Virtus A4172447 Spanish Paella Pan, 18 1/2", Gray

When receiving this pan, there are a couple of steps that aren't immediately made known, and these are very important to follow before making your first paella. Of course everyone will remove the sticker and most will wash the pan. BUT.... be sure to wash this pan with extremely hot water and lots of soap, making sure to flood the pan and wash it with a stiff cloth or a 3M cleaning pad, inside and out. There is a factory film on there that is easily removed and should be, but it takes more than a quick rinse out. I think it's part of the production process or something to help protect the pan till it gets to you. It's not going to make you sick, but just doesn't need to be in your food. Of course be sure to dry the pan immediately, preferably with a little heat to remove all traces of moisture before the next step. After the pan is dry, use a paper towel and rub a very light coat of shortening on the pan while it is still warm. I use Crisco. Then with a dry towel, wipe every bit of shortening residue off it. A slight film will remain. Do this inside and out to make sure it is well seasoned and protected from elements, and be sure to do this every time you use the pan for the next 5-10 times you use it. By then it will have started to build seasoning on it and you won't have to do it as often. However, I still put a little on my pan from time to time, and particularly if you know you aren't going to use it for awhile. This pan is pretty heavy duty and will hold up for my lifetime and more so long as you aren't throwing it around or bang it up too badly. Treat it with respect and it will serve you well for a long time. There are dimples in the bottom of this pan, and this is pretty typical of most top quality paella pans. I have never researched it in depth, but I have heard from several sources that it helps create the socarrat. “Socarrat” is that delectable, scrumptious crust that forms at the bottom of the paella pan when the fat is rendered, the liquid absorbed, and the rice has reached its peak. This pan is highly recommended for beginners and paella experts.

This pan cuts the mustard test. It's been used on weber bbq grills and my home range. The paella that I make consists of 25+ ingredients and is intended to feed a voracious audience. I bought this knowing well that my friends may have high standards. That's fine with me. Paella should be celebrated amongst friends and strangers. I've used this pan sparingly, since the size is so darn big. But, I recommend it if your entertaining a lot of guests and expect a few others to bring some extra dishes for others to munch on while this is being prepared. One thing to note when feeding an army. Cut your protein in smaller 'bite' size pieces and let all your fatty goodness/meats do their thing. Here's a list of standard paella ingredients. Oil/Butter, onion, peppers, garlic, roasted Peppers, tomatoes (use cheese graters), roasted peppers, string beans, pimenton, paprika, chorizo (thinner is better), chicken, fish, clams, muscles, shrimp, scallops, (if fancy, lobster, prawns, jumbo shrimp) parsley, salt, pepper, clam juice, broth (cheaper to use the stuff in cubes/base vs. cartons), saffron (use pestel and mortar), lemon and alioli. Expect longer cook times if using medley of seafood from frozen. Expect hungry guests if the expectation is known that paella is on the menu. Watch Alton Brown and youtube clips of how traditional paella is made and as Chef John (food wishes) closes each video, 'ENJOY". Made with love and prepped primarily the day before saves a lot of energy when the dish comes together. P.s. Pass on 'seasoning' the pan. I wash and store when not used because I'm making this dish twice a year at most.

I just made my first paella last weekend and it was actually not that bad. The pan is nice, the handles do not get that hot even after being cooking after 2 hours, it is easily cleaned, it is really good overall. About 10 people were able to eat and a little bit was left over. Probably the only thing I did not like it was that the walls of the pan are not big ... I mean, I have seen paella pans a little bit deeper and it is really useful that the walls of the pan are bigger. I felt that I could not fit everything in it and a chicken leg was pretty much the height of the pan. Other than that, I am very pleased with it and the friends I invited over were even more. I would still recommend this product for someone that needs to do a paella for not that many people.

For his 16th birthday, my son asked me if we could serve paella at his birthday party to his friends. I said yes, except for one thing, the list of guests between friends and family went up to about 24 people, and I only have a paella pan which only serves 10. One paella pan was not going to do the job for this birthday dinner. So I scramble online in search of an additional pan to be able to make enough paella for everyone. This new paella pan I bought is much better that the one I've had for years, and it did the job wonderfully. The paella cooked well and displayed beautifully. The pan size is just perfect to serve 12 people or more, you can cook about 4 to 5 cups of rice easily, along with all your vegetables, party size chicken drumsticks, pork, shrimp and mussels. It all fits great! Everyone enjoyed dinner and I was a happy camper. :-) I highly recommend this product. Have fun making your paella and enjoy your new paella pan if you decide to buy it.

The handles are covered in a plastic coating, as soon as you attempt to begin seasoning it with heating it in the oven you will notice a caustic, chemical smell filling your home and lungs. Idk how they can reasonably think heating plastic at high temperatures for hours in the over is remotely safe. Additionally, they place a UPC sticker directly in the middle of the pan, requiring you to ruin the finish of the pan to remove it.

Très satisfait de la poêle à paella 😍

It my fault I did check the size of my induction plate before hand and way to big. So it need to put on three (out of 4) induction surface if I want someone heat. As other have said, you need to wipe any water right away when cleaning it up, otherwise it will rust.

excellent Quality !

Super produit

Was everything it said it would be