What do you think makes the crepe taste better? A great mix of ingredients and a perfect crepe pan for preparing. The low side wall and thick smooth bottom make it easy to heat rapidly all over the surface. Even heating of the pan is necessary as it can leave some uncooked spots on the crepes. A non-stick crepe pan flips the crepe instantly without any rough scraping. Buying the best crepe pan for you can be hard, so you can choose the pan that gives you the perfect grip and comfort to handle.
Crepes are hard to cook on frying pans as they do not have low sidewalls. To get a perfect golden color on the crepes, even heating needs to be distributed on the pan. You will find various crepe makers. Some are used on cooktops where others are electrical. The cooktop pans are made of different materials and can be used for various purposes. The electric crepe makers are solely used to make crepes. Various options can lead to confusion while deciding on which pan to buy. In our article, we have elaborately discussed the top 12 crepe pans that might help you to choose the perfect crepe pan for your kitchen.
Best Pick
The Cuisinart Nonstick Crepe Pan is our best pick on our list as it is a non-stick pan with a tri-ply layer. You can make the regular sized crepe on this pan and it provides even heating all around the edges of the pan. Moreover, the handle is also made from stainless steel that stays cool and gives a comfortable grip during cooking. The pan is also compatible with an induction cooktop.
Budget Pick
The Cuisinart 623-24 Chef's Classic Crepe Pan is on our best budget pick because it is made of blue steel that develops patina after every use. The patina makes the flat surface of the pan smooth for use. This pan has no non-stick coating that might get mixed with the food while heating. The handle is at a perfect contoured angle that helps to flip and fold the crepe effortlessly.
Quick Comparison: Top 12 Best Crepe Pans in 2023
1. Cuisinart Nonstick Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
It is a 10-inch nonstick pan that is ideal for easy tossing and sliding of food. This crepe pan will give you a professional experience in cooking as it has high polished stainless steel on both interior and exterior. The handle is riveted to the pan that provides a strong grip while cooking.
Its unique heating technology allows distributing heat uniformly to the surface and sides of the pan. Its non-stick surface does not stick foods to the pan. The crepe pan also comes with a stainless steel lid.
However, the handle can be heavy compared to the body of the pan. So it can fall off if not placed perfectly on the stove.
2. Cuisinart 623-24 Chef's Classic Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
This non-stick crepe pan from Cuisinart can be used to cook grilled sandwiches, pancakes, eggs, tortillas, etc. The handles remain cool while the pan is heated, making it easy to handle during cooking. Another good feature is that the handles are in perfect proportion to the pan, reducing the possibility of falling off the burner.
The pan is very lightweight and this cookware can be used easily by your children. It's best not to use some kind of metal spatula on the pan, or else scraping will rub off the non-stick coating.
However, the pan is not for induction cooking. It is safe to put in the oven within the limit of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, the pan doesn’t come with a lid and cannot be put in the dishwasher for cleaning.
3. De Buyer Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The pan is made of blue steel that ensures longevity of the pan. Blue steel is carbon steel that develops patina after every use. The low sidewalls and the flat surface makes it easier to flip and fold the crepes.
The handle is contoured at a perfect angle with the pan that makes spreading of the batter on the pan the easier. Season the pan with the oil before cooking. Seasoning allows the food not to get stuck in the pan.
The pan is not eligible for use in a dishwasher. Clean the pan thoroughly using soap and hot water. Never soak the pan as rusts can develop on it.
4. Cook N Home Nonstick Crepe Pancake Pan
Highlighted Features
This circular shape pan has a non-stick coating that makes it easy to flip, fold food. The pan does not leave any places uncooked as it spreads heat evenly across the pan. The handle is in considerable proportion to the pan as it stables the pan on the top of the burner.
The pan is versatile enough to be used to make Indian rotis, pancakes, or crepes. Add oil or butter for easy extract food from the pan.
However, this pan has PFOA on the coating, which can be harmful to health. The pan cannot be used in the induction stove or the oven. If you own an induction cooktop, it might not be the one for you.
5. CHEFMADE Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
There are very few crepe pans on the market that can be used for induction cooking. This crepe pan from CHEFMADE can be used for induction, electric, gas, etc. The pan is made of aluminum and has 4 layers of hard alloy on a flat surface.
The 4 layer provides even heat on the surface that reduces cooking time. The pan has silicone coating without any PTFE and PFOA coating so there is no chance of chemical mixing with food. The handle is made of insulating silicone that keeps it cool while cooking.
