Cleaning Paella Pans: Tips And Tricks For Sparkling Cookware

Keeping your paella pan clean and well-maintained is essential to ensure it lasts for many years and continues to cook delicious paella. The cleaning process will differ depending on the type of pan you have, with carbon steel pans requiring more care than enameled and stainless steel pans. Before using a carbon steel pan for the first time, it is necessary to remove the manufacturer's anti-rust coating by boiling water in the pan, sometimes with a dash of vinegar, and then rinsing and drying the pan thoroughly. Regular cleaning involves soaking the pan in soapy water for a few hours or overnight, followed by gentle scrubbing with a soft sponge and dish soap. It is important to dry the pan completely after washing and then coat it with a thin layer of vegetable or olive oil to prevent rusting. Enameled and stainless steel pans can be cleaned in a similar way, but they are less prone to rusting and can survive a trip through the dishwasher, although handwashing is recommended.

How to Clean a Paella Pan

How to clean a carbon steel paella pan

To clean a carbon steel paella pan, you should not put it in the dishwasher, as it will rust. The best way to clean it is to fill the pan with about 1/2 inch of water and leave it to sit for a couple of hours or overnight. Then, pour out the water and use a soft-scrub sponge and some dishwashing soap to clean off any residue.

Before the first use, it's important to wash the pan well to remove the manufacturer's anti-rust coating. You can do this with hot soapy water, or by heating some water in the pan with a dash of cider vinegar and simmering for 10 minutes before rinsing. Be sure to dry the pan thoroughly after washing, and then lightly coat the inside with vegetable oil or olive oil. This will seal the surface and help to prevent rusting.

If you do see any rust on the pan, you can remove it with a bit of steel wool, then re-season the pan. To prevent rust, always ensure the pan is bone-dry before putting it away. Start by wiping excess water with a paper towel or lint-free towel, then set the pan over a stovetop burner or in the oven to evaporate any residual moisture.

Carbon steel paella pans are higher maintenance than enameled and stainless steel pans and require special care to keep them in good condition. They should not be left empty over direct heat for more than a few seconds, as the metal is thin and could overheat, causing a dark splotch.

How to clean an enameled paella pan

Enameled paella pans are easy to clean and maintain. They are also rust-resistant. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your enameled paella pan:

Step 1: Soak the pan

Fill the pan with about half an inch of water and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight. This will help to soften any food residue and make it easier to clean.

Step 2: Pour out the water and scrub the pan

After soaking, pour out the water and use a soft-scrub sponge and dishwashing soap to clean the pan. Be sure to use a soft sponge, as a scouring pad or brush could accidentally lift the protective enamel. The food residue should come off easily.

Step 3: Rinse and dry the pan

Once you have removed all the food residue, rinse the pan with plenty of water. Then, dry it with a cloth or kitchen paper.

Additional tips:

• If there are areas with stuck-on food that are difficult to remove, use warm water for a few minutes before or during the cleaning process to soften it further.
• You can use a soft-scrub sponge and dishwashing soap to clean an enameled paella pan, but for best results, we recommend using a cleaner specifically designed for paella pans, such as Asevi.
• Enameled paella pans can be washed in the dishwasher but will last longer if cleaned by hand.

How to clean a stainless steel paella pan

Stainless steel paella pans are low maintenance and easy to clean. However, they should not be put in the dishwasher as they will discolour and won't last as long.

Firstly, fill your paella pan with warm water and a dash of washing-up liquid. Leave the pan to soak for a couple of hours or overnight. This will help to loosen any food residue.

Next, use a soft-scrub sponge or scouring pad to clean the surface of the pan. Rinse the pan with clean water and then dry it thoroughly with a kitchen paper towel.

Finally, add a small amount of olive oil to the pan and work it into the surface using kitchen paper. This will help to season the pan and prevent food from sticking.

How to Clean a Polished Steel Paella Pan:

Polished steel paella pans require a little more maintenance as they can rust. Before the first use, you will need to remove the manufacturer's protective coating by filling the pan with water and boiling it on the hob. Carefully pour away the water and scrub the inside of the pan with soap and a scourer. Rinse with clean water and dry the pan immediately and thoroughly.

After each use, fill the pan with warm water and a dash of washing-up liquid and leave it to soak for a few hours. Clean the pan thoroughly with a scourer and washing-up liquid, then rinse and dry the pan immediately. Finally, seal the pan with a coating of cooking oil, wiping away any excess with kitchen paper.

Removing Rust from a Paella Pan:

If your paella pan has become rusty, fill the pan with water and add a splash of vinegar and salt. Bring the water to the boil and it will turn orange. Put on the extractor fan and open a window to dispel the smell. After a few minutes of boiling, carefully pour away the water. Clean the pan with soap and water, using an aluminium scourer to remove the rust. If necessary, repeat the process until all the rust has gone. Finally, dry the pan and lubricate it with a little olive oil.

Removing rust from a paella pan

Firstly, fill the pan with vinegar so that it covers the rusty spots. Leave the vinegar to soak for around 15 minutes. The more severe the rusting, the longer you may need to soak the pan. Light rusting may only need 5 minutes.

After soaking, use a scrub pad to lightly scrub the rusty spots. If you are using steel wool, be sure to scrub softly to avoid damaging the pan. Once you have removed the rust, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a cloth or paper towel.

Finally, apply a small amount of vegetable or olive oil to the surface of the pan to prevent further oxidation and rusting. Store your paella pan in a cool, dry place.

To avoid rust in the future, always dry your paella pan thoroughly after washing and apply a light coating of vegetable or olive oil to seal the surface.

How to clean a new paella pan

To clean a new paella pan, it is important to first remove the manufacturer's special anti-rust coating. This can be done by washing the pan with hot soapy water or by heating some water in the pan with a dash of cider vinegar and simmering for about 10 minutes before rinsing.

After removing the coating, it is crucial to dry the pan thoroughly. Once dry, lightly coat the inside of the pan with a bit of vegetable oil to seal the surface and prevent rusting. This step is important, especially for carbon steel pans, which are prone to rusting.

For regular cleaning and maintenance, it is recommended to let the pan soak in water for a couple of hours or overnight to make cleanup easier. After washing the pan, be sure to dry it well and then rub a small amount of vegetable oil on the surface using a paper towel. Before using the pan again, simply wipe the surface with a clean paper towel. It is normal to see a tinge of orange-brown residue on the towel.

Additionally, if the pan is left unattended and rusts before your next use, don't worry. Rust can be easily removed with steel wool before using the pan again.

Frequently asked questions