in France, it features heavy-gauge 2-millimeter copper for better heat conductivity and temperature control, which helps infuse flavors in the rice. It is 90 percent copper and 10 percent 18/10 stainless steel. Two functional and beautiful riveted bronze handles adorn the sides. Like most copper pans, this is hand-wash only and will require some special upkeep to maintain a shiny copper appearance, but this pan will last a lifetime with proper care.

Material: Copper and stainless steel | Available Sizes: 14, 16 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Enameled Steel

Magefesa Enameled Steel Paella Pan

$30 at Amazon $30 at Walmart $33 at Home Depot

Enameled steel paella pans are popular because they don’t rust. They are made by coating carbon steel pan with a thin layer of enamel. However, the thermal conductivity of an enameled steel pan is not as good as a carbon steel pan. On the plus side, cleaning and maintenance are easier.

"Enameled steel paella pans are most common in the home," says Oscar Cabezas, the executive chef at Telefèric Barcelona. "They are usually cheaper than carbon steel." This pan from Magefesa has a dimpled base, which allows for oil to be collected in the center for sautéing. The wide and shallow base makes sure that rice cooks in a thin layer. Just remember to take caution with any enameled steel pans, as they can easily chip, which will then cause them to rust.

Material: Alloy steel | Available Sizes: 12, 13.5, 15, 17, 18 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, grill, oven, open flame | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best with Lid

Cuisinart Non-Stick 15-Inch Covered Paella Pan

$55 at Amazon $55 at Wayfair $55 at Walmart

Paella doesn't require a lid—recipes will typically have you simmering the dish uncovered or placing it in an oven to cook ingredients placed atop the rice. The lack of a lid can mean your pan is not as versatile as one would like. That's why we love this Cuisinart version, which comes with a handled glass lid.

The steel core of the paella pan receives a nonstick coating so you won't have to worry about stuck-on rice. And of course, it has the dimples necessary for even cooking and the best socarrat. Lastly, the stainless-steel side handles are riveted on to make transport to the table easier. The pan is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, with the lid safe up to 350 degrees.

Material: Steel | Available Sizes: 15 inches | Suitable For: Gas, electric, induction, oven | Dishwasher Safe: No