The pan is not safe to put in the dishwasher as the non-stick surface can be ruined. It is better to hand wash the pan with warm soapy water. Try to use the pan on medium flame to avoid warping the pan.
6. Saflon Titanium Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The Saflon pan used the latest technology to create a solid and robust pan. The pan is made of thicker forged aluminum, which heats the pan instantly. The pan with low walls and a flat surface provide food with continuous heat.
This non-stick pan can be used for daily cooking and can be used on gas, electric, or ceramic stoves. The crepe pan is lightweight and scratch-resistant. Another feature we like about this pan is that it is easy to clean. A simple wiping with foam will clean the pan. You can also put the pan in the dishwasher.
It is better not to put this pan on high flame. The Handle can get hot and brunt. As the pan is not heavy, a slight push on the pan may fall off the stove.
7. Nordic Ware Traditional French Steel Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The pan from Nordic Ware has a balanced weight that fits nicely on top of the stove. Though the pan looks very simple its 10-inch pan will serve you the perfect traditional crepes. The handle is long and is made of heat resistant materials.
The non-stick surface on the pan glides off the food easily. Low side walls support the use of spatula for folding crepes, rotis, etc. Moreover, this crepe pan can be used on induction cooktops.
However, this pan needs to be hand-washed with mild detergent. Hard scraping or scrubbing on the flat surface can ruin the non-stick coating on the pan.
8. Le Creuset Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The crepe pans made of cast iron has durability and creates perfect golden crepes. This pan has no toxic coating on the surface. Regular use of this pan allows patina to grow on the surface. This patina helps to create a smooth and non-sticky surface.
This pan comes with rateau and spatula which helps to spread the batter evenly on the pan. As the pan is heavily weighted, the handle needs to be comfortable in order to get a perfect grip. The handle on the pan is suited at a perfect angle, and the low wall on the sides helps to turn the crepes seamlessly.
The brand advises that the pans should be washed by hand. The pan has a nice look that you can serve the crepes on the pan.
9. Woll Diamond Lite Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The pan has plenty of space to make 10-inch crepes. Low sides are heated equally as aluminum spreads heat evenly to the entire pan. The handle is firmly fixed with the pan that makes it safe for handling and lifting.
The pan is free of PFOA, so there is no chance of facing health hazards. It is also safe to use a dishwasher to clean the pan.
Avoid using the pan on high flames as it might get warped. Season the surface before pouring the batter, or else the food could get stuck in the pan.
10. Anolon Advanced Bronze Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
The pan from Anolon is made of anodized aluminum to cook the crepes evenly on all sides. A triple layer on the interior of the pan easily releases the crepes. The outer side is covered with bronze that enhances the look of the pan.
The pan can be used for cooking bacon, sandwiches, sausages along with crepes and pancakes. The handle is strong so it increases the portability of the pan. However, for some people, the handle can be heavy. You can put in the dishwasher for cleaning but hand washing the pan will give a lifetime service.
11. Scanpan Classic 10-Inch Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
This classic crepe pan Scanpan is made from ceramic materials and can be used in an induction cooktop. This non-stick crepe pan is 10 inches in diameter and makes perfect golden-colored crepes for your breakfast. This pan can be used for searing meat as the ceramic material provides high heat directly to the pan.
Oil is not required as the non-stick easily removes the food from the pan. The handle is elongated and hardly fitted to the pan that makes it easily manageable. Hard scrubbing or scrapping should be avoided or else the non-stick coating might come off.
12. ESLITE LIFE Crepe Pan
Highlighted Features
ESLITE LIFE Crepe Pan has a coating of granite stone on the interior which helps to easily flip or fold the crepes. The non-stick coating does not contain chemicals such as PFOA or cadmium. The pad is made of aluminum, which distributes heat uniformly to the pan. Another feature about this product is that it has a Bakelite handle. Bakelite handles keep the handle cool when the pan is hot.
The pan is suitable to use in an induction burner. However, it is recommended to cook on low flame for this pan to avoid peeling off the non-stick coating. Use wood or silicone spatula instead of metal to prevent scratches on the pan. Hand wash the pan with a sponge and mild soapy water for better usage.
Things to consider before buying the best crepe pans
Do you like crepes in your breakfast? Crepes are hard to flip on the pans that have high sidewalls. Crepe pans help to make thin golden perfectly cooked crepes within a very short time. Crepe pans can be used to make egg omelets, bacon, sausages that complement your breakfast. The crepe pans come in diameter from 8 to 12 inches. 12 inches helps cook more than one thing at a time and saves a lot of time. We have discussed some factors that might be used as a checklist before ordering a crepe pan.
Types of crepe pans
If you are a person who enjoys crepes, pancakes, tortillas on their breakfast, then you will know there are two types of crepe maker.
Crepe Pans
These pans are used to cook on the stove. Temperature is straightforward to control in crepe pans as we can adjust the heat from high to low. Pans seem to give the perfect golden color to pancakes and crepes with even cooking on all sides. They are generally made of steel or cast iron and non-stick coatings on the surface. The pan has a thin sidewall that makes it easy to flip or fold the crepes. Crepe pans are multifunctional as it can be used to make egg omelets or grilled sandwiches. However, if the handle cannot balance the weight of the pan, the pan will be heavy to lift and carry around. In many cases, the pan handles get heated, so be careful when touching the handle.
Electric Crepe Makers
These crepe makers are tabletop devices that provide uniform shaped crepes at all times. Crepe pans cannot provide the same shape to all the crepes as you can put a big ratio of batter on the pan. On the other hand, you need to place the right amount of the batter on the crepe maker to make a consistent roasting on all sides. The surfaces are made of non-stick aluminum which makes it convenient to retrieve the crepes from the maker. The non-stick surface is cleaned by wiping with a piece of cloth as the crepe makers are not suitable to put in water.
Size
Regular sized crepe pans are 10 inches in diameter. On the market, you can find pans ranging from 8 to 12 inches in diameter. As many of you prefer to fry eggs, bacon on a pan so that the crepe pans are made considering these alternatives in mind. It's better to buy a 12-inch crepe pan as it serves you with a multipurpose cooking option. Make sure that the pan is perfectly aligned to the stove so that only the base gets the heat properly. Flames can damage the sidewalls and heat up the pan handle if the pan is displaced. If you are not careful enough your hand can get burnt due to the hot handles.
Weight
As the dimensions and material for the development of the pans vary, their weights often vary depending on them. Check the weight before buying a crepe pan, as you might prefer a lightweight pan. Lightweight pans are easy to move around and you can serve food straight from the pan. However, lightweight crepe pans may not hold steady on the stove. It could fall off the stove if it's slightly mishandled. That's why people tend to buy heavily weighted pans in order to avoid the possibility of mishandling.
Materials used in crepe pans
The crepe pans are made of different materials and each material has unique specifications. On the market, you will find pans made of cast iron, aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel.
Cast iron
They create heavily weighted pans that last a very long time. These pans don't have a non-stick coating so you don't have to worry whether rough scraping is going to ruin the pan or not. Before starting cooking on these pans, it is recommended to use oil on the surface for better performance. Daily use of the pan generates patina on the surface. Patina tends to enhance the non-stick quality of the pan. Cast iron crepe will be the best option if you want something long-lasting as it gets better after every use.
Aluminum
Aluminum pans are lightweight and ensure a continuous distribution of heat to the surface. These pans, however, do not last for a long time. Some brands use anodized aluminum in the process to improve the durability of the pan. The pans have a non-stick coating so that it is not appropriate to put in the dishwasher. Gently wash the pan with soap to avoid any kind of scratch marks.
Carbon steel
These pans have a smoother flat surface than cast iron. However, this pan cannot be used for cooking acidic food as it reacts easily with acid. The acidic reaction can cause corrosion on the pan. These pans are good as cast iron, but their acidic reaction can cause health hazards.
Teflon or stainless steel
Pans made of stainless steel are light weighted but they are a bad conductor of heat. Owing to the unequal distribution of heat, these pans come with copper or aluminum bases to improve heat conductivity. Non-stick coating on the surface of these helps to remove the crepe instantly. Moreover, it is also known for its durability.
Food grade coating
Most of the crepe pans on the market come with non-stick coating. Non-stick enables you to flip and fold the pancakes or crepes swiftly and effortlessly. Non-stick is dangerous for health if it is consumed with food. PTFE and PFOA are found in Teflon coatings and they result in creating health hazards leading to cancer.
PTFE is non-reactive at room temperature but it releases toxic chemicals with the rise of temperature.
Also, non-sticks have a short life span, so think about your health before a crepe pan. Choose a pan without non-stick coating to avoid this kind of risk. If the food is stuck on non-stick pans, stop scraping hard. Rough scratching will peel off the non-stick coating along with the food.
Compatible with induction
Most of the pans are not designed to cook on an induction stove. You need to check if your chosen crepe pan is suitable for cooking on the induction burner. Induction stoves require a magnetized based pan for cooking. Copper or steel bases crepe pans suit well with an induction cooktop. Check the instructions carefully before an order for your crepe pan.
Compatible Handles
The crepe pan handles maintains the weight of the pan on the burner. The handles should be long and proportionate to the pan so that they remain stable on the stove. In addition, the handles should be made of heat-resistant material so that they are not heated with a pan. Hot handles are difficult to flip the crepes into a proper fold. Elongated handles will have a gap from the flame and the crepes will be easier to flip.
Versatility
Making sandwiches, eggs, or seasoning vegetables, all is possible with crepe pans. Choose the best crepe pan that serves all your purposes, depending on your requirements. Crepe pans are known for their versatility, and people prefer to use them for various purposes. Whereas electrical pans cannot be used for different purposes as they are designed solely for the processing uniform shaped crepes. So decide wisely before ordering a crepe pan.
Design
Crepe pans have a low exterior wall and a flat surface that makes it easier to flip the crepes. These pans can also be used to fry eggs, bacon, or snacks. The flat surface of the pans is usually thick to provide even temperature to the crepes. Otherwise, crepes will remain uncooked. Low side walls help to toss the crepes so that both sides are cooked properly.
Uniform heat distribution
It is essential to provide a consistent distribution of heat to get perfectly cooked crepes. In our post, you'll find some tri-ply layer pans. The Tri-ply layer provides even heat distribution to the pan and holds the heat for a certain period of time. Tri-ply layered pans are suitable to be used in a dishwasher and have durability compared to other pans.
Maintenance
If the crepe pans are cleaned thoroughly after every use, they can give you a lifetime service. Non-stick pans are easy to clean but they are not fit to put in the dishwasher. The non-stick coating comes off the pan if too much scrubbing is done. Use oil or butter before pouring the batter for easy removal of pancakes and crepes. Cast iron pans are sturdy and they will give you lifetime service. Avoid using metals to remove the stuck food from the pan.
FAQ
How does seasoning help in a better cooking experience?
Seasoning the surface of the pan creates a smooth plane to cook. Seasoning helps to extract the food from the pan without any scrapping.
Seasoning the pan is very simple. First heat the pan at medium temperature. Pour some cooking oil on the pan and spread it in with the help of a spatula or brush. Keep the flames on until you see white smoke from the oil. it might take 10 to 15 minutes to properly season the pans.
How are crepe pans different from frying pans?
There is no great difference between crepe pans and frying pans. The crepe pans have low side walls compared to frying pans. Low side walls help to toss and flip the crepes and pancakes easily. Both the pans have versatile use and both of them can be used in making crepes.
Why does crepe mix get stuck to the pan?
If the pans are not properly seasoned, the crepe will not come out in perfect shape. Also, you need to pour the batter when the pan is hot. Season with oil or butter before pouring the batter on the pans.
Is it possible to make tortillas, rotis, dosas on crepe maker?
You can make tortillas, rotis, dosas on the crepe pans as they have multi-purpose features. But the electric crepe maker can not make dosas or rotis. The Electric makers are only suited to make thin crepes.
What is the ideal size of crepe pans?
The ideal size of crepe pans is 10 inches in diameter. Crepe pans ranging from8 to 12 inches in diameter are also available on the market.
Can all crepe pans be used in an induction cooktop?
No, all crepe pans can not be used on an induction stove. The crepe pans need to have magnetizing material at the bottom to be suited for an induction burner. If you own an induction stove, make sure to check the details of the crepe pans.
Conclusion
Crepes are delicious to eat when they are thin with a golden crust on the edges. For thin crusts, the batter needs to be spread uniformly on the hot pan. Uneven heating on the pan will keep some parts of the crepe uncooked. Uncooked crepes are hard to flip or fold and might get stuck to the pan. Stuck parts of the crepe are hard to extract and the crepe will tear while removing from the pan. So, proper heat and a non-stick cooking surface are required to get the perfect folded crepe.
Electric crepe pans are easy to use as just by pouring a spoonful of crepe batter will give you a deliciously cooked crepe. Electric pans can not be used for other purposes. The pan materials are an important factor as they might contain chemical coatings that can be harmful to your health in the future. Pans also differ in weights and it can be the deciding factor while choosing the best crepe pan. Moreover, the handles on the pan help to balance them on the stove. But make sure the handles are made of heat resistant material otherwise it will be hard to toss the food on the pan. Also check if the crepe pans come with additional items like a spatula, batter spreader, etc.