How to use a paella pan for the first time?

One of the first questions we have when we buy a new paella pan is whether we can use it straight away, or whether we should do something before using it for the first time. How to use a paella pan for the first time?

Well, you’re right, don’t even think of using your new paella pan without having cured or treated it first!

Ok… and what does it mean to cure or treat a paella pan? Don’t worry, in this post we are going to tell you everything you need to know about how to use a paella pan for the first time.

Curing or preparing a new paella

First of all, we will explain what it means to cure or prepare a new paella for its first use.

Normally, paella pans are made of steel or enamel. As you know, these types of materials tend to rust over time, and we must treat them well after each use so that they last for many years.

Therefore, a simple preliminary procedure is necessary in order to remove the initial rust from the new paella, leaving it ready to be used for the first time.

This process is what we call curing or preparing a new paella for its first use.

How to use a paella pan for the first time

Now that we know what it means to cure or prepare a paella, here is what we will need to be able to use our new paella pan for the first time:

Water
Oil (as cheap as possible)
A large onion
Dishwashing liquid

Let’s see step by step how to start preparing our new paella:

Removing the label

If our new paella has a label on it, we must remove it before starting the curing process. We try to peel it off by hand, but if we see that it is too stuck, we can heat the paella slightly and, in this way, it will peel off easily.

Fry the onion

Pour a good splash of oil into the paella pan and fry the onion, cut into large pieces, for several minutes.we don’t need to chop it, but we can do it if we want to.as we have said, this oil should be the cheapest or the worst we have, as it will not be used for anything.

Boil water

Once we have fried the onion for a few minutes, add a good amount of water and turn up the heat, until it boils, keeping the water boiling for about 5-10 minutes.

Remove everything

After completing the previous process, the water with the onion will have removed the initial rust that we talked about at the beginning of the post, it is time to turn off the heat and start removing everything, we recommend using a deep paddle (to serve a rice dish, for example) and remove part of the water and the onion in another container. We recommend using a deep trowel (to serve a rice dish, for example) and removing some of the water and onion into another container until we have removed enough to be able to handle the paella without spilling the water.

Washing the paella

Once all the water and onion have been removed, it is time to wash the paella thoroughly, using a dishwasher such as fairy and a kitchen scouring pad.

Storing the paella

Finally, if we are not going to use the new paella at the moment, we have to pour a drop of oil in the centre and spread it well all over the paella, we can use a piece of paper for this. This will ensure that, when we are going to use it, it will be rust-free and will not need to be scrubbed again.

To use a paella pan for the first time, follow these steps:

Clean the paella pan before use. Make sure there is no food or grease on the surface.
Heat the paella pan over medium-high heat. You can add a little oil if you wish, but it is not necessary if the paella pan is made of stainless steel or aluminium.
Add the ingredients according to the recipe you are following. Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed in the paella pan.
Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the ingredients to simmer. Do not stir the paella pan while cooking.
Once the ingredients are cooked, remove the paella pan from the heat and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Please note that paella pans are different and so are recipes, so it is advisable to follow the recipe instructions and the paella pan manufacturer’s recommendations for best results.