Polished Steel Paella Pan Care Instructions:

Using your pan for the first time

Before you can enjoy your new pan for the first time you will need to remove the label and the thin, protective coat of lacquer. The label should peel off very easily. Now either on the gas burner or your hob fill the pan nearly to the top with water and bring to the boil. This both cures the pan and softens the lacquer coating. Carefully pour away the water and the with soap and a scourer scrub the inside of the pan. Rinse with clean water and then dry the pan immediately and thoroughly. DO NOT let the pan air-dry

If you are cooking straight away, then you are ready to go. However, if not, the pan now needs to be sealed with a coating of oil. Simply pour a little cooking oil in the pan and wipe all over with a piece of kitchen roll.  Any excess oil can be wiped off with another piece of kitchen oil.

Care during use

Traditional Polished Steel Paella Pans are designed for use with gas or a direct flame. (We do also have a range of flat based paella pans that can also be used on induction, electric & AGA hobs). Never place an empty pan on a direct heat. Heat your pan slowly and control the heat at all times. Polished steel paella pans are not suitable for use in ovens or microwaves. Use only metal or wooden utensils and never plastic as these pans (including the handles) get extremely hot. Keep away from children at all times

Cleaning & storage

After you have finished your paella, the pan is easiest to clean if soaked for a while. Clean thoroughly with a pan scourer and soap and then rinse. Dry the pan immediately and never allow the pan to air dry after washing. As with the new pan, simply seal the pan with some cooking oil and wipe over with kitchen roll. Finally store your pan in a dry place in a plastic bag if possible.

 Download Polished Paella Pan Care Instructions

Polished Steel & Enamelled Steel Paella Pan Serving & Sizing Guide

Paella pans are traditionally sized by their top diameter, with the base being slightly smaller due to the pan's sloping sides. Choosing the right pan size is crucial for cooking paella, as an overfilled pan is a common mistake that can ruin the dish. Below, we’ve provided detailed information to help you select the perfect pan.

• Main Course vs Tapas Portions

Each pan is labeled by the manufacturer with the number of "Raciones" (tapas-sized portions) it can serve. However, in Spain, paella pans are rarely used to serve the number of portions indicated. For example, a 50cm pan is marked for 14 tapas portions but is typically used for about 8 main course servings (or fewer). Since this sizing convention is standard across Spanish manufacturers, we’ve added a column for main course servings to give a more accurate idea of the pan’s capacity.

• Minimum Portions per Pan

It’s better to underfill a paella pan than to overfill it. A thin layer of paella (up to about 1cm deep) cooks and tastes better. As a rule of thumb, the minimum number of main course portions is roughly half of the tapas portions listed. For example, a 50cm pan with a maximum of 8 main course portions would have a minimum of 6–7 portions (14 tapas portions ÷ 2).

• Cooking on a Gas Hob

Even heat distribution is essential, especially during the final stages of cooking when the rice is absorbing the liquid. The flame doesn’t need to cover the entire base, but a small, concentrated heat source in the center should be avoided. A standard gas hob can accommodate pans up to 36cm (or 38cm, depending on burner size). Larger pans can be used if they span multiple burners, but you’ll need to move the pan (not stir the paella!) during cooking to ensure even heat distribution.

Important Note:  Traditional paella pans are designed for gas hobs or open fires. If you’re cooking on an electric stove or AGA, you’ll need one of our flat-bottomed paella pans for optimal results.