Crêpes & Pancake Pans

The best way to make pancakes is with these crepe pans

Thin pancakes from France have become a real speciality in this country. To get their flat shape, they have to be cooked in a speciality crepe pan. Read here about what distinguishes these pans from others and what criteria you should consider when buying them.

What are crepe pans?

Traditionally crepes were not even prepared in a pan, but on a flat, hot plate. That is something the conventional household doesn’t have, so crepe pans were invented. The main features of a speciality pancake pan:

A shallow rim

Crepe pans have only a very shallow rim. This ensures that the batter cooks as thinly and flat as possible. The flat rim also prevents the crepes from tearing. Most crepe pans have a rim of only about 2 cm.

Thin base

Crepe pans have a very thin base. This enables even heat distribution.

Light in weight

The pancake pan is significantly lighter due to the flat rim and thin base. It must sit well in the hand, so that the crepes can be turned easily.

Ergonomic pan handle

For ease of handling the pan’s handle is ergonomically shaped and sits well in the hand.

Accessories

Some crepe pans are supplied with the right accessories for preparing the flat pancakes. This includes a pusher with which you can turn the crepe and a spatula for shaping them.

NB: You don’t only have to cook crepes in your pancake pan, you can cook other specialties such as tortillas, omelets, and fried eggs. It can be used in many ways in your kitchen.

Which material is best suited to a crepe pan?

Crepe pans are usually available in three varieties: cast iron, stainless steel or aluminum. What advantages does each crepe pan have?

1. Cast iron crepe pans

A pancake pan of cast iron has the advantage of being very robust and resistant. For example, you can use it over an open fire and cook your pancakes in the garden. Another advantage is its high heat-resistance. Cast iron pans can withstand heat of up to 250°. It’s important that you rub these pans well with grease before use.

2. Aluminum crepe pans

Aluminum crepe pans have a special non-stick coating. This has the advantage that the thin pancake batter doesn’t stick to the pan base. You should only use a wooden spatula and a wooden pusher in an aluminum pan so as not to damage the coating. Alu-pans are very light and therefore comfortable to handle.

3. Stainless steel pancake pans

You always have to be careful to set the right temperature with stainless steel pans, to prevent the batter from sticking. On the other hand a stainless steel crepe pan is visually very attractive and very easy to care for.

Are crepe pans suitable for induction stoves?

These days most pans can be used on an induction stove. Pure aluminum pancake pans should not be used on such a hob. They need an iron core in their base to be suitable for an induction hob. You can find out which crepe pans you can use on an induction hob on the relevant product detail page.

Going forward would you like to prepare the French pancake speciality yourself? Then you’ll find the right crepe pan among this range.