[Kitchen Witch]

Paella Pans from Spain - pan sizes

HOW TO MEASURE THE PANS: The size refers to the diamater of the pan as measured across the top, and doesn't include handles.

If you have a smooth-top electric stove: Paella pans have a slightly convex bottom, which makes them a little tricky to use on flat-top burners. The key is to start cooking the paella on the stovetop, and if the heat isn't conducting well to all parts of the pan, transfer the paella to a hot (400F) oven to finish cooking. Or you can cook the paella in the oven right from the start.



10" (26 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 1 to 2 people.
Just right for one person or two, if you're serving a few side dishes. Fits perfectly over one small burner.

13" (32 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 2 to 3 people.
Better for two than for three people, but if all parties restrain themselves just a bit, you can eke out that extra serving. Fits well over one burner.

13.5" (34 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 2 to 3 people.
This is a good size for novice paella cooks. Fits well over most burners.

14" (36 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 2 to 4 people.
Good for beginning paella cooks. Fits well over most large standard burners.

15" (38 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 3 to 5 people.
A manageable size for beginning paella cooks. Fits well over most standard burners (or over two closely-spaced burners).

16" (40 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 4 to 6 people.
A good middle-sized pan that fits well over one large stovetop burner or straddles two burners that are closely spaced.

17" (43 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 5 to 7 people.
Fits well over one large stovetop burner or straddles two burners that are closely spaced.

18" (46 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 6 to 8 people.
This pan will fit over two standard burners.

20" (50 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 7 to 10 people.
Fits over two standard burners.

22" (55 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 9 to 12 people.
This pan fits over a 23-inch Weber kettle grill. A stovetop with four closely-spaced burners can usually accommodate it as well.

24" (60 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 10 to 16 people.
This pan size (and larger) needs a grill or one of our burners or else an outdoor fire underneath it. It is too large for most residential stovetops.

26" (65 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 12 to 20 people.
This is what a very large Spanish family would use when they gather for their weekly Sunday paella. This size is for serious paella cooks; measure 26 inches with a yardstick.

28" (70 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 15 to 35 people.
A step up from the 26-inch pan, this pan also needs a large heat source underneath it.

31" (80 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 20 to 40 people.
This pan is so big that you could use it as a toboggan in winter. Before purchasing, please measure 31 inches to be sure you know what you're getting into. For this size pan and larger, you will need a professional stove, an extra large outdoor grill, or a campfire to get heat under the whole pan.

35" (90 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 40 to 70 people.
This pan is nearly 3 feet in diameter and not for the faint of heart. When not being used for paella, you can use it as a coffee table - LOL!

40" (100 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 70 to 100 people.

45" (115 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 100 to 140 people.

52" (130 cm) carbon steel pan - Serves 150 to 200 people.