Carbon steel paella pans are the best pans to get that perfect sear without the rice or seafood sticking to the pan, and help you nail that perfectly cooked paella – every time.
In this post, you’ll find the top 5 traditional paella pans for the enthusiastic home cook, how we picked them, the benefits of carbon steel for cooking paella, and how to season and care for paella pans.
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See our short comparison table, below you’ll find the complete paella pans reviews.
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What's In Here
Which Pan Is Best for Paella?
Carbon steel is the traditional cookware material for paella pans in Valencia (on the east coast of Spain), where this delicious dish originates from.
In fact, every Valencian kitchen has at least one polished carbon steel paella pan.
A carbon steel pan has the highest heat conductivity, is thinner and lighter than cast iron pans, yet is just as durable. The large cooking area allows the rice to be spread in a thin layer to help evaporation and develop that golden caramelized crust.
This pan is not completely flat but is slightly concave at the bottom, created by prickling the bottom of the pan with small dimples.
Maintaining a carbon steel pan is fairly easy: After each use, wash and thoroughly dry the pan and then rub it again with oil.
And the best news?
Carbon steel pans are usually cheaper than stainless steel and enameled carbon steel pans. And with proper care, you can use them for years.
However, these traditional carbon steel pans usually need some seasoning before the first use and some maintenance (though not frequent) to ensure they don’t rust.
Also, they are not dishwasher safe.
What Size Paella Pan Do You Need?
Paella pans come in a variety of sizes, from 8″ (20cm) to 60″ (150cm), which is big enough for serving 25 people.
The size of your paella pan depends on the number of meals you want to prepare.
Choose a pan that can comfortably feed the number of guests you are about to feed.
Don’t get a pan that’s too small or too big, or your guests might end up fighting over the scraps or getting lost in it.
The ideal size for home cooking (4-6 people) is a 15″ or a 16″ carbon steel paella pan.
If you want to invite a few friends over, you’ll need an 18″ or a 22″ pan, which is big enough for 7-12 people.
For sizes 18″ and larger, you’ll need a paella burner or tripod for an open fire.
This way, the socarrat (thin layer of the crunchy, caramelized paella) gets evenly browned.
How Do You Choose a Paella Pan?
Choose your paella pan according to its material (carbon steel is traditionally used), your cooking surface (for induction use flat bottom pans only), and the size according to the number of people you want to feed.
Look for sturdy handles because you don’t want it to giggle when you serve, and make sure it looks nice since it’s used for serving.
The larger the pan, the thinner the rice layer will be, which translates into a better paella.
The Top 5 Carbon Steel Paella Pans
We found the 5 best carbon steel paella pans, including the best value one, the best budget pick, and the best paella set for outdoor cooking.
Let’s kick things off with the most authentic one:
1. Garcima Paella Pan – Best Authentic
Authentic Spanish design with great heat performance, but not induction-compatible, and requires seasoning
VIEW ON AMAZON $23
- Weight – 2.42 pounds
- Cooktops – stovetop, oven, grill, open fire (over tripod)
- Sizes – 13″/15″/18″/26″
The Garcima authentic Spanish paella pans are our top 2025 choice for cooking paella at home.
They come in all the sizes you’ll need (13-inch for 4 people, 15-inch for 6 people, 18 inches, and 26-inch for outdoor cooking for 10-12 people).
Garcima is a family-owned company from Valencia that has been making carbon steel paella pans for almost a century.
It is now considered the leading manufacturer of paella pans in Spain.
The Garcima paella pans have the traditional design and dimple bottom (which helps with uniform heating) and two riveted handles that remain cooler than the pan.
They can be used on a gas stove, a grill, a gas burner, and an open-fire tripod, but not on an induction cooktop.
Out of all Garcima Paella Pans, the best choice for home cooking (4-6 people) is the 15″ pan, which is not-so-heavy (2.4 pounds) and can be easily transferred to the table.
Garcima Paella Pan Pros & Cons
Pros
- Authentic family-made manufacturer from Valencia
- Handles stay cool
- Great cooking performance
Cons
- The dimpled bottom prevents the use on induction
- must be seasoned to prevent rusting and improve performance. If it does rust, a few passes with steel wool take it right off.
✅ Available on Amazon ($19-$83)
👉 If you need the best paella pan for outdoor cooking and serving more than 8 people, choose the one below:
2. Garcima Mediterraneo Paella Pan Set – Best for Outdoor Cooking
Perfect for big outdoor paella feasts, but the burner lacks wind protection and a regulator hose.
VIEW ON AMAZON $99
- Weight of burner – 13.32 pounds
- Recommended pan size – 16 inches
The Garcima paella pan set is the perfect choice for simultaneously feeding 10 people or more (choose the number of servings to get the ideal pan size) using a burner with reinforced legs.
The 14-inch burner fits paella pans up to 20″ in diameter, and has two rings of flame that you can control independently with its own knob. However, they connect to one tank, and you can not split it into two tanks.
The burners run hot even on the lower setting, so you’ll have to be careful not to burn the food, and use it on the lower setting to simmer.
The sturdy tripod is 30 inches tall, and the complete set is very easy to assemble and use out of the box, so you can easily take it apart and bring it to parties outside your home.
The Garcima carbon steel paella pan that comes with this set can also be used for stews, beef dishes, and stir-fries, and not just for delicious, authentic paellas.
Pros
- Great customer service; the company will replace the pan if you have any problems
Cons
- No wind guard on the flame, so it can go out at any time, and there is nothing to secure the pan to get it perfectly centered on the burner (without standing on your head to see it).
- Does not come with a regulator hose
✅ Available on Amazon ($105)
3. Lodge 15-inch Carbon Steel Skillet – Most Versatile
Heavy-duty and versatile for any cooktop, but the hot iron handles need oven mitts.
VIEW ON AMAZON $79
- Weight – 6.42 pounds
- Cooktops – gas, electric, ceramic glass, grill, oven, open fire, induction
- Size – 15″
Lodge has a line of carbon steel pans – one of them is an excellent 15-inch paella (made from 12-gauge American carbon steel) pan that is preseasoned with natural soybean oil, with sloping sides, and 2 riveted handles made from pure iron.
The Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet allows for stable and even cooking and can be used on gas, induction, electric, and ceramic glass, outdoor grills, and open fire. Every heat source except for a microwave.
We recommend not relying on the pre-seasoning and adding seasoning yourself before the first use.
This way, the pan becomes somewhat nonstick with a bit of use.
The darker it gets, the better it becomes. It may appear a bit rough-textured, but it gets smoother with use.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction, made to last for decades
- Works with any cooking surface except microwave ovens.
- You can cook many other foods with this pan, including big pieces of meat.
- Great value for the price
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Handles made from pure iron require the use of mittens to avoid burning your hands.
✅ Available on Amazon ($79)
4. BK Black Carbon Steel Paella Pan – Most Lightweight
Ultra-light and pre-seasoned for quick cooking, but some users struggle to remove the wax coating
VIEW ON AMAZON $75
- Weight – 5.29 pounds
- Cooktops – All cooktops except microwave
- Size – 15″
The BK carbon steel paella pan is durable enough for outdoor cooking and develops a naturally nonstick surface as you use it. The handles are made from cast iron and offer a sturdy and durable grip.
The pan is pre-seasoned and ready to use out of the box, and you only have to remove the thin silicone wax coating that protects it by washing it.
Many users claim that this is amazingly nonstick from the first use.
Black carbon steel is stain-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and highly durable.
It is safe up to 600°F and can be used over all surfaces, including open fire and induction.
The BK Paella Pan is lighter than average, weighing only 4 pounds, which makes it easy to handle.
BK Paella Pan Pa Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pre-seasoned properly
- The most lightweight 15-inch pan you’ll find
Cons
- Some buyers claim that the wax coating was hard to remove and that the pan needed seasoning after the removal
✅ Available on Amazon ($75)
5. Made In Blue Carbon Steel Paella Pan – Best for High Heat
Handles extreme heat like a pro, but the wax layer takes effort to remove.
VIEW ON AMAZON $109
- Cooktops – all
- Weight – 4.4 pounds
- Size – 13″
We love the Made In Blue 13″ Carbon Steel Paella Pan, mainly because the 2 mm thick blue carbon steel (made in France) can tolerate heat up to 1200°F without bending or warping, so you can take it on your next camping trip.
The Made In pan can be used on any cooking surface, including induction, and they develop that well-known black patina over time, adding authentic flavor for perfectly cooked results.
Plus, the pan has sturdy handles that make it easy to grip when stirring or transporting it from the stovetop to the table.
Blue carbon steel is the very same material that makes the brand’s continuously sold-out frying skillet.
Pros
- 45-day trial and free shipping for returns
- Extra sturdy blue carbon steel
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- You’ll have to remove the wax layer carefully
- The pans are not dishwasher-safe
✅ Available on Amazon ($109)
How to Season & Clean a Carbon Steel Paella Pan
Before the first use of your carbon steel paella pan, fill it with soapy water and 1 spoonful of salt, and boil the mix for 2 minutes.
After drying it, pour a few drops of olive oil (this is Mediterranean cooking, after all), and use a paper towel to coat the inner bottom and sides of the pan with a thin layer.
Remove excess oil if needed.
After each use, clean the pan by hand (like every other pan you have), dry well with a cloth, and season with oil the same way, before storing it.
This process will increase the pans’ longevity.
Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel Paella Pans
Carbon steel pans conduct heat quickly and more evenly than stainless steel and have a naturally non-stick surface.
They are thinner and lighter than stainless steel, without compromising on durability and longevity.
The thin and lightweight carbon steel makes them easy to transfer to a dinner table, and you can safely use metal cooking utensils without scratching or damaging them.
You can use carbon steel paella pans on almost any cooking surface, including gas stoves, ovens, grillers, and open fires, and they perform extremely well over a paella burner.
👉 RELATED: Cast Iron vs. Carbon Steel Pans – What Should You Choose?
Paella Pan FAQ
Is a Carbon Steel Pan Safe for all Cooktops?
Yes, a carbon steel pan is safe for all cooktops – but the shape matters. Traditional carbon steel pans with slightly curved bottoms work best on gas stoves. For electric, ceramic, or induction cooktops, use a flat-bottomed carbon steel pan for proper heat transfer. Most carbon steel pans can also handle high heat (up to 600°F) and are safe to use over an open flame.
Can a Carbon Steel Paella Pan Rust?
Yes – carbon steel can rust if it’s left wet or exposed to humidity. Always dry your pan completely after use, and rub it with a light layer of oil before storing. Never leave it soaking in the sink. If rust does appear, scrub it off with baking soda and water. A little care goes a long way in keeping your paella pan in top shape.
What Else Can You Cook in a Paella Pan?
Other than paella, you can use carbon steel paella pans as a roasting pan (searing steaks, chicken cutlets, and roasts), in place of a wok, as a griddle for bacon, pancakes, and breakfasts, and even for cooking over an open fire when you go camping.
What is the Largest Paella Pan?
The largest paella pan we’ve found is a 60-inch pan – truly a giant paella pan – that can only be used on a large outdoor grill because it won’t fit into an oven.
This large paella pan can feed a small village and weighs more than 60 pounds. It costs thousands of dollars.
For home cooking, in an oven, the largest is usually 17 or 18 inches.
A large outdoor grill can usually handle up to a 26-inch pan.
The KM Team