Crepe pans are relatively flat pans that have either no sides of very short, sloping sides to them. They are lovely to look at, with their specialized design, and the packaging will rave about how much easier a crepe-specific pan will make the crepe-making process. Sometimes, cooks even feel intimidated by the idea of making crepes because they feel that they might need a special pan just to get them right. Fortunately, you do not need a crepe pan to make crepes and any good skillet can turn out a great crepe.
To make a crepe, you need a solid skillet that heats evenly and has a flat base. This means that as long as your pans aren’t warped – in which case I would recommend replacing them anyway – they should be just fine to use. I prefer to use a nonstick skillet to ensure that my crepes won’t stick to the pan, however generously greasing a pan with butter will also prevent sticking and with give your crepes a little extra flavor. It is true that it is easy to maneuver tools for turning and flipping crepes inside of the short-sided pan, however it is not significantly easier than in any other skillet. One other advantage you can have from using “ordinary” skillets to make crepes is that they give you a wide range of sizes to choose from. I use 8-inch skillets for small, breakfast crepes and 12-inch skillets for large, savory crepes, and all without having to buy any extra cookware for my kitchen.
Crepe pans are specialized cookware that makes crepe making easier. They are flat skillet-like pans with low or no sides, making it easy to flip and then slide the delicate thin crepes onto a plate once cooked. If you make crepes a lot, they’re a great addition to your arsenal of cookware.
If youre stocking up your kitchen for the first time or just looking to expand your collection of cookware, the number of foods that seem to have specialized tools and dishes for them can be overwhelming. While you might not need a specialty peeler or slicer for every vegetable in your crisper or a space-consuming bread maker, one “specialty” pan might be worth adding to your collection if youre a fan of fancy breakfasts.
There are dozens of crepe pans available in a variety of materials for different stoves, so make sure you find one that works for you. BBC Good Food notes that high-quality crepe pans (or pancake pans in the UK) are available for as little as £13 (or about $16), though the average on Amazon is around $30-$40 and Le Creusets models cost upwards of $200. Overall, for a “specialty” product, a crepe pan is an incredibly versatile piece of cookware that might be worth adding to your kitchen collection.
Pans Junction also notes that thanks to its easy-access design and non-stick properties, it is ideal for cooking delicate foods like fish as well as for other flatbread dishes like naan, tortillas, or personal pizzas, or heating up grilled sandwiches.
As Pans Junction explains, a crepe pan is similar to a frying pan but has lower sides and flat edges to make flipping crepes and pancakes easier. The pans are designed to stick less than frying pans and are often made out of cast iron or with a non-stick coating. They are usually heavy enough to withstand high temperatures. According to cookware manufacturer Le Creuset, the flat design also makes spreading batter around the pan easier for an even cook.
While hassle-free flipping and even batter spreading are certainly nice features, you may still be skeptical about the practicality of a crepe pan if you arent making crepes or pancakes on a regular basis. However, unlike something like a garlic press, this specialty kitchen item is not limited to one use based on its namesake. As Le Creuset notes, the low sides of the pan make it ideal not just for cooking pancakes and crepes but also omelets and other egg dishes.
Crepe pans are relatively flat pans that have either no sides of very short, sloping sides to them. They are lovely to look at, with their specialized design, and the packaging will rave about how much easier a crepe-specific pan will make the crepe-making process. Sometimes, cooks even feel intimidated by the idea of making crepes because they feel that they might need a special pan just to get them right. Fortunately, you do not need a crepe pan to make crepes and any good skillet can turn out a great crepe.
To make a crepe, you need a solid skillet that heats evenly and has a flat base. This means that as long as your pans aren’t warped – in which case I would recommend replacing them anyway – they should be just fine to use. I prefer to use a nonstick skillet to ensure that my crepes won’t stick to the pan, however generously greasing a pan with butter will also prevent sticking and with give your crepes a little extra flavor. It is true that it is easy to maneuver tools for turning and flipping crepes inside of the short-sided pan, however it is not significantly easier than in any other skillet. One other advantage you can have from using “ordinary” skillets to make crepes is that they give you a wide range of sizes to choose from. I use 8-inch skillets for small, breakfast crepes and 12-inch skillets for large, savory crepes, and all without having to buy any extra cookware for my kitchen.
Top 5 Best Crepe Pans in 2023
FAQ
Do you really need a crepe pan?
What’s the difference between a crepe pan and a regular pan?
What is special about a crepe pan?
What is the best material for a crepe pan?
What are the best crepe makers & pans?
Here are the best 6 crepe makers and pans from brands like Le Creuset, Lodge, Cuisinart, and CucinaPro.
Should you buy a crepe pan?
If storage space is tight, go with a space-saving option: While a lot of the crepe pans we tested were lightweight, slim and easy to store, others were much heavier, and the electric crepe makers could be pretty bulky. If you don’t have a lot of room for another pan or appliance, choosing a compact and lightweight pan is probably your best bet.
Should you use a crepe pan or an electric crepe maker?
While you could use a good nonstick skillet with sloping sides to make crepes, a crepe pan’s signature low profile makes it easier to thinly spread the batter and remove the cooked crepe from the pan. Electric crepe makers offer the same benefits with added heat regulation — just set it and it will typically let you know when it’s ready to use.
Which electric crepe maker should I buy?
If you’re looking for a more professional-style crepe maker with an electric base and flat cooktop, we recommend the Proctor Silex Electric Crepe Maker, which comes with all the tools you need to make restaurant-quality crepes at home